Abstract: There is described a nanoparticle comprising one or more peptides having a sequence comprising the motif GLLxLLxL-LLxAAG, wherein each x is independently selected from arginine (R), histidine (H), lysine (K), aspartic acid (D) or glutamic acid (E). Also described is a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising the nanoparticle and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, for use in the treatment of cancer. In addition, there is described a method of treatment of cancer involving administering the pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a patient with cancer, and a kit for treating or preventing cancer comprising the pharmaceutically acceptable composition.

Abstract: This disclosure provides treatment kit that are capable of modulating the immune response. The treatment kit may also be used enhance the immunogenicity of antigens released from cell debris. Also provided are methods of using the treatment kit.

Abstract: An artificial antigen presenting cell system comprising one or more gelated human dendritic cells and a controlled release system capable of releasing one or more cytokines. Also provided herein are methods for producing the gelated human dendritic cells and uses of the artificial antigen presenting cell system for activating immune cells.

Abstract: A method of expanding natural killer cells, comprising: providing a population of internally gelated cells, each of which includes a gelated interior and a fluid cell membrane that contains one or more membrane-bound proteins each or collectively are capable of stimulating expansion of natural killer (NK) cells; and culturing a population of cells containing NK cells, which are capable of responding to the one or more membrane-bound proteins, with the population of internally gelated cells under conditions that allow expansion of NK cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toxoid preparations comprising a non-disrupted and/or a non-denatured toxin associated with a particulate vector that minimizes or precludes said toxin from inflicting damage at an action site of said toxin. The present invention also relates to immunogenic compositions or vaccines comprising the toxoid preparations, and the methods of using the toxoid preparations, immunogenic compositions or vaccines.

Abstract: A carrier system that includes a nanocarrier and a peptide non-covalently associated with the nanocarrier. The peptide contains an adaptor peptide sequence fused to the N-terminus of a target peptide, the adaptor peptide sequence being designed to facilitate the association to the nanocarrier. Also disclosed is a method for improving the immunogenicity of a peptide antigen by fusing it to an adaptor peptide sequence to form an immunizing peptide and contacting the immunizing peptide with a compatible nanocarrier. Further, a method is provided for treating a condition by immunization with a target peptide that has been fused to an adaptor peptide sequence and thereby associated with a nanocarrier. The method induces an immune response against the target peptide for treating cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, autoimmunity, or undesired immune responses to a biologies treatment.

Abstract: We utilized a biocompatible hollow polymeric nanoparticle that coencapsulates T cell epitope peptides and oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) CpG, and designed immunization strategies to evaluate its protectivity against influenza viruses in mice. This nanoparticle-based peptide vaccine adjuvanted with CpG stimulated robust antigen-specific CD4 and CD5 T cell immunity, but only caused minimal adverse effects compared with crude mixture of peptides and CpG. We used two peptides derived from the nucleocapsid protein (NP), MHC class I-restricted NP366-374 and MHC class ll-restricted NP311-325. This novel nanoparticle vaccine with two epitope peptides plus CpG induced robust and fully protective T cell immunity against influenza viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates treatments of a toxin in a subject. The toxin at least partially effects its toxicity in the subject via binding to a target cell of the subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a source cell. Exemplary toxins include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally an agent for preventing, treating, diagnosing, or prognosing the disease or disorder and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of the disease or disorder. Exemplary diseases or disorders include hemorrhage (bleeding), cardiovascular diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders associated with narrowing of a blood vessel, tumors or cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally an agent for preventing, treating, diagnosing, or prognosing the disease or disorder and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of the disease or disorder. Exemplary diseases or disorders include hemorrhage (bleeding), cardiovascular diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders associated with narrowing of a blood vessel, tumors or cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of infection by a platelet-targeting microbe in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating (and/or related uses) infection by a platelet-targeting microbe in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising a) an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, b) an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally c) an agent for preventing said infection, treating said infection, diagnosing said infection, prognosing said infection and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of said infection. Exemplary platelet-targeting infections include infections by a bacterium, a virus, a fungus and/or a parasite.

Abstract: This disclosure provides treatment kit that are capable of modulating the immune response. The treatment kit may also be used enhance the immunogenicity of antigens released from cell debris. Also provided are methods of using the treatment kit.

Abstract: A therapeutic nanoparticle containing a cationic polypeptide and a polyanionic molecule, in which the cationic polypeptide, exerting antibacterial activity, forms electrostatic interaction with the polyanionic molecule, and the therapeutic nanoparticle has a diameter of less than 50 nm. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition, a treatment method, and a preparation method, all related to the therapeutic nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.

Abstract: The present invention relates treatments of a toxin in a subject. The toxin at least partially effects its toxicity in the subject via binding to a target cell of the subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a source cell. Exemplary toxins include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising a polymeric hydrogel impregnated with a toxin-absorbing or binding nanoparticle. The present invention also provides for the use of the above compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin, or for treating or preventing an infection by a microbe that produces a toxin, in a subject. The exemplary toxin is a biological toxin such as a viral, bacterial, fungal, plant or animal toxin.