The present invention relates to a novel recombinant nanocage and use thereof wherein the nanocage is formed by self-assembly of a fusion protein including a phagocytosis enhancing protein and a self-assembling protein, and to a protein nanocage complex in which an immunogenic cell death inducer is loaded in the nanocage as an active ingredient.

Peptides suitable for preparation of lung surfactants are described. Examples include one that include a first fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of XWLXRALIKRIQAZI (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a first amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of RZLPQLVXRLVLRXS (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a second amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein X is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the X positions is not cysteine, or Z is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the Z positions is not methionine. Surfactants that contain such peptides, and related compositions, methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Peptides suitable for preparation of lung surfactants are described. Examples include one that include a first fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of XWLXRALIKRIQAZI (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a first amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second fragment comprising the amino acid sequence of RZLPQLVXRLVLRXS (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a second amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein X is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the X positions is not cysteine, or Z is any amino acid but at least one amino acid at the Z positions is not methionine. Surfactants that contain such peptides, and related compositions, methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to the preparation surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Some embodiments include the expression of human SP-D in certain cell lines, and the purification of human SP-D from such cell lines. Some embodiments include the preparation of certain oligomeric forms of human SP-D.

The invention provides fusion proteins comprising antigens of infectious disease agents and cancer cells linked to multiple-trimer forms of TNF SuperFamily (TNFSF) ligands. The TNFSFs serve as vaccine adjuvants for increasing the immune response to the antigens. In particular, a fusion polypeptide strand that self-assembles inside cells into a multiple-trimer form of CD40 ligand (CD40L, TNFSF5) is provided. Other similar fusion proteins are also disclosed. The fusion proteins can be delivered to a host as isolated proteins, as nucleic acids used directly in DNA vaccination or carried and expressed by a viral vector such as adenovirus. In addition to use as a vaccine to prevent or ameliorate disease caused by an infectious agent, compositions of the invention may be used for the treatment of ongoing infection or for cancer immunotherapy.

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the collectin family of collagenous lectin domain-containing proteins that is expressed in epithelial cells of the lung. Described herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of disorders associated with lung injury, including methods and compositions for the treatment of bronchopulmonary disorder (BPD).

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating and preventing lung disease. In particular, provided herein are SP-A peptides and uses thereof in the treatment and prevention of lung disease (e.g., asthma or COPD). The compositions may comprise peptides having an amino acid sequence of Ac-WGKEQCVE(Nle)(Pego3)-Hdc (SEQ ID NO: 24) The peptide compositions may also be used to treat COVID-19.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating and preventing lung disease. In particular, provided herein are SP-A peptides and uses thereof in the treatment and prevention of lung disease (e.g., asthma or COPD). The compositions may comprise peptides having an amino acid sequence of Ac-WGKEQCVE(Nle)(Pego3)-Hdc (SEQ ID NO: 24) The peptide compositions may also be used to treat COVID-19.