Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable, biomimetic particles for interacting with cells, including immune cells. In various embodiments, the particles comprise a polymer blend comprising a polyester, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a polyamine, such as poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE). The particles further comprise, on their surface, one or more ligands for one or more cell surface receptor(s) or cell surface molecule(s). In some embodiments, the cell surface receptor or cell surface molecule is on an immune cell, such as a lymphocyte (T cell or B cell), natural killer cell, dendritic cell, or other cell of the immune system or tumor microenvironment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides nano-scale Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells (aAPC), which deliver stimulatory signals to lymphocytes, including T-helper lymphocytes, for use as a powerful tool for immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention in various aspects provides for magnetic enrichment and/or expansion of antigen-specific T cells, allowing for identification and characterization of antigen-specific T cells and their T cell receptors (TCRs) for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, as well as providing for production of antigen-specific engineered T cells for therapy. Incubation of paramagnetic nano-aAPCs in the presence of a magnetic field, either during enrichment and/or expansion steps, activates T cells through magnetic clustering of paramagnetic particles on the T cell surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for enriching and expanding antigen-specific T cells with paramagnetic nanoparticles comprising a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and a costimulatory molecule bound thereto. The platform eliminates the requirement of cell isolation and can be further adapted to be high throughput with the capability of processing multiple antigen-specific T cells in parallel. Accordingly, the disclosed methods provide a high-throughput workflow for the identification and analysis of antigen-specific T cell responses.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition comprising a hydrogel having a shear modulus of about 20 Pa to about 1600 Pa conjugated with anti-CD3 antibodies and anti-CD28 antibodies. Also provided are methods of activating T cells and methods of killing cancer cells using the hydrogel composition.

Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising asymmetrical artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) are disclosed. The non-spherical aAPCs more closely mimic endogenous cell-cell interactions and can be used for antigen-specific immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention in various aspects provides for magnetic enrichment and/or expansion of antigen-specific T cells, allowing for identification and characterization of antigen-specific T cells and their T cell receptors (TCRs) for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, as well as providing for production of antigen-specific engineered T cells for therapy. Incubation of paramagnetic nano-aAPCs in the presence of a magnetic field, either during enrichment and/or expansion steps, activates T cells through magnetic clustering of paramagnetic particles on the T cell surface.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising asymmetrical artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) are disclosed. The non-spherical aAPCs more closely mimic endogenous cell-cell interactions and can be used for antigen-specific immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable, biomimetic particles for interacting with cells, including immune cells. In various embodiments, the particles comprise a polymer blend comprising a polyester, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a polyamine, such as poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE). The particles further comprise, on their surface, one or more ligands for one or more cell surface receptor(s) or cell surface molecule(s). In some embodiments, the cell surface receptor or cell surface molecule is on an immune cell, such as a lymphocyte (T cell or B cell), natural killer cell, dendritic cell, or other cell of the immune system or tumor microenvironment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides nano-scale Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells (aAPC), which deliver stimulatory signals to lymphocytes, including cytotoxic lymphocytes, for use as a powerful tool for immunotherapy.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compositions and methods for selectively recruiting antigen-specific T cells and re-direct them to kill targeted cells, particularly tumor cells. This approach permits selective engagement of specific effector cell populations and, by using nanoparticles, overcomes the geometric limitations associated with previous approaches.

Abstract: This disclosure provides nano-scale Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells (aAPC), which deliver stimulatory signals to lymphocytes, including cytotoxic lymphocytes, for use as a powerful tool for immunotherapy.

Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: Platforms comprising at least one lymphocyte affecting molecule and at least one molecular complex that, when bound to an antigen, engages a unique clonotypic lymphocyte receptor can be used to induce and expand therapeutically useful numbers of specific lymphocyte populations. Antigen presenting platforms comprising a T cell affecting molecule and an antigen presenting complex can induce and expand antigen-specific T cells in the presence of relevant peptides, providing reproducible and economical methods for generating therapeutic numbers of such cells. Antibody inducing platforms comprising a B cell affecting molecule and a molecular complex that engages MHC-antigen complexes on a B cell surface can be used to induce and expand B cells that produce antibodies with particular specificities.

Abstract: Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Abstract: This disclosure provides nano-scale Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells (aAPC), which deliver stimulatory signals to lymphocytes, including cytotoxic lymphocytes, for use as a powerful tool for immunotherapy.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compositions and methods for selectively recruiting antigen-specific T cells and re-direct them to kill targeted cells, particularly tumor cells. This approach permits selective engagement of specific effector cell populations and, by using nanoparticles, overcomes the geometric limitations associated with previous approaches.