Abstract: Disclosed herein are isolated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II ?1 domain polypeptides and methods of use. In some embodiments, the isolated polypeptide comprises or consists of an MHC class II ?1 domain polypeptide (or portion thereof) and does not include an MHC class II ?2, ?1, or ?2 domain. The disclosed MHC class II ?1 domain polypeptides are of use in treating or inhibiting disorders in a subject, such as inflammatory and/or autoimmune disorders. Also disclosed are methods of evaluating efficacy of treatment or optimizing treatment of a subject with a polypeptide including an MHC class II ?1 domain polypeptide (or portion thereof) or a polypeptide including an MHC class II ?1 domain and ?1 domain (such as a ?1?1 RTL).

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: Provided are isolated high affinity entities which comprise an antigen binding domain which specifically binds a soluble T-cell receptor ligand comprising a two-domain beta1-alpha1 of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, wherein said antigen binding domain does not bind a complex comprising a four-domain alpha1-beta1/alpha2-beta2 MHC class II. Also provided are methods and kits using same for detecting and sequestering soluble two-domain T cell receptor ligands in a sample.

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: 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 disclosed for treating or inhibiting an autoimmune disease in a subject. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules 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 an antigen associated with the autoimmune disorder.

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: 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: The present invention relates to immunogenic peptides derived from human prostate cancer antigen (PSA-derived peptides) and their use as vaccines to treat or prevent prostate cancer. The invention is also related to dendritic cells from a patient having prostate cancer, which dendritic cells have been exposed to one or more PSA-derived peptides, and their use to treat or prevent prostate cancer in the patient. The invention is also directed to T-cells from a patient which cells are specific for PSA-activated peptide(s), and their uses to treat or prevent prostate cancer.

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: 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 disclosure relates to methods for inhibiting an autoimmune disease by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that increases FOXP3 expression, thereby inhibiting the autoimmune disease. Further disclosed herein are methods for detecting in a subject an autoimmune disease or a predisposition to an autoimmune disease, and methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy for an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides useful for manipulation of antigen-specific T-cells are disclosed. These polypeptides include MHC class II-based molecules that comprise 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, and to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells.

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: The present invention provides T cell hybridomas and related compositions and assay systems for investigative, diagnostic, and therapeutic use in modulating T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated immune response. The T cell hybridomas of the invention are typically constructed by fusing a naïve or early central memory T cell isolated from a mammalian subject with an immortalizing fusion partner (e.g. mammalian lymphoid tumor cell) to yield clonal T cell hybrids. The resulting T cell hybridomas exhibit antigen (Ag)-specific proliferation responsiveness over a background level of proliferation of the hybridomas. These hybridomas are useful for screening, identifying, and characterizing T cell immune modulatory agents, for example recombinant T cell receptor ligands (RTLs) and other agents that can modulate TCR-mediated T cell immune responses.

Abstract: A method for direct electrical detection of proteins, peptides and the like, and their interactions includes an electrode arrangement, a current/voltage provider, and a circuit analyzer. The electrode arrangement has an interdigitated electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. Coupled to the electrode arrangement is a signal generator adapted to provide a signal (e.g., an alternating current or voltage) having a selected range of frequencies. The analyzer is coupled to the electrode arrangement and is operative to analyze an electrical parameter of the circuit as the signal is applied. An analytic method includes measuring changes in one or more parameters of the circuit over the range of frequencies. By such measurement, the device can determine whether a target moiety has been bound by a probe attached to the electrode(s). The device can also specifically identify the intermolecular system detected, i.e.

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, to treat or prevent autoimmune or neurodegenerative diseases, to protect axons, and to prevent or reverse demyelination.