Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) amino acid constructs. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CAR constructs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also disclosed. Methods of making the CAR constructs are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of virology. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for prevention and treatment of human cytomegalovirus (CMV). In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) emetine or a derivative thereof; (b) a human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) drug; and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises an adjuvant. In a specific embodiment, the HCMV drug is ganciclovir. In such embodiments, emetine is present at about 1/10 to about 1/100 the normal dosage for amebiasis.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a subject with a Filovirus infection are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting a biological sample containing antibodies from the subject with one or more peptides comprising amino acid sequences of selected Filovirus epitopes, detecting the presence or absence of an immune complex of antibodies from the biological sample with the one or more peptides; and wherein the presence of the immune complex identifies the subject as having Filovirus infection and the absence of the immune complex identifies the subject as not having Filovirus infection. Further provided are isolated peptides for use in such methods, as well as a solid support linked to one or more of the disclosed peptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for inhibiting dipeptide repeat protein (DPR)-ribosomal RNA (rRNA) interaction. In particular, the present technology relates to administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compositions that inhibit DPR-rRNA interaction to a subject diagnosed with, or at risk for DPR-associated pathologies, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or frontotemporal dementia.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the viral gene therapy (e.g., AAV-directed gene therapy) of cholesterol storage diseases or disorders, such as Niemann-Pick disease, Type C.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to gp120 and neutralize HIV-1 are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV-1 using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV-1 infection is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides vaccine compositions comprising at least one adjuvant and at least one therapeutic factor. The disclosure also provides methods of reducing an immune suppressor cell population in a mammal, methods of argumenting an immune response in a mammal, and methods of treating a diseases in a mammal utilizing the vaccine compositions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising an antigen binding domain specific for FLT3, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular T cell signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of a proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing a proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammal are also disclosed.

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, TET3, 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: Polypeptides, proteins, and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically bind to human mesothelin582-598 (IP-NGYLVLDLSMQEALS) (SEQ ID NO: 1) are disclosed. Anti-mesothelin binding moieties, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and conjugates relating to the poly peptides, proteins, and CARS are disclosed. Methods of reducing mesothelin shed from cell membranes, methods of detecting the presence of cancer, and methods of treating or preventing cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing cell populations enriched for stable, regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, the invention relates to methods for culturing T cells such that the final culture is enriched for stable, regulatory T cells. It also relates to methods for stabilizing regulatory T cells. Also provided are compositions enriched for stable, regulatory T cells, which are useful for treating individuals in need of such treatment. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used to treat an individual suffering from an immune-mediated disease.

Abstract: Identification of immunodominant Babesia microti antigens using genome-wide immunoscreening is described. Candidate antigens were screened against sera from patients with clinical babesiosis. Also described are diagnostic assays with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting B. microti-specific antibodies in patient samples using the identified immunodominant antigens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for an HLA-A2-restricted epitope of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6, E629-38. 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 a condition in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, wherein the condition is cancer, HPV 16 infection, or HPV-positive premalignancy.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, uses and manufacturing of dengue virus constructs and live attenuated dengue viruses. Some embodiments concern a composition that includes, but is not limited to, a tetravalent dengue virus composition. In certain embodiments, compositions can include constructs of one or more serotypes of dengue virus, such as dengue-1 (DEN-1) virus, dengue-2 (DEN-2) virus, dengue-3 (DEN-3) or dengue-4 (DEN-4) virus constructs. In other embodiments, constructs disclosed herein can be combined in a composition to generate a vaccine against more one or more dengue virus constructs that may or may not be subsequently passaged in mammalian cells.

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: Provided herein are nucleic acid molecules encoding a SARS-CoV-2 S ectodomain—HBsAg fusion protein. When expressed in mammalian cells (for example, by administration to a mammalian subject), the fusion protein self-assembles to form a HBsAg protein nanoparticle with SARS-CoV-2 S ectodomain trimers extending radially outward from an outer surface of the HBsAg protein nanoparticle. Thus, in several aspects, the disclosed nucleic acid molecule can be used to generate an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel that can be labeled with contrast agent for CECT imaging. The ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel undergoes shear-thinning upon application of shear stress, and rheological recovery upon removal of the shear stress, and therefore is well-suited for delivery by syringe to a target location in a subject. Once delivered, the labeled ?-hairpin peptide hydrogel remains in place to allow CECT imaging of the target location in the subject, which can be used to guide administration of further agents to the target location.

Abstract: Embodiments of vesicles comprising embedded cytotoxic agents are disclosed, as well as methods of making and using the vesicles. Pharmaceutical compositions including the vesicles also are disclosed. The vesicles include a binary lipid bilayer surrounding a cavity, wherein the vesicle binary lipid bilayer includes (i) a non-bilayer forming lipid (or combination of non-bilayer forming lipids) and a PEGylated lipid; and (i) a cytotoxic agent embedded within the vesicle wall.

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: Camel single-domain monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind human and mouse mesothelin are described. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and antibody conjugates based on the mesothelin-specific antibodies are also described. The disclosed CAR T cells, mesothelin-specific antibodies and conjugates thereof can be used, for example, in the diagnosis or treatment of mesothelin-positive cancers.