Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid constructs for expression of heterologous cytokines or chemokines in C. albicans, and genetically modified C. albicans strains comprising the recombinant nucleic acid constructs, are described. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules include a C. albicans gene promoter sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a C. albicans secreted protein signal sequence and a heterologous open reading frame (ORF) of a cytokine or chemokine gene. Also described are a method of expressing a heterologous cytokine or chemokine protein in a subject, and a method of treating or inhibiting the development of candidiasis in a subject. These methods include administering a genetically modified C. albicans containing a recombinant nucleic acid construct for expression of a heterologous cytokine or chemokine. Exemplary cytokines or chemokines include IL8, IL17A, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL5.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid constructs for expression of heterologous cytokines or chemokines in C. albicans, and genetically modified C. albicans strains comprising the recombinant nucleic acid constructs, are described. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules include a C. albicans gene promoter sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a C. albicans secreted protein signal sequence and a heterologous open reading frame (ORF) of a cytokine or chemokine gene. Also described are a method of expressing a heterologous cytokine or chemokine protein in a subject, and a method of treating or inhibiting the development of candidiasis in a subject. These methods include administering a genetically modified C. albicans containing a recombinant nucleic acid construct for expression of a heterologous cytokine or chemokine. Exemplary cytokines or chemokines include IL8, IL17A, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL5.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides which inhibit multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Related PLAD-binding polypeptides, chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, and methods are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a domain (e.g., a Fibronectin Ill-like domain) of an IL-17 Receptor (IL-17R) family member, wherein the PLAD polypeptide inhibits multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Also provided are isolated PLAD-binding polypeptides, e.g., antibodies and avimers, which specifically bind to a PLAD polypeptide described herein. Related chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells are provided herein. Further provided are methods of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, methods of inhibiting IL-17-mediated signal transduction, methods of inhibiting IL-17 ligand binding, methods of inhibiting multimerization of IL-17R complexes, and methods of inhibiting the production of at least one cytokine, chemokine, matrix metalloproteinase, or other molecule associated with IL-17 signal transduction are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a domain (e.g., a Fibronectin Ill-like domain) of an IL-17 Receptor (IL-17R) family member, wherein the PLAD polypeptide inhibits multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Also provided are isolated PLAD-binding polypeptides, e.g., antibodies and avimers, which specifically bind to a PLAD polypeptide described herein. Related chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells are provided herein. Further provided are methods of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, methods of inhibiting IL-17-mediated signal transduction, methods of inhibiting IL-17 ligand binding, methods of inhibiting multimerization of IL-17R complexes, and methods of inhibiting the production of at least one cytokine, chemokine, matrix metalloproteinase, or other molecule associated with IL-17 signal transduction are provided.