Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompansses methods for use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: In particular, the compound is effective to inhibit Dxr in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The present invention relates to compounds having general formula (I) or (II) where X is an acidic group, such as carboxylate, phosphonate, sulfate, and tetrazole; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, preferably 2, 3, or 4. The compounds inhibits 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr), particularly Dxr in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising agents that activate the expression of Atoh1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof; and agents that inhibit the expression of p27Kip1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof, which are useful for inducing the formation of cochlear hair cells; and methods of treating hearing impairments or disorders using the compositions. In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ?-catenin; and agents that activate the expression of Atoh1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of producing ex vivo natural killer T (NKT) cells, and therapeutic uses thereof for treatment of certain conditions including cancer, autoimmunity, inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders, tissue transplant-related disorders, and infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated swine influenza viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated swine influenza viruses having modifications to a swine NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. These viruses replicate in vivo, but demonstrate decreased replication, virulence and increased attenuation, and therefore are well suited for use in live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A method of verifying therapeutic beam delivery accuracy by ultrasound tomographic imaging to map three dimensional (3D) dose through the detection of ionizing radiation induced thermo-acoustic signal from the proton beam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to treatment of cancer, infections and various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions by affecting regulatory T cell stability and function via a Neuropilin-1:Semaphorin axis. The present invention satisfies this and other needs by demonstrating that the regulatory T cell (Treg)-restricted neuropilin-1 (Nrp 1) interacts with the cell surface ligand semaphorin-4a (Sema4a) (e.g., on conventional T cells (Tconv), conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), and/or plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs)) to potentiate reg function and enhance their survival at inflammatory sites.

Abstract: This invention relates is a label-free, enzyme-free, aptamer-free method for simultaneously measuring adenosine, and its intracellular metabolites, e.g., AMP, ADP and ATP, using high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD).

Abstract: Methods for regulating T cell function in a subject, particularly regulatory T cell activity are provided. Methods of the invention include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an Interleukin 35-specific binding agent, such as an antibody or small molecule inhibitor. The invention further provides methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of a vaccine or overcoming a suppressed immune response to a vaccine in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an IL35-specific binding agent and administering to the subject a vaccine. In one embodiment the vaccine is a cancer vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompasses methods for the use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to aryl substituted aminomethyl spectinomycin analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as anti-bacterial agents; methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating anti-bacterial infections using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) molecule may be increased by substitutions of amino acids in the HA sequence. The substitution of specific HA residues, such as asparagine at position 223 of H5 HA, increase the sensitivity of the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assay by altering receptor specificity and/or antibody-antigen binding. HA molecules containing such substitutions will be useful in the development of diagnostic reference viruses and improved influenza vaccines.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding a secreted mutant human carboxylesterase enzyme and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides which are capable of metabolizing a prodrug and inactive metabolites thereof to active drug are provided. Compositions and methods for sensitizing cells to a prodrug agent, inhibiting cell growth, treating drug addiction, and facilitating the metabolism of an organophosphate with this enzyme are also provided. In addition, a screening assay for identification of drugs activated by this enzyme is described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of Retinoid X Receptor-gamma (RXR-gamma) agonists and Retinoid X Receptor-alpha (RXR-alpha) antagonists in treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of assessing the safety of therapeutic compounds and therapeutic genetic manipulations, including integrating gene therapy vectors and genome editing. In particular, the invention provides a method, wherein the oncogenic potential of therapeutic compounds and therapeutic genetic manipulations, including integrating gene therapy vectors and genome editing, is determined by determining the percentage of differentiation blocked hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of various pathological states, including cancer, chemotherapy resistance and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. The methods provided herein are based on the discovery that various proteins with a high level of sialylation are shown herein to be associated with disease states, such as, cancer, chemotherapy resistance and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Such methods provide a lysosomal exocytosis activity profile comprising one or more values representing lysosomal exocytosis activity. Also provided herein, is the discovery that low lysosomal sialidase activity is associated with various pathological states. Thus, the methods also provide a lysosomal sialidase activity profile, comprising one or more values representing lysosomal sialidase activity. A lysosomal sialidase activity profile is one example of a lysosomal exocytosis activity profile.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer that is resistant to at least one anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitor are provided herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of mutations within ALK that confer resistance to at least one ALK kinase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and polypeptides having at least one ALK inhibitor resistance mutation are provided and find use in methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and/or treatment of diseases associated with aberrant ALK activity, more particularly, those that are resistant to at least one ALK kinase inhibitors. Methods and compositions are also provided for the identification of agents that can inhibit the kinase activity and/or reduce the expression level of the ALK resistance mutants.

Abstract: There is provided a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for a functional factor VIII protein, wherein the portion of the nucleotide sequence encoding for the B domain of the factor VIII protein is between 90 and 111 nucleotides in length and encodes for an amino acid sequence comprising a sequence having at least 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 4 and which comprises six asparagine residues. Also provided is a functional factor VIII protein, a vector comprising the above nucleic acid molecule, a host cell, a transgenic animal, a method of treating hemophilia, e.g. hemophilia A, and a method for the preparation of a parvoviral gene delivery vector.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel binding pocket within NEDD8 co-E3 proteins that binds NEDD8 E2 enzymes. Particularly at its M-Terminus. Methods are provided for screening for compounds that bind to the disclosed E2-binding pocket in NEDD8 co-E3 proteins. Compounds that bind to the E2-binding pocket and optionally inhibit the activity of NEDD8 co-E3 proteins and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are further provided. The NEDD8 co-E3 inhibitors find use, as agents preventing the NEDDylation of a target protein, in inhibiting cell growth and methods for treating cancers, inflammatory disorders, and pathogenic infections. The preferred inhibitors are peptides corresponding to a M-terminal fragment of Dnc1, e.g. MTLASKLKRDD, MLKLRQLQKKKQ, and MIKLFSLKQQKK, which are substituted at the M-Terminus with an uncharged group (e.g. acyl).