Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for modulating complement component 3 (C3) activity or expression to treat, control or otherwise influence tumors and tissues, including cells and cell types of the tumors and tissues, and malignant, microenvironmental, or immunologic states of the tumor cells and tissues. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosing, prognosing and/or staging of tumors, tissues and cells.

Abstract: This disclosure describes chimeric antigen receptors for expression in a Natural Killer (NK) cell, pharmaceutical compositions that include NK cells (and/or iPSCs) modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor, and methods involving such chimeric antigen receptors. Generally, the chimeric antigen receptor includes an ectodomain that includes an antigen recognition region, a transmembrane domain linked to the ectodomain, and an endodomain linked to the transmembrane domain. The endodomain can include a signaling peptide that activates an NK cell.

Abstract: Claudin 18.2 T cell antigen couplers (TACs) polypeptides having (i) an antigen-binding domain that binds Claudin 18.2, (ii) an antigen-binding domain that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide are provided. Nucleic acids encoding the claudin 18/2 TACs are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic animals useful for optimal production of functional immunoglobulins with human idiotypes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a recombinant bacteriophage comprising a phage genome polynucleotide including a gene encoding a heterologous antigen protein(s) and a killing gene encoding a protein that is capable of killing a host bacterium. Such a recombinant bacteriophage is designed to prime a subject's immune response and to kill the bacterium that it infects such that the “prime and kill” bacteriophage provides two lines of protection against infectious disease.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a generally applicable framework that utilizes massively-parallel single-cell RNA-seq to compare cell types/states found in vivo to those of in vitro models. Furthermore, Applicants leverage identified discrepancies to improve model fidelity. Applicants uncover fundamental gene expression differences in lineage-defining genes between in vivo systems and in vitro systems. Using this information, molecular interventions are identified for rationally improving the physiological fidelity of the in vitro system. Applicants demonstrated functional (antimicrobial activity, niche support) improvements in Paneth cell physiology using the methods.

Abstract: Methods for the in vitro production of enucleated red blood cells and the enucleated red blood cells thus prepared are provided. Such enucleated red blood cells may express a sortaggable surface protein, which allows for surface modification in the presence of a sortase. Also described herein are surface modified enucleated red blood cells, e.g., conjugated with an agent of interest such as a peptide, a detectable label, or a chemotherapeutic agent, and uses thereof in delivering the agent to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing genetically modified cells expressing HLA-G (e.g., cell surface HLA-G) persistently, and nucleic acid compositions useful for generating such genetically modified cells. Also disclosed are cell therapy methods that utilize genetically modified cells that express HLA-G persistently. The HLA-G genetic modifications described herein provide the cells with characteristics of reduced immunogenicity and/or improved immunosuppression, such that these cells have the promise of being universal or improved donor cells for transplants, cellular and tissue regeneration or reconstruction, and other therapies.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.

Abstract: An extracellular vesicle loaded with a nucleic acid cargo and method for preparing the loaded vesicle is disclosed.

Abstract: Genetically modified mice characterized by one or more symptoms or signs associated with expression of human APOE4p and mouse Trem2p and relevant to non-familial late-onset Alzheimer's disease are provided wherein the genome of the mouse includes: 1) a DNA sequence encoding a human APOE4 protein (APOE4p) operably linked to a promoter; and 2) a DNA sequence encoding a mouse Trem2 protein having a mutation p,R47H (Trem2p) operably linked to a promoter, such that the mouse expresses human APOE4p and mouse Trem2p. Methods ace provided for screening for a compound for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using such genetically modified mice.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising an anti-CD7 chimeric activating receptor (CAR) and an anti-CD7 protein expression blocker, and methods of using such compositions in cancer therapy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods of identifying whether or not antigens from a particular pathogen are immunogenic, including the order of their immunogenicity. Other embodiments concern correlations between attributes of T cells and their clinical efficacy, such as mathematical representations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell preparations useful for modulating various peripheral immune functions, methods for making said cell preparations, and methods for their use.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treatment involving immunotherapy, such as T cell therapy, and administration of a tryptophan metabolism and/or kynurenine pathway modulator. In some embodiments, the method includes a combination therapy that involves administration of engineered T cells, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing cells, and a tryptophan metabolism and/or kynurenine pathway modulator, such as an inhibitor of an enzyme. Also provided are engineered cells in which the expression of a molecule involved in the kynurenine pathway is modified. Also provided are methods of manufacturing engineered cells, cells, compositions, methods of administration to subjects, nucleic acids and kits for use in the methods. In some aspects, features of the methods and cells provide for increased or improved activity, activity, outcome, function, response, persistence, expansion and/or proliferation of cells for adoptive cell therapy.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising at least one chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for an anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) autoantibody-based B cell receptor, polynucleotides encoding the CAAR, vectors comprising a polynucleotide encoding the CAAR, and recombinant T cells comprising the CAAR. The invention also includes methods of making a genetically modified cell, e.g., a genetically modified T cell, expressing a PLA2R-CAAR wherein the expressed CAAR comprises a PLA2R extracellular domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), particularly CARs that have adaptable receptor specificity (arCARs). Also provided are polypeptides of the CARs and other related molecules, polynucleotides, vectors, and cell compositions comprising the same. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors, or cells of the present disclosure, and their uses in treating a disease in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.

Abstract: Provided herein are T-cell receptor (TCR) fusion proteins (TFPs) having specificity for one or more tumor cell associated antigens, T cells engineered to express one or more TFP, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of diseases, including cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the engineering of animal cells, preferably mammalian, more preferably rat, that are deficient due to the disruption of tumor suppressor gene(s) or gene product(s). In another aspect, the invention relates to genetically modified rats, as well as the descendants and ancestors of such animals, which are animal models of human cancer and methods of their use.