Single-domain antibodies that bind the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein are disclosed. The single-domain antibodies include binding domains that bind epitopes of the Spike ectodomain inside and outside the receptor binding domain. The single-domain antibodies can be used for multiple purposes including in the research, diagnosis, and prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of COVID-19.

Provided herein is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and CAR-expressing immune cells that target human RORI expressed aberrantly on a tumor cancers. Described herein are chimeric antigen receptors that target human ROR-1, cell compositions expressing the chimeric antigen receptors, and methods and uses of the chimeric antigen receptors and/or the cell compositions. The chimeric antigen receptors described herein can be expressed by the T lymphocytes isolated from an individual afflicted with cancer and re-administered to the individual.

Herein, we provide genetically engineered immune effector cells, among other cells, which express CAR and secret a bispecific “trap” protein co-targeting a checkpoint protein and TGF-β or TGF-β receptor, so as to improve the antitumor immunity of the immune effector cells. Compared with conventional CAR-T cells and CAR-T cells secreting a polypeptide checkpoint inhibitor, the provided genetically engineered immune effector cells CAR-T cells with “trap” protein secretion attenuate inhibitory T cell signaling, enhance T cell persistence and expansion, and improve effector functionalities and resistance to exhaustion. In a xenograft mouse model, CAR-T cells with “trap” protein secretion significantly enhanced antitumor immunity and efficacy. Methods of using these genetically engineered cells, as well as using polynucleotides encoding the CAR and the “trap” protein, are also provided, for example, as a therapy against solid tumors.

The disclosure relates to an anti-TIM3 single-chain antibody. The amino acid sequence of the anti-TIM3 single-chain antibody is a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO. 1. T lymphocytes expressing the anti-TIM3 single-chain antibody can effectively kill tumor cells.

Described herein are immune cells comprising: a T-cell receptor (TCR) and a chimeric stimulating receptor (CSR) that comprises (i) a ligand-binding module that is capable of binding or interacting with a target ligand; (ii) a transmembrane domain; and (iii) a CD30 costimulatory domain, in which the CSR in the immune cells lacks a functional primary signaling domain. Also provided herein are methods of using the same or components thereof (e.g., the CSR) for therapeutic treatment of cancers (e.g., solid tumor cancers).

The present invention provides methods for preselecting TILs based on PD-1, CD39, CD38, CD103, CD101, LAG3, TIM3 and/or TIGIT expression, as well as methods for expanding those preselected PD-1, CD39, CD38, CD103, CD101, LAG3, TIM3 and/or TIGIT positive TILs in order to produce therapeutic populations of TILs with enhanced tumor-specific killing capacity (e.g., enhanced cytotoxicity).

The present disclosure relates to cells capable of co-expressing T cell receptors (“TCR”) together with membrane-bound IL-15 polypeptides and/or CD8 polypeptides and the use thereof in adoptive cellular therapy. The present disclosure further provides for modified IL-15, IL-15Rα, IL-15/IL-15Rα fusion polypeptide, and IL-15Rα/IL-15 fusion polypeptide sequences, vectors, and associated methods of making and using the same. The present disclosure further provides for modified CD8 sequences, vectors, and associated methods of making and using the same.

Provided are novel fusion proteins, nucleic acids encoding said proteins, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, compositions comprising said nucleic acids or vectors, host cells comprising said nucleic acids, vectors or compositions or pharmaceutical compositions. Provided are methods of reducing (down regulating) a target membrane-bound protein (MBP) level in a cell, methods of producing a cell having a reduced target membrane-bound protein level, or methods of treating a disease, or methods of reducing or preventing GvHD in a subject associated with the administration of one or more CAR T-cells to the subject.

Provided is an engineered T cell. The expression of a TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface is reduced by means of introducing a polypeptide that down-regulates the expression of the TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface into the cell. The engineered T cell can be used for therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancers.

Disclosed are bispecific molecules combining ACE2 with an anti-CD3 antibody and engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors that bind to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, as well as related compositions and methods. The methods and compositions provided can be used for treating early-stage and/or late-stage SARS-CoV-2 infections, independent of the SARS-CoV-2 variant.