Abstract: Antibodies and compositions of matter useful for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection in mammals, and methods of using those compositions of matter for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of EBV infection are described. Also described are proteins, referred to as anti-gp350 antibody probes, and anti-gp350 B-cell probes, that maintain the epitope structure of the CR2-binding region of gp350, but do not bind CR2.

Abstract: Embodiments of a novel platform for delivering a peptide antigen to a subject to induce an immune response to the peptide antigen are provided. For example, nanoparticle polyplexes are provided that comprise a polymer linked to a peptide conjugate by an electrostatic interaction. The conjugate comprises a peptide antigen linked to a peptide tag through an optional linker. An adjuvant may be included in the nanoparticle polyplex, linked to either the polymer or the conjugate, or admixed with the nanoparticles. The nanoparticle polyplex can be administered to a subject to induce an immune response to the peptide antigen.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of one or more strains of Chikungunya virus, as well as other alphavirus-mediated diseases.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor is disclosed that includes: (a) an scFv comprising a light chain variable domain (VL) and a heavy chain variable domain (VH), wherein the scFv specifically binds to CCR4; (b) a hinge and transmembrane domain from CD8; (c) an intracellular 4-1BB signaling domain; and (d) an intracellular CD3 zeta signaling domain, wherein (a)-(d) are in N to C terminal order. Uses of the chimeric antigen receptor, such as for treating a malignancy, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) amino acid constructs. Polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CAR constructs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the development of novel compounds and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of malaria. The compounds prevent the formation by the malaria parasite of the plasmodium surface anion channel (PSAC) on the surface of the host cell. The compounds and methods described herein are effective against infection by a wide variety of Plasmodia strains known as the causative agent of malaria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to influenza virus immunisation using at least one influenza HA stem polypeptide in conjunction with squalene emulsion adjuvants, and to related aspects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a solid support suitable for synthesizing nucleic acid sequences. The solid support may have a structure according to Formula I, where CPG is controlled pore glass, and m, n, x, y, R1 and R2 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the solid support, kits including solid support, and a universal linker phosphoramidite suitable for use in the solid support.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides bicistronic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) amino acid constructs. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CAR constructs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also disclosed. Methods of making the CAR constructs are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) antigens including a recombinant RSV F protein stabilized in a prefusion conformation. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the antigens and methods of producing the antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antigen to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds for treating or preventing a disease or disorder responsive to antagonism of a P2Y14R receptor agonist in a mammal in need thereof, for example, compounds of formulas (I) and (II), wherein R1-R8, X, Y, Z, X?, Y?, Z?, and A are as defined herein, that are useful in treating an inflammatory such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and sterile inflammation of the kidney.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to ebolavirus glycoprotein and neutralize ebolavirus infection are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors, and host cells are also provided. The disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids and vectors can be used, for example, to inhibit an ebolavirus infection in a subject.

Abstract: Recombinant chimeric bovine/human parainfluenza virus 3 (rB/HPIV3) vectors expressing Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) G protein or a recombinant RSV G protein, as well as methods of their use and manufacture, are provided. The rB/HPIV3 vector comprises a genome comprising a heterologous gene encoding the RSV G protein or the recombinant RSV G protein. Nucleic acid molecules comprising the sequence of the genome or antigenome of the disclosed rB/HPIV3 vectors are also provided. The disclosed rB/HPIV3 vectors can be used, for example, to induce an immune response to RSV and HPIV3 in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing an isolated population of dendritic cells, isolated populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the isolated population of dendritic cells. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing cancer using the isolated population of dendritic cells or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides an isolated population of exosomes comprising interleukin-27 (IL-27) or interleukin-35 (IL-35). In an embodiment, the invention also provides a method of preparing a population of exosomes comprising interleukin-27 (IL-27), the method comprising: (a) isolating CD19+B2 cells or B1a cells; (b) activating the isolated cells with a LPS or a BCR agonist to provide activated cells; and (c) isolating exosomes secreted from the activated cells. In an embodiment, the invention also provides a method of preparing a population of exosomes comprising interleukin-35 (IL-35), the method comprising: (a) isolating CD138+plasma cells; (b) activating the isolated cells with a LPS or a BCR agonist to provide activated cells; and (c) isolating exosomes secreted from the activated cells. Additional embodiments of the invention are as described.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing mesothelin antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to the stem region of an influenza HA protein. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. The vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza HA protein joined to a trimerization domain. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molecule comprising: (a) a first domain, which comprises a targeting moiety; (b) a second domain, which comprises an albumin binding domain (ABD), (c) a third domain, which comprises a furin cleavage sequence (“FCS”), which FCS is cleavable by furin; and (d) a fourth domain, which comprises an optionally substituted Domain III from Pseudomonas exotoxin A (“PE”). Related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of producing the molecule, methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: Coronavirus S ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to coronavirus in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing coronavirus infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Also disclosed are methods of automatically identifying the TCR alpha and beta chain V segment sequences and CDR3 sequences of a TCR having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation. Methods of preparing a population of cells that express paired TCR alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, are also disclosed. Isolated pairs of TCR alpha and beta chain sequences and isolated populations of cells prepared by the methods are also disclosed.