Described herein are compositions and methods for tissue-targeted expression of therapeutic genes, using AAV expression vectors that reduce the risk of toxicity associated with AAV gene therapy in the CNS by de-targeting the vulnerable neurons cells including the DRG cells on gene expression, and de-targeting the liver, a major suspect for over-expression in the periphery.

Disclosed herein are antibodies that specifically bind and inhibit the action of the IL-6 family member LIF that are useful in the treatment of cancer. Also disclosed herein are uses of said antibodies for the treatment of cancer.

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 for manufacturing genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), such as a CAR that binds human CD19, BCMA, or CD70, and having multiple additional gene edits, for example, a disrupted Regnase-1 gene, a disrupted TGFBRII gene, a disrupted TRAC gene, a disrupted β2M gene, or a combination thereof, using CRISPR/Cas gene editing systems.

Disclosed herein are fusion proteins having a first domain that activates an antigen-presenting cell (APC) (e.g., a dendritic cell) by binding to an activation receptor of the APC, and a second domain that activates an immune effector cell (e.g., a T cell) by targeting a co-stimulatory signaling pathway of the immune effector cell, as well as polynucleotides that encode such fusion proteins. Disclosed herein are also genetically engineered immune effector cells expressing such fusion protein, methods of their production, and their uses in treatment of diseases such as cancers.

The present disclosure relates to engineered T cells and methods of making and using the same, as well as reagents for making the engineered T cells.

The present invention relates to a CHO cell-derived protein secretory factor, an expression cassette in which a nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein secretory factor; and a gene encoding a target protein are operably linked, an expression vector comprising the expression cassette, a transformed cell into which the expression vector is introduced, and a method for producing a target protein using the transformed cell.

In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including recombinant expression systems and vectors, products of manufacture and kits, and methods, for remotely-controlled and non-invasive manipulation of intracellular nucleic acid expression, genetic processes, function and activity in live cells such as T cells in vivo, for example, activating, adding functions or changing or adding specificities for immune cells, for monitoring physiologic processes, for the correction of pathological processes and for the control of therapeutic outcomes. In alternative embodiments, provided are blue-light-mediated light-inducible nuclear translocation and dimerization (LINTAD) systems for gene regulation to control cell activation based on the integration of light-sensitive LOV2-based nuclear localization, light-induced active transportation via the biLINuS motif, and CRY2-CIB1 dimerization that feature high spatiotemporal control to control or alter cell activities in vivo, for example, to limit CAR T cell activity to the tumor site for immunotherapy applications.

A genetically modified phototrophic cell for in-vivo production of hydrogen. The phototrophic cell has been genetically modified to the effect that a) at least one of the native photosystem I components has been deleted, b) the native hydrogenase has been deleted, and c) at least one fusion protein is expressed, comprising i. a hydrogenase or hydrogenase component and ii. at least one PSI component, with the proviso that the PSI is complemented by expression of the at least one fusion protein, and the hydrogenase component itself, or together with at least one further hydrogenase component expressibly introduced into the cell, has hydrogenase activity.

The present disclosure provides in vitro modified cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) that comprise: a) a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for a preselected antigen in a human; and b) a nucleic acid(s) encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for a cancer-associated antigen. The present disclosure provides methods of producing the modified CTLs. The present disclosure provides of treating cancer, comprising administering the modified CTLs to an individual in need thereof.