The invention relates to helminthic parasite preparations and their use for treatment or prevention of GVHD in a subject that has undergone a transplant. The invention also related to helminthic parasite preparations and their use for prevention of GVHD in a subject prior to a transplant.

The present invention relates methods and compositions for preventing or treating various immune diseases including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using populations or compositions of immunoregulatory T cells specific for an irrelevant antigen; such cells being activated in vivo by a simultaneous, separate or sequential administration of said antigen.

Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions that provide controlled release of immunosuppressants as well as related methods. The synthetic nanocarrier compositions may also include antigen in some embodiments.

Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Embodiments are directed to a method of treating acute radiation syndrome comprising administering to a subject following exposure to radiation a PIF peptide. Some embodiments describe a method of treating acute radiation syndrome following radiation exposure comprising transplanting bone marrow that has been exposed to a PIF peptide prior to transplantation into a subject. Other embodiments describe a method of increasing engraftment of a transplanted organ, tissue, or cell by pre-exposing the organ, tissue, or cell to a PIF peptide.

Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

We describe the use of exosome such as mesenchymal stem cell exosomes in a method of promoting, restoring or enhancing homeostasis in an individual suffering from graft versus host disease (GVHD) or epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The homeostasis may comprise immune homeostasis such as maintenance of an immune response. The method may comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of exosome to the individual.

Methods for producing an allergen composition, methods for in vitro diagnosis of type I allergy, and diagnostic kits for performing diagnosis employ Bos d 23k allergen of SEQ ID NO: 4, or the mature protein thereof, or a variant or fragment of the Bos d 23k allergen or the mature protein sharing epitopes for antibodies with the Bos d 23k allergen or the mature protein. Methods for treatment of a Type I allergy to a mammal and pharmaceutical compositions employ a Bos d 23k allergen of SEQ ID NO: 4, or the mature protein thereof, or a variant or fragment of the Bos d 23k allergen or the mature protein sharing epitopes for antibodies with the Bos d 23k allergen or the mature protein, wherein the Bos d 23k allergen, the mature protein, the variant or the fragment is modified to abrogate or attenuate its IgE binding response.

The invention relates to immunogenic peptides comprising T-cell epitopes and oxidoreductase motifs with increased activity, and their use in regulating the immune response in subjects.