Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding polypeptides which comprise a tim-3 IgV domain and a tim-3 intracellular domain, wherein the polypeptides do not comprise a tim-3 mucin domain or a tim-3 transmembrane domain. In addition, the invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates tim-3 activity. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, immune tolerance, transplantation tolerance, Th1 responses and Th2 responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for promoting or reducing T-cell trafficking to a target tissue. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for promoting or inhibiting antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. The invention is related to discovery of functional characteristics of TIM-3, a molecule that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th1 cells. The methods are useful for treating disorders including cancer, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for promoting or reducing T-cell trafficking to a target tissue. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for promoting or inhibiting antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. The invention is related to discovery of functional characteristics of TIM-3, a molecule that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th1 cells. The methods are useful for treating disorders including cancer, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease.

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.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to improved methods for treatment or prophylaxis in animal subjects (including humans) of autoimmune disorders including Type I diabetes, septic shock, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The inventors have made the surprising discovery that SGK1, a serine/threonine kinase previously described as being involved in regulation of cellular sodium homeostasis, has a novel and unexpected function in the differentiation and function of a specific subset of CD4 T cells, the TH17 lineage. Described herein are methods and compositions for modulation of TH17 cell differentiation, proliferation, and/or function that rely upon modulating the activity or expression of SGK1. Such methods and compositions are useful in the treatment of disorders including autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, infectious diseases, and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for promoting or reducing T-cell trafficking to a target tissue. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for promoting or inhibiting antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. The invention is related to discovery of functional characteristics of TIM-3, a molecule that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th1 cells. The methods are useful for treating disorders including cancer, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding polypeptides which comprise a tim-3 IgV domain and a tim-3 intracellular domain, wherein the polypeptides do not comprise a tim-3 mucin domain or a tim-3 transmembrane domain. In addition, the invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates tim-3 activity. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, immune tolerance, transplantation tolerance, Th1 responses and Th2 responses.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to improved methods for the treatment or prophylaxis in animal subjects (including humans) of autoimmune disorders including Type I diabetes, septic shock, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for promoting or reducing T-cell trafficking to a target tissue. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for promoting or inhibiting antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. The invention is related to discovery of functional characteristics of TIM-3, a molecule that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th1 cells. The methods are useful for treating disorders including cancer, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The embodiments provide for the modulation of both the differentiation and activity of human TH17 cells. More specifically, human TH17 cell differentiation can modulated by TGF-? and IL-21, and their agonists and antagonists. Function of TH17 cells can be modulated by, for example, BLT1 or podoplanin, and their agonists and antagonists. Additionally, the embodiments provide for the identification of TH17 cells. More specifically, human TH17 cells specifically upregulate BLT1 and podoplanin.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of modulating a population of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in a subject, for treating an autoimmune disease, and also treating cancer in a subject in need thereof. The methods comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates the Tim-3 pathway. The Tim-3 pathway can be activated by a Tim-3 ligand, galectin-9, whereby MDSCs are expanded, or inhibited by an antibody to Tim-3, wherein the expansion of MDSCs is inhibited.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, such as by administering to the subject agents which modulate tim-1, tim-2 or tim-4 activity, or which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4 or between tim-2 and a tim-2 ligand. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, autoimmune disorders, transplantation tolerance, and Th1 and Th2-mediated responses and disorders. The invention also relates to novel assays for identifying agents which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4. In addition, the invention relates to novel soluble tim-4 polypeptides and to nucleic acids which encode them.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, such as by administering to the subject agents which modulate tim-1, tim-2 or tim-4 activity, or which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4 or between tim-2 and a tim-2 ligand. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, autoimmune disorders, transplantation tolerance, and Th1 and Th2-mediated responses and disorders. The invention also relates to novel assays for identifying agents which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4. In addition, the invention relates to novel soluble tim-4 polypeptides and to nucleic acids which encode them.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods of treating neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders such as MS. The invention also provides novel methods of treating cancers, including glial tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme. The invention further provides vaccines and related uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for promoting or reducing T-cell trafficking to a target tissue. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for promoting or inhibiting antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. The invention is related to discovery of functional characteristics of TIM-3, a molecule that is preferentially expressed on the surface of Th1 cells. The methods are useful for treating disorders including cancer, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products for immunotherapy resulting in the stimulation of T-cell proliferation. The products of the invention are peptides that bind to CTLA-4 and co-stimulate the proliferation of T-cells by inhibiting the binding of B7 to CTLA-4. Pharmaceutical compositions including such peptides are also provided. The invention further provides in vitro and in vivo therapeutic methods employing the peptides of the invention.