The invention provides an isolated, purified population of human cells comprising CD8.sup.+ T cells with reduced Cbl-b activity. The invention provides uses of such cells in methods for inducing or enhancing an anti-tumor immune response in a subject. These methods comprise: (a) providing a cell population, from a subject or from another source, which comprises CD8.sup.+ T cells, (b) reducing Cbl-b activity in the CD8.sup.+ T-cells, (c) administering the cells of step (b) to the subject. The invention provides methods for making CD8.sup.+ T cells that do not require stimulation through a co-receptor in order for the cell to become activated or proliferated in response to contact via its T cell receptor. Such methods are based upon reducing function of Cbl-b. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents which affect Cbl-b expression or activity.

The present invention pertains to polynucleotides that encode CDR3 in TCR-[alpha] and TCR-[beta] chain genes of CD4.sup.+ helper T-cells that are specific to WT1 helper peptides having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 123. The present invention further pertains to the peptides encoded by said polynucleotides. The present invention further pertains to CD4.sup.+ T cells into which TCR genes that contain said polynucleotides have been introduced, the induction of WT1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) using the CD4.sup.+ T-cells, the treatment of cancer, etc.

Provided herein are methods for tracking certain cells associated with a cell therapy, such as from a starting cell composition or a sample prior to administration to a subject and from a sample following administration to a subject. In some aspects, the methods include assessing one or more parameters or attributes of such cells and methods of identifying cellular attributes associated with particular desired cells. The provided methods can be used in connection with cell therapy including adoptive transfer of engineered T cells or T cell precursors.

Novel complexes of peptides from human collagen type II and types of MHC class II associated with rheumatoid arthritis are provided. There is also provided novel therapies and methods for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods and devices are provided for rapid detection in a sample of bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis). Methods and devices are also provided for the rapid detection of immune cells (CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells).

A pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a peptide of between 8 and 20 amino acids comprising at least 8 consecutive amino acids residues with a sequence present in SEQ ID NO 22 or a complex of said peptide and a human recombinant MHC class II protein and (b) an immunologic adjuvant.

The present invention provides a method for determining the clinical prognosis of a human subject to the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising of stem cells (preferably mesenchymal stem cells), stromal cells, regulatory T-cells, fibroblasts and combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to methods for predicting whether peptides or polypeptides comprising disease specific amino acid modifications, in particular tumor-associated neo-antigens, comprise epitopes, in particular tumor-associated neo-epitopes, which are useful for immunotherapy such as for vaccination. The methods of the invention may be used, in particular, for the provision of vaccines which are specific for a patient's tumor and, thus, in the context of personalized cancer vaccines.

The invention provides an isolated, purified population of human cells comprising CD8.sup.+ T cells with reduced Cbl-b activity. The invention provides uses of such cells in methods for inducing or enhancing an anti-tumor immune response in a subject. These methods comprise: (a) providing a cell population, from a subject or from another source, which comprises CD8.sup.+ T cells, (b) reducing Cbl-b activity in the CD8.sup.+ T-cells, (c) administering the cells of step (b) to the subject. The invention provides methods for making CD8.sup.+ T cells that do not require stimulation through a co-receptor in order for the cell to become activated or proliferated in response to contact via its T cell receptor. Such methods are based upon reducing function of Cbl-b. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents which affect Cbl-b expression or activity.

Methods for obtaining a tuberculosis assessment in a subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include assaying a tuberculosis (TB) activated sample from the subject for at least one of: (i) CD154.sup.+ T cells; and (ii) T cells having a central memory phenotype, such as a CM1 phenotype, CM2 phenotype or a CM3 phenotype; to obtain a TB biomarker signature, and then deriving a tuberculosis assessment for the subject from the TB biomarker signature. Aspects of the invention further include reagents, devices, systems, and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including TB diagnosis and monitoring of TB treatment.