Embodiments disclosed here provide engineered modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), artificially prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2)-stimulated HSCs, compositions comprising these HSCs, methods of using these modified HSCs for treating autoimmune diseases and disorders and for suppressing the immune system. In particular, the engineered modified HSCs or PGE.sub.2-stimulated HSCs express the surface marker, programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1).

The present invention provides methods for producing and/or expanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) that can be used in adoptive immunotherapy in cancer treatment.

Disclosed are a multilayered cell sheet of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) and a method of manufacturing the same. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a multilayered cell sheet according to a single step culture procedure by using, as a three-dimensional matrix, a biodegradable natural polymer hydrogel and embedding CSCs in the hydrogel. The multilayered cell sheet of the present disclosure does not require any special device for the manufacturing, is manageable with good physicomechanical property, increases a cell engraftment rate after transplantation based on sufficient accumulation of various growth and protective factors and extracellular matrix between cells, and is also self-assembled by the cell-mediated hydrogel compaction, making nutrients transfer easy. Therefore, the multilayered cell sheet of the CSCs is expected to be usefully applicable as a therapeutic agent for myocardium regeneration.

A method of manufacturing a multilayered cell sheet of neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), includes: (1) isolating and culturing NCSCs from peripheral nerves; (2) embedding the cultured NCSCs in a hydrogel; (3) culturing the hydrogel comprising the NCSCs embedded therein under stressed culture conditions in which a physical support is applied; and (4) culturing the resulting hydrogel of step (3) under non-stressed culture conditions in which a physical support is removed.

The present invention provides new protease resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.

The invention provides methods for using Umbilical Cord Lining Stem Cells (ULSCs) to produce therapeutic factors including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix components. ULSCs are mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord lining. They can be efficiently propagated and expanded in vitro. Under specific conditions ULSCs produce useful therapeutic factors that can be used to treat injuries and degenerative conditions.

Factor rich compositions produced from umbilical cord (UC) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are described. Secretory UC MSCs in serum free culture conditions produce a factor rich conditioned medium which may be concentrated and filtered to obtain clinical grade products.

The current disclosure describes methods of expanding precursor cells for hematopoietic transplantation in subjects. The methods culture precursor cells in media containing an immobilized high molecular weight LILRB2 agonist or an LILRB2 agonist in combination with a Notch agonist. The expanded cells can be used to treat a variety of hematopoietic disorders.

The present invention relates to a biologically active placenta-derived liquid human substrate (hpS) comprising extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, cytokines and growth factors and use thereof. The present invention also provides methods of producing a composition comprising biologically active placenta-derived liquid human substrate (hpS).

The present invention provides new protease resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.