The disclosure provides compositions and methods involving viral RNA segments for use in modulating immune responses, including inhibition inflammation related to pathogenic T-cell activation. In addition, modification of the viral sequences responsible for modulating immune response provides for improved vaccine formulations.

Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof. Such anti-infective peptides are useful against bacteria and viruses. Also provided herein are compositions comprising said anti-infective peptides.

Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins. Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprising an antigenic domain D, wherein the modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprise one or more amino acid alterations in the antigenic domain D, wherein at least one amino acid alteration is a proline substitution. In some aspects, the proline substitution occurs at position 445 based on the amino acid numbering of HCV strain H77. Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprising an antigenic domain A, wherein the antigenic domain A comprises an N-glycan sequon substitution. In some aspects, the N-glycan sequon substitution results in an Asn-Xaa-Ser or Asn-Xaa-Thr substitution, wherein Xaa is any amino acid except proline. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed modified HCV E2 glycoproteins, such as methods of inducing an immune response in a subject, methods of treating a subject, and methods of increasing antigenicity of HCV E2 glycoprotein.

The present disclosure relates to an HCV recombinant antigen and use of the same. Provided is an HCV recombinant antigen, which includes at least two NS3 antigens, at least one NS4 antigen, and at least one core antigen. Further provided are a nucleic acid encoding the HCV recombinant antigen, an expression vector containing the nucleic acid, a host cell containing the expression vector, a conjugate containing the HCV recombinant antigen, and a kit containing the HCV recombinant antigen, and the like.

The technology described herein is directed to CAR polypeptides and systems comprising repressible proteases. In combination with a specific protease inhibitor, the activity of said CAR polypeptides and systems and cells comprising them can be modulated. Also described herein are methods of using said CAR polypeptides and systems, for example to treat various diseases and disorders.

The technology described herein is directed to CAR polypeptides and systems comprising repressible proteases. In combination with a specific protease inhibitor, the activity of said CAR polypeptides and systems and cells comprising them can be modulated. Also described herein are methods of using said CAR polypeptides and systems, for example to treat various diseases and disorders.

Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof. Such anti-infective peptides are useful against bacteria and viruses. Also provided herein are compositions comprising said anti-infective peptides.

The technology described herein is directed to CAR polypeptides and systems comprising repressible proteases. In combination with a specific protease inhibitor, the activity of said CAR polypeptides and systems and cells comprising them can be modulated. Also described herein are methods of using said CAR polypeptides and systems, for example to treat various diseases and disorders.

Disclosed are modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 glycoproteins. Disclosed are Disclosed are modified HCV E1E2 glycoproteins comprising a HCV E1 polypeptide; a first scaffold element; a HCV E2 polypeptide; and a second scaffold element, wherein the HCV E1 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain, and wherein the HCV E2 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain. Disclosed are modified HCV E1E2 glycoproteins comprising a HCV E1 polypeptide; a first scaffold element; a modified HCV E2 polypeptide; and a second scaffold element, wherein the HCV E1 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain; a first scaffold element, wherein the modified HCV E2 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain, wherein the modified HCV E2 polypeptide comprises an antigenic domain D, and wherein the modified HCV E2 polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid alterations in the antigenic domain D and/or wherein the modified HCV E2 polypeptide comprises an antigenic domain A, wherein the antigenic domain A comprises an N-glycan sequon substitution. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed modified HCV E1E2 glycoproteins, such as methods of inducing an immune response in a subject, methods of treating a subject, and methods of increasing antigenicity of a HCV E1E2 glycoprotein.

Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof. Such anti-infective peptides are useful against bacteria and viruses. Also provided herein are compositions comprising said anti-infective peptides.