Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.

The present invention relates to animal models that expresses SR-BICT knockin. The present invention further includes animal models that express SR-BICT and also have reduced expression or activity of ApoE and/or LDLR, wherein the latter can be accomplished by use of a compound or genetic manipulation of the gene. The present invention relates to mouse models crossed with SR-BICT knockin mice. Specifically, the present invention relates to SR-BICT knockin mice crossed with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice (SR-BICT/apoE KO), a hypoE mouse (also referred to as ApoeR61.sup.h/h which expresses an impaired ApoE protein (SR-BICT/ApoeR61.sup.h/h)), or a LDLR knockout mouse (SR-BICT/LDLR KO). Screening methods and compounds using these mouse models are also encompassed.

The present invention provides new and improved methods for screening for and/or identifying T cell epitopes, as well as various assays and compositions (such as nucleic acid molecules, vectors, viruses, peptides, libraries, and cells), that are useful in carrying out such methods. Such methods and compositions can be used to predict and/or study the toxicity and off-target effects of T-cells, TCRs, or TCR-like molecules.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, ?? T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, ?? T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy of a variety of cancers which express a NY-ESO-1 antigen. Included are recombinant T cell receptors (TCRs), polynucleotides encoding them, expression vectors that include the polynucleotides, and cells into which the polynucleotides have been introduced to produce modified cells, including CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T cells, natural killer T cells, T cells, and progenitor cells, such as haematopoietic stem cells. The modified cells are capable of direct recognition of a cancer cell expressing a NY-ESO-1 antigen by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted binding of the TCR to the NY-ESO-1 antigen expressed by the cancer cell without presentation of the antigen by antigen presenting cells. In embodiments, the NY-ESO-1 antigen is displayed by the tumor cells. Also included is a method for prophylaxis and/or therapy of cancer by administering modified cells that express a recombinant TCR. Methods for making expression vectors and/or cells which express a recombinant TCR and identifying TCRs to make the expression vectors are also included.