Described herein are methods for enhancing the nuclear reprogramming of somatic cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the methods disclosed herein involve the use of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMP). In certain embodiments the DAMPs are aluminum compositions such as aluminum hydroxide. Such DAMPs have unexpectedly and surprisingly been found to enhance the nuclear reprogramming efficiency of the reprogramming factors commonly used to induce somatic cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells. Accordingly, this disclosure describes methods of nuclear reprogramming as well as cells obtained from such methods along with therapeutic methods for using such cells for the treatment of disease amendable to treatment by stem cell therapy; as well as kits for such uses.

The described invention provides a method of functionally reprogramming adult cells to an immature cell type that expresses one or more embryonic biomarkers. The reprogramming is accomplished by contacting the adult cells with a platelet rich fraction comprising platelet-like cells from umbilical cord blood or peripheral blood, and expanding the immature cell type in vitro under culture conditions to generate an insulin-producing cell population that expresses human beta-cell specific transcription factors and is functionally equivalent to human pancreatic beta-cells. Without being limited by theory, platelet-like cells and their released mitochondria display immune tolerance-associated markers that may modulate the function and differentiation of immune cells. The described invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a cell product containing a therapeutic amount of an insulin-producing cell population derived from functionally reprogrammed adult cells, wherein the insulin-producing cell population expresses human beta-cell specific transcription factors and is functionally equivalent to human pancreatic beta-cells.

The invention provides an in vitro method for inducing macrophage polarization to an M2 phenotype. The method comprises the in vitro exposure of macrophages to repeated series of hypoxia-reoxygenation. Activated M2 macrophages obtained by this method overexpress molecules important for tissue remodeling and amelioration of inflammation, thus they are useful as cell therapy for tissue regeneration. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the M2 macrophages obtained by the method, as well as a device for inducing hypoxia and re-oxygenation conditions on isolated macrophages according to the method.

A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.

Described are compositions of matter, protocols, and treatment means for induction of immune mediated killing in dogs suffering from cancer. The invention provides means of extracting peripheral blood from a canine patient, expanding immunocytes capable of killing cancer cells in vitro, and re-administering said immunocytes into a patient in need of therapy. In one embodiment, immunocytes expanded are T cells possessing tumor cytotoxic activity induced by stimulation of NKG2D.

A method for producing natural killer cells is disclosed. The method comprises isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a blood sample; isolating at least one of CD56+ cells and/or CD3/CD56+ cells from the PBMCs; and co-culturing the at least one of CD56+ cells and/or CD3/CD56+ cells with a combination of feeder cells in the presence of a cytokine. A composition for treating cancer is also disclosed. The composition comprises the CD56+ natural killer cells produced by the disclosed method and a cytokine.

A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.

The invention relates to progenitor cells of mesodermal lineage and their use in therapy.

The present invention relates to in vitro methods of producing mature dendritic cells, a dendritic cell maturation cocktail, a method of producing mature antigen presenting dendritic cells in vitro, methods of manufacturing vaccines containing mature dendritic cells, antigen-presenting mature dendritic cells produced according to the methods described, vaccines containing the mature antigen-presenting dendritic cells and methods of treatment and used of mature antigen-presenting cells of the invention.

A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.