The invention provides chimeric antigen receptor(s) (CAR(s)) that comprise a fusion protein of CTX or any functional variant thereof or a CTX-like peptide or any functional variant thereof as the extracellular antigen recognition moiety of the CAR. CAR(s) comprising CTX, a CTX-like peptide or functional variants of the foregoing are collectively referred to herein as CTX-CAR(s). Such CTX-CAR(s) may further comprise additional moieties or domains in the extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain and at least one intracellular! signaling domain. Such CTX-CAR(s) may be expressed in a host cell, such as, but not limited to, an immune effector cell. The present invention also provides methods of treatment (such as, for example, methods for treating cancer) by providing to the patient in need thereof immune effector cells that are engineered to express a CTX-CAR described herein.

Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Compositions and methods for inhibiting metastatic cancer cells. The compositions comprise nanoparticles which have incorporated therein leukocyte adhesion molecules and therapeutic molecules exposed on their surface. The nanoparticles may be provided attached to leukocytes. Introduction of these compositions in to the circulation of individuals results in inhibition and reduction of metastatic cancer cells.

The present invention relates to a method for providing ocular neuroprotection or for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of, an ocular disease associated with retinal ganglion cell death in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a recombinant P-selectin immunoglobin G (P-sel-IgG) chimeric fusion protein, or a composition comprising the protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, vehicle, or carrier.

A composition having tissue repair activity, which is capable of promoting reactions associated with tissue repair, contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a first component that is a protein having a monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) activity, a second component that is a protein having the extracellular domain activity of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin-9 (Siglec-9), and a third component that is at least one of chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.

A composition having tissue repair activity, which is capable of promoting reactions associated with tissue repair, contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a first component that is a protein having a monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) activity, a second component that is a protein having the extracellular domain activity of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin-9 (Siglec-9), and a third component that is at least one of chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.

Genetically engineered hematopoietic cells such as hematopoietic stem cells having one or more genetically edited genes of lineage-specific cell-surface proteins and therapeutic uses thereof, either alone or in combination with immune therapy that targets the lineage-specific cell-surface proteins.

A modified lectin protein is provided having at least one amino acid modification in an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 orin an amino acid sequence having at least 60% homology thereto. The amino acid modification is selected from one of more of the following: at least one amino acid modification in a carbohydrate binding site; at least one amino acid modification in the N-terminus; at least one amino acid modification at position 76; or at least one amino acid modification at position 44 or 89. The modified lectin protein does not consist of the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 4.

The present invention relates to a molecule for use in the treatment and/or prevention of viral infections caused by highly pathogenic coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), or variants thereof, Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome Coronavirus ((SARS)-COV) and sarbecoviruses, said molecule being a mannose binding lectin (MBL) polypeptide, or a functional fragment, derivative, mutein or variant thereof, or an homologue having a percentage of identity with MBL polypeptide of at least 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90%, preferably for use in the treatment and/or prevention of 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Methods and compositions are provided for delivery of a polynucleotide encoding a gene of interest, typically an antigen, to a dendritic cell (DC). The virus envelope comprises a DC-SIGN specific targeting molecule. The methods and related compositions can be used to treat patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including infection, such as HIV/AIDS, and various types of cancers.