The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles including a heterologous gene of interest, comprising the following steps: a) transfecting at least one plasmid in appropriate cell lines, wherein said at least one plasmid comprises the gene of interest, the rev. gag and pol genes, and a sequence coding for an ERV syncytin, wherein the rev, gag and pol genes are retroviral genes; b) incubating the transfected cells obtained in a), so that they produce the stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles in the supernatant; and c) harvesting and concentrating the stable lentiviral particles obtained in b). The present invention also relates to a method to transduce immune cells using lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with an ERV syncytin glycoprotein. The method can be performed on non-stimulated blood cells or on cells stimulated briefly with IL7, and the cells can be expanded. The stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles obtained are particularly useful in gene therapy.

The present invention relates to an adenoviral vector capable of encoding a virus-like particle (VLP), said VLP displaying an inactive immune-suppressive domain (ISD). The vaccine of the invention shows an improved immune response from either of both of the response pathways initiated by CD4 T cells or CD8 T cells.

The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosis of cancer in a subject by detecting human endogenous retrovirus env (HERV-WL) polypeptides.

The invention provides for novel immunostimulating peptides, peptide constructs and compositions. Further, the invention provides for methods of treatment utilising the peptides, peptide constructs and compositions.

Methods and compositions for altering a genome at one or more locations in a host cell, tissue, or subject are disclosed.

Described herein are virus-like particles (VLPs) and minimal human-derived virus-like particles (mhVLPs), comprising a membrane comprising a phospholipid bilayer with one or more human-derived envelope glycoproteins (env) on the external side. Optionally, a biomolecule cargo is disposed in the core of the VLP or mhVLP on the inside of the membrane. Preferably, the mhVLPs do not comprise any exogenous virally derived proteins, e.g., proteins from viral gag, pro, or pol, or other viral proteins that reside inside of enveloped particles (unless the cargo comprises the viral protein(s)). In some embodiments, the mhVLPs do not comprise any human endogenous retroviral (HERV) proteins other than the env (hENV), e.g., do not comprise gag, pol, or pro that was exogenously introduced into producer cells. In some embodiments, the VLPs include a targeting domain, either fused at the N or C terminus or internally into the hENV, or as a separate membrane-anchored targeting domain. Also described are methods of use of the VLPs or mhVLPs for delivery of the biomolecule cargo to cells.

The present invention relates to an adenoviral vector capable of encoding a virus-like particle (VLP), said VLP displaying an inactive immune-suppressive domain (ISD). The vaccine of the invention shows an improved immune response from either of both of the response pathways initiated by CD4 T cells or CD8 T cells.

Compositions and methods are provided for preventing or treating neoplastic disease in a mammalian subject. A composition is provided which comprises an enriched immune cell population reactive to a human endogenous retrovirus type E antigen on a tumor cell. A method of treating a neoplastic disease in a mammalian subject is provided which comprises administering to a mammalian subject a composition comprising an enriched immune cell population reactive to a human endogenous retrovirus type E antigen, in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the neoplastic disease or to prevent its occurrence or recurrence.

Provided herein are lipid particles, such as lentiviral particles, that incorporate or are pseudotyped with a truncated Baboon Endogenous Retrovirus (BaEV) envelope glycoprotein that contains a cytoplasmic tail with a partial inhibitory R peptide that is less than the full length wildtype BaEV inhibitory R peptide. Also provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the truncated BaEV envelope glycoproteins and producer cells for preparation of the lipid particles, such as lentiviral particles, containing the truncated BaEV envelope glycoproteins, as well as methods for preparing and using the lipid particles, such as lentiviral particles.

The present invention concerns uses of immune modulating and immune suppressing peptides from human endogenous retroviruses. In particular, the present invention concerns a use of an immune suppressive peptide for immune suppression and for reduction of inflammation.