Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for an DPP6 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In certain embodiments the DPP6 specific CAR is expressed on a T regulatory cell. In certain embodiments, the DPP6 specific CAR is used to treat type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for generating and expanding therapeutic Th17 cells. The invention includes contacting T cells with a composition comprising a first agent that is capable of providing a primary activation signal to T cells and a second agent that is capable of activating ICOS on T cells in the presence of Th-17 polarizing agents.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for an HLA-A2 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In certain embodiments the HLA-A2 specific CAR is expressed on a T regulatory cell. In certain embodiments, the HLA-A2 specific CAR protects transplanted tissue from rejection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for delivering a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to an immune cell using a retroviral vector comprising an optimized Cocal vesiculovirus envelope protein.

Abstract: This invention relates, inter alia, to compositions of low serum or serum free media and methods for the expansion of T cell populations and methods for using such populations of cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the selective expansion of T cell subpopulations.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for expanding T cells utilizing artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) comprising a chimeric receptor molecule specific for CD3.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for an HLA-BW6 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In certain embodiments the HLA-BW6 specific CAR is expressed on a T regulatory cell. In certain embodiments, the HLA-BW6 specific CAR protects transplanted tissue from rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered cells expressing a fusion protein comprising a peptide fusion inhibitor and a CXCR4 protein that lacks signaling activity. Also provided are methods of suppressing, inhibiting, preventing or treating a HIV infection in a subject in need thereof using the engineered cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for converting non-Tregs into Tregs. The converted Tregs are referred to as inducible Tregs (iTregs). The iTregs are useful for preventing, suppressing, blocking or inhibiting an immune response. For example the iTregs are useful for preventing rejection of a transplanted tissue in a human or other animal host, or protecting against graft vs host disease. The iTregs can also be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for converting a T cell into a cell that exhibits at least one regulatory T cell phenotype. The converted T cell is generated by contacting a T cell with a cell that is modified to comprise an agent capable of activating PD1 signaling in a T cell. The converted T cell is useful for preventing, suppressing, blocking or inhibiting an immune response. For example the converted T cell is useful for preventing rejection of a transplanted tissue in a human or other animal host, or protecting against graft versus host disease. The converted T cell can also be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for generating and expanding therapeutic Th17 cells. The invention includes contacting T cells with a composition comprising a first agent that is capable of providing a primary activation signal to T cells and a second agent that is capable of activating ICOS on T cells in the presence of Th-17 polarizing agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for converting non-Tregs into Tregs. The converted Tregs are referred to as inducible Tregs (iTregs). The iTregs are useful for preventing, suppressing, blocking or inhibiting an immune response. For example the iTregs are useful for preventing rejection of a transplanted tissue in a human or other animal host, or protecting against graft vs host disease. The iTregs can also be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified immune cells or precursors thereof, comprising dual (a first and a second) chimeric receptors (e.g. CARs). One aspect includes a first CAR comprising a 4-1BB intracellular domain and a second CAR comprising a CD28 intracellular domain. Another aspect includes a method for treating of an HIV infected mammal using a modified T cell comprising a first CD4 CAR comprising a 4-1BB intracellular domain and a second CD4 CAR comprising a CD28 intracellular domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating of a HIV infected mammal using a CD4 membrane-bound chimeric receptor or a HIV specific scFvs CARs. One aspect includes a modified T cell and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for converting a T cell into a cell that exhibits at least one regulatory T cell phenotype. The converted T cell is generated by contacting a T cell with a cell that is modified to comprise an agent capable of activating PD1 signaling in a T cell. The converted T cell is useful for preventing, suppressing, blocking or inhibiting an immune response. For example the converted T cell is useful for preventing rejection of a transplanted tissue in a human or other animal host, or protecting against graft versus host disease. The converted T cell can also be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for expanding natural T regulatory cells (nTregs) without substantially sacrificing suppressive function of the cells. Accordingly, the invention provides uses of the expanded nTregs for cellular therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating of a HIV infected mammal using a CD4 membrane-bound chimeric receptor or a HIV specific scFvs CARs. One aspect includes a modified T cell and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with HIV infection.

Abstract: This invention relates, inter alia, to compositions of low serum or serum free media and methods for the expansion of T cell populations and methods for using such populations of cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the selective expansion of T cell subpopulations.

Abstract: Provided are a system and methods for selectively inducing expansion of a population of T cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors, such as lymphokines, and accessory cells for research purposes. The cell based expansion system and methods permit the long-term growth of CTLs, preferably human CTLs. In addition, T cell proliferation can be induced without the need for antigen, thus providing an expanded T cell population that is polyclonal with respect to antigen reactivity. Further provided are methods for using the system and methods to screen and identify antigens related to specific diseases or conditions, tumors, autoimmune disorders, or an infectious disease or pathogen, and to identify target molecule for research purposes, or for developing a vaccine based thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs). The aAPC comprises at least one stimulatory ligand and at least one co-stimulatory ligand where the ligands each specifically bind with a cognate molecule on a T cell of interest, thereby mediating expansion of the T cell. The aAPC of the invention can further comprise additional molecules useful for expanding a T cell of interest. The aAPC of the invention can be used as an “off the shelf’ APC that can be readily designed to expand a T cell of interest. Also, the aAPC of the invention can be used identify the stimulatory, co-stimulatory, and any other factors that mediate growth and expansion of a T cell of interest. Thus, the present invention provides powerful tools for development of novel therapeutics where activation and expansion of a T cell can provide a benefit.