Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of compositions and methods for treating autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis).

This invention provides an IFN inducer comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria and capable of inducing IFN production, an immunopotentiating agent or prophylactic agent against virus infection comprising such inducer, and a food or drink product comprising such IFN inducer and having IFN-inducing activity, immunopotentiating activity, or prophylactic activity against virus infection. The agent for inducing IFN production comprises, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria that can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and promote IFN production, such as Lactococcus garvieae NBRC100934, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris JCM16167, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NBRC100676, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM1180, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM11040, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NBRC12007, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NRIC1150, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM20101, Leuconostoc lactis NBRC12455, Leuconostoc lactis NRIC1540, Pediococcus damnosus JCM5886, or Streptococcus thermophilus TA-45.

Immune responses in mammals are mediated by a complex interaction between peripheral blood cells called leukocytes and signaling molecules called cytokines. The present invention provides assay systems for investigative, diagnostic, and therapeutic use assessing immune response. These and other aspects of the invention yield powerful tools and methods for characterizing patient immune responses in various pathological conditions, as well as for assessing immune modulatory agents.

Systems, methods, compositions, and kits for measuring secreted factors from cells are disclosed herein, including those capable of determining single cell secretion activity and protein expression and/or gene expression simultaneously. Disclosed herein include solid supports comprising a plurality of capture probes capable of specifically binding to at least one of the plurality of secreted factors secreted by a single cell. Also disclosed herein include secreted factor-binding reagents capable of specifically binding to a secreted factor bound by a capture probe. A secreted factor-binding reagent can comprise a secreted factor-binding reagent specific oligonucleotide comprising a unique factor identifier sequence for the secreted factor-binding reagent.

Biomarkers are provided that are associated with or predictive of a subject's responsiveness to a JAK inhibitor. The biomarkers, compositions, and methods described herein are useful in selecting appropriate treatment modalities for a subject having, suspected of having, or at risk of developing vitiligo.

A method of identifying a subject having cancer who is likely to be responsive to a treatment compound, comprising administering the treatment compound to the subject having the cancer; obtaining a sample from the subject; determining the level of a biomarker in the sample from the subject; and diagnosing the subject as being likely to be responsive to the treatment compound if the level of the biomarker in the sample of the subject changes as compared to a reference level of the biomarker; wherein the treatment compound is Compound 1, Compound 2, or Compound 3.

Provided herein is a method for measuring the levels of chronic inflammaging (SCI) of a subject. In some embodiments, the method may comprise measuring the amount of two or more of the proteins C-X-C motif ligand 9 (CXCL9), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), interferon gamma (IFNG), eosinophil chemotactic protein (EOTAXIN) and growth-regulated alpha protein (GROA) in a sample (e.g., blood serum) from the subject calculating a score based on the weighted amounts of each of those proteins.

Described herein are methods for diagnosis, screening, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, the invention describes methods of treating autism using dexamethasone to inhibit extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated IFN-gamma secretion and chronic inflammation. The invention further describes methods of identifying autism in a patient by measuring EV-mediated IFN-gamma secretion in patient samples.

The invention provides methods, kits and reagents for diagnosing fibromyalgia (FM) in an individual by determining whether the levels of one or more cytokines in the individual are altered, as compared to control levels. The altered level(s) or patterns of expression of the cytokines measured in the affected individual compared to the level from the control is predictive/indicative of FM in the individual.

The present invention provides novel processes, compositions, and methods for analyzing or assaying the potency and/or functionality of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) products for use in therapy, including human cancer therapy, and analyzing or assaying the potency and/or functionality of other polyclonal products, such as marrow infiltrating lymphocyte (MIL) and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) products. Compositions, methods, and kits for preparing and treating cancer using TIL, MIL, and PBL products are also provided.