Abstract: Described herein is a bispecific scFv construct agonizing both CD3 and CD28 pathways. Typically, the construct is soluble and activates, expands, and differentiates human T cells ex vivo. Related compositions and methods are also described, such as methods for expanding, activating, and or differentiating T cells ex vivo and methods of treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered nucleic acids, engineered mRNAs, engineered polypeptides, and engineered pentamerized polypeptides, human and murine, each of which include sequences of VISTA, ICOS-L, PD-L1 or B7-H4 extracellular domains operably linked to the pentamerization domain of COMP. A soluble form of the pentamerized polypeptides has T-cell inhibitory activity, in the case of VISTA, PD-L1 or B7H4, or T-cell stimulatory activity, in the case of ICOS-L. Methods of using same for treatment of a subject in need of T-cell modulating activity are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered nucleic acids, engineered mRNAs, engineered polypeptides, and engineered pentamerized polypeptides, human and murine, each of which include sequences of VISTA, ICOS-L, PD-L1 or B7-H4 extracellular domains GO operably linked to the pentamerization domain of COMP. A soluble form of the pentamerized polypeptides has T-cell inhibitory activity, in the case of VISTA, PD-L1 or B7H4, or T-cell stimulatory activity, in the case of ICOS-L. Methods of using same for treatment of a subject in need of T-cell modulating activity are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are short DNA aptamers that selectively recognize CD200R1, a protein expressed on the surface of myeloid and lymphoid cells that delivers immune inhibitory signals to modulate inflammation when engaged with its ligand, CD200. Also disclosed is the use of said aptamers as therapeutic agents, for the purpose of decreasing inflammatory response; treatment of spinal cord injury; treatment of an immune related disease such as arthritis, asthma, allergy, infection; as a course of treatment during or after transplantation; or for treatment of an autoimmune disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Parkinson's Disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are short DNA aptamers that selectively recognize CD200R1, a protein expressed on the surface of myeloid and lymphoid cells that delivers immune inhibitory signals to modulate inflammation when engaged with its ligand, CD200. Also disclosed is the use of said aptamers as therapeutic agents, for the purpose of decreasing inflammatory response; treatment of spinal cord injury; treatment of an immune related disease such as arthritis, asthma, allergy, infection; as a course of treatment during or after transplantation; or for treatment of an autoimmune disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Parkinson's Disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are short DNA aptamers that selectively recognize CD200R1, a protein expressed on the surface of myeloid and lymphoid cells that delivers immune inhibitory signals to modulate inflammation when engaged with its ligand, CD200. Also disclosed is the use of said aptamers as therapeutic agents, for the purpose of decreasing inflammatory response; treatment of spinal cord injury; treatment of an immune related disease such as arthritis, allergy, infection; as a course of treatment during or after transplantation; or for treatment of an autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Parkinson's Disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising the N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These compositions are useful for inducing or enhancing an immune response, for inhibiting tumor cell growth and for treating cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are short DNA aptamers that selectively recognize CD200R1, a protein expressed on the surface of myeloid and lymphoid cells that delivers immune inhibitory signals to modulate inflammation when engaged with its ligand, CD200. Also disclosed is the use of said aptamers as therapeutic agents, for the purpose of decreasing inflammatory response; treatment of spinal cord injury; treatment of an immune related disease such as arthritis, allergy, infection; as a course of treatment during or after transplantation; or for treatment of an autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Parkinson's Disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising the N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These compositions are useful for inducing or enhancing an immune response, for inhibiting tumor cell growth and for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising the N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These compositions are useful for inducing or enhancing an immune response, for inhibiting tumor cell growth and for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising the N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These compositions are useful for inducing or enhancing an immune response, for inhibiting tumor cell growth and for treating cancer.

Abstract: Aptamers against the glycosylated form of MUC1 are described, along with their use in treatment and diagnosis of conditions associated with elevated production of MUC1.

Abstract: The application discloses a fusion tag comprising an affinity tag and a polypeptide comprising one or more EF hand motif(s). Preferably, said fusion tag comprises a polyhistidine tag, one or more EF hand motif(s) of calmodulin and a thrombin cleavage site. Methods of using said fusion tag to purify a polypeptide of interest are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing, identifying and using new therapeutic or diagnostic proteins capable of binding to a target cell. The new proteins are derived by mutating a binding subunit of a wild type heteromeric cytotoxic protein to create a library of microorganism clones producing mutant proteins which are then screened for their ability to specifically bind to and kill a target cell.

Abstract: Aptamers against the glycosylated form of MUC1 are described, along with their use in treatment and diagnosis of conditions associated with elevated production of MUC1.

Abstract: This application relates to libraries of ABx toxin mutants, in which a peptide insert is introduced into the protease-sensitive loop of the A-chain sequence to alter the type of cells to which toxic species are delivered. Said libraries are used in the development of therapeutics targeted against specific cell types.

Abstract: This application relates to libraries of toxin mutants, and to methods of using same in the development of targeted against specific cell types.

Abstract: A method for the selective purging ex vivo of CD77 positive cells from bone marrow or peripheral blood containing stem cells prior to autologous transplantation is described. The method involves treating the bone marrow or blood sample with shiga toxin or shiga-like toxin-1 to kill CD77+ cells or to remove them by affinity chromatography. The toxin selectively binds to CD77+ cells and not to other stem cells. The method offers a means for curing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, myelomas and breast cancers expressing CD77.

Abstract: A method for the selective purging ex vivo of CD77 positive cells from bone marrow prior to autologous transplantation is described. The method involves treating the bone marrow with shiga toxin or shiga-like toxin-1 to kill CD77.sup.+ cells or to remove them by affinity chromatography. The toxin selectively binds to CD77.sup.+ cells and not to other bone marrow cells. The method offers a means for curing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Abstract: The invention is a branched synthetic peptide conjugate which can be designed to bind to a target cell surface receptor, to penetrate into target cells, and to deliver a diagnostic probe or cytotoxic functionality to a desired site of action. The invention provides a relatively small molecule of flexible design having a branched structure for systematically incorporating a desired number of cytotoxic functions, peptide-based localization signals or diagnostic probes. The invention addresses problems associated with protein-based therapeutic or diagnostic agents.