Methods and compositions for modifying glycans (e.g., glycans expressed on the surface of live cells or cell particles) are provided herein.

The present invention relates generally to immunotherapy. Disclosed herein are methods for obtaining cytolytic differentiated NKG2A.sup.−NKG2C.sup.+ cells with a given KIR specificity and also compositions comprising these cells as well as the use of these cells for therapy. The NK cell expansion methods provided herein also have non-therapeutic uses.

Safe, rapid and efficient methods for producing antigen-specific T cells recognizing human papilloma virus or HPV antigens.

Disclosed are means, methods, and compositions of matter useful for enhancement of dendritic cell activity. In one embodiment the invention provides the use of GABA agonists such as homotaurine for stimulation of dendritic cell activity. In one embodiment said dendritic cell activity is enhancement of natural killer cell activity and/or of T cell activity. In one embodiment NK cell activity is ability to induce cytotoxicity in neoplastically transformed cells, whereas T cell activity is either cytokine production for CD4 cells or cytotoxicity for CD8 cells.

Safe, rapid, and efficient methods for producing antigen-specific T cells recognizing human papilloma virus (HPV antigens); HPV-specific T cells, and methods for treating HPV infections and HPV-related malignancies by adoptive transfer of HPV-specific T cells.

Provided is a method for expanding a human DC cell. The method includes the step of contacting a cell sample of a DC cell to be expanded with a viral transactivator protein sourcing from simian-T-lymphotropic virus (STLV). Also provided are an expanded DC cell prepared by the method, and a DC cell and data repository constructed by the method.

The present invention relates to a universal-type efficient in-vitro amplification method for multiple times of clinical feedback of allogenic DNT cells. In the method of the present invention, the amount of a T cell activator is phased down in a continuous culture process without the need for additional interleukin-4 or AB serum.

Provided are a simple and convenient method for preparing universal immune cells and the use thereof. The method comprises placing allogeneic immune cells and specific cell mitogens, cytokines, and immunologic adjuvants in a liquid cell culture medium to be co-cultured in a culture container, so as to obtain a universal immune cell culture with a high immunocompetence. Many clinical long-term practical applications have proven that the universal immune cells are safe and reliable, durable and effective, and have no rejection reaction. Therefore, the universal immune cells can be used as maternal cells of other types of universal immune cell preparations, such as CAR-T and TCR-T, and can be used in fields including adoptive cellular immunotherapy, etc.

Provided herein are methods of producing natural killer cells using a two-step expansion and differentiation method. Also provided herein are methods of suppressing tumor cell proliferation, of treating individuals having cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering the NK cells produced by the method to an individual having the cancer or viral infection.

Disclosed are methods of ameliorating, inhibition, and/or reversing diabetes utilizing immune cells that have been reprogrammed ex vivo by contact with regenerative cells. In one embodiment said reprogrammed immune cells comprise peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from the patient in need of treatment wherein said cells are endowed with properties of immune modulation, and/or suppression of inflammation, and/or restoration of insulin sensitivity, and/or pancreatic regeneration. In one embodiment regenerative cells used for reprogramming are mesenchymal stem cells. In one particular embodiment said cells are umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells. Culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells together with said regenerative cells is performed in the presence of interleukin-2 and/or an mTOR inhibitor. In one embodiment said mTOR inhibitor comprises rapamycin and/or a derivative thereof.