Abstract: The present disclosure provides method and composition for protection, prevention, and/or treatment against viral infections via activation of ILCs induced by certain virus, including but not limited to, influenza and/or non-replicating adenoviruses. The present disclosure further provides that activation of ILCs is an intervention strategy against not only influenza viral infectious epidemic and/or pandemic before a strain-matched vaccine is available but also against other viruses for which prophylactic vaccines may not be available.

Abstract: Novel, nanoparticle-based vaccines are provided that elicit an immune response to a broad range of infectious agents, such as influenza viruses. The nanoparticles comprise a heterogeneous population of fusion proteins, each comprising a monomeric subunit of a self-assembly protein, such as ferritin, joined to one or more immunogenic portions of a protein from an infectious agent, such as influenza virus. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form nanoparticles that display a heterogeneous population of immunogenic portions on their surface. When administered to an individual, such nanoparticles elicit an immune response to different strains, types, subtypes and species with in the same taxonomic family. Thus, such nanoparticles can be used to vaccinate an individual against infection by different Types, subtypes and/or strains of infectious agents.

Abstract: Attenuated G9P[6] rotavirus is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed that include an attenuated G9P[6] rotavirus, or a component thereof. These compositions can be used to induce an immune response, such as a protective immune response, to a rotavirus. The compositions can be used as vaccines, such as for children (infants), for example in a prime boost strategy.

Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus replicon particles (VRP) are described. These VRP are capable of undergoing a single round of virus replication, but are unable to produce new particles or spread to neighboring cells due to the lack of the glycoprotein-encoding M genome segment. In some instances, the VRP contain one or more mutations in the viral ovarian tumor domain protease encoded by the L genome segment or heterologous antigens within its S genome segment. The VRP are shown to elicit a protective immune response against lethal CCHF virus challenge in an animal model.

Abstract: A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host.

Abstract: Disclosed are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) antigens including a recombinant RSV F protein stabilized in a prefusion conformation. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the antigens and methods of producing the antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antigen to the subject.

Abstract: A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host.

Abstract: An amphiphilic block copolymer having any one of the formulas S-[B]-H, S-[B]-H(D), D-[B]-H, S-B(D)-H, S-[B]-H-[B]-S, S-[B]-H(D)-[B]-S, D-[B]-H-[B]-S, D-[B]-H-[B]-D, S-B(D)-H-[B]-S or S-B(D)-H-B(D)-S; wherein S is a hydrophilic surface stabilizing group; B is a spacer group; H is a hydrophobic polymer or oligomer; D is a drug molecule; ( ) denotes that the group is bonded directly or indirectly as a side chain or as part of a side chain group to the adjacent group; [ ] denotes that the group is optional; and - denotes that each of the adjacent S, B, H or D are linked directly to one another or indirectly to one another via a linker group.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.

Abstract: The invention provides Brachyury deletion mutant polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, non-yeast vectors comprising the nucleic acids, non-yeast cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that include a bacterial capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein are described. In some embodiments, the bacterial capsular polysaccharide is a Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide. The carrier protein includes an N. meningitidis factor H binding protein (fHbp) linked to cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Administration of the immunogenic compositions elicits an immune response that includes production of meningococcal polysaccharide-specific and fHbP-specific antibodies. Use of the immunogenic compositions as meningococcal vaccines is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of immunogenic conjugates including the HIV-1 Env fusion peptide and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the immunogenic conjugates can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 Env in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

Abstract: Methods of thermally inactivating a rotavirus are provided according to the present invention which include exposing the rotavirus to a temperature in the range of about 50° C.-80° C., inclusive, for an incubation time sufficient to render the rotavirus incapable of replication or infection. The thermally inactivated rotavirus is antigenic and retains a substantially intact rotavirus particle structure. Vaccine compositions and methods of vaccinating a subject against rotavirus are provided which include generation and use of thermally inactivated rotavirus.

Abstract: Provided herein are O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits involving the inventive compounds or compositions for treating and/or preventing diseases (e.g., diabetes and complications thereof, neurodegenerative diseases, proliferative diseases such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases) in a subject. Provided are methods of inhibiting OGT in a subject or biological sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of recombinant HIV-1 gp120 proteins that contain a V1 deletion are disclosed. Also provided are gp140, gp145, and gp160 proteins containing the V1 deletion, as well as HIV-1 Env ectodomain trimers containing protomers containing the V1 deletion. Nucleic acid molecules encoding these proteins are also provided. In several embodiments, the disclosed recombinant HIV-1 proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses that contain mutations that make the disclosed viruses attractive vaccine candidates. The viruses disclosed contain attenuating mutations designed to have increased genetic and phenotypic stability. Desired combinations of these mutations can be made to achieve desired levels of attenation. Exemplary vaccine candidates are described. Also provided are polynucleotides capable of encoding the described viruses, as wells as methods for producing the viruses and methods of use.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor is disclosed that includes: (a) an scFv comprising a light chain variable domain (VL) and a heavy chain variable domain (VH), wherein the scFv specifically binds to CCR4; (b) a hinge and transmembrane domain from CD8; (c) an intracellular 4-1BB signaling domain; and (d) an intracellular CD3 zeta signaling domain, wherein (a)-(d) are in N to C terminal order. Uses of the chimeric antigen receptor, such as for treating a malignancy, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating or preventing a lung disorder comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an agent that modulates activity and/or expression of Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 (EMP2) in an amount effective to treat or prevent the lung disorder and compositions useful in such for methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for mutated Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) presented in the context of an HLA-Cw*0802 molecule. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions 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 immunogens comprising a recombinant Nipah virus (NiV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also provided are embodiments of immunogens comprising chimeric proteins comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer and one or more G ectodomains, a multimer of NiV G ectodomains, and protein nanoparticles comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer or an NiV G ectodomain. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the immunogens and methods of their production. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject by administering a disclosed immunogen to the subject are also provided. In some embodiments, the immune response treats or inhibits NiV infection in a subject.