Abstract: The invention provides agonistic TNFR2 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and encompasses the use of these antibodies as therapeutics to promote the proliferation of regulatory T cells (T-reg) for the treatment of immunological diseases. Antibodies of the invention can be used to potentiate the T-reg-mediated deactivation of self- and allergen-reactive T- and B-eases. Antibodies and can thus be used to treat a wide variety of indications, including autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, asthma, graft-versus-host disease, and allograft rejection, among others.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating disease, such as hypercholesterolemia (e.g., by modulating serum lipids, such as cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides) and hyperglycemia by administering Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Methods of the invention also encompass the use of genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses for determining the likelihood that a patient has disease or will respond to treatment (e.g., with BCG therapy), as well as for determining whether a patient previously administered BCG would benefit from BCG redosing.

Abstract: Antagonistic TNFR superfamily polypeptides, such as antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, and the use of these polypeptides to inhibit the proliferation of regulatory T cells (T-regs). For example, antibodies of the invention include antagonistic TNFR2 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, and can be used to suppress the T-reg-mediated deactivation of tumor reactive T-lymphocytes, as well as to treat a wide variety of cancers and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention features methods of producing compositions enriched in Tregs and methods for treating immunological disorders using these compositions. The invention also features methods for producing compositions enriched in lymphocytes and depleted of Tregs and the use of these compositions in the treatment of proliferative disorders.

Abstract: The invention features methods of producing compositions enriched in Tregs and methods for treating immunological disorders using these compositions. The invention also features methods for producing compositions enriched in lymphocytes and depleted of Tregs and the use of these compositions in the treatment of proliferative disorders.

Abstract: The invention features homo-multimers, e.g., homo-trimers, of TNFSF or TNF-like ligand muteins in which each TNFSF ligand or TNF-like ligand mutein monomer contains at least one cysteine residue substitution or insertion that promotes the formation of a disulfide bond with a cysteine residue on a neighboring TNFSF or TNF-like ligand mutein monomer. The invention features methods of producing such TNFSF and TNF-like ligand muteins, pharmaceutical compositions containing such muteins, and methods of using such muteins in cancer immunotherapy, in treating autoimmune and neurological diseases, and in reducing or eliminating the complications and risks of rejection in organ transplantation or tissue or organ repair or regeneration.

Abstract: The invention features enriched Hox11+ stem cell compositions and methods of preparing and using the same. In particular, the enriched Hox11+ stem cell composition can be used for treating medical conditions, diseases, or disorders, for transplantation and transplantation therapy, and for cellular, tissue, or organ repair or regeneration.

Abstract: The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a subject having an autoimmune disease, such as Type 1 diabetes, as likely to respond to treatment with a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) receptor II activator, involving measuring CD8 protein density on the surface of autoreactive CD8+ T cells and identifying the subject as likely to respond to the treatment if the CD8 protein density is reduced relative to a reference CD8+ T cell. For Type 1 diabetes, the method may involve measuring C-peptide levels in an in vitro biological sample from the subject, identifying the subject as likely to respond to the treatment if the C-peptide levels are detectable, and identifying the subject as unlikely to respond to the treatment if the C-peptide levels are substantially undetectable. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions of one or more TNFR2 activators for therapeutic use.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.

Abstract: The invention features methods of producing compositions enriched in Tregs and methods for treating immunological disorders using these compositions. The invention also features methods for producing compositions enriched in lymphocytes and depleted of Tregs and the use of these compositions in the treatment of proliferative disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits for determining the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome in humans. The invention features methods to detect changes in the levels of one or more LMP-2 protein isoforms, in particular phosphorylated isoforms of LMP-2, and to detect changes in cellular protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination in samples from Sjögren's patients.

Abstract: The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits for determining the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome in humans. The invention features methods to detect changes in the levels of one or more LMP-2 protein isoforms, in particular phosphorylated isoforms of LMP-2, and to detect changes in cellular protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination in samples from Sjögren's patients.

Abstract: The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating a mammal (e.g., a human) having or at risk of having an autoimmune disease by administering a composition that includes all or a portion of a viral polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding a viral peptide (e.g., a live, killed, attenuated, or inactivated virus) or a composition that includes an immunosuppressive agent (e.g., an anti-CD3 antibody), and compositions for use in treating an autoimmune disease in the mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.