Disclosed is a recombinant polypeptide for facilitating membrane fusion. The recombinant polypeptide having a sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the ectodomain of p14 fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein and having a functional myristoylation motif, a transmembrane domain from a FAST protein and a sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the endodomain of p15 FAST protein. A targeting ligand can be added to the recombinant polypeptide for selective fusion. The recombinant polypeptide can be included in the membrane of a liposome, or the like, to facilitate the delivery of bioactive compounds, such as siRNA, or the recombinant polypeptide can be mixed with a lipid carrier and added to cultured cells to induce cell-cell fusion and heterokaryon formation.

The present invention provides gene editing systems comprising gene editing dimerization switches comprising a first and second gene editing switch domain that allow for the regulation of a gene editing function by the introduction, e.g., administration, of a gene editing dimerization molecule having the ability to bring together a first gene editing switch domain and a second gene editing switch domain. A regulated gene editing function provides, e.g., less off-target side effects, and increases the therapeutic window. The present invention also provides improved FKBP/FRB-based dimerization switches wherein the FRB switch domain or the FKBP switch domain, or both the FRB and FKBP switch domains, comprise one or more mutations that optimize performance, e.g., that alter, e.g., enhance the formation of a complex between the first switch domain, the second switch domain, and the dimerization molecule, rapamycin, or a rapalog, e.g., RAD001.

The present invention relates to a cell which comprises a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a signal transduction modifying protein, selected from one of the following: (i) a truncated protein which comprises an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), but lacks a kinase domain; (ii) a truncated protein which comprises an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) but lacks a phosphatase domain; (iii) a fusion protein which comprises (a) an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) or from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM); and (ii) a heterologous domain.

Constructs are provided that exploit selected portions of the TLR4 receptor to which no extracellular ligand will bind. A dimerization domain is employed to allow for regulated activation when used in conjunction with a dimerizer drug. In addition, a myristoylation domain facilitates intracellular presentation. Constructs of the invention can be used to create engineered monocytes whose TLR4 receptors can be selectively activated with administration of a dimerization agent. Engineered macrophages can be selectively induced to become pro-inflammatory, providing methods to ameliorate conditions associated with excessive pro-repair macrophages, such as cardiac fibrosis and solid tumor growth. Delivery of the engineered macrophages to sites of cardiac fibrosis can reduce the amount of fibrosis and scarring and ameliorate cardiac function. Delivery of the engineered macrophages to solid tumors can reduce tumor growth and size.

The present invention provides a novel chimeric antigen receptor, comprising an antigen-binding region, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory domain, an intracellular signaling domain, and an additional signaling region. The additional signaling region consists of a ?c chain or an intracellular region thereof. The present invention also provides an engineered immune cell comprising the novel chimeric antigen receptor of the present invention and a pharmaceutical composition thereof, and use of the engineered immune cell/pharmaceutical composition for treating cancers.

Provided are chimeric receptors for engineering cells for adoptive therapy, including T cells, and the genetically engineered cells. In some embodiments, the chimeric receptors, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are modified in a junction region by one or more amino acid modifications such that peptide fragments of such region exhibit a lower binding affinity for a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and/or the region exhibits reduced immunogenicity, including following administration to a subject. In some aspects, also provided are methods and compositions for engineering and producing cells expressing such chimeric receptors, compositions containing the cells, and method for their administration to subjects. In some embodiments, features of the chimeric receptors and engineered cells containing the chimeric receptors result in methods that provide for increased or improved activity, efficacy and/or persistence.

Provided are chimeric receptors for engineering cells for adoptive therapy, including T cells, and the genetically engineered cells. In some aspects, also provided are methods and compositions for engineering and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells, and method for their administration to subjects. In some embodiments, the cells, such as T cells, contain genetically engineered antigen receptors that specifically bind to antigens, such as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and which contain an intracellular signaling domain capable of inducing TRAF6-mediated signaling. In some embodiments, features of the cells and methods provide for increased or improved activity, efficacy and/or persistence.

The present invention relates to peptides and compositions for use in improving transduction efficiency of viruses into target cells.

The invention provides anti-GPC3 antibodies and immunoconjugates and methods of using the same.

Recombinant paramyxoviruses including a viral genome encoding a heterologous gene are provided. In several embodiments, the recombinant paramyxovirus is a recombinant parainfluenza virus, such as a recombinant PIV3 including a viral genome encoding a heterologous respiratory syncytial virus F ectodomain linked to the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic tail of the F protein from the PIV3. Nucleic acid molecules including the genome of a recombinant paramyxoviruses are also provided. The recombinant viruses may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations, such as for vaccines against parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus.