The present invention relates to the identification of novel peptides derived from aberrant proteins involved in Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1D), also known as defective ribosomal products (DRiPs). In particular the invention relates to epitopes present in DRiPs of the human preproinsulin (PPI) mRNA, its representative peptides and the use thereof in diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of T1D. Moreover, the inventions relate to antibodies and antisera against the identified epitopes and the use thereof in the diagnosis of T1D.

The present invention relates to tolerogenic mammalian dendritic cells (iDCs) and methods for the production of tolerogenic DCs. In addition, the present invention provides methods for administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells as well as particles containing oligonucleotides to mammalian subjects. Enhanced tolerogenicity in a host can be useful for treating inflammatory and autoimmune related diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.

The present invention provides, among other things, methods and compositions for modulating or treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, disorders, and conditions. The present invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery that engineered regulatory T-cells characterized by constitutive STAT activity are efficacious in treating disease.

The present invention describes a method for treating cancer comprising adoptive transfer of tumor antigen specific CD8+ T cells and an oncolytic virus vaccine targeting the same antigen.

Provided herein are engineered B cells, such as for adoptive cell therapy. In some aspects, also provided are methods and compositions for engineering and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells, and methods for their administration to subjects. In some embodiments, the cells are engineered to produce and/or secrete an exogenous protein, such as a therapeutic protein, including antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. In some aspects, features of the cells and methods provide for increased or improved activity, efficacy and/or persistence of the cells.

The invention includes compositions comprising at least one chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for an autoantibody, vectors comprising the same, compositions comprising CAAR vectors packaged in viral particles, and recombinant T cells comprising the CAAR. The invention also includes methods of making a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAAR (CAART) wherein the expressed CAAR comprises a desmoglein extracellular domain.

The invention includes compositions comprising at least one chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for an autoantibody, vectors comprising the same, compositions comprising CAAR vectors packaged in viral particles, and recombinant T cells comprising the CAAR. The invention also includes methods of making a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAAR (CAART) wherein the expressed CAAR comprises a desmoglein extracellular domain.

The invention includes compositions comprising at least one chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for an autoantibody, vectors comprising the same, compositions comprising CAAR vectors packaged in viral particles, and recombinant T cells comprising the CAAR. The invention also includes methods of making a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAAR (CAART) wherein the expressed CAAR comprises a desmoglein extracellular domain.

The invention provides methods for treating age-related macular degeneration by administering (i) peptide compositions, (ii) regulatory T-cells from the patient or a compatible donor, or (iii) a combination of regulatory T-cells and said peptide compositions. Also provided are methods for diagnosing age-related macular degeneration and monitoring its progression.

The present disclosure describes immunosuppressive mesenchymal stromal cells and exosomes secreted from immunosuppressive mesenchymal stromal cells, and methods for their preparation. The disclosure also describes methods for treating subjects or preventing subjects at risk for conditions by administering the immunosuppressive mesenchymal stromal cells or secreted exosomes. The present disclosure also describes kits for preparing immunosuppressive mesenchymal stromal cells and exosomes secreted from immunosuppressive mesenchymal stromal cells.