University of Pennsylvania

University of Minnesota

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Dennis E Discher

Robert J Levy

Frank Steven Bates

Bohdana Marie Discher

You-Yeon Won

Daniel A Hammer

James C-m Lee

Kyle R Spinler

Cory Alvey

Diego A Pantano

Richard Kuo-An Tsai

Jae-Won Shin

Pia L Rodriguez Nunez

Stanley J Stachelek

Richard Tsai

The present invention relates to compositions and methods that provide novel therapies in cancer. The invention includes a phagocytic cell modified with a repressor of signal regulatory protein-alpha (SIRPα) and bound to a targeting antibody to enhance phagocytic activity of the phagocytic cell toward tumor tissue. Methods of enhancing phagocytic activity and treating a tumor are also included.

Compositions and methods for selective phagocytosis of human cancer cells

The present invention relates to compositions and methods that provide novel therapies in cancer. The invention includes a phagocytic cell modified with a repressor of signal regulatory protein-alpha (SIRP&#x3b1;) and bound to a targeting antibody to enhance phagocytic activity of the phagocytic cell toward tumor tissue. Methods of enhancing phagocytic activity and treating a tumor are also included.

The present invention relates to a bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use, for the isolation of rare blood cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocytes. The apparatus includes a soft substrate and an anti-contractility agent, thereby providing a soft microenvironment to cultured cells. The apparatus of the invention is permissive for the survival of non-dividing cells while dividing cells are eliminated. This unique property allows for the simple isolation of rare blood cells without the use of costly equipment and antibodies.

Bioreactor for isolation of rare cells and methods of use

The present invention includes a method of modulating the phagocytic activity of at least one phagocyte in a subject. The present invention also includes a method of providing a composition resistant to phagocytosis to a subject. The present invention further includes a method of treating, ameliorating or preventing an inflammatory disease in a subject.

Peptides and methods using same

The present invention relates to a viral particle. The viral particle has a radius of less than about 1 &#x3bc;m, and at least one peptide comprising at least a biologically active portion of CD47. The present invention also includes a method of increasing the life of a particle in vivo in a mammal. The method includes the steps of expressing at least one peptide comprising at least a biologically active portion of CD47 in a viral particle, and administering the viral particle having CD47 expressed to a mammal, wherein the administered viral particle has a longer half life in the mammal than an otherwise identical viral particle that does not have CD47 expressed thereon.

Protection of virus particles from phagocytosis by expression of CD47

The present invention provides biocompatible vesicles comprising semi-permeable, thin-walled encapsulating membranes which are formed in an aqueous solution, and which comprise one or more synthetic super-amphiphilic molecules. When at least one super-amphiphile molecule is a block copolymer, the resulting synthetic vesicle is termed a 'polymersome.' The synthetic, reactive nature of the amphiphilic composition enables extensive, covalent cross-linking of the membrane, while maintaining semi-permeability. Cross-linking of the polymer building-block components provides mechanical control and long-term stability to the vesicle, thereby also providing a means of controlling the encapsulation or release of materials from the vesicle by modifying the composition of the membrane. Thus, the encapsulating membranes of the present invention are particularly suited for the reliable, durable and controlled transport, delivery and storage of materials.

Cross-linked polymersomes and related encapsulating membranes

Polymersomes and related encapsulating membranes

The present invention provides biocompatible vesicles comprising semi-permeable, thin-walled encapsulating membranes which are formed in an aqueous solution, and which comprise one or more synthetic super-amphiphilic molecules. When at least one super-amphiphile molecule is a block copolymer, the resulting synthetic vesicle is termed a &ldquo;polymersome.&rdquo; The synthetic, reactive nature of the amphiphilic composition enables extensive, covalent cross-linking of the membrane, while maintaining semi-permeability. Cross-linking of the polymer building-block components provides mechanical control and long-term stability to the vesicle, thereby also providing a means of controlling the encapsulation or release of materials from the vesicle by modifying the composition of the membrane. Thus, the encapsulating membranes of the present invention are particularly suited for the reliable, durable and controlled transport, delivery and storage of materials.

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Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Dennis E Discher