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 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.

An isolated recombinant soluble endothelial cell protein C receptor (r-sEPCR) for use as a hemostatic agent.

The present disclosure generally relates to therapies involving immune effector cells such as T cells engineered to express antigen receptors such as T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). It is demonstrated herein that such antigen receptor-engineered immune effector cells may be generated in vitro/ex vivo as well as in vitro by delivering nucleic acid encoding an antigen receptor for genetic modification to cells using particles comprising the nucleic acid and a targeting molecule for targeting the immune effector cells, wherein the targeting molecule is a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin). In particular, DARPins are described herein which are high-affinity binders for CDS binding to the CDS receptor on human and non-human primate (NHP) cells. Nanoparticles functionalized with CD8− targeting DARPins (CDS-DARPin) can deliver genes exclusively and specifically to human CD8.sup.+ T cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods and compositions are provided related to therapeutic receptors, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), capable of specifically binding TYRP-1. The disclosed compositions include, for example, cells (e.g., immune cells) expressing TYRP-1 specific CARs, nucleic acids encoding TYRP-1 specific CARs, and TYRP-1 specific CAR polypeptides. Certain aspects relate to methods of treating cancer, including melanoma, using compositions comprising TYRP-1 specific CARs, for example cells expressing TYRP-1 specific CARs. In some embodiments, provided herein are chimeric polypeptides comprising a TYRP-1 binding domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular signaling domain.

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.

Methods of culturing embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and/or differentiated cells in culture medium comprising activin are described. In one aspect, the disclosure features a pluripotent human stem cell, wherein the stem cell comprises: (i) a genomic edit that results in loss of function of Cytokine Inducible SH2 Containing Protein (CISH) and (ii) a genomic edit that results in a loss of function of an agonist of the TGF beta signaling pathway, or a genomic edit that results in a loss of function of adenosine Ata receptor.

The presently claimed subject matter concerns methods and kits for identifying agents that reduce binding of a clostridial neurotoxin to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2).

The present invention features methods and compositions for preventing, inhibiting, or reducing the sensation of itch (pruritus) by modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B. Modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B may comprise increasing Tmem184B protein expression, increasing Tmem184B protein activity or both. Furthermore, the methods and compositions described herein may activate the Tmem184B protein or activate a pathway leading to Tmem184B activation. Additionally, the methods and compositions for modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B may be used to help prevent or treat certain diseases or conditions such as dermatitis.

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.