The present invention relates to a method for regulating localization of CCNY protein to synapses, comprising palmitoylation of CCNY protein. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for regulating targeting of CCNY protein to synapses by regulating addition of a palmitoyl group to cysteine at position 7 and/or 8 on the CCNY protein. Therefore, the palmitoylation of CCNY, a postsynaptic protein known to be implicated in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, is a critical process for CCNY to be localized in postsynaptic spines, and thus it can be found that CCNY plays an important role in synaptic functions.

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.

The present disclosure provides hybrid promoter sequences comprising an MND promoter and HTLV enhancer capable of driving high levels of sustained expression of a heterologous sequence in immune cells, particularly Natural Killer (NK) cells. The disclosure also provides compositions comprising such vectors, immune cells which have been genetically modified to contain the vectors, as well as methods of using the same for inducing immune responses and treating cancer and other conditions.

The invention relates to the immunomodulatory features of dasatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors towards genetically modified immune cells. The invention encompasses the indication of dasatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors as an immune cell inhibitor as well as an enhancer of immune cells depending on the dosing and schedule of treatment, the administration routes, the susceptible receptor variants and the treatable cell types which can be used for immunotherapy.

Described herein are immune cells comprising: a T-cell receptor (TCR) and a chimeric stimulating receptor (CSR) that comprises (i) a ligand-binding module that is capable of binding or interacting with a target ligand; (ii) a transmembrane domain; and (iii) a CD30 costimulatory domain, in which the CSR in the immune cells lacks a functional primary signaling domain. Also provided herein are methods of using the same or components thereof (e.g., the CSR) for therapeutic treatment of cancers (e.g., solid tumor cancers).

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of compositions and methods of making modified chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cells (CAR-DCs) and methods of use thereof. CAR-DCs can be used for the treatment of tumors and cancers, particularly solid tumors (as well as liquid tumors, blood cancer, and metastatic cancer).

Provided is an engineered T cell. The expression of a TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface is reduced by means of introducing a polypeptide that down-regulates the expression of the TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface into the cell. The engineered T cell can be used for therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancers.

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.

Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a humanized TRKB locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. Non-human animal cells or non-human animals comprising a humanized TRKB locus express a human TRKB protein or a chimeric transthyretin protein, fragments of which are from human TRKB. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals comprising a humanized TRKB locus to assess in vivo efficacy of human-TRKB-targeting reagents such as nuclease agents designed to target human TRKB.

A nucleic acid construct and mammalian cell harboring nucleic acids encoding an anti-CD7 chimeric antigen receptor are provided. Methods for treating cancer, in particular a hematologic cancer, using the nucleic acid construct or mammalian cell are also described.