Fusion proteins containing B7-H4 polypeptides are disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins can include full-length B7-H4 polypeptides, or can contain a fragment of a full-length B7-H4 polypeptide, including some or all of the extracellular domain of the B7-H4 polypeptide. Methods for using the fusion proteins to downregulate T cell activation and for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders are also disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins are useful for treating inflammation by inhibiting or reducing differentiation, proliferation, activity, and/or cytokine production and/or secretion by ThI, ThI 7, Th22, and/or other cells that secrete, or cause other cells to secrete, inflammatory molecules, including, but not limited to, IL-1, TNF-, TGF-beta, IFN-, IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, IL-22, IL-21, and MMPs; or enhancing IL-IO secretion by Tregs, increasing the differentiation of Tregs, increasing the number of Tregs, or combinations thereof.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection schemes for ascertaining pregnancy status of an animal. The compositions and methods employ interferon-tau (IFNT) and/or antibodies specific for IFNT. Methods of the present invention detect the presence of IFNT in samples obtained from animals as an early indicator of pregnancy. Methods are provided to identify non-pregnant animals so that management decisions regarding rebreeding can be made earlier compared to existing approaches.

The present invention relates to the biomarkers for predicting the clinical response to anti-LPS immunoglobulin treatments in patients in need thereof. In particular, the invention provides methods for predicting the clinical response to an anti-LPS immunoglobulin treatment in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising the steps of evaluating the expression of a predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD14, CD68, TLR4, TLR7, IL6, IL8, IL10, IFN-alpha, IGF1, CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, RAGE, GDNF, BCHE, and combination thereof, in said patient.

A method for treating lung cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung cancer) with an anti-PD-L1 antibody (MEDI4736), alone or in combination with an anti-CTLA4 antibody (Tremelimumab), in a patient identified using a polynucleotide marker of IFNgamma.

The present invention relates to a device and method for determining the presence of a specific compound in solution. The device includes a nanosensor having an electrically conducting pathway between at least a first and second contact. The device also includes a first receptor, suitable for binding a specific compound in the solution, attached to the nanosensor, and a second receptor also suitable for binding the specific compound while the specific compound is bound to the first receptor. The second receptor is attached to an enzyme added to the solution. When the solution having the second receptor is added to the device, and a second compound that is a substrate for the enzyme is subsequently added to the solution, a measured difference in an electrical property in the device before and after the application of the second compound is indicative of the presence of the specific compound in the solution.

A novel IFN-/ independent ligand receptor system which upon engagement leads, among other things, to the establishment of an anti-viral state is disclosed. Further disclosed are three closely positioned genes on human chromosome 19 that encode distinct but highly homologous proteins, designated INF-1, IFN-2, IFN-3, based inter alia, in their ability to induce antiviral protection. Expression of these proteins is induced upon viral infection. A receptor complex utilized by all three IFN- proteins for signaling is also disclosed. The receptor complex is generally composed of two subunits, a novel receptor designated IFN-R1 or CRF2-12, and a second subunit, IL-10R2 or CRF2-4, which is also a shared receptor component for the IL-10 and IL-22 receptor complexes. The gene encoding IFN-R1 is generally widely expressed, including many different cell types and tissues. Expression of these proteins is induced by immune events, including, for example, upon viral infection. Apoptotosis may also be induced under effective conditions.

A method for detecting a site which can be modified with an N-linked glycan chain and to which an N-linked glycan chain is actually linked in a glycoprotein; and a method for determining the state of an N-linked glycan chain addition at the site are provided. A glycoprotein having an N-linked glycan chain linked thereto is subjected to an N-linked glycan chain removal treatment with a peptide N-glycanase, subsequently a site capable of being modified with an N-linked glycan chain, in which an Asn residue has been changed to an Asp residue by the action of the peptide N-glycanase, is treated with an endo-type peptidase capable of recognizing an Asp residue to thereby produce peptide fragments, and subsequently the mass of the fragments is detected. In this manner, a site which can be modified with an N-linked glycan chain and to which an N-linked glycan chain is actually linked can be detected. Furthermore, the proportion or state of of the N-linked glycan chain addition at the site can be determined from the intensity of a signal generated upon the detection.

The invention relates to polymeric Fc proteins which bind to human Fc-receptors and methods of screening said polymeric Fc proteins to alter their functional characteristics. The invention also relates to therapeutic compositions comprising the polymeric Fc proteins, and their use in the treatment of immune disorders.

The current invention provides methods to identify ?9?2T-cell receptors (?9?2TCR) that mediate anti-tumor responses. Surprisingly, it was now found that the CDR3 regions of the ?9-T-cell receptor chain and the ?2-T-Cell receptor chain (?2TCR chain) are of importance. Based on these findings, combinatorial-??TCR-chain-exchange (CTE) is proposed as an efficient method for identifying ?9?2TCRs that mediate anti-tumor responses. Using the method of the invention, specific sequences of the respective ?9TCR and ?2TCR chains were identified that mediate anti-tumor responses. Hence, the invention further provides for specific ?9?2TCRs, or fragments thereof, that may be used e.g. in diagnostics or treatment of cancer. The invention further provides for nucleic acid sequences, genetic constructs and retroviral vectors that can be used to express the ?9?2TCRs according to the invention.

The present invention relates to CRISPR/Cas-based biosensing materials, assays and methods. In particular the technology relates to ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas-based methods suitable for microbial detection, detection of cells or cellular components, small molecules, cytokines, polypeptides and various other biomarkers. The materials and methods according to the invention may also be used to enhance the sensitivity of existing bioassays.