Provided herein are polynucleotide constructs comprising a CD11b promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more therapeutic polypeptides, to vectors, cells, and/or compositions comprising the same, and to methods of their use.

A cancer vaccine is provided including a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a self-activating chimeric signaling protein, and especially chimeric TNF family ligand-receptor proteins, and a tumor-associated antigen. In a preferred embodiment, the cancer vaccine may further include a nucleic acid segment encoding an IL-15 superagonist. In addition, the cancer vaccine can be co-administered with a genetically modified bacteria or yeast as an adjuvant to increase the payload expression of the cancer vaccine. Advantageously, cells expressing such combination of molecules will enhance immune reaction against tumor cells. Compositions and methods are presented that allow for an enhanced immune response against a vaccine composition, and particularly a recombinant adenoviral expression system that is used as a therapeutic agent. Most preferably, immune therapeutics are administered such that a protein or nucleotide are co-located with a therapeutic antigen, preferably via co-expression of the protein.

Described herein are assays useful for the quantitation of total LIF from biological samples.

In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods useful for maintaining or improving retinal function and/or morphology. The disclosure is based, in part, on isolated nucleic acids encoding certain neurotrophic factors (e.g., leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), etc.) and gene therapy vectors (e.g., recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors) encoding the same. In some embodiments, isolated nucleic acids and gene therapy vectors described by the disclosure are useful for treatment of certain diseases or disorders of the eye, for example retinal degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, etc.

An in-vitro method for stimulating the gene expression of at least one of XOXA10, LIF, ITGB3, XOXA11 and ITGAV genes in endometrial cells comprising applying on such endometrial cells electric current waves having a sinusoidal waveform with a fundamental frequency higher than 2 MHz, preferably of about 4 MHz, for a predefined amount of time.

Provided herein are highly-characterized isolated exosomes, methods to produce such exosomes, and methods for the use of such exosomes in treating diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases.

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional micro-environment structure for controlling cell behavior, a three-dimensional surface and an array for controlling cell behavior, and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional micro-environment structure.

The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) and soluble tumor necrosis factor- receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF- and sTNFR1.

The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) and soluble tumor necrosis factor- receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF- and sTNFR1.

The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and soluble tumor necrosis factor- receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF-a and sTNFR1.