Polypeptides comprising functional mutants of an isoform of the human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) folded in a non-natural re-arrangement, where the second and fourth cysteine of the mutant's polypeptide chain is only forming intramolecular bridges, while the seventh and eight are only part of intermolecular bonds. The invention further comprises antigenic preparations containing at least one of these polypeptides, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antigenic preparations and vaccine adjuvants. The antigenic preparations according to the invention are used in the manufacturing of a drug, for the treatment of diseases related to the increment of angiogenesis, inflammation, and immunosuppression, as well as for the restoration of the immune system.

Regulatory T cells (T.sub.reg cells), formerly known as suppressor T cells, are crucial for the maintenance of immunological tolerance. Their major role is to shut down T cell-mediated immunity toward the end of an immune reaction and to suppress auto-reactive T cells that escaped the process of negative selection in the thymus. Two major classes of CD4.sup.+ T.sub.reg cells have been described—naturally occurring T.sub.reg cells and adaptive T.sub.reg cells. Disclosed herein are methods for producing efficacious CAR T.sub.reg cells in a GMP-scalable system.

The invention includes compositions comprising at least one chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for an autoantibody, vectors comprising the same, compositions comprising CAAR vectors packaged in viral particles, and recombinant T cells comprising the CAAR. The invention also includes methods of making a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAAR (CAART) wherein the expressed CAAR comprises a desmoglein extracellular domain.

Nucleic acids encoding fusion proteins that contain an unwanted antigen and a leader sequence for cell secretion are described. Also described are expression cassettes, vectors, cells, and cell lines containing the nucleic acids, as well as methods of using the nucleic acids to treat autoimmune, allergic and other diseases and disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.

Compositions consisting of bioactive molecules derived from the microbiota of a mammal are provided herein. When administered orally with a colonic delivery system, the compositions are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, in particular inflammatory, autoimmune and infectious diseases. The compositions comprise combinations of small molecules and bacterial antigens formulated in colonic delivery systems. Use of the compositions results in any or all of: induction of immune tolerance; strengthening of the gut mucosal barrier integrity; reduction of inflammation; and amelioration of a disease state caused by inflammation, an autoimmune reaction or an infectious agent.

The present disclosure provides methods of administering chimeric and hybrid Factor VIII (FVIII) polypeptides comprising FVIII and Fc to subjects at risk of developing inhibitory FVIII immune responses, including anti-FVIII antibodies and/or cell-mediated immunity. The administration is sufficient to promote coagulation and to induce immune tolerance to FVIII. The chimeric polypeptide can comprise full-length FVIII or a FVIII polypeptide containing a deletion, e.g., a full or partial deletion of the B domain.

Provided herein are compositions comprising VHH conjugates and their uses in treating diseases.

Provided herein are compositions comprising VHH conjugates and their uses in treating diseases.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising nanoparticles associated with a plurality of tolerogenic antigens (e.g., between 1-30 tolerogenic 5 antigens per nanoparticle) in such a manner that facilitates strong immune tolerance upon administration to a subject (e.g., a human subject suffering from or at risk of suffering from an autoimmune disorder e.g., MS or celiac disease). The present invention further relates to methods for utilizing such nanoparticles to treat autoimmune disorders (e.g., MS or celiac disease).

The present invention relates to non-immunogenic RNA. This RNA forms the basis for the development of therapeutic agents for inducing tolerance towards an autoantigen and thus, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.