Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The application is related to compositions and methods for the treatment of hypersensitivity, wherein the compositions comprise a particle packaged with immunostimulatory nucleic acids. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of atopic eczema, asthma and IgE-mediated allergy (type I allergy), especially pollen allergy and house dust allergy.

Abstract: The application is related to compositions and methods for the treatment of hypersensitivity, wherein the compositions comprise a particle packaged with immunostimulatory nucleic acids. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of atopic eczema, asthma and IgE-mediated allergy (type I allergy), especially pollen allergy and house dust allergy.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines for the treatment, amelioration and/or prophylaxis of type II diabetes. The compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the invention comprise a virus-like particle of an RNA bacteriophage and an antigen, wherein said antigen comprises an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1?) mutein. When administered to an animal, preferably to a human, said compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and vaccines induce efficient immune responses, in particular antibody responses, wherein typically and preferably said antibody responses are directed against IL-1?. Thus, the invention provides methods of treating, ameliorating or preventing type II diabetes by way of active immunization against IL-1?.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinantly produced human monoclonalantibodies which are specifically binding nicotine and to nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention further relates to the use of such antibodies in the treatment of nicotine addiction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of vaccination and treatment or prevention diseases. In particular this invention relates to the treatment or prevention of diseases by inducing hapten-specific antibody responses in a vaccinated subject. The invention further provides a method for prevention or treatment of a disease by inducing hapten-specific antibodies in a subject comprising administering into said subject a composition comprising a virus-like particle of an RNA bacteriophage and at least one hapten linked thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) of an RNA-bacteriophage and at least one antigen, wherein the VLP is recombinantly produced in a host, and wherein the amount of host RNA with secondary structure comprised by the VLP is at most 20% of the amount of host RNA with secondary structure originally comprised by the VLP; and wherein the VLP and the at least one antigen are linked with one another. The invention also provides methods for producing the compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce strong antibody responses against the antigen within the indicated context while lowering or eliminating unwanted T cell responses.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinantly produced human monoclonalantibodies which are specifically binding nicotine and to nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention further relates to the use of such antibodies in the treatment of nicotine addiction.

Abstract: The application is related to compositions and methods for the treatment of hypersensitivity, wherein the compositions comprise a particle packaged with immunostimulatory nucleic acids. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of atopic eczema, asthma and IgE-mediated allergy (type I allergy), especially pollen allergy and house dust allergy.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array, and in particular a RANKL protein, RANKL fragment or RANKL peptide-VLP-array. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle and at least one RANKL protein, RANKL fragment or RANKL peptide bound thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the conjugates and the ordered and repetitive arrays, respectively. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of bone diseases and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure bone diseases and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of vaccination and treatment or prevention diseases. In particular this invention relates to the treatment or prevention of diseases by inducing hapten-specific antibody responses in a vaccinated subject. The invention further provides a method for prevention or treatment of a disease by inducing hapten-specific antibodies in a subject comprising administering into said subject a composition comprising a virus-like particle of an RNA bacteriophage and at least one hapten linked thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen array, wherein the antigen is an IL-15 protein, an IL-15 mutein or an IL-15 fragment. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle, and at least one IL-15 protein, IL-15 mutein or at least one IL-15 fragment linked thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the composition. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic autoimmune diseases. The composition of the invention efficiently induces immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.