A recombinant lentiviral vector includes a gene encoding a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) protein. And a cell that is transfected with the lentivirus produced by using the vector is provided. The recombinant lentivirus includes a gene encoding a HGF protein, and a host cell transfected with the lentivirus maintains a high cell proliferation rate. Thus, a mesenchymal stem cell expressing HGF by being transfected with the lentivirus may be usefully employed as a cell therapeutic agent.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

The present disclosure relates to antigens and methods of generating an immune response for the treatment of cancer. The disclosure also relates to methods of generating MHC-Ia, MHC-II, and/or MHC-E restricted CD8+ T cells for the treatment or prevention of cancer.

The present disclosure relates to recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors encoding heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

A novel method for preventing or treating an infectious disease in a subject in need thereof. In particular the method includes the administration of a combination, pharmaceutical combination, medicament or kit-of-parts having a first part including a CD8 vaccine specific for at least one infectious disease-related antigen, a second part including an agent neutralizing circulating alpha interferon and/or an agent blocking interferon alpha signaling, and/or a third part including a type III interferon and/or an agent stimulating the production of type III interferon.

The present disclosure relates to recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors encoding heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

A recombinant lentiviral vector includes a gene encoding a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) protein. And a cell that is transfected with the lentivirus produced by using the vector is provided. The recombinant lentivirus includes a gene encoding a HGF protein, and a host cell transfected with the lentivirus maintains a high cell proliferation rate. Thus, a mesenchymal stem cell expressing HGF by being transfected with the lentivirus may be usefully employed as a cell therapeutic agent.

The recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors of this invention encode heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.