Abstract: Controlled-release formulations of carboxy-terminal C5a analogs (such as sustained-release formulations of the analogs), and their use in methods for treating and preventing an infection or a disease such as cancer, for directly killing microorganisms, for vaccine preparation, for inducing an immune response and for targeting antigen-presenting cells and other cells bearing a C5a receptor, are provided.

Abstract: Hydrochloride salt forms of synthetic C-terminal peptide analogs of C5a, which are response selective agonists of C5aR-bearing antigen presenting cells. Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject by administering such peptide analogs alone or in combination with other active agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating an infection or disease, activating an immune cell at a site of infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using response-selective carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.

Abstract: Controlled-release formulations of carboxy-terminal C5a analogs (such as sustained-release formulations of the analogs), and their use in methods for treating and preventing an infection or a disease such as cancer, for directly killing microorganisms, for vaccine preparation, for inducing an immune response and for targeting antigen-presenting cells and other cells bearing a C5a receptor, are provided.

Abstract: Controlled-release formulations of carboxy-terminal C5a analogs (such as sustained-release formulations of the analogs), and their use in methods for treating and preventing an infection or a disease such as cancer, for directly killing microorganisms, for vaccine preparation, for inducing an immune response and for targeting antigen-presenting cells and other cells bearing a C5a receptor, are provided.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating an infection or disease, activating an immune cell at a site of infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using response-selective carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.

Abstract: Conformationally-stable peptide analogs of the response selective C5a agonist EP67 having the formula Tyr-Ser-Phe-Lys-Asp-Met-Xaa-(Xaa2)-(D-Ala)-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein Xaa is a modified proline residue or a residue substitution for proline, and Xaa2 is leucine or N-methyl leucine. The conformationally-stable peptides selectively bind and activate APCs without directly engaging/binding C5a receptor-bearing cells involved in pro-inflammatory activities of natural C5a. Compositions and methods of using the peptide analogs are also described.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating and preventing an infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating and preventing an infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: Controlled-release formulations of carboxy-terminal C5a analogs (such as sustained-release formulations of the analogs), and their use in methods for treating and preventing an infection or a disease such as cancer, for directly killing microorganisms, for vaccine preparation, for inducing an immune response and for targeting antigen-presenting cells and other cells bearing a C5a receptor, are provided.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen. In particular, these molecular adjuvants are employed in compositions designed to deliver the specific immunogen to antigen presenting cells and simultaneously deliver signals to those cells that produce the desired immune response. Methods are also disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand functionally linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens, etc. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand functionally linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens, etc. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: High-affinity response-selective C-terminal analogs of C5a anaphylatoxin are provided. Whereas natural C5a has considerable flexibility in the C-terminal region, the analogs of the invention possess a backbone conformation which is constrained at the C-terminus to a &bgr;-turn. The stabilized &bgr;-turn confers a marked increase in potency of the analogs; the particular &bgr;-turn motif further confers the capability to selectively elicit certain biological responses associated with C5a. Exemplary compounds of the invention are decapeptide analogs of the formula: A1-Ser-Phe-Lys-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7, with the constrained &bgr;-turn being localized in the region of A4-A7.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen. In particular, these molecular adjuvants are employed in compositions designed to deliver the specific immunogen to antigen presenting cells and simultaneously deliver signals to those cells that produce the desired immune response. Methods are also disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: High-affinity response-selective C-terminal analogs of C5a anaphylatoxin are provided. Whereas natural C5a has considerable flexibility in the C-terminal region, the analogs of the invention possess a backbone conformation which is constrained at the C-terminus to a .beta.-turn. The stabilized .beta.-turn confers a marked increase in in potency of the analogs; the particular .beta.-turn motif further confers the capability to selectively elicit certain biological responses associated with C5a. Exemplary compounds of the invention are decapeptide analogs of the formula: A1-Ser-Phe-Lys-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7, with the constrained .beta.-turn being localized in the region of A4-A7.

Abstract: High-affinity response-selective C-terminal analogs of C5a anaphylatoxin are provided. Whereas natural C5a has considerable flexibility in the C-terminal region, the analogs of the invention possess a backbone conformation which is constrained at the C-terminus to a .beta.-turn. The stabilized .beta.-turn confers a marked increase in in potency of the analogs; the particular .beta.-turn motif further confers the capability to selectively elicit certain biological responses associated with C5a. Exemplary compounds of the invention are decapeptide analogs of the formula: A1-Ser-Phe-Lys-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7, with the constrained .beta.-turn being localized in the region of A4-A7.