Abstract: The present application is generally directed to novel pneumococcal polypeptide antigens and nucleic acids encoding such antigens, and immunogenic compositions comprising such antigens for treating and preventing pneumococcal infection. The present invention further provides method of using the antigens to elicits an immune response (e.g., IL-17A response, a T cell-mediated and/or B-cell-mediated immune responses). The present invention also provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of pneumococcal-mediated diseases, such as sepsis, comprising administering an immunogenic composition including one or more of a combination of pneumococcal antigens or functional fragments thereof as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more pneumococcal antigens can be present in a polysaccharide conjugate. The compositions induce an anti-pneumococcus immune response when administered to a mammal.

Abstract: Provided herein are Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists for use in enhancing human immune response and/or as adjuvants in vaccines. The TLR2 agonists include thiophenes, imidazoles, or phenyl-containing compounds, which may be compounds of Formulae (I), (II), (III), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. The compounds described herein are used as enhancers of an immune response (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune response), and are useful in treating and/or preventing a disease, as adjuvants in a vaccine for the disease. (e.g., proliferative disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, or chronic disease). Also provided in the present disclosure are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods, and uses including or using a compound described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods to increase the expression of PD-L1 and/or IDO-1 in a population of cells, the modulated cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1, and methods related to the immunosuppressive effects obtained by cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1.

Abstract: Provided herein are agents that bind to the lipid binding groove of Frizzled (FZD). In some embodiments, the agent is a fragment of TcdB corresponding to amino acids 1285-1804 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, binding of the agent to the lipid binding groove of FZD inhibits TcdB entry into cells, and/or inhibits Wnt signaling. Methods of treating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and methods of treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for generating functionalized nanoswitches, as well as the functionalized nanoswitches themselves, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A device for performing intervention procedures includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The elongated body includes a hollow tool channel extending through the elongated body from the first end to the second end. The tool channel is configured to receive an intervention tool and a length-adjusting element disposed at the first end or the second end of the elongated body. The length-adjusting element is configured to enable a length of the elongated body to be adjusted. The elongated body includes an angle-adjusting element disposed along the length of the elongated body. The angle-adjusting element is configured to enable the elongated body to be bent. The device includes an imaging system disposed at the first end or the second end of the elongated body. The imaging system includes an imaging device and an illumination device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating Williams syndrome (WS), herein identified as a neurodevelopmental oligodendrocyte hypomyelination-associated disease, and to compositions and methods for treatment of other neurodevelopmental myelination abnormality diseases or disorder.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining whether an extracellular vesicle (EV) can cross an endothelial barrier (e.g., the blood brain barrier). In some embodiments, the EV originates from a cancer cell. In some embodiments, the cancer has a higher likelihood of metastasizing (to the brain) if the EV originating from a cancer cell is determined to be able to cross an endothelial barrier (e.g., the blood brain barrier). Thus, further provided herein are methods of determining whether a subject who has cancer is likely to develop metastatic cancer. In some embodiments, the subject is treated for the metastatic cancer accordingly.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection in a subject. In some embodiments, a method of treating a C. difficile infection comprises administering an antagonist of neurogenic inflammation to a subject.

Abstract: The invention of the disclosure features Ca2+-calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitory multimeric polypeptides polynucleotides encoding such polypeptide, and methods of using the same for the treatment of cardiac diseases (e.g., catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) or atrial fibrillation (AF)).

Abstract: The disclosure provides modified biotin-binding proteins which can be expressed in soluble form in high yield in bacteria. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising the modified biotin-binding protein and an antigen. The disclosure further provides non-hemolytic variants of alpha-hemolysin from S. aureus and fusion protein comprising non-hemolytic variant of alpha-hemolysin and a biotin-binding domains. Immunogenic compositions comprising the proteins are also disclosed and use of such immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response or for vaccinating a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies for the prevention and/or treatment of Salmonella infections.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for treating anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged neoplasias including Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs). The methods involve administering to a subject ALK peptides and/or polynucleotides encoding the ALK peptides, optionally in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and/or an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

Abstract: Provided herein are antisense oligonucleotides for use in targeting SARS-CoV-2. Also provided herein are compositions comprising such oligonucleotides and methods for administering the oligonucleotides or compositions thereof to a subject for the purpose of treating or preventing a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Abstract: The invention features a prospective respiratory motion compensation technique for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging of the whole-heart of a free-breathing subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I), and salts, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, and isotopically enriched derivatives thereof; for example, in the form of a particle (e.g., liposome). Also provided are methods, uses, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits involving the compounds and/or compositions described herein, for methods for delivering an agent described herein (e.g., therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent), or for treating and/or preventing a disease in a subject, and methods of synthesizing these compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting cells for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, e.g., delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to a cell. Nanoparticles and polymers functionalized with capture molecules, reporter molecules, and/or therapeutic agents are provided for the treatment or prevention of disease, including neurological diseases associated with neuroinflammation, and cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are a ApoA1 and ApoM (A1M) fusion proteins, lipidated A1M fusion proteins, nanoparticles comprising AM1 fusion proteins, and methods of use thereof for treatment of vascular and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are uses for an immunostimulatory compound for stimulating an immune response when administered either alone or as an adjuvant in a vaccine. Also provided herein are kits, compositions, and methods of administration for the compound described for proliferative disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, or chronic disease, in a subject in need thereof. Using the compound as a vaccine adjuvant enables effective immunization in vulnerable populations.

Abstract: Scan time in diffusion-relaxation magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is reduced by implementing time-division multiplexing (“TDM”). In general, time-shifted radio frequency (“RF”) pulses are used to excite two or more imaging volumes. These RF pulses are applied to induce separate echoes for each slice. Diffusion MRI data can thus be acquired with different echo times, or alternatively with the same echo time, in significantly reduced overall scan time. Multidimensional correlations between diffusion and relaxation parameters can be estimated from the resulting data.