The present disclosure relates to engineered PD-L1-binding Stefin A polypeptide variants, polynucleotides encoding the engineered PD-L1-binding Stefin A polypeptide variants, cells expressing the polypeptide variants, pharmaceutical preparations of the polypeptide variants, and uses of the polypeptide variants in the treatment of various human conditions, including cancer.

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for the detection of renal disease and periodontal disease in mammals.

The invention relates to a polypeptide, such as an Affimer polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to amino acid residues 1 to 11, 13 to 15, 17 to 19, 21 to 25, 27 to 28, 35 to 37, 39, 41, 43 to 44, 46 to 47, 49 to 50, 52 to 53, 55 to 58, 63 to 64, 66, 68 to 82, 84 to 85, and 87 to 98 of SEQ ID NO: 1; characterized in that said polypeptide comprises one or mutations relative to SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also relates to various methods and nucleic acids.

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for the detection of renal disease and periodontal disease in mammals.

Disclosed are a genetically modified cell in which a nucleic acid encoding a CD40L binding agent (e.g., a stefin A protein variant specifically binding to CD40L or a fusion protein including the same) is introduced into a host cell and uses thereof. Provided are genetically modified cells expressing a CD40L binding agent enabling secretion thereof, expression thereof on a cell membrane, and/or intracellular localization thereof, and are thereby capable of reducing or inhibiting the activity of CD40L. Provided genetically modified cells may inhibit T-cell activity and B-cell activity and exhibit an immunosuppressive effect, and may be thus useful for the prevention or treatment of immune diseases such as autoimmune diseases or inflammatory diseases.

The present invention relates to nanostructured conjugates, more specifically to nanostructured fusion proteins suitable for the selective delivery of their conjugated therapeutic agents to specific cell and tissue types. It also relates to nanoparticles comprising such nanostructured proteins and the therapeutic uses thereof.