Genetically-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing an acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) polypeptide, such as MSCs comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding the AOAH polypeptide, are described. The MSCs may further overexpress a second polypeptide of interest, such as angiopoeitin-1 (ANGPT1). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the genetically-modified MSCs are also described. The use of such genetically-modified MSCs and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising same as a medicament, for example for the treatment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis, is also described.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing an immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an immunologically-effective amount of a live Salmonella Typhi vector, wherein the Salmonella Typhi vector has been engineered to express one or more cancer antigens. In some aspects the vector has been engineered to express an outer membrane folding protein BamA or a fragment or variant thereof; and a lipid A deacylase PagL or a fragment or variant thereof, wherein the Salmonella Typhi vector is capable of delivering the antigen to a mucosal tissue or subcutaneously to dendritic cells via an outer membrane vesicle when administered to a subject.