Abstract: Autophagy is typically activated by starvation, allowing cells and organisms to mobilize their energy reserves. It is known that pharmacological modulation of autophagy represents a therapeutic potential. Here the inventors report that a protein that is released from cells in an unconventional, autophagy-dependent manner, namely, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), regulates autophagy. In particular, the inventors demonstrate that DBI inhibits autophagy and that the supply of recombinant DBI to mice enhanced glycolysis, enhanced lipogenesis, and inhibited fatty acid oxidation. The inventors show that neutralisation of DBI by a monoclonal antibody and an active immunization by means of an immunogenic DBI derivative eliciting autoantibodies induce autophagy and lead to metabolic changes that increase starvation-induced weight loss, reduce food intake upon refeeding, and reduce weight gain in response to hypercaloric diets.

Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. The inventors produced an antibody that is directed against a surface antigen (i.e. CD40) of an antigen presenting cell (i.e. dendritic cell) wherein the heavy chain was conjugated to the receptor-binding domain of the Sars-Cov-2 spike protein for its use as vaccine. In particular, the inventors show that said vaccine induces circulating Ab-secreting hu-B cells, elicits S-specific IgG+ hu-B cells, elicits the expansion of central memory CD4+ hu-T cells and the emergence of effector memory CD4+ T cells, elicits the expansion of central memory CD8+ hu-T cells at and the emergence of effector memory CD8+ T cells at and finally induces Stem-cell like memory hu-CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is caused by a GAA repeat expansion in FXN gene that encodes a mitochondrial protein, frataxin, involved in iron sulfur complex (ISC) assembly. Frataxin deficiency results in abnormal ISC containing proteins, namely respiratory chain complex I-III and aconitases and accumulation of iron in brain and heart of patients. Here, the inventors show that FRDA fibroblasts are unable to limit iron uptake inducing a massive cytosolic iron accumulation and to a lesser extent in mitochondria. The inventors also observed increased transferrin receptor (TfR1) steady state levels and membrane TfR1 accumulation that they ascribed to impaired post-translational modification by palmitoylation as well as delayed transferrin recycling. Finally, the inventors showed that artesunate, dichloroacetate and Coenzyme-A improved TfR1 palmitoylation and thus represent candidate molecules for the treatment of patients with Friedreich ataxia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I); for use as peripheral NMDA receptor antagonists.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of therapy of antibody deficiencies. Inventors demonstrate for the first time in both controls and IgA-deficient patients, systemic anti-microbiota IgG responses correlate with reduced inflammation suggesting that systemic IgG responses contribute to the gut microbiota confinement. Furthermore, SIgAd-associated inflammation is inversely correlated with systemic anti-commensal IgG responses, which may thus serve as a second line of defense. Altogether, these data suggest that systemic IgG and intestinal IgA cooperate in different body compartments to limit systemic pro-inflammatory pathways. As selective IgA deficient patients harbour elevated seric anti-commensal IgG levels, these findings suggest that in selective IgA deficiency, microbiota confinement is obtained at the price of a strong inflammatory response.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides polypeptides derived from SARS-CoV-2 which have therapeutic use. One such polypeptide is a polypeptide, referred to as “Npep2,” is derived from the SARS-CoV-2 protein N and has at least 50 consecutive amino acids of the amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence that ranges from the residue at position 276 to the residue at position 411 of SEQ ID NO:2. Further described are conjugates wherein a heterologous polypeptide is conjugated or fused to Npep2. The present disclosure further provides vaccines employing the polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of vaccinating subjects against SARS-CoV-2 by administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for performing antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping in the retina of a subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for performing antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping in a retina cell of a subject comprising the step of injecting into the vitreous of the subject an amount of the antisense oligonucleotide.

Abstract: A topical composition including erlotinib and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient for use in the treatment of a keratoderma in a child, preferably a palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK), wherein the composition is topically administered. The composition may further include a penetration enhancer. The treated subject may be younger than three years old. Also, woven or non-woven fabric support including erlotinib and to dressings, patches, gloves and socks having the support useful in the treatment of a PPK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases mediated by the NRP-1/OBR complex signaling pathway. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of cancers, obesity and obesity related diseases, anorexia, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the subject with a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of the NRP-1/OBR signaling pathway.

Abstract: The inventors initially participated to the identification of LPIN1 mutations as a cause for massive rhabdomyolysis episodes in children, triggered by febrile illness. The inventors have suggested that TLR9 antagonists would be suitable for the treatment of rhabdomyolysis (WO2017085115). The inventors thus treated 2 patients with lipin-1 disease by a TRL9 antagonist (hydroxychloroquine). They showed that the accumulation of mtDNA in plasma of the two patients before treatment decreases under treatment. When the treatment was stopped, the accumulation of mtDNA reappeared, then normalized when treatment was resumed. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient suffering from rhabdomyolysis achieves a response with a TLR9 antagonist comprising determining the amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in a blood sample obtained from the patient (e.g. by PCR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): for use as peripheral NMDA receptor antagonists.

Abstract: A method for providing cardioprotection in a subject who experienced a myocardial infarction, including administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Granzyme B inhibitor. Following acute MI in mice, CD8+ T lymphocytes are quickly recruited and activated in ischemic heart tissue, and release Granzyme B, leading to cardiomyocyte apoptosis and deterioration of myocardial function. Antibody-mediated depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes decreases Granzyme B content and apoptotic within the myocardium and inflammatory response. mAb mediated-CD8 depletion limits myocardial injury and improves heart function. These effects are recapitulated in mice with CD8+ T cell selective Granzyme B deficiency in mice. Granzyme B is produced by other cell types (e.g., NK cells). Global Granzyme B deletion (GzmB-/- mice) decreases apoptotic within the myocardium, reduces local pro-inflammatory signature and ultimately limits infarct size after MI.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of tissue lesions. The inventors showed that CCR2 is expressed on FMCs, especially on a subpopulation of progenitor cells, that they call “fetal myeloid progenitor cells” (FMPCs), and mediates the recruitment of these cells to maternal wound tissue. Moreover, the inventors reported that recruited FMCs/FMPCs improve maternal skin wound healing by organizing blood vessel endothelium and secreting pro-angiogenesis peptides, particularly chemokine CXCL1, to enhance angiogenesis in wound. In particular, the present invention relates to CCR2 agonists for use in the treatment of tissue lesions in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The inventors demonstrate for the first time the activation of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway in normal and abnormal human mast cells (MCs). These results prompt the inventors to explore the consequence of the inhibition of the HH pathway, especially the canonical pathway, on MC proliferation. They demonstrate that Hedgehog inhibitors inhibit proliferation and induces apoptosis of mast cells. Accordingly the present invention relates to a method of treating a mast cell disease in a patient in need there of comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a Hedgehog inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predicting the survival time of patients suffering from a lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prognosis of the outcome of a cancer in a patient, which prognosis is based on the quantification of one or several biological markers that are indicative of the presence of, or alternatively the level of, the adaptive immune response of said patient against said cancer.

Abstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the 5 CFTR Cl— channel and affects several organs, but the most severe consequences are observed in the lung. The inventors have now instigated the combination of Orkambi® and ANO1 TSB (SEQ ID NO:1) and show that said combination increases mucociliary clearance and chloride channel activity. Thus the combination represents an alternative treatment for CF subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the survival time of a patient suffering from a solid cancer comprising i) determining in a tumor sample obtained from the patient the gene expression level of at least 7 genes selected from the group consisting of CCR2, CD3D, CD3E, CD3G, CD8A, CXCL10, CXCL11, GZMA, GZMB, GZMK, GZMM, IL15, IRF1, PRF1, STAT1, CD69, ICOS, CXCR3, STAT4, CCL2, and TBX21, ii) comparing every expression level determined at step i) with their predetermined reference value and iii) providing a good prognosis when all expression levels determined at step i) are higher than their predetermined reference values, or providing a bad prognosis when all expression levels determined at step i) are lower than their predetermined reference values or providing an intermediate prognosis when at least one expression level determined value is higher than its predetermined value. The method is also particularly suitable for predicting the responsiveness of the patient to a treatment.

Abstract: Plasma levels of different sub-populations of microvesicles (endothelial, leukocyte, platelet and hepatocyte) were measured by flow cytometry or ELISA/filtration on blood samples from 125 patients with cirrhosis, for which 36 of them were diagnosed with HCC at inclusion. The inventors show that the levels of microvesicles of endothelial origin (CD62E+) could predict the occurrence of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore the present invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient suffering from cirrhosis is at risk of having or developing hepatocellular carcinoma comprising determining the level of endothelial-derived microvesicles (e.g. by flow cytometry) in a blood sample obtained from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated factor (FX) polypeptides and uses thereof for the treatment of haemophilia. In particular, the present invention relates to a mutated factor X (FX) polypeptide which comprises a heavy chain wherein at least one amino acid residue at position 401 or 408 is mutated.