Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically bind to human extracellular domains of the IL-13 alpha 2 (IL13Ra2) receptor, cells containing such CARs, and methods of cell-based immunotherapy targeting cancer cells, such as cells of solid tumors.

The present disclosure provides gene editing methods for modulating the expression of an inhibitor of DNA-binding E-protein transcription factors, namely Id3, and thereby affecting T cell function. First, it provides experimental evidence that Id3 is critical to the persistence and function of tissue-infiltrating GVHD T cells in a mouse model. Id3 reduces chromatin accessibility (ChrAcc) of transcription factors (TFs) that drive T cell PD-1 transcription, differentiation and dysfunction. Id3 loss increases PD-1 expression and impairs tissue-infiltrating Th1 cells. Second, it provides proof-of-concept that targeting ID3 in human T cells using a CRIPSR/Cas9 knockout (KO) prevents xeno-GVHD but preserves the anti-leukemic activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Third, it provides experimental evidence that ectopic expression of Id3 in engineered human CAR-T cells enhances the ability of these cells to eliminate tumors.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying T-cell (or T-cell) receptors chains or parts thereof that mediate an anti-tumor or anti-infection response by identifying amino acid sequences comprising T-cells (or T-cell) receptors chains or parts thereof that are shared between different donors.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and compositions related to CD105-targeting polypeptides. In some aspects, disclosed are chimeric receptors engineered to bind to CD105. Cells (e.g., NK cells, T-cells) expressing CD105-targeting peptides are described. Also described are therapeutic methods using polypeptides of the disclosure.

Provided are engineered cells for adoptive therapy, including NK cells and T cells. Also provided are compositions for engineering and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells, and methods for their administration to subjects. In some aspects, features of the cells and methods provide specificity and/or efficacy. In some embodiments, the cells contain genetically engineered antigen receptors that specifically bind to antigens, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and costimulatory receptors. In some embodiments, the cells include receptors targeting multiple antigens. In some embodiments, the cells include repression of one or more gene product, for example, by disruption of a gene encoding the gene product. In some embodiments, a gene encoding an antigen recognized by the engineered antigen receptor is disrupted, reducing the likelihood of targeting of the engineered cells.

Methods are disclosed for producing defective ribosomal products (DRiPs) in blebs (DRibbles) by contacting cells with a proteasome inhibitor, and in some examples also an autophagy inducer, thereby producing treated cells. DRibbles can be used to load antigen presenting cells (APCs), thereby allowing the APCs to present the DRiPs and antigenic fragments thereof. Immunogenic compositions that include treated cells, isolated DRibbles, or DRibble-loaded APCs are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for using treated cells, isolated DRibbles, or DRibble-loaded APCs to stimulate an immune response, for example in a subject. For example, DRibbles obtained from a tumor cell can be used to stimulate an immune response against the same type of tumor cells in the subject. In another example, DRibbles obtained from a pathogen-infected cell or cell engineered to express one or more antigens of a pathogen can be used to stimulate an immune response against the pathogen in the subject.

Disclosed are: a virus vector in which a gene encoding an antigenic polypeptide is integrated in human parainfluenza virus type 2 gene, wherein the antigenic polypeptide is expressed in the form of a fusion protein with a viral structural protein; and a method for producing the same. The virus vector of the present invention contains a quantitatively large amount of the antigenic peptide on the virus particle and can efficiently deliver the antigenic polypeptide to a target cell.

Peptides and vaccine compositions comprising peptides based upon EGFRvIII and lacking a glycine at the splice junction are disclosed. The vaccines can induce immune responses against EGFRvIII. Methods of inhibiting formation or growth of EGFvIII tumors, methods of inducing regression of EGFvIII tumors, methods of immunizing against EGFvIII tumors and methods of treating a subjects who have EGFvIII tumors are disclosed.

A method of producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes is provided including priming a population of nave CD8+ T cells by contacting the population of nave CD8+ T cells with an immunogenic peptide, in the presence of a Tc9 supportive environment, thereby producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes which secrete IL-9. Purified populations of CD8+ Tc9 cells are also disclosed herein, as are method for their use in the treatment of cancer in a subject.

Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and IL-17. Also disclosed herein is a method for increasing an immune response in a subject. The method may comprise administering the vaccine to the subject in need thereof.