Provided are antibodies that specifically bind Vaccinia Virus (VV) A56 or B5 antigen. Also provided are fusion proteins and conjugates that comprise the antibodies. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits that comprise the antibodies, fusion proteins and conjugates are also provided. Aspects of the present disclosure further include methods of using the antibodies, fusion proteins and conjugates, e.g., for therapeutic purposes. In certain embodiments, provided are methods that comprise administering an antibody, fusion protein or conjugate of the present disclosure to an individual having cancer, wherein the individual comprises cancer cells infected with VV, and wherein the antibody, fusion protein or conjugate is targeted to the infected cancer cells by VV antigens expressed on the surface of the infected cancer cells. Aspects of the present disclosure further include methods of targeting an antibody, fusion protein, or conjugate that specifically binds an oncolytic virus (OV) antigen to cancer cells in an individual.

As described below, the present invention features genetically modified immune cells having enhanced anti-neoplasia activity, resistance to immune suppression, and decreased risk of eliciting a graft versus host reaction, or a combination thereof. The present invention also features methods for producing and using these modified immune effector cells.

Disclosed herein are CAR-T cells engineered to express mutant PGC-1α, wildtype NT-PGC-1α, or mutant NT-PGC-1α to enhance or prevent degradation of metabolic fitness. Also disclosed herein is a method for enhancing metabolic fitness of a CAR-T cell by transducing the CAR-T cell with a vector encoding a mutant PGC-1α, wildtype NT-PGC-1α, or mutant NT-PGC-1α. Also disclosed is a method for producing CAR-T cells that involves transducing activated T cells with a viral vector encoding a mutant PGC-1α, wildtype NT-PGC-1α, or mutant NT-PGC-1α polypeptide.

Compositions of genetically modified beta-like cells are encompassed. Also encompassed are methods of treatment of type 1 diabetes using these compositions or compositions that inhibit the function of the identified genes.

The present disclosure relates to polynucleotides encoding a chimeric polypeptide comprising a c-Jun polypeptide, a ROR1-binding protein, and a truncated EGF receptor. Also provided are cells (e.g., T cells) expressing CARs comprising a ROR1-binding protein and overexpressing a c-Jun polypeptide. Overexpression of c-Jun in CAR T cells confers improved properties, e.g., reducing or preventing exhaustion.

A system and method for manufacturing engineered human lymphocytes for cell therapies, including isolating targeted cells of interest from apheresis starting material using an acoustic separation device and activating the targeted cells of interest in situ with, in certain aspects, antibody-coated surface in an enclosed vessel. Also, the method includes transfecting the targeted cells of interest with construct-encoded lentiviral vectors, retroviral vectors, adeno-associated vectors or non-viral vectors in the enclosed vessel. The cells of interest may then be transfected with viral or non-viral genetic material using an electroporation device. Transfected cells may then be expanded to a desired dose using an expansion feeding method. Also, the method may include combining the targeted cells of interest with cryoprotectant reagents and buffers to create a final formulation.

Described is an engineered viral particle programmed with T cell targeting specificity. The viral particles comprise: at least one viral vector, such as bacteriophage T4; and at least one CD4-binding protein displayed on the surface of the viral vector. Also described is a method of reactivate latent HIV-1 and cure patient with HIV-1 infection, using such an engineered viral particle.

A method of obtaining a pluripotent-like multipotent cell, including providing a cell of a first type which is not a pluripotent-like multipotent cell; contacting the cell of a first type with an agent capable of remodeling the chromatin and/or DNA of the cell; transiently increasing expression of at least one pluripotent gene regulator in the cell of a first type, to a level at which the at least one pluripotent gene regulator is capable of driving transformation of the cell of a first type into the pluripotent-like multipotent cell; and placing or maintaining the cell in a differentiation medium and maintaining intracellular levels of the at least one pluripotent gene regulator for a sufficient period of time to allow a stable pluripotent-like multipotent cell to be obtained; wherein the pluripotent-like multipotent cell so obtained does not exhibit teratoma formation in vivo.

It is intended to provide MSCs for transplantation that have an improved post-transplantation cell survival rate and engraftment rate and are highly safe with fewer adverse reactions, and a method for conveniently producing MSCs for transplantation having a high cell survival rate and engraftment rate. As means therefor, the present invention provides a stem cell for transplantation comprising an MSC capable of overexpressing IL-10.

A method for treating a subject having a medical condition associated with inflammation and/or an unwanted immune response without an alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, wherein the method comprises administering genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein said genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells comprise an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) an Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) encoding region operably linked to (ii) a promoter or promoter/enhancer combination.