Disclosed in the present application are: a method for preparing in vitro/ex vivo antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cells by using B cells treated with biological response modifier; and a use thereof. The cytotoxic T-cells prepared by the method of the present application can be used advantageously for treating infectious disease and cancer and the like.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for the viral gene therapy (e.g., AAV-directed gene therapy) of cholesterol storage diseases or disorders, such as Niemann-Pick disease, Type C.

This document describes a number of different polypeptide sequences, and the nucleic acid sequences encoding such polypeptide sequences, that can be used alone or in combination as universal vaccines against viruses including influenza A or influenza B in humans or influenza in swine.

Provided are recombinant adenovirus vectors (serotype 26 and serotype 35) encoding filovirus antigens. The adenovirus vectors can be used to induce protective immune responses against filovirus infection.

Provided are methods of generating an immune response to any of various antigens including foreign antigens such as infectious agent antigens. In general, the method comprises administering an expression vector encoding a transcription unit encoding a secretable fusion protein, the fusion protein containing the foreign antigen and CD40 ligand and also administering the encoded fusion protein. In another approach, an immune response to the foreign antigen is elicited using the encoded fusion protein without administering the vector. The invention methods may be used to immunize an individual against an infectious agent such as influenza virus. Methods of obtaining an immune response in older individuals also is described.

Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.

The present invention relates to liquid vaccine composition comprising a live virus and a natural deep-eutectic solvent (NADES) as the carrier. The carrier additionally comprises an additive selected from methionine and (hydroxy) ectoine. The additive is able to reduce the loss of virus titre over time, upon storage in a NADES-based liquid vaccine composition having up to 50% w/w of water. Such compositions are less viscous which is favourable for the manufacture of the carrier, and the formulation and use of the liquid vaccine.

The present disclosure relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for activating an immune response in a patient in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject methods and compositions are able to antagonize the activity of VISTA, a naturally occurring checkpoint protein which contributes to immune tolerance, optionally in combination with an antagonist of a second checkpoint pathway such as PD-1. For example, such methods and compositions may be suitable for preventing and treating colon cancer or another cancer. An exemplary VISTA antagonist, specifically, an anti-VISTA antibody, is demonstrated herein to activate an immune response against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby conferring protective anti-tumor immunity which decreased tumor burden. Additionally, an additive benefit was observed when a VISTA antagonist was used in combination with a second checkpoint protein antagonist, specifically, an antibody against PD-1 ligand (PD-L1).

The present invention shows that intranasal administration of E1/E3-defective adenovirus particles may confer rapid and broad protection against viral and bacterial pathogens in a variety of disease settings. Protective responses lasted for many weeks in a single-dose regimen in animal models. When a pathogen-derived antigen gene was inserted into the E1/E3-defective adenovirus genome, the antigen-induced protective immunity against the specific pathogen was elicited before the adenovirus-mediated protective response declined away, thus conferring rapid, prolonged, and seamless protection against pathogens. In addition to E1/E3-defective adenovirus, other bioengineered non-replicating vectors encoding pathogen-derived antigens may also be developed into a new generation of rapid and prolonged immunologic-therapeutic (RAPIT).

Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.