Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides comprising a modified DR?1 domain are provided. In some embodiments, the polypeptides include the modified DR?1 domain, an antigenic peptide, and optionally a linker sequence. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant polypeptides, methods of treating inflammatory disease using said recombinant polypeptides or pharmaceutical compositions, and expression constructs comprising nucleic acids that encode the recombinant polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides comprising a modified DR?1 domain are provided. In some embodiments, the polypeptides include the modified DR?1 domain, an antigenic peptide, and optionally a linker sequence. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant polypeptides, methods of treating inflammatory disease using said recombinant polypeptides or pharmaceutical compositions, and expression constructs comprising nucleic acids that encode the recombinant polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant CD74 polypeptides mutated relative to the naturally occurring CD74 polypeptides with improved properties such as binding of CD74 ligands such as MIF and RTL1000 as well as polynucleotides that encode the polypeptides, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, bacteria that include the expression vectors, and methods of making the recombinant polypeptides.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant polypeptides, and methods of treating autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases using the pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The polypeptides are based upon the trimerization and/or MIF binding domains of CD74.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides comprising a DR?1 domain, an antigenic peptide, and a linker sequence are disclosed. The linker sequence comprises a first glycine-serine spacer, a thrombin cleavage site and a second glycine-serine spacer. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant polypeptides, methods of treating inflammatory disease using said pharmaceutical compositions, and expression constructs comprising nucleic acids that encode the recombinant polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions used in treating traumatic brain injury using a recombinant DR?-MOG-35-55 construct are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising DR?-MOG-35-55 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject that has had a traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant CD74 polypeptides mutated relative to the naturally occurring CD74 polypeptides with improved properties such as binding of CD74 ligands such as MIF and RTL1000 as well as polynucleotides that encode the polypeptides, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, bacteria that include the expression vectors, and methods of making the recombinant polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating or inhibiting prostate cancer. The compositions include a MHC molecule including covalently linked first and second domains, wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?1 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain, and a prostate specific antigen peptide covalently linked to the first domain. The methods include administering a disclosed MHC molecule to a subject with prostate cancer.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant polypeptides, and methods of treating autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases using the pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The polypeptides are based upon the trimerization and/or MIF binding domains of CD74.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides are useful for modulating activities of antigen-specific T-cells, including for modulating pathogenic potential and effects of antigen-specific T-cells. Exemplary MHC class II-based recombinant T-cell ligands (RTLs) of the invention include covalently linked ?1 and ?1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, to modulate T-cell activity, including by regulatory switching of T-cell cytokine and adhesion molecule expression, to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells, including treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system damage relating to stroke.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of subjects with cognitive or neuropsychiatric impairment induced by substance addiction and for increasing cognitive function in a subject with substance addiction. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of subjects with cognitive or neuropsychiatric impairment induced by substance addiction and for increasing cognitive function in a subject with substance addiction. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of a retinal disorder or optic neuritis in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an MHC molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?1 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?2 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises a retinal antigen or an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides are useful for modulating activities of antigen-specific T-cells, including for modulating pathogenic potential and effects of antigen-specific T-cells. Exemplary MHC class II-based recombinant T-cell ligands (RTLs) of the invention include covalently linked ?1 and ?1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, to modulate T-cell activity, including by regulatory switching of T-cell cytokine and adhesion molecule expression, to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells, including treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system damage relating to stroke.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides are useful for modulating activities of antigen-specific T-cells, including for modulating pathogenic potential and effects of antigen-specific T-cells. Exemplary MHC class II-based recombinant T-cell ligands (RTLs) of the invention include covalently linked ?1 and ?1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, to modulate T-cell activity, including by regulatory switching of T-cell cytokine and adhesion molecule expression, to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells, including treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system damage relating to stroke.

Abstract: Methods and compositions used in treating ischemic stroke using a recombinant DR?-MOG-35-55 construct are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising DR?-MOG-35-55 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject that has had or is at risk of developing ischemic stroke.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides comprising a DR?1 domain, an antigenic peptide, and a linker sequence are disclosed. The linker sequence comprises a first glycine-serine spacer, a thrombin cleavage site and a second glycine-serine spacer. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant polypeptides, methods of treating inflammatory disease using said pharmaceutical compositions, and expression constructs comprising nucleic acids that encode the recombinant polypeptides.