Abstract: The present invention provides diastereomeric peptides derived from the T Cell Receptor alpha Transmembrane Domain, and lipophilic conjugates thereof, which peptides and conjugates are effective in preventing or treating T cell mediated inflammatory diseases. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these diastereomeric peptides and conjugates, and uses thereof for therapy of inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity and graft rejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved vaccine compositions having enhanced immunogenicity and methods of using same. The compositions and methods include immunogenic conjugates containing peptide carriers derived from heat shock protein 60 (HSP60). The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity when provided as a multimeric conjugate comprising a plurality of peptide carrier units conjugated to each antigen. Cell vaccine compositions comprising antigen presenting cells loaded with multimeric p458 conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases and other T cell mediated inflammatory diseases and conditions, which comprise as an active ingredient an effective quantity of a peptide derived from HIV gp41 fusion peptide domain or fragments, analogs, homologs and derivatives thereof. The invention further provides novel peptides derived from HIV gp41 fusion peptide domain, useful in the treatment of T cell mediated pathologies.

Abstract: Method, system and an article of manufacture for clustering and thereby identifying predefined antigens reactive with undetermined immunoglobulins of sera derived from patient subjects in need of diagnosis of disease or monitoring of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of treating a T cell-mediated inflammatory autoimmune disease by administering to an individual in need thereof an immunogenic composition comprising a recombinant construct of a nucleic acid sequence encoding heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), or an active fragment thereof, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is operatively linked to one or more transcription control sequences, and wherein the disease is other than insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), thereby treating the disease.

Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant constructs encoding active fragments of HSP60 which are effective in treating T cell-mediated inflammatory autoimmune diseases by DNA vaccines. The HSP60 fragments of the present invention are identified by their ability to react with T cells isolated from an animal vaccinated with DNA constructs encoding HSP70 to induce Th2/3 T-cell responses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to promote nerve regeneration or to confer neuroprotection and prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system, are provided. Treatment involves administering NS-specific activated T cells, or an NS-specific antigen or analog thereof, a peptide derived therefrom or an analog or derivative of said peptide, or a nucleotide sequence encoding such an antigen or peptide, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an immunogen selected from the group consisting of (i) an anti-p53 mAb; (ii) a fragment of an anti-p53 mAb; (iii) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (iv) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for induction of anti-tumor immunity in mammals, for activating an enhanced immune response to a p53 molecule in mammals, and/or for induction of immune responses to mutated and wild-type forms of a p53 in mammals. The use of anti-p53 mAbs and novel peptides based on the CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy chains and CDR3 of the light chains of different anti-p53 mAbs are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated T-Cell Receptor constant domain and to peptides derived therefrom and recombinant constructs encoding same, effective in therapy of T cell mediated inflammatory disease, autoimmunity and graft rejection. Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine compositions and methods utilizing these proteins and peptides, DNA vaccines encoding same and T cell vaccines thereof are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved vaccines comprising an isolated viral antigenic peptide and a synthetic peptide derived from a T cell epitope of HSP60. The invention includes mixtures where the peptide serves as an adjuvant as well as conjugates where the peptide is covalently linked to the viral antigen. The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity for synthetic viral epitopes and analogs. Ec27 is a novel peptide derived from HSP60 which increases the immunogenicity substantially of the viral antigen both as a mixture or a covalent conjugate. Some of the isolated viral epitopes are novel and are claimed for diagnostic as well as therapeutic or prophylactic uses.

Abstract: The present invention is of a method and compounds for mediating a biological activity mediated by moesin, and in particular, for such a method and compounds for mediating a biological activity that is capable of being mediated through binding of a disaccharide to moesin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides capable of inhibiting cellular and immune stress responses in a eukaryotic cell. The invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of human degenerative diseases and inflammation, utilizing peptides recognized by monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies, the peptides having anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity. The invention further provides antibody molecules and uses thereof for the isolation of such peptides.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating injury to or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. In one embodiment, treatment is effected by administering activated T cells that recognize an antigen of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system. In another embodiment, treatment involves administering Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration in the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The activated T cells, which have been activated by the presence of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide, can be administered alone or in combination with Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inducing an anti-tumor immunity and/or inducing an immune responses to p53 in mammals. The methods comprise administering to a mammal an effective amount of at least one immunogen selected from the group consisting of: (i) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (ii) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle. Preferably the immunogen is administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. Preferably the peptide is 7 to 30 amino acid residues in length and contains a sequence of the CDR2 or CDR3 of the heavy chain, or of the CDR3 of the light chain of an anti-p53 mAb.

Abstract: Substances comprising carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharides in substantially purified form, including compositions containing same and methods of using same, are disclosed for the regulation of cytokine activity in a host. For instance, the secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-?) can be either inhibited or augmented selectively by administration to the host of effective amounts of substances or their compositions comprising specific oligosaccharides in substantially purified form. Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and their use for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of active cytokine secretion, such as TNF-?. The invention also relates to the initiation of a desirable immune system-related response by the host to the presence of activators, including pathogens. The substances and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be daily, at very low effective doses, typically below 0.

Abstract: A treatment for cancer, and in particular, of therapeutic compounds which block the ability of cytokines and chemokines to promote metastasis of malignant cells. The therapeutic compound comprises a carboxylated and/or sulfated oligosaccharide, preferably in a substantially purified form, which is a heparin or heparan-sulfate derived saccharide compound. In one embodiment of the present invention, the carbohydrate or oligosaccharide has a molecular weight of no more than about 3000 daltons, preferably lying in the range of about 400 to about 2000 daltons, most preferably between about 400 and about 1100 daltons. Generally, substances of the present invention inhibit tumor cell migration, as determined by biological assays, and comprise molecules of various sugar units of which the basic unit of activity is associated with a disaccharide. However, larger oligosaccharide chains of up to about 10 sugar units, containing the basic disaccharide unit of activity can also function to inhibit such activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an immunogen selected from the group consisting of (i) an anti-p53 mAb; (ii) a fragment of an anti-p53 mAb; (iii) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (iv) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for induction of anti-tumor immunity in mammals, for activating an enhanced immune response to a p53 molecule in mammals, and/or for induction of immune responses to mutated and wild-type forms of a p53 in mammals. The use of anti-p53 mAbs and novel peptides based on the CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy chains and CDR3 of the light chains of different anti-p53 mAbs are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating injury to or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. In one embodiment, treatment is effected by administering activated T cells that recognize an antigen of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system. In another embodiment, treatment involves administering Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration in the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The activated T cells, which have been activated by the presence of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide, can be administered alone or in combination with Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to promote nerve regeneration or to confer neuroprotection and prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system, are provided. Treatment involves administering NS-specific activated T cells, or an NS-specific antigen or analog thereof, a peptide derived therefrom or an analog or derivative of said peptide, or a nucleotide sequence encoding said antigen or peptide, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Therapeutic preparations are provided for treatment of a T-cell mediated disease or condition comprising an antigen and a carrier, wherein said antigen is an antigen recognized by inflammatory T cells associated with the pathogenesis of said T-cell mediated disease or condition, and wherein said carrier is an anti-inflammatory immunomodulator selected from: (a) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty alcohol or an ester thereof with a C1-C6 alkanoic acid; and (b) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid ester selected from a C1-C6 alkyl ester, a monoester with a C2-C6 polyol having a least two hydroxy groups, and a diester with glycerol.