The present disclosure relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for activating an immune response in a patient in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject methods and compositions are able to antagonize the activity of VISTA, a naturally occurring “checkpoint” protein which contributes to immune tolerance, optionally in combination with an antagonist of a second checkpoint pathway such as PD-1. For example, such methods and compositions may be suitable for preventing and treating colon cancer or another cancer. An exemplary VISTA antagonist, specifically, an anti-VISTA antibody, is demonstrated herein to activate an immune response against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby conferring protective anti-tumor immunity which decreased tumor burden. Additionally, an additive benefit was observed when a VISTA antagonist was used in combination with a second checkpoint protein antagonist, specifically, an antibody against PD-1 ligand (PD-L1).

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for efficient and effective protein delivery in vitro and in vivo. In some aspects, proteins are reversibly crosslinked to each other and/or modified with functional groups and protected from protease degradation by a polymer-based or silica-based nanoshell.

The invention provides programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies and methods of using the same.

A complex comprising a GDF15 polypeptide is described. Methods of treating individuals with a metabolism disorder, such as, glucose metabolism disorder and/or a body weight disorder, and compositions associated therewith, are provided.

Provided is an antibody that specifically recognizes IL-13RA2, which can be used in the manufacture of a targeting anti-tumor medicament as well as a medicament for diagnosing a tumor.

This invention provides for a fusion protein between a single chain TNFR2 Selective Agonist protein (scTNFR2 Selective Agonist) and a dimerization domain, such as an IgGFc protein. The single chain TNFR2 Selective Agonist moiety provides a therapeutic activity by selectively activating the TNFR2 form of the TNF-α receptor, thus selectively stimulating Tregs and/or increasing myelin deposition.

Provided is an immunoconjugate useful in inhibiting tumor growth, and a composition and/or protein mixture comprising the immunoconjugate. Also provided are methods for the production of the immunoconjugate, as well as pharmaceutical uses of the immunoconjugate in inhibiting tumor growth, including but not limited to treatment of cancers.

This invention provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting human EphA3 and dual targeting CARs that bind to human EphA3 and to human mutant epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII). This invention also relates to CAR-T cells comprising the provided CARs or the dual targeting CARs. Methods for treating a solid tumor cancer by administering the CARs are provided.

Methods and systems for producing a protein of interest within a plant or a portion of a plant are provided herein. The method includes introducing one or more nucleic acid into the plant or the portion of the plant, the nucleic acid including a nucleotide sequence encoding the protein of interest and incubating the plant or the portion of the plant under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleotide sequence encoding the protein of interest. The method also includes adding a medium amendment including a calcium carbonate source, such as aragonite, to a medium environment of the plant.

Provided herein are polypeptides which include tenth fibronectin type III domains (.sup.10Fn3) that bind to glypican-3. Also provided are fusion molecules comprising a .sup.10Fn3 domain that bind to glypican-3 for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Glypican-3 .sup.10Fn3 drug conjugates are also provided.