Methods for introducing allergens to a human subject are provided.

The present invention provides compositions comprising peptide-coupled biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles. In particular, PLG particles are surface-functionalized to allow for coupling of peptide molecules to the surface of the particles (e.g., for use in eliciting induction of immunological tolerance).

The invention provides immunomodulatory pharmaceutical compositions that include a synthetic peptide and one or more immune tolerance enhancers.

The present is directed to compositions comprising regulatory T cell epitopes, wherein said epitopes comprises a polypeptide comprising at least a portion of SEQ NOS: 1-124 (and/or fragments and variants thereof), and optionally 1 to 12 additional amino acids distributed in any ratio on the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NOS: 1-124, as well as methods of producing and using the same.

The present invention concerns methods of generating CTLs that are able to target at least one antigen from two or more viruses. The method includes exposing mixtures of peptides for different antigens to the same plurality of PBMCs and, at least in certain aspects, expanding the cells in the presence of IL4 and IL7.

The present invention provides compositions comprising peptide-coupled biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles. In particular, PLG particles are surface-functionalized to allow for coupling of peptide molecules to the surface of the particles (e.g., for use in eliciting induction of immunological tolerance).

The present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition for antigen-specific immune tolerance or immune suppression. The present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a CD4-positive anergy T cell and a CD8-positive anergy T cell. In some embodiments, the anergy T cell is induced by an antibody capable of inhibiting the interaction between CD80 and/or CD86 and CD28. In a specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition may additionally comprise a regulatory T cell (e.g., a FOXP3-positive CD4-positive CD25-positive T cell).

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. Fusions with targeting peptides direct the fusions to the target, for instance a tumor, where the erythrocyte-binding ligands reduce or entirely eliminate blood flow to the tumor by recruiting erythrocytes to the target.

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. Fusions with targeting peptides direct the fusions to the target, for instance a tumor, where the erythrocyte-binding ligands reduce or entirely eliminate blood flow to the tumor by recruiting erythrocytes to the target.

The invention describes a method and compounds for the prevention of immune responses towards allofactors, towards viral vectors used for gene therapy and gene vaccination, towards proteins to which subjects are naturally exposed, towards genetically-modified organisms and towards undesirable effects related to vaccine administration for allergic or infectious diseases.