Abstract: Dysfunctional or exhausted T cells arise in chronic diseases including chronic viral infections and cancer, and express high levels of co-inhibitory receptors. Therapeutic blockade of these receptors has clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer. While co-inhibitory receptors are co-expressed, the triggers that induce them and the transcriptional regulators that drive their co-expression have not been identified. The immunoregulatory cytokine IL-27 induces a gene module in T cells that includes several known co-inhibitory receptors (Tim-3, Lag-3, and TIGIT). The present invention provides a novel immunoregulatory network as well as novel cell surface molecules that have an inhibitory function in the tumor microenvironment. The present invention further provides the novel discovery that the transcription factors Prdm1 and c-Maf cooperatively regulate the expression of the co-inhibitory receptor module.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to tissue specific modulation of Th17 differentiation and pathogenicity by targeting tissue specific Th17 gene programs and gene targets. The tissue specific modulation may be used therapeutically to treat a disease or condition in the tissue where it arises. The subject matter disclosed herein is also directed to detecting tissue specific Th17 cells for diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Computational and functional analysis identified the neuropeptide receptor Nmur1 as selectively expressed on Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). While both IL-33 and IL-25 promote ILC activation in vivo, IL-33 induces robust ILC proliferation, whereas ILCs activated with IL-25 do not proliferate as robustly and up-regulate Nmur1 expression. Treatment with neuromedin U (NMU), the neuropeptide ligand of Nmur1, had little effect on its own. Co-administration of IL-25 with NMU, however, dramatically amplified allergic lung inflammation and induced the proliferation and expansion of specific ILC2 subsets, characterized by a molecular signature unique to pro-inflammatory ILC2s. The results demonstrate that Nmur1 signaling strongly modulates IL-25-mediated ILC2 responses, resulting in highly proliferative pro-inflammatory ILCs, and highlights the importance of neuro-immune crosstalk in allergic inflammatory responses at mucosal surfaces.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for selectively promoting inflammasome activity in myeloid cells.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to novel CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subtypes associated with response to immunotherapy treatment. Specifically, the subtypes are associated with checkpoint blockade therapy. Moreover, the subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to methods and compositions for use of the subtypes. Also, disclosed herein are gene signatures and markers associated with the subtypes and use of said signatures and markers. Further disclosed are therapeutic methods of using said gene signatures and immune cell subtypes. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising populations of CD8+ TILs enriched for a specific subtype.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to identify interacting cells in the tumor microenvironment and using the identified interactions to enhance anti-tumor immunity in cancer. Identified interactions can be modulated using therapeutic agents. Immune cells resistant to suppression can be used for adoptive cell transfer. The present invention is also generally directed to cell types and genes that are correlated to time of tumor growth and tumor size.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating T cell dysfunctional and effector states by modulating glucocorticoid and IL-27 signaling. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to pathogenic Th1 cells whose phenotype is dependent on IL-23R signaling. Th1 cell specific therapeutic targets and gene programs are disclosed herein. In particular, inhibition of CD160 reduces Th1 cell pathogenicity.

Abstract: The compositions and methods described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that regulatory B cells (Bregs) differentially express a specific set of coinhibitory molecules, including TIGIT, LAG-3, PD-1, CTLA4, and TIM-3. The data described herein indicate that TIGIT is required for both Breg-mediated tolerance maintenance at the steady state, and inflammation restraint during autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, provided herein are compositions and methods targeting coinhibitory molecules, such as TIGIT, LAG-3, PD-1, CTLA4, and TIM-3, in B cells, as novel therapeutic strategies for modulating immune suppression and treating diseases mediated or impacted by immune suppression mechanisms, such as autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for suppressing an immune response in a subject, e.g., a subject with an autoimmune disease, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant CD5L, CD5L homodimers and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimers, or nucleic acids encoding any of these. Also described are methods for enhancing an immune response in a subject, e.g., a subject with cancer, infection, or an immune deficiency, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds specifically to CD5L, D5L homodimers and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimers, and inhibits their binding to the IL-23 receptor, or inhibits formation of the CD5L homodimer and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimer, or inhibitory nucleic acids that target CD5L and/or p40.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulating anti-tumor T cell immunity by modulating steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis may be modulated with inhibitors of enzymes that synthesize glucocorticoids in a tumor. The inhibitor may target Cyp11a1. The inhibitor may be metyrapone. The invention further relates to modulating immune states, such as CD8 T cell immune states, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for identifying the regulatory network that modulates, controls or otherwise influences T cell balance, for example, Th17 cell differentiation, maintenance and/or function, as well compositions and methods for exploiting the regulatory network that modulates, controls or otherwise influences T cell balance in a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic indications. This invention also relates generally to identifying and exploiting target genes and/or target gene products that modulate, control or otherwise influence T cell balance in a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic indications.

Abstract: Interleukin (IL)-33 is a critical regulator of allergic airway inflammation in the lung and is released by stressed or damaged epithelial cells. Here, Applicants show that alveolar macrophages regulate epithelial alarmin expression via CLEC-2 (C-type Lectin-like Receptor-2), which binds to PDPN (podoplanin). Therefore, CLEC-2/PDPN interactions are critical for regulating type 2 immunity in the lung and modulating expression of the epithelial alarmin IL-33. Methods are disclosed for therapeutic and screening applications. Novel therapeutic targets in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulation of Th17 differentiation and pathogenicity by use of metabolic targets. The metabolic targets are the molecules of the polyamine pathway or glycolysis pathway. Modulation of the polyamine pathway can shift Th17 pathogenicity and shift the transcriptome of Th17 cells to a Treg or Th1 transcriptome. The polyamine analogue DFMO can be used to modulate an inflammatory response. Inhibitors of enzymes in the glycolysis pathway can shift Th17 pathogenicity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to the targeting of Bregs for the treatment of diseases and disorders involving inappropriate suppression of B cell-mediated immune function.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to identifying genes and cell types that are correlated with tumor progression in the tumor microenvironment. PENK was identified as a therapeutic target that is positively correlated with tumor time and size. Targeting PENK can enhance anti-tumor immunity. Opioid signaling can be modulated to enhance anti-tumor immunity. The present invention is also generally directed to interacting cells in the tumor microenvironment and using the identified interactions to enhance anti-tumor immunity in cancer. Identified interactions can be modulated using therapeutic agents. Immune cells resistant to suppression can be used for adoptive cell transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods based on the discovery of the mechanisms and gene expression programs associated with homeostatic ILC2s and proinflammatory ILC2s that drive tissue inflammation. Molecular cues were identified that modulate ILC responses to alarmins using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiles of lung-resident ILCs at steady state and after in vivo stimulation. The neuropeptide CGRP and the CGRP receptor were identified as expressed on ILC2s. Treatment with CGRP reduces allergic lung inflammation and reduces the proliferation and expansion of ILC2 cells. The results demonstrate that CGRP signaling strongly modulates ILC2 responses and highlights the importance of neuro-immune crosstalk in allergic inflammatory responses at mucosal surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides markers, marker signatures and molecular targets that correlate with dysfunction of immune cells and are advantageously independent of the immune cell activation status. The present markers, marker signatures and molecular targets provide for new ways to evaluate and modulate immune responses. Specifically, POU2AF1 modulation is provided for use as a marker, marker signature and molecular target. Therapeutic methods are also provided to treat a patient in need thereof who would benefit from an increased immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides markers, marker signatures and molecular targets that correlate with dysfunction of immune cells and are advantageously independent of the immune cell activation status. The present markers, marker signatures and molecular targets provide for new ways to evaluate and modulate immune responses. Specifically, GATA3 and/or FOXO1 modulation are provided for use as markers, marker signatures and molecular targets. Therapeutic methods are also provided to treat a patient in need thereof who would benefit from an increased immune response.

Abstract: Described herein are novel compositions comprising bispecific and multispecific polypeptide agents, and methods using these agents for targeting cells, such as functionally exhausted or unresponsive immune cells, that co-express the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and TIM-3. These compositions and methods are useful for the treatment of chronic immune conditions, such as persistent infections or cancer.