The present invention relates to compositions comprising a delivery vehicle conjugated to a targeting domain, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises at least one agent, and wherein the targeting domain specifically binds to an CD4.sup.+ T cell antigen. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases and disorders, including cancers, infectious diseases, and immunological disorders, using the described compositions.

A method for the systemic delivery of a polypeptide within a subject is provided by creating genetically modified skin cells via topical introduction of a genetically engineered virus which delivers a nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic polypeptide for expression by the skin cells, wherein the expressed therapeutic polypeptide is secreted by the skin cells and is introduced into the circulatory system of the subject.

The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises: (i) a mitogenic domain which binds a mitogenic tetraspanin, and (ii) a transmembrane domain; wherein the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells or Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

The present invention relates to a viral complex comprising a viral vector capable of delivering shRNA that suppresses an expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to a cell and an anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody conjugated to the viral vector, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, comprising the viral complex, and a method for treating cancer, comprising administering the viral complex or the pharmaceutical composition to a subject in which a cancer disease has occurred and overexpressing EpCAM. The anti-EpCAM antibody-AAV2/shEGFR complex provided in the present invention significantly reduces the expression level of EGFR in tumor cells overexpressing EpCAM without inducing an immune response in vivo, thereby inducing death of tumor cells, and thus, it can be widely utilized in more effective and safe cancer treatment.

Recombinant vectors containing at least: a backbone comprising essential sequences for integration into a target cell genome; a nucleic acid encoding a CCR5 RNAi operatively linked to a a first expression control element that regulates expression of the nucleic acid encoding the RNAi of the CCR5; a nucleic acid encoding at least the extracellular domain of CD25 operatively linked to a second expression control element that regulates expression of the nucleic acid encoding at least the extracellular domain of CD25 are provided by this disclosure. In an alternative aspect, the vector also contains polynucleotides encoding TRIM5alpha and HIV TAR decoy sequences along with gene expression regulation elements such as promoters operatively linked to the polynucleotides. The vectors are combined with packaging plasmid and envelope plasmids and optionally conjugated to cell-specific targeting antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using the compositions are further provided herein.

The present disclosure provides peptides and peptide compositions, optionally in the from of a vaccine, which facilitate the delivery of an active agent or an active agent carrier wherein the compositions are capable of penetrating the stratum corneum (SC) and/or the cellular membranes of viable cells. Also provided are methods of employing the peptides and peptide compositions to deliver active agents; treat diseases or disorders; and inducing immune responses.

A strain of an Apicomplexa of the family Sarcocystidae, wherein the strain is replicative and expresses one or more heterologous protein(s) selected from the group including therapeutic proteins, antigens, recombinant surface receptor or combinations thereof, and wherein the strain is selected from the group including Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninium. Also, the use of the strain for preventing or treating cancers or infectious diseases in a subject in need thereof.

This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, methods for making replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using replication-competent vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer or infectious diseases are provided.

The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises: (i) a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a mitogenic domain and a transmembrane domain; and/or (ii) a cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a cytokine domain and a transmembrane domain, wherein the mitogenic or cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells of Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are simultaneously activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein and/or the cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

This disclosure provides compositions and methods for delivering a viral composition to cells, e.g., for cell surface receptor-mediated uptake, and enhanced viral transduction. Viral transduction can be achieved via a modified viral composition that includes a moiety that binds to a cell surface receptor ligand. Modified viral compositions and methods for reducing levels or titers of neutralizing antibodies in a subject in need of viral therapy, e.g., gene therapy, are provided. In some embodiments, the modified viral composition includes empty viral particles that bind and internalize neutralizing autoantibodies. Modified viral compositions including empty viral particles can be administered prior to viral therapy. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits including a modified viral composition.