Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to antagonists that inhibit, reduce, or minimize the interaction of integrin associated protein (IAP) with Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate 1 (SHPS1) and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions comprising such antagonists and methods of treatment comprising administering such antagonists.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which consist of amino acid sequences found in the NY-ESO-1 molecule, which bind to MHC-Class II molecules. These can be used alone, or in combination with other peptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, compositions comprising an antibody or antibody fragment that immunospecifically binds to MCH class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA), or an epitope thereof.

Abstract: Peptide vaccines against cancer are described herein. In particular, the present invention describes epitope peptides derived from CDCA1 that elicit CTLs. The present invention also provides established CTLs that specifically recognize HLA-A24 positive target cells pulsed with the peptides. Antigen-presenting cells and exosomes that present any of the peptides, as well as methods for inducing antigen-presenting cells are also provided. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical agents containing the CDCA1 polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding thereof, as well as exosomes and antigen-presenting cells as active ingredients. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for treating and/or prophylaxis of (i.e.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition of botulinum toxin and an adjuvant is disclosed. The composition is formulated for topical administration to deliver a therapeutically effective dose of botulinum toxin to an area of a subject suffering from inflammation. The botulinum toxin composition reduces a symptom of inflammation without producing substantial muscle weakness. The composition may optionally contain additional anti-inflammatory agents, such as steroidal or non-steroidal agents.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising (1) a complementary peptide comprising a sequence complementary to a major immunogenic region of an acetylcholine receptor (AChR) involved in myasthenia gravis (MG), the sequence being SEQ ID NO:1 (with modified tryptophan in position 8 carrying at least one 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl group as hydrocarbonation), (2) a complementary peptide having at least a sequence SEQ ID NO:2, which is complementary to a T-cell recognition site of the acetylcholine receptor, and (3) at least one carrier, may be used in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of myasthenia gravis in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides comprising multiple MHC Class II-binding T cell epitopes for tolerization therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, prognosing, preventing or delaying onset of or treating rheumatoid arthritis, methods of distinguishing between different types or stages of rheumatoid arthritis, of identifying an individual at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and of monitoring efficacy of a treatment regime in an individual being treated for rheumatoid arthritis, using a citrullinated enolase peptide to detect or capture antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel artificial oligopeptides capable of binding HLA Class II molecules encoded by several alleles. The oligopeptides include the sequence AX1FVAAX2TLX3AX4A (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein X1 is selected from the group consisting of W, F, Y, H, D, E, N, Q, I and K; X2 is selected from the group consisting of F, N, Y and W; X3 is selected from the group consisting of H and K, and X4 is selected from the group consisting of A, D and E, with the proviso that the oligopeptide sequence is not AKFVAAWTLKAAA. The invention also relates to larger peptides comprising the oligopeptides, polynucleotides encoding the oligopeptides and larger peptides, as well as to compositions comprising the oligopeptides, peptides or polynucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for inducing immune responses.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel citrulline peptides derived from fibrin ? and ? chains which are recognizable by specific citrulline antiprotein autoantibodies (AAPC) of a rheumatoid arthritis (PR) and to the use thereof for detecting the presence of said specific PR AAPC in a biological sample.

Abstract: Cytotoxic anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibodies or fragments thereof causing depletion of LAG-3+ activated T cells are described, as are related pharmaceuticals and methods of treating. Also described are related nucleic acid and protein sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of humanized anti-HLA-DR antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of lymphoma cells without inducing CDC or ADCC. In more preferred embodiments, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibodies bind to the same epitope of HLA-DR as, or compete for binding to HLA-DR with, a murine L243 antibody. Most preferably, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibody exhibits a higher affinity for HLA-DR than the parental murine antibody. The humanized HLA-DR antibody is of use for therapy of various diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disease or immune dysregulatory function, and is of particular use for therapy of B cell lymphomas and leukemias. In most preferred embodiments, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibody is capable of inducing at least partial remission of lymphomas that are resistant to other B cell antibodies, such as rituximab.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of autoimmune diseases and disorders, in particular myasthenia gravis, by administration of effector-function-deficient antibodies, wherein said effector-function-deficient antibodies are capable of competing with one or more of the auto-antibodies involved in mediating the antibody-mediated auto-immune disease or disorder for binding to a target auto-antigen.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal with a formulation comprising an antibody which binds IgE as described.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a conjugate including mannan and at least one epitope comprising a peptide fragment of a protein selected from myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodentrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and proteolipid protein (PLP), said peptide fragment being in linear or cyclic form; and wherein said epitope is linked to mannan via a [(Lys-Gly)n] bridge, where n is an integer from 1 to 10. Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said conjugates, and their use in the preparation of a medicament for treating an immune disorder.

Abstract: HLA-E chimeric molecules for providing nonhuman mammalian cells resistant to cytotoxic human NK cells, nucleotide sequences encoding these chimeric molecules, and nonhuman mammalian cells and nonhuman mammals transformed with such nucleotide sequences are disclosed herein. The HLA-E chimeric molecules of the invention contain a peptide that reforms all or part of the signal peptide region, ?1 domain and/or ?2 domain of HLA-E, and a nucleotide sequence of the invention encodes a HLA-E chimeric molecule. A transformant incorporating a nucleotide sequence of the invention expresses HLA-E efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and other autoimmune diseases by administering a soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) peptide or a variant thereof to an individual having such disease. The SIRS peptide or variant reduces the severity of or frequency of relapse of multiple sclerosis and reduces the inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A novel use of the known protein erythropoietin (EPO), and/or a derivative, and/or a fragment thereof, is disclosed. EPO is used as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of chronic inflammations. A particularly beneficial result is seen in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Significant effects are seen in clinical variables such as morning stiffness, swollen joints, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against TRAIL cell surface receptor 2 (herein also “DR5”), as well as to compounds or constructs thereof, and in particular proteins and polypeptides and nucleotides that encode them (referred to herein in their entirety as “NB agents”) and fragments thereof, and pharmaceutically effective variants thereof, and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of DR5 associated diseases and disorders.