Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include polypeptides comprising a myomerger polypeptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Other embodiments of the invention include nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides comprising a myomerger polypeptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Other embodiments of the invention include vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule. Yet other embodiments of the invention include methods of using a myomerger poly peptide or an extracellular myomerger polypeptide. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: ApoC-II mimetic peptides of 19-35 amino acids including one or two helical domains with one or more covalent linkages joining at least two non-contiguous amino acids of the peptide, wherein at least one of the helical domains is an amphipathic helical domain, are provided. Methods of treating dyslipidemic disorders, such as hypertriglyceridemia or hypercholesterolemia, using the peptides are also provided.

Abstract: Reported herein are presumptively de-attenuating mutations that are useful, either individually or in combinations that may include other known mutations, in producing recombinant strains of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) exhibiting attenuation phenotypes. Also described herein is a novel RSV construct, Min_L-NPM2-1(N88K)L, which exhibits an attenuated phenotype, is stable and is as immunogenic as wild type RSV. The recombinant RSV strains described here are suitable for use as live-attenuated RSV vaccines. Exemplary vaccine candidates are described. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences capable of encoding the described viruses, as well as methods for producing and using the viruses.

Abstract: Modified natural killer (NK) or T cells expressing hematopoietic growth factor receptors are provided. In some embodiments, the NK cells or T cells express a thrombopoietin receptor or an erythropoietin receptor. Methods of treating a subject with cancer are also provided, including administering the modified NK cells or T cells to the subject in combination with a thrombopoietin receptor agonist or erythropoietin receptor agonist, and in some example, interleukin-2, particularly reduced or low-dose amounts of IL-2.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to immunotoxins, particularly immunotoxins useful for treating IL-13R?2 expressing cancer, or reducing perineural invasion by an IL-13R?2 expressing cancer. Immunotoxins that specifically bind IL-13R?2, nucleic acids encoding the immunotoxins, vectors including the nucleic acids encoding the immunotoxins, and host cells expressing the immunotoxins are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the immunotoxin and methods of treating a subject with cancer, including administering to the subject the immunotoxin alone or in combination with other cancer therapies. Also provided are methods of reducing perineural invasion (PNI) and reducing pain associated with PNI, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the immunotoxin or IL-13-PE immunotoxin.

Abstract: Immunotherapies, particularly chimeric antigen receptors targeting IL-13R?2 and their use for treating cancer are provided. A single chain fragment variable (scFv) that specifically binds IL-13R?2, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) including the IL-13R?2 scFv, nucleic acids encoding the CARs, vectors including the nucleic acids encoding the CARs, and immune cells expressing the CARs are provided. Also provided are methods of treating a subject with cancer, including administering to the subject an immune cell expressing an IL-13R?2 scFv-CAR alone or in combination with other cancer therapies.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject with diabetes or Alzheimer's disease with a disclosed insulin isoform or C? polypeptide are provided. Methods of detecting insulin isoforms or C? polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed The variables X1, X2, and R1-4 are disclosed herein. The compounds are useful for treating cancer and related proliferative diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I and methods of treatment comprising administering compounds of Formula I are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) having antigen specificity for B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). Also provided are related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides non-naturally occurring or engineered DNA or RNA-targeting systems comprising a novel DNA or RNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein and at least one targeting nucleic acid component like a guide RNA.

Abstract: Modified natural killer (NK) or T cells expressing hematopoietic growth factor receptors are provided. In some aspects, the modified NK cells or T cells express a thrombopoietin receptor, an erythropoietin receptor, or a chimeric polypeptide including an extracellular domain of a thrombopoietin receptor, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain including an interleukin-2 receptor beta intracellular signaling domain. Methods of treating a subject with cancer are also provided, including administering the modified NK cells or T cells to the subject in combination with a thrombopoietin receptor agonist or erythropoietin receptor agonist, and in some example, interleukin-2, particularly reduced or low-dose amounts of IL-2.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.

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: Modified NK cells with reduced expression of CCR5 are provided. Methods of treating a subject with cancer with the modified NK cells are also provided. In some examples, the modified NK cells also have reduced expression of one or more of CCR1, CXCR6, and CD38, increased expression of one or more of CXCR4, CCR7, and CXCR3, and/or express a chimeric antigen receptor.

Abstract: Compounds having general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, N-oxide, or hydrate thereof are provided herein. Also provided are methods of making the compounds and methods of their use, including in treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) mimetic peptides and methods for treating hypertriglyceridemia in a patient with an effective amount of an apoC-II mimetic peptide.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for assessing the presence or risk of obstetrical complications, particularly those related to an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance with water-soluble statins, such as pravastatin.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to the stem region of an influenza HA protein. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. The vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza HA protein joined to a trimerization domain. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a tumor in a subject, including administering to the subject one or more miRNA nucleic acids or variants (such as mimics or mimetics) thereof with altered expression in the tumor. Also disclosed herein are compositions including one or more miRNA nucleic acids. In some examples, the miRNA nucleic acids are modified miRNAs, for example, and miRNA nucleic acid including one or more modified nucleotides and/or a 5?-end and/or 3?-end modification. In particular examples, the modified miRNA nucleic acid is an miR-30a nucleic acid. Further disclosed herein are methods of diagnosing a subject as having a tumor with altered expression of one or more miRNA nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the methods include detecting expression of one or more miRNAs in a sample from the subject and comparing the expression in the sample from the subject to a control.

Abstract: Described herein is the design and construction of a class of lipoprotein targeting protease inhibitors. Small peptides with protease inhibitor activity are conjugated to hydrophobic, lipoprotein targeting molecules using, for instance, amine reactive chemistry. Methods of use of the resultant lipoprotein targeting protease inhibitor (antiprotease) molecules are also described. Also described is the production and use of protease inhibitor enriched HDL particles, as well as AlAT-peptide-enriched HDL particles, and their use in various therapeutic contexts.