The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising a mutated CD28 intracellular motif, and cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to the use of said cells for treating diseases, e.g., for treating cancers.

The invention provides novel light-switchable CAR T-cells that can be remotely controlled through NIR-light-converting upconvension nanoparticles, and related CAR T constructs, nanoparticles, compositions and methods thereof for optogenetic therapy.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for cell transplantation therapy based on forced expression of an exogenous HLA-F protein in donor cells to be transplanted into a subject. In some embodiments, the donor cells express an exogenous chimeric HLA-F protein comprising an extracellular region comprising an HLA-F alpha 1 domain, an HLA alpha 2 domain, an HLA-F alpha 3 domain, a linker and a β2m protein.

Methods for manufacturing genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), such as a CAR that binds human CD19, BCMA, or CD70, and having multiple additional gene edits, for example, a disrupted Regnase-1 gene, a disrupted TGFBRII gene, a disrupted TRAC gene, a disrupted β2M gene, or a combination thereof, using CRISPR/Cas gene editing systems.

Methods and systems to reduce neurotoxicity associated with the treatment of CD19.sup.+ B-cell hyperproliferative disorders are disclosed. Neurotoxicity is reduced by the use of agents that protect CD19.sup.+ neurovascular pericytes and/or CD19.sup.+ vSMCs from attack by CD19-targeted therapy, and by modification of CD19-targeted therapy to avoid CD19.sup.+ pericytes and/or CD19.sup.+ vSMCs.

The present invention relates to artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC) scaffolds to provide cells with specific functional stimulation to obtain phenotypic and functional properties ideal to mediate tumor regression or viral clearance. In particular, the scaffolds of the present invention comprise antigens, such as peptide-MHC (pMHC) class I molecules, and specific combinations of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules to allow effective expansion and functional stimulation of specific T cells.

Chimeric antigen receptors containing human CD19 antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to: a novel antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof for use in the treatment of cancer by targeting B cell malignancies; a chimeric antigen receptor comprising the same; and uses thereof. The antibody of the present invention is an antibody specifically binding to CD19 highly expressed in cancer cells (particularly, blood cancer) and has very low homology compared to the CDR sequences of conventional CD19 target antibodies, and thus the sequence thereof is unique. In addition, cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor comprising an anti-CD19 antibody or antigen-binding fragment of the present invention induce immune cell activity in response to a positive cell line expressing CD19, and thus can be usefully used as a therapeutic agent for CAR-immune cells.

Provided herein are inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor compositions and cells comprising such compositions. Also provided are methods of using inhibitory chimeric antigen receptors and cells.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for cell transplantation therapy based on forced expression of an exogenous HLA-F protein in donor cells to be transplanted into a subject. In some embodiments, the donor cells express an exogenous chimeric HLA-F protein comprising an extracellular region comprising an HLA-F alpha 1 domain, an HLA alpha 2 domain, an HLA-F alpha 3 domain, a linker and a β2m protein.