Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Disclosed are PD-L1 presenting compositions. The compositions may be used to effect immunomodulation in a variety of contexts. The compositions may be used to decrease rates of transplant rejection, including pancreatic islet cell transplantation. The compositions are useful for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating and preventing cancer. In particular, described herein are methods using SA-4-1BBL as a monotherapy agent to treat, prevent or reduce the risk of cancer, treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of tumorigenesis, and treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of post-surgical tumor recurrence. SA-4-1BBL for use as a monotherapy in such methods also is provided.

Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments and methods for providing effective immunomodulation with chimeric proteins including FasL moieties for selective and long-lasting regulation of the immune response.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the persistent modification of cell membranes with exogenous proteins so as to alter the function of the cell to achieve effects similar to those of gene therapy, without the introduction of exogenous DNA. DNA sequences, the proteins and polypeptides embodying these sequences are disclosed for modulating the immune system. The modulations include down-regulation, up-regulation and apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides conjugates comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide and an antigen or infectious agent. The conjugates are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response against the antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immune cells modified with a conjugate that are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response to an antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immunostimulatory moieties comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide that are useful for stimulating an immune response. The invention also provides immunotherapy methods and methods of treating or preventing infections.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the persistent modification of cell membranes with exogenous proteins so as to alter the function of the cell to achieve effects similar to those of gene therapy, without the introduction of exogenous DNA. DNA sequences, the proteins and polypeptides embodying these sequences are disclosed for modulating the immune system. The modulations include down-regulation, up-regulation and apoptosis.

Abstract: Streptavidin(SA)-4-1BBL and TLR agonists such as monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) exhibit surprising synergy as adjuvants, inducing immune responses against weak antigens. Accordingly, there are provided adjuvant compositions comprising 4-1BBL and a toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, such as MPL, methods of inducing an immune response against an antigen in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) the antigen, (b) a TLR agonist and, (c) 4-1BBL, and methods of treating a tumor or a cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an antigen associated with the tumor or cancer, (b) a TLR agonist, and (c) 4-1BBL.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the persistent modification of cell membranes with exogenous proteins so as to alter the function of the cell to achieve effects similar to those of gene therapy, without the introduction of exogenous DNA. DNA sequences, the proteins and polypeptides embodying these sequences are disclosed for modulating the immune system. The modulations include down-regulation, up-regulation and apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention provides chimeric proteins comprising an apoptosis-inducing molecule fused to a member of a binding pair that is capable of binding to a selected cell that expresses a death receptor. When the selected cell is exposed in vivo or ex vivo to the chimeric protein, the selected cell undergoes apoptosis. The preferred embodiment is FasL protein fused to streptavidin. The methods of using the chimeric proteins are especially beneficial in causing activated lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis, thus modulating the immune response. Patients with conditions such as asthma or allergy, or patients undergoing transplantation with allogeneic or xenogeneic tissue are examples of patients who benefit from the methods of this invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the persistent modification of cell membranes with exogenous proteins so as to alter the function of the cell to achieve effects similar to those of gene therapy, without the introduction of exogenous DNA. DNA sequences, the proteins and polypeptides embodying these sequences are disclosed for modulating the immune system. The modulations include down-regulation, up-regulation and apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides conjugates comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide and an antigen or infectious agent. The conjugates are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response against the antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immune cells modified with a conjugate that are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response to an antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immunostimulatory moieties comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide that are useful for stimulating an immune response. The invention also provides immunotherapy methods and methods of treating or preventing infections.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the persistent modification of cell membranes with exogenous proteins so as to alter the function of the cell to achieve effects similar to those of gene therapy, without the introduction of exogenous DNA. DNA sequences, the proteins and polypeptides embodying these sequences are disclosed for modulating the immune system. The modulations include down-regulation, up-regulation and apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides conjugates comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide and an antigen or infectious agent. The conjugates are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response against the antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immune cells modified with a conjugate that are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response to an antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immunostimulatory moieties comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide that are useful for stimulating an immune response. The invention also provides immunotherapy methods and methods of treating or preventing infections.

Abstract: This invention provides chimeric proteins comprising an apoptosis-inducing molecule fused to a member of a binding pair that is capable of binding to a selected cell that expresses a death receptor. When the selected cell is exposed in vivo or ex vivo to the chimeric protein, the selected cell undergoes apoptosis. The preferred embodiment is FasL protein fused to streptavidin. The methods of using the chimeric proteins are especially beneficial in causing activated lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis, thus modulating the immune response. Patients with conditions such as asthma or allergy, or patients undergoing transplantation with allogeneic or xenogeneic tissue are examples of patients who benefit from the methods of this invention.

Abstract: This invention provides chimeric proteins comprising an apoptosis-inducing molecule fused to a member of a binding pair that is capable of binding to a selected cell that expresses a death receptor. When the selected cell is exposed in vivo or ex vivo to the chimeric protein, the selected cell undergoes apoptosis. The preferred embodiment is FasL protein fused to streptavidin. The methods of using the chimeric proteins are especially beneficial in causing activated lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis, thus modulating the immune response. Patients with conditions such as asthma or allergy, or patients undergoing transplantation with allogeneic or xenogeneic tissue are examples of patients who benefit from the methods of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for expanding Treg cells ex vivo or in vivo using one or more conjugates comprising a costimulatory moiety that stimulates at least one of three signals involved in Treg cell development and/or using dendritic cells pulsed with antigens and modified to display TGF-?, or hematopoetic stem cells or bone marrow cells modified to display TGF-?. The methods and compositions are useful, for example, in the treatment and prevention of autoimmune disease, including Type 1 diabetes and in preventing foreign graft rejection, as well as to establish mixed chimerism, induce tolerance to autoantigens, alloantigens or xenoantigens, beta cell regeneration, prevention of foreign graft rejection, and treatment of a genetically inherited hematopoietic disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in vivo engineering of cell surfaces, such as tumor cell surfaces, with one or more immune co-stimulatory polypeptides. The methods, compositions and engineered cells are useful, for example, to stimulate an immune response against the cells. When the engineered cell surfaces are tumor cell surfaces, the methods, compositions and engineered cells are useful for improving a patient's immune response against the cancer and for reducing tumor size and inhibiting tumor growth.