The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

The present invention relates, in part, to, chimeric proteins which include the extracellular domain of transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFBR2) and their use in the treatment of diseases, such as immunotherapies for cancer and/or an inflammatory disease.

Multivalent D-peptidic compounds that specifically bind to a target protein are provided. The multivalent D-peptidic compounds can include two or more distinct variant D-peptidic domains connected via linking components. The D-peptidic compounds can include multiple distinct domains that specifically bind to different binding sites on a target protein to provide for high affinity binding to, and potent activity against, the target protein. D-peptidic variant GA and Z domain polypeptides are also provided, which polypeptides have specificity-determining motifs (SDM) for specific binding to a target protein, such as VEGF-A or PD-1. In some embodiments where the target protein is homodimeric (e.g., VEGF-A, PD-1), the D-peptidic compounds may be similarly dimeric, and include a dimer of multivalent (e.g., bivalent) D-peptidic compounds. Methods for using the compounds are provided, including methods for treating a disease or condition associated with a target protein in a subject.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response toward cancers and pathogens. It relates to cells comprising a c-Kit mutant, e.g., a c-Kit mutant comprising an activating mutation. The cells can further comprise an antigen-recognizing receptor (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or a T cell receptors (TCR)). The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the use of cells for treatment, e.g., treating cancers.

This disclosure provides peptides that bind to LAG3 and can be used to block its interaction with other molecules such as MHC-II, FGL1, and α-synuclein. These peptides, with their demonstrated activity and short half-life, can be used to activate cellular immunity while significantly reducing the potential for adverse events that is often associated with the antibody-based checkpoint inhibitors. The peptides can be used as stand-alone therapeutics or can be used as immune modulators in combination with other therapies.

Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of artificial synapses. Artificial synapses are engineered extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which incorporate sticky binders on their surface to anchor signaling domains against biological targets, such as receptors. These engineered additives can be organized in genetic vector constructs, expressed in mammalian cells, wherein the sticky binders attach to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, thereby presenting their joined signaling domains which are rapidly taken up by recipient cells. Artificial synapses adopt the hallmark biophysical and biochemical features of extracellular vesicles, allowing for rapid deployment and scale-up. Importantly, this strategy can allow for kinetically favorable signal generation and signal propagation. This includes, for example, increasing density of agonist presentation to support receptor clustering—an onerous barrier for traditional receptor targeting strategies.

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.

A pharmaceutical composition is described, which comprises proteins and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, wherein the proteins comprise a fusion protein, and the fusion protein comprises cytokines IL12, IL2, and GMCSF. A reagent kit is also described, which comprises the pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition or the reagent kit may be used in preparing a medicament for treating a tumor.

Provided are a bifunctional fusion protein and pharmaceutical use thereof. Specifically, provided are a bifunctional fusion protein comprising an SIRPγ peptide variant and an anti-human PD-L1 antibody, an SIRPγ peptide variant, and pharmaceutical use thereof. The bifunctional fusion protein can specifically bind PD-L1 and CD47 to block the binding of PD-L1 or CD47 to a receptor or ligand thereof. In addition, also provided are preparation and application of the bifunctional fusion protein, and treatment of cancers and immune-related diseases.

Arrangements and methods are provided for obtaining information associated with an anatomical sample. For example, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to the anatomical sample so as to generate at least one acoustic wave in the anatomical sample. At least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be produced based on the acoustic wave. At least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided so as to determine information associated with at least one portion of the anatomical sample. In addition, the information based on data associated with the second electro-magnetic radiation can be analyzed. The first electro-magnetic radiation may include at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency. The second electro-magnetic radiation can include at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency. The data may relate to a first difference between the first and second magnitudes and/or a second difference between the first and second frequencies. The second difference may be approximately between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.