Genetically engineered hematopoietic cells such as hematopoietic stem cells having one or more genetically edited genes of lineage-specific cell-surface proteins and therapeutic uses thereof, either alone or in combination with immune therapy that targets the lineage-specific cell-surface proteins.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for diagnosis and therapy through targeted nano-delivery to injured brain endothelium. In some aspects, the compositions comprise a population of polyester derived nanoparticles, wherein each polyester derived nanoparticle comprises a) a therapeutic agent encapsulated therein for treating traumatically injured, inflamed, diseased, or disrupted endothelial cells, and b) a targeting ligand bound to the nanoparticle, wherein the targeting ligand binds to a biomarker for the injured, inflamed, diseased, or disrupted endothelial cells, are provided. The nanoparticles can be used for targeting difficult-to-reach injury sites, including the blood brain barrier and brain tissue.

Genetically engineered hematopoietic cells such as hematopoietic stem cells having one or more genetically edited genes of lineage-specific cell-surface proteins and therapeutic uses thereof, either alone or in combination with immune therapy that targets the lineage-specific cell-surface proteins.

The invention provides chimeric antigen receptor(s) (CAR(s)) that comprise a fusion protein of CTX or any functional variant thereof or a CTX-like peptide or any functional variant thereof as the extracellular antigen recognition moiety of the CAR. CAR(s) comprising CTX, a CTX-like peptide or functional variants of the foregoing are collectively referred to herein as “CTX-CAR(s).” Such CTX-CAR(s) may further comprise additional moieties or domains in the extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain and at least one intracellular signaling domain. Such CTX-CAR(s) may be expressed in a host cell, such as, but not limited to, an immune effector cell. The present invention also provides methods of treatment (such as, for example, methods for treating cancer) by providing to the patient in need thereof immune effector cells that arc engineered to express a CTX-CAR described herein.

Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Methods and compositions are provided for delivery of a polynucleotide encoding a gene of interest, typically an antigen, to a dendritic cell (DC). The virus envelope comprises a DC-SIGN specific targeting molecule. The methods and related compositions can be used to treat patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including infection, such as HIV/AIDS, and various types of cancers.

Methods and compositions are provided for delivery of a polynucleotide encoding a gene of interest, typically an antigen, to a dendritic cell (DC). The virus envelope comprises a DC-SIGN specific targeting molecule. The methods and related compositions can be used to treat patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including infection, such as HIV/AIDS, and various types of cancers.

Described herein are functionalizing nanocomplexes comprising one or more polyphenol molecules; and one or more biomolecules. Further described herein are functionalized cells comprising one or more of the nanocomplexes. In some embodiments, the biomolecules can be therapeutic agents and the functionalized cells can be administered to patients to provide improved delivery (e.g., dosing and specificity) of the therapeutic agent.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer. The invention makes use of peptides, nucleic acids encoding such peptides, and cells expressing such peptides, where the peptide comprises a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA)-binding domain.

A nucleic acid construct and an immune cell, which harbor nucleic acids encoding a CAR and nucleic acids encoding at least one anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant protein and methods of using the same in treatment or amelioration of inflammation or immune-mediated autoimmunity are described.