Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for genome editing of the malarial parasite Plasmodium, and for the use of the edited Plasmodium in the development of vaccines and therapeutics.

Abstract: Described are methods for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen from a malaria-causing parasite, preferably P.

Abstract: The present invention features immunogenic compositions based on pre-fertilization or post-fertilization antigens expressed in the circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of infected persons or on the malaria parastes' stages of development in the mosquito midgut including extracellular male and female gametes, fertilized zygote and ookinete. The invention also features methods to prevent the transmission of malaria using the immunogenic compositions of the invention.

Abstract: There are provided antigens, vectors encoding the antigens, and antibodies and other binding compounds to the antigens and uses thereof in the prevention or treatment of malaria. In particular, compositions are provided comprising a Reticulocyte-binding protein Homologue 5 (PfRH5) antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof; or which comprise a viral vector that expresses PfRH5 antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: Described is an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleic acid molecule (ODN) having the structure according to formula (I), wherein any NMP is a 2? deoxynucleoside monophosphate or monothiophosphate, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, -6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine-monophosphate or -monothiophosphate, NUC is a 2? deoxynucleoside, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, 6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine, any X is O or S, a and b are integers from 0 to 100 with the proviso that a+b is between 4 and 150,

Abstract: The invention relates to lentiviral vector particles pseudotyped with a determined heterologous viral envelope protein or viral envelope proteins originating from a RNA virus and which comprise in its genome at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding at least one polypeptide(s) carrying epitope(s) of an antigen of a Plasmodium parasite capable of infecting a mammalian host. The lentiviral vector particles are used in order to elicit an immunological response against malaria parasites.

Abstract: The invention is an DNA vaccine and method of use thereof for modulating the immune response against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of malaria parasites, using the CR2 binding motifs of C3d, especially p28.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-Plasmodium immunogenic compositions comprising EVP1 (PFD0495c) or an antigenic portion thereof, as well as methods of immunizing against malaria employing these compositions. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of identifying Plasmodium infection employing agents that bind to EVP1 or an antibody generated thereto.

Abstract: Cloning and characterization of a TgIF2? kinase from Toxoplasma gondii designated TgIF2K-D illustrates that this protein is related to GCN2, an eIF2? kinase known to respond to nutrient starvation in other organisms. TgIF2K-D is present in the cytosol of both intra- and extracellular Toxoplasma and facilitates translational control through TgIF2? phosphorylation in extracellular parasites. Both a TgIF2K-D knockout parasite and a parasite harboring the TgIF2? mutant (S71A substitution) exhibited loss of eIF2? kinase activity which manifested itself as significant fitness defect. Accordingly, eIF2? phosphorylation and translational control are an important mechanism by which vulnerable extracellular parasites protect themselves which searching for a new host cell. TgIF2K-D is an excellent target for development of compounds and therapies that can be used to treat infections caused by Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic parasites, especially parasites that have high homology or identity to TgIF2K-D.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying an antigen from a pathogen or a disease antigen comprising the use of an adenoviral vector array comprising two or more different adenoviral vectors, wherein each adenoviral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a different antigen of a pathogen. The adenoviral vectors are administered to antigen presenting cells (APCs) in vitro or to an animal in vivo. The immunogenicity of the antigen is measured by screening for an immune response from effector T lymphocytes in vitro and by screening for the absence of pathogen-induced disease onset in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates which elicit an immune response to Plasmodium proteins. In particular examples, the Plasmodium proteins include sexual stage surface proteins, circumsporozoite protein (CSP), or immunogenic portions of CSP. Also provided herein are immunogenic compositions including one or more of the disclosed immunogenic conjugates and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided is a method of eliciting an immune response to Plasmodium in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an immunogenic composition disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one phase, aqueous vaccine composition for immunizing an animal against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, comprising: an immunizing amount of a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin, an acrylic acid polymer in the concentration range between 0.8 and 1.2 mg/ml, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and substantially no oil. It is especially useful for immunizing a pig against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for at least 20 weeks after a single administration, which effective immunity is reached within 4 weeks after vaccination.

Abstract: Conjugates of ookinete surface protein Pfs25 are provided that are efficacious as vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum, the most severe form of malaria. Conjugates of ookinete surface protein Pvs25 for use as a vaccine against Plasmodium vivax are also provided. Methods for preparing the conjugates, which comprise the ookinete surface protein bound onto itself or onto another protein by a linking group, are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are substantially purified Plasmodium sporozoites and preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites substantially separated from attendant non-sporozoite material, where the preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites have increasing levels of purity. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising purified Plasmodium sporozoites are likewise provided. Methods of purifying preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy and rapid method for detecting/identifying the presence or absence of specific Plasmodium parasites and four species of malaria parasites in a human specimen, an anti-malaria measure support system, and a malaria infection-prevention/treatment system, which can contribute to practical diagnosis in a malaria endemic area. According to the present invention, using a genus-specific primer set that can detect four Plasmodium parasites that infect humans at a time, and the primer sets each specific to each of four species of Plasmodium parasites (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale), the presence or absence of infection with these parasites can be detected/identified easily and rapidly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides comprising at least one antigenic determinant or epitope of an apicomplexan Ferlin, Ferlin-like protein and/or another C2-domain containing protein for use as malaria vaccines. It further relates to compositions comprising said peptides and to the use of such compositions as malaria vaccines.

Abstract: The invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions in liquid form comprising a peptide with the amino acid sequence KLKL5KLK and an oligodeoxynucleotide with the nucleic acid sequence (dIdC)13 and wherein the peptide and the oligodeoxynucleotide are present as sterile-filterable nanoparticles in the composition, thereby forming a suspension, characterized in that the mean particle size of the solid particles is less than 1 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a recombinant malaria vaccine and a method for its manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising Plasmodium sporozoite-stage parasites and compatible glycolipid adjuvants useful in vaccines for preventing or reducing the risk of malaria. In particular, human host range Plasmodium and analogues of ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer), a ligand for natural killer T (NKT) cells, are combined in pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful as vaccines against malaria. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to live attenuated bacteria of the species Pasteurella multocida, to live attenuated vaccines comprising such live attenuated bacteria, to the use of such bacteria for the manufacture of such vaccines, to methods for the preparation of such vaccines and to diagnostic tests for the detection of such bacteria.

Abstract: The invention describes a stable immunogenic protein having multiple cysteines molecules wherein the protein is having stability up to two years and purity more than 98% particularly rPvRII and/or rPfF2. It also discloses a method for producing said immunogenic protein comprising the following steps: culturing the host E.

Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and methods of administration thereof. Also provided are methods of administering a tryptanthrin compound in an effective amount to enhance the immune response of a subject to an antigen. Also provided are methods of administering an effective amount of a tryptanthrin to stimulate the immune response in a subject for the treatment of cancer. Further provided are methods of administering a tryptanthrin compounds as an immunotherapeutic in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating a spore with one or more therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to a coated spore obtained by the method of the present invention and the use of the coated spore as a vaccine.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, derived from the Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP1) gene of the Plasmodium species P. malariae and P. ovale. Such genes and proteins have many beneficial diagnostic as well as therapeutic uses.

Abstract: Provided are peptide vaccines including the signal peptide domain of selected target antigens of intracellular pathogens. The peptide vaccines of the invention contain multiple class II and class I-restricted epitopes and are recognized and presented by the majority of the vaccinated human population. Further provided, in particular, are anti tuberculosis vaccines. Also further provided are compositions including the vaccines as well as their use to treat or prevent infection.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the development and use of a vaccine that includes one or more FusM antigens in a carrier adapted to trigger a FusM-specific immune response in the human blood stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic agent comprising a low dose of an antigenic component from one or more pathogens and an agent capable of increasing an amount of IL-12 in animal, and use thereof for reducing infection or improving recovery from an infection from the pathogen. The immunogenic agent preferably comprises CpG nucleic acid, IL-12 protein and/or IL-12 nucleic acid. The pathogen is preferably an intracellular pathogen comprising one or more species and strains, such as Plasmodium spp. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the immunogenic agent. The pharmaceutical composition is preferably an immunotherapeutic composition. The immunotherapeutic composition, is preferably a vaccine capable of providing protection against or treating Plasmodium spp infection, the causative agent of malaria in humans.

Abstract: This application relates to preventing malaria by administering a vaccine. More particularly, this invention relates to a vaccine against malaria infection compromising the administration of attenuated sporozoites to a human or animal.

Abstract: Modified protozoa parasites comprising simultaneous expression on its surface of at least two ariable surface proteins (VSP). The modified protozoa may also simultaneously express the complete repertoire of variable surface proteins. Protozoa show reduced expression of Dicer, RNA-dependant RNA-plymerase (RdRP) enzymes or both, wherein the RdRP gene and/or the Dicer gene has been silenced. The protozoan may be any protozoan showing an antigenic variation mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising MSP-8 linked to an antigen. Methods of using the composition to induce an immune response in an animal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of eliciting or otherwise inducing an effective immune response to a micro-organism and compositions for use therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of inducing an immune response to a parasite utilising an immunogenic composition comprising a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (referred to herein as “GPI”) inositolglycan domain or its derivatives. Even more particularly, the present invention contemplates an immunogenic composition comprising the Plasmodium falciparum GPI inositolglycan domain or its derivatives. The present invention is useful, inter alia, as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment for disease conditions such as, for example, infection by parasites and in particular infection by Plasmodium species.

Abstract: Described are vaccine regimens in which specific prime/boost regimens are applied using low-neutralized recombinant adenoviral vectors harboring nucleic acids encoding antigens from Plasmodium falciparum and purified recombinant protein vaccines such as RTS,S, in the context of appropriate adjuvants.

Abstract: The invention is directed to functionalized self-assembling polypeptide nanoparticles, and to methods of using these nanoparticles to vaccinate against malaria. The functionalized SAPN comprises a self-assembling core, and at least one epitope fused to the self-assembling core. The self-assembling core comprises a pentameric coiled-coil domain, a trimeric coiled-coil domain, and a linker. The linker joins the pentameric coiled-coil domain and the trimeric coiled-coil domain. Particular sequences of the epitopes used in the vaccine are from the Plasmodium parasite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular vaccine for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a pathological condition, the vaccine comprising or consisting of a population of CD 4+ T cells modified such that they contain an antigenic component, and/or a nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigenic component thereof, wherein the T cells are (a) activated, or capable of being activated, and (b) apoptotic, or capable or being made apoptotic. The invention further provides an adjuvant composition for use in a method of vaccination, the composition comprising or consisting of a population of T cells, wherein the T cells are (a) activated, or capable of being activated, and (b) apoptotic, or capable or being made apoptotic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vaccines with adjuvants comprising cationic liposomes where neutral lipids has been incorporated into the liposomes to change the gel-liquid phase transition and thereby modifying the IgG sub-type response and enhancing the CD8 response of the liposomal adjuvant. This technology can be used to increase the production of IgG2 antibodies. This sub-type of anti-bodies (IgG2 in mice corresponding to IgG3 in humans) have been shown to selectively engage Fc activatory receptors on the surface of innate immune cells leading to enhanced proinflammatory responses and thereby a more efficient immune response with higher levels of protection in animal models of e.g. malaria and Chlamydia. The use of adjuvants which selectively give rise to higher levels of IgG2 antibodies will improve the effect of vaccines e.g. against intracellular infections. Furthermore the technology can be used to induce a CD8 response which has been reported to improve the effect of vaccines against e.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are substantially purified Plasmodium sporozoites and preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites substantially separated from attendant non-sporozoite material, where the preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites have increasing levels of purity. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising purified Plasmodium sporozoites are likewise provided. Methods of purifying preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites are also provided.

Abstract: A vaccine comprising an immunogenic preparation containing a plasmodium antigen or a fragment thereof, wherein said antigen is selected from a group consisting of PyAg2, PfAg2, PvAg2, PkAg2, PoAg2, PmAg2, PbAg2, PcAg2 and a combination thereof. A vaccination method comprising administering a priming immunization preparation containing a plasmodium antigen or fragment thereof, wherein said antigen is selected from a group consisting of PyAg2, PfAg2, PvAg2, PkAg2, PoAg2, PmAg2, PbAg2, PcAg2 and a combination thereof, and administrating a boosting immunization preparation containing said plasmodium antigen or fragment, wherein said antigen is selected from a group consisting of PyAg2, PfAg2, PvAg2, PkAg2, PoAg2, PmAg2, PbAg2, PcAg2 and a combination thereof. The vaccination method further comprising co-administration of an immune modulating drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a conjugate between an antigen and an oxidized mannan comprising mannose units and aldehyde groups, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel Plasmodium falciparum antigens and novel polynucleotides encoding these antigens. Also provided by the subject invention are methods of using these antigens and polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated placental P. falciparum polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-4 and 6-24, and immunogenic derivatives thereof. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the placental P. falciparum polypeptides of the invention, compositions comprising one or more placental P. falciparum polypeptides of the invention, methods for inducing an immune response against the placental P. falciparum polypeptides, and methods for treating and diagnosing placental malaria.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of an antigen derived from the circumsporozoite protein (CS) protein of Plasmodium falciparum which is expressed at the pre-erythrocytic stage of malarial infection in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, in the manufacture of a medicament for vaccinating infants against malaria.

Abstract: Improved (safer and more effective) methods of therapy using TNF-R agonists, e.g., CD40 agonists are provided. These methods provide for the addition of an amount of a type 1 interferon and/or a TLR agonist that is effective to prevent or reduce the toxicity (liver toxicity) that may otherwise result in some patients of the TNF-R agonist is used as a monotherapy (without the type 1 interferon and/r TLR agonist).

Abstract: The present invention features immunogenic compositions based on pre-fertilization or post-fertilization antigens expressed in the circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of infected persons or on the malaria parastes' stages of develop-ment in the mosquito midgut including extracellular male and female gametes, fertilized zygote and ookinete. The invention also features methods to prevent the transmission of malaria using the immunogenic compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Vaccines comprising TRAP polypeptides and Salmonella enteritidis vectors comprising TRAP polypeptides are provided. The vaccines may also include a CD 154 polypeptide capable of binding to CD4Q. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Apicomplexan parasites and methods of reducing morbidity associated with infection with Apicomplexan parasites.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising MSPk-8 linked to an antigen. Methods of using the composition to induce an immune response in an animal are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the development and use of a vaccine that includes one or more FusM antigens in a carrier adapted to trigger a FusM-specific immune response in the human blood stream are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide SE36 derived from the N-terminal domain (47 kd) of SERA (serine-repeat antigen) produced by malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, at the erythrocyte stage, a process for purifying said polypeptide, and a malaria vaccine and diagnostic agent using as an active component said purified antigen obtained therefrom. SE36 can be produced in Escherichia coli on a large scale by deleting all or part of polymerized serines of the 47 kd serine-repeat region, whereby high purification is permitted. The human IgG3 antibodies specifically binding to SE36 prevents highly effectively growth of the protozoa in the red blood cells to inhibit fever and cerebral malaria, and further prevent the death.

Abstract: Method for inoculating a vertebrate host against malaria, by administering to the host a live Plasmodium organism that is genetically engineered to disrupt a liver-stage-specific gene function.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition comprising a RPE and optionally a Th1-promoting adjuvant for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a parasitic disease and to its use.