The present invention relates to methods for upregulating immune responses using combinations of anti-RGMb and anti-PD-1 agents.

The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.

The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5′ intron-alternative exon-3′ intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.

A modified immune cell that has attenuated expression and/or activity of YTH N6-Methyladenosine RNA Binding Protein 2 (YTHDF2), and enhanced anti-tumor activity. A composition for stimulating T cell-mediated immune response to a cancer cell and/or a tumor antigen, including an agent capable of attenuating the expression and/or activity of YTHDF2, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A composition for treating cancer, comprising an agent capable of attenuating the expression and/or activity of YTHDF2. A method for activating an immune cell. A method for generating an immune cell. A method for treating a disease, disorder or condition associated with an expression of a tumor antigen in a subject in need thereof. A method for stimulating a T cell-mediated immune response to a cancer cell and/or a tumor antigen in a subject in need thereof.

The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to IL-21, an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and inhibits the binding of IL-21 and a receptor thereof, and an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and contains a nucleotide sequence represented by the formula (1): CGRYKACY wherein R is A or G, Y is C or U, and K is G or U.

The present application relates to an aptamer nucleic acid molecule, a complex containing the aptamer nucleic acid molecules, a method of detecting intracellular or extracellular RNA, DNA or other target molecules, and a kit containing the aptamer. The aptamer of the present application is capable of specifically binding a kind of fluorophore micromolecules, and can significantly enhance fluorescence intensity under excitation light of appropriate wavelength.

Provided herein are imaging agents, antidotes to the imaging agents and methods of using the same to image a thrombus or blood clot or thrombin including sites of thrombin accumulation and to diagnose and treat thrombosis. The imaging agents include an aptamer capable of binding the thrombus or thrombin in particular linked to a reporter moiety. The imaging agents may be used to label the thrombus or sites of thrombin accumulation. Antidotes capable of binding to the aptamer in the imaging agent are also provided. The antidotes may further be linked to a quencher capable of quenching the reporter moiety.

The disclosure provides a method for detecting a target analyte in a biological sample including contacting the sample with one or more probe sets each comprising a primary probe and a linker, contacting the sample with an initiator sequence, contacting the sample with a plurality of fluorescent DNA hairpins, wherein the probe binds the target molecule, the linker connects the probe to the initiator sequence, and wherein the initiator sequence nucleates with the cognate hairpin and triggers self-assembly of tethered fluorescent amplification polymers, and detecting the target molecule by measuring fluorescent signal of the sample.

Provided is a method of using an aptamer for detecting a glycated hemoglobin in a whole blood, the method includes that the aptamer is provided, the aptamer includes a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of derived sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, and 4, in which the derived sequences refer to that 3′ end and/or 5′ end of the derived sequences are modified, and the derived sequences have 90% identity to the SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The aptamer and the whole blood are contacted. A concentration of a conjugate of the aptamer and the glycated hemoglobin is estimated. Provided also is a nanoelectronic aptasensor including the above aptamer.

The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.