Abstract: Compositions comprising viral antigens and antigenic peptides corresponding to or derived from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins or fragments thereof, fused to heavy and/or light chain of antibodies, or fragments thereof specific for dendritic cells (DCs) are described herein. Included herein are immunostimulatory compositions (HCV vaccines, HCV antigen presenting dendritic cells, etc.) and methods for increasing effectiveness of HCV antigen presentation by an antigen presenting cell, for a treatment, a prophylaxis or a combination thereof against hepatitis C in a human subject, and methods of providing immunostimulation by activation of one or more dendritic cells, methods to treat or prevent hepatitis C.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising high affinity monoclonal antibody conjugates against several DC receptors are described herein. The inventors prepared fusion proteins with antigens for DC-targeting vaccine generation by conjugating several M. tuberculosis protein antigens with high affinity monoclonal antibodies against several DC receptors with a view to developing novel human vaccines based on in vivo DC-targeting. The findings of studies described herein indicate that vaccines bearing TB antigens can recall a potent memory antigen-specific T cell response in vitro resulting in IFN? secretion.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a protein to a conductive polymer, that can be used in particular for producing a sensor or a multisensor, for example a biochip. This aim, and also others, are achieved, in accordance with the invention, by means of a method for attaching a protein to a pyrrole polymer, comprising the following steps: coupling of the protein to be attached with pyrrole so as to obtain a first solution of a protein-pyrrole coupling compound, preparation of a second solution of pyrrole not containing the protein, mixing of said first solution with said second solution so as to obtain an electropolymerization solution, electropolymerization of the pyrrole and of the protein coupled to the pyrrole on a conductive support using said electropolymerization solution.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are disclosed herein. More specifically the present invention discloses describes an autologous dendritic cell (DC) vaccine product derived by culturing a patient's monocytes with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon alpha 2b (IFN-?), loading the DC with a mixture of five lipopeptides of Gag, Nef and Pol HIV antigens, and, optionally activating the DC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic gene coding for the Gag protein of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1. Said gene may optionally be fused with one or more other HIV sequences. The invention may notably be used within the scope of obtaining anti-HIV vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies against human CD39 and use thereof for inhibiting T regulatory cells (Treg) activity. More particularly CD39 antibodies may be used for the treatment or prevention of cancers and infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of characterizing a surface and to a device for implementing this method. In particular, this method makes it possible to measure, qualitatively and/or quantitatively, interactions that may be physical, chemical, biochemical or biological.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of characterizing a surface and to a device for implementing this method. In particular, this method makes it possible to measure, qualitatively and/or quantitatively, interactions that may be physical, chemical, biochemical or biological.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a protein to a conductive polymer, that can be used in particular for producing a sensor or a multisensor, for example a biochip. This aim, and also others, are achieved, in accordance with the invention, by means of a method for attaching a protein to a pyrrole polymer, comprising the following steps: coupling of the protein to be attached with pyrrole so as to obtain a first solution of a protein-pyrrole coupling compound, preparation of a second solution of pyrrole not containing the protein, mixing of said first solution with said second solution so as to obtain an electropolymerization solution, electropolymerization of the pyrrole and of the protein coupled to the pyrrole on a conductive support using said electropolymerization solution.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for characterising the surface of a sensitive layer deposited on the base of an optical prism, said surface comprising active zones whereof the optical thickness is capable of varying with time, said method using a technique based on analysis of the reflective variation of the prism-sensitive layer interface. The method consists in causing: a collimated light beam with an angle of incidence enabling total reflection on the prism base to penetrate into the prism, said beam illuminating a fixed part of the interface corresponding to the part to be characterised; scanning at an angle so as to locate an incidence whereon the reflectivity of the active zones is minimal; determining an angle of incidence optimal for sensitivity of detection of the active zones; adjusting the incidence to the optimal value; and measuring the reflectivity with an imaging system. The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method.

Abstract: A converter and method of converting thermal images into secondary images, e.g. visible images. The infrared radiation emitted by an object is focused by an optical system to form a thermal image on the free surface of a thermal radiation absorbing layer to one side of a liquid-liquid interface which has low surface tension and is a mixture of two liquid partially miscible at operating temperature and pressure. To convert the thermal image to a visible a parallel beam of light or a beam of light from a point source in the visible range is directed to the other side of the interface and, depending on the selected indices of the interface liquids and whether a prism is used or not; is either transmitted or reflected. The emerging transmitted or reflected beam is then received on a screen or in a detection system where variations of the optical properties of the emerging beam are observed.