Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid molecules engineered for efficient propagation of a heterologous DNA sequence (such as a heterologous viral gene) that is toxic in E. coli are described. Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes were used as exemplary toxic heterologous DNA sequences. Plasmids that included a heterologous DNA positioned between bacterial regulatory elements (such as lac operator sequences and/or terminator sequences) exhibited decreased gene transcription in E. coli and increased stability of the heterologous DNA while also retaining the property of inducible expression in E. coli.

Abstract: Optimized chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting glypican-2 (GPC2) and having a CD28 hinge region and a CD28 transmembrane domain are described. The antigen-binding domain of the disclosed CARs is derived from GPC2-specific antibody CT3 or humanized versions thereof. The optimized CARs also include an intracellular co-stimulatory domain and an intracellular signaling domain. Immune cells or induced pluripotent stem cells expressing the optimized CARs can be used to treat GPC2-positive solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma.

Abstract: Disclosed are monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind a coronavirus spike protein, such as SARS-CoV-2. Also disclosed is the use of these antibodies for inhibiting a coronavirus infection. In addition, disclosed are methods for detecting a coronavirus in a biological sample, using the disclosed antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TEM3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of obtaining a cell population enriched for T cells having antigenic specificity for a cancer-specific mutation using in vitro stimulation of memory T cells. Also disclosed are related methods of isolating a T cell receptor (TCR), populations of cells, TCRs or antigen-binding portions thereof, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of preparation thereof, wherein R1, Xa, Xb, Xc, and Xd are as described in the specification. Further disclosed is an isotopic mixture of a compound of Formula (I), as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing a hyperpolarized compound of Formula (I). Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a patient suffering from cancer, the method including administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and measuring the hyperpolarization of a compound of interest in the patient. Further disclosed is a method of preparing hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compounds for use in the above methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified NK cells, compositions comprising modified NK cells, and methods for treating a tumor or hyperproliferative disease in a subject. In some embodiments, the modified NK cells include NK cells including a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a CD16 protein comprising a valine at amino acid position 158 (CD16-V158), a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a CCR7 protein, or both. In some embodiments, methods include treating a subject with a tumor by administering a composition comprising an anti-cancer monoclonal antibody and administering a composition comprising the modified NK cells to the subject. Also disclosed are methods of making modified NK cells by obtaining a population of NK cells from a subject and transfecting the population of NK cells with a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding CD16-V158, a heterologous nucleic acid molecule encoding a CCR7 protein, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 are described herein. The small molecule compounds of formula (I) activate the functional activity of relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), thereby providing therapeutic treatments for a variety of disorders, such as a bone disorder, hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer, infertility, or an ocular wound.

Abstract: Kits and methods to distinguish between false and true labor are provided. The kits and methods can utilize differences in abundance and/or differences in the rate of change in abundance of B7-H2, SORC2, TF, C1-Esterase Inhibitor, Ran, IMDH1 and/or PGAM1, as markers of true labor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding a reduced-size ATP7A protein. Also disclosed are vectors and recombinant viruses (such as recombinant adeno-associated viruses) including the codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding the reduced-size ATP7A protein and compositions including the disclosed vectors and viruses. Further disclosed herein are methods of treating copper transport disorders, for example by administering a disclosed nucleic acid, vector, or recombinant virus to a subject with a copper transport disorder, such as Menkes disease, occipital horn syndrome, or ATP7A-related distal motor neuropathy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vaccine comprising an amphiphile having the formula S-[B]-[U]-H and at least one peptide antigen conjugate having the formula selected from [S]-[E1]-A-[E2]-[U]-H and H-[U]-[E1]-A-[E2]-[S], wherein the amphiphile and/or the at least one peptide antigen conjugate comprises a dendron amplifier. The vaccine is useful in treating or preventing a cancer, an autoimmune disease, an allergy, an infectious disease, a cardiovascular disease, or a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for carrying out Real Time Cellular Thermal Shift Assays (RT-CETSA). Also provided are molecular constructs and protein constructs for use in such assays and devices suitable for carrying out such assays. Also provided are non-parametric methods for analyzing data from RT-CETSA and other biological target engagement assays.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of molecules termed remodilins that are effective in treating asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and associated disorders. The molecules ameliorate asthma and pulmonary fibrosis symptoms by various mechanisms, including inhibiting airway smooth muscle contractile protein accumulation, reducing airway constrictor hyperresponsiveness, inhibiting bronchial fibroblast transformation into myofibroblasts, and/or treating or preventing airway or pulmonary fibrosis.

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: Disclosed are methods of preparing thymic emigrant cells in vitro, isolated or purified thymic emigrant cells prepared by the methods, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. Further disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal comprising administering the thymic emigrant cells or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same to the mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for an HLA-A2-restricted epitope of thyroglobulin (TG), TG470-478. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and populations of cells are also provided. Antibodies, or an antigen binding portion thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the TCRs of the invention are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the RSV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant RSV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Gingerenone A prodrug compounds have a structure according to Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein one of R1 and R2 is H or —C(O)—R and the other of R1 and R2 is —C(O)—R. Each R independently is RA or, where RA is C18-C22 alkenyl, and RB is an amino acid side chain. The compounds are useful for inhibiting or eliminating senescence. The compounds may be administered to a subject having a senescence-associated disease or disorder, neuroinflammation, pain, and/or an amino acid deficiency.

Abstract: Ultrasound measurement devices can include a chamber configured to retain an ultrasound detection fluid, wherein the ultrasound detection fluid is configured to absorb an ultrasound beam and to reduce a temperature variation across the chamber during heating by the ultrasound beam, and an acoustic power meter including at least one temperature sensor coupled to the chamber, wherein the temperature sensor is operable to sense a temperature change of the ultrasound detection fluid in response to the heating by the ultrasound beam and the acoustic power meter is configured to estimate a power of the ultrasound beam based on the temperature change.