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 H; X2 is selected from the group consisting of F, N, Y and W; X3 is H and X4 is selected from the group consisting of A, D and E. The invention also relates to large 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 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 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: Disclosed are novel methods and compositions for combating diseases characterized by deposition of amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against amyloid precursor protein (APP) or beta amyloid (A?). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogs of autologous APP or A?, said analogs being capable of inducing antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an immunogen is autologous A? which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-cell epitopes. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogs and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.

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: Disclosed are novel methods and compositions for combating diseases characterized by deposition of amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against amyloid precursor protein (APP) or beta amyloid (A?). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogues of autologous APP or A?, said analogues being capable of inducing antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an immunogen is autologous A? which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-cell epitopes. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogues and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel immunogenic variants of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) which are useful in active specific immunotherapy against diseases that are characterized by overexpression of VEGF. The invention also relates to methods of treating such diseases (for instance cancer) as well as to various tools in molecular biology that assist in the provision of the immunogenic variants.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods for combatting diseases characterized by deposition of amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against amyloid precursor protien (APP) or beta amyloid (A&bgr;). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogues of autologous APP or A&bgr;, said analogues being capable of inducing antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an immunogen is autologous A&bgr; which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-cell epitopes. Also disclosed are nucleic acid vaccination against APP or A&bgr; and vaccination using live vaccines as well as methods and means useful for the vaccination. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogues and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.