Abstract: It is disclosed herein that treatment of a subject with an mTOR inhibitor enhances antigen-specific T cell immune responses. Thus, provided herein is a method of enhancing an antigen-specific T cell response in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an mTOR inhibitor. The antigen can be any antigen, such as an antigen from a pathogen or a vaccine, or a tumor antigen. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to the subject a vaccine, such as a virus vaccine or a cancer vaccine. The mTOR inhibitor can be administered either before or after vaccination to enhance the quantity and quality of the T cell immune response and immunological memory. In some examples, the mTOR inhibitor is rapamycin or a rapamycin analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, with increased stability in the presence of bacterial or viral suspensions, especially those concentrated and non-purified (crude extracts) or minimally purified. The emulsion of the present invention can act as vehicle for the delivery of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one immunogen and, in particular, an immunogen selected from the group consisting of an inactivated pathogen, an attenuated pathogen, a subunit, a recombinant expression vector, and a plasmid or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions featuring cationic liposome nucleic acid molecules complexed with pathogen derived antigen and methods of using such compositions for the treatment or prevention of an infectious disease. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description, and from the claims.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating an infection or disease or lesion, in particular an HPV infection. Furthermore, it relates to a vaccine for treating a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection or an associated disease or lesion in a subject.

Abstract: ?-(1-6)-Glucanese treatment of glucan from yeast cells, pure or feed grade, especially yeast from the family Saccharomyces and particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides a novel glucan product suitable for use in enhancing the stimulation of host animal immune systems. Solubilization of such yeast cell glucan is further disclosed to extend the usefulness of yeast cell glucan as an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention generally features methods for the mucosal delivery of immunogenic compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases featuring such immunogenic compositions. In particular embodiments, the immunogenic compositions are genetic vaccines formulated as aerosols.

Abstract: A multivalent fungal vaccine comprising one or more heat-inactivated fungal antigens, wherein at least one fungal antigen is effective in producing an immune response in a host when said vaccine is administered orally at a dose that is sufficient for preventing or treating the fungal disease in said host. Also described are methods for making and using an orally available anti-fungal vaccine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to recombinant antibodies which bind to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum antigens and comprise a single chain variable fragment (scFv). The antigen may be selected from SSPG1d or a portion thereof, aspartyl protease or a portion thereof, or whole Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mycelium. The invention also provides an antibody linked to an anti-fungal polypeptide. The invention extends to nucleic acid sequences encoding the antibodies, and expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences. The invention is also directed to transgenic plants, seeds, tissues or cells transformed with the expression vectors. Methods for producing a transgenic plant that is resistant to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and for detecting Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in a biological sample utilizing an antibody which binds to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum antigen, and immunoassay kit for same are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to seven allergens of Aspergillus versicolor which are suitable for specific diagnostics of this mold which predominantly pollutes the interior. The invention is also directed to an immunological method of detecting a sensitization to A. versicolor, especially an allergy, wherein one or more of the above-mentioned seven allergens found are employed as diagnostic markers. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition which includes one or more of these seven allergens as active substance, and to the use of one or more of these seven allergens for the desensitization to A. versicolor.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of an immunostimulant by submerged cultivation of Lentinus edodes in which mycelium from agar plates or a fermentation broth is added to a liquid medium in a shake flask or a bioreactor containing nutrients such as malt extract, yeast extract, peptone and glucose having access to air or to which air is added, and which is kept in constant movement at approx. 28° C. At the proper conditions, there will be an increase in the production of extracellular lentinan, which is shown to be a better immunostimulant than intracellular lentinan. The extracellular product is precipitated from the growth medium by means of methods for the precipitation of microbial polysaccharide.

Abstract: An adjuvant composition comprising polyIC and a cationic polymer; the cationic polymer comprising from about 100 to about 500 amino acid residues, wherein the mass:mass ratio of the polyIC:cationic polymer is from about 4:1.5 to about 4:3 is described.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in fungus-induced inflammation and eosinophil degranulation. For example, isolated nucleic acids encoding fungal polypeptides, fungal polypeptides, methods for assessing fungus-induced inflammation, methods for assessing eosinophil degranulation, and methods for identifying inhibitors of fungus-induced inflammation and/or eosinophil degranulation are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one acidifying agent, at least one immune stimulating agent, at least one antioxidant, and optionally, at least one tissue regeneration agent. The compositions comprise pre-mixes for inclusion in the diets of piglets, wherein the diets have low levels of fermentable carbohydrates.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound (which can act as an adjuvant) of Formula I or Formula (II), wherein R1 R4 R5 R6 and R7 are each independently selected from hydrogen, acetyl, hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety and a lipid acyl moiety; R2 is a hydroxyl, a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety, a lipid acyl moiety; or an amino hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted with a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety or a lipid acyl moiety; R3 and R8 are each independently selected from acetyl, a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety and a lipid acyl moiety; X is a peptide chain; The above normuramylglycopeptide compounds can be located in liposomes and micelles and can function as immunomodulators, along with a desired antigen (or DNA encloding the antigen), in (e.g. DNA) vaccines.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to search and identify novel antifungal proteins capable of inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms including Magnaporthe grisea and Rhizoctonia solani causing two major rice diseases at relatively low concentrations, and further to clone a gene for said protein. The present invention provides an antifungal protein which can be obtained from fraction(s) precipitated by ammonium sulfate precipitation using an aqueous extract from Pleurotus cornucopiae, wherein said protein has an antifungal activity against at least rice blast, and exhibits existence of a component having a molecular weight of about 15 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE method; a gene encoding said protein and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunostimulating agent comprising at least one chemically modified RNA. The invention furthermore relates to a vaccine which comprises at least one antigen in combination with the immunostimulating agent. The immunostimulating agent according to the invention and the vaccine according to the invention are employed in particular against infectious diseases or cancer diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunostimulatory combinations of TLR ligands and therapeutic and/or prophylactic methods that include administering an immunostimulatory combination to a subject. In general, the immunostimulatory combinations described herein can provide an increased immune response compared to other immunostimulatory combinations and/or compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide adjuvant composition and methods of use in eliciting an immune response. The present invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising the polynucleotide adjuvant composition together with an antigen (e.g., as in a vaccine). The adjuvant compositions of the invention have particular physical properties (e.g., molecular weight, concentration, and pH) which address the need for a safe adjuvant for eliciting an enhanced immune response. The present invention further contemplates methods of use of such adjuvant compositions, particularly in eliciting an immune response to an antigenic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for the inhibition of transplant rejection and the prevention and treatment of skin diseases, comprising a cordyceps mycellia extract as an active ingredient. The cordyceps mycellia extract significantly suppresses the production of antibodies to transplants without side effects, such as weight change. Based on natural material, the composition is non-toxic and harmless to the human body and thus can be used as an immunosuppressant for organ transplantation. Also, it stops oozing from sores and is useful in the prevention and treatment of skin diseases, including atopy, allergic reactions, decubitus ulcers, pemphigus and smallpox.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting immune responses. The disclosure also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting graft rejection and promoting or prolonging graft survival.

Abstract: Fusion proteins and DNA conjugates are disclosed which contain a TLR/CD40/agonist and optional antigen combination. The use of these protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants and as vaccines for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing fungal disease or conditions including mucormycosis. The therapeutic methods and compositions of the invention include vaccine compositions having an FTR polypeptide or an antigenic fragment of the polypeptide; a vector including a nucleotide sequence that is substantially complimentary to at least 18 contiguous nucleotides of FTR sequence; an antisense; a small interfering RNA or an antibody inhibitor of FTR. The vaccine compositions of the invention can further include an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention directs to compositions and methods for modulating immune system. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators. Another aspect of the 5 present invention relates to biodegradable microparticles, such as a chitosan microparticic, or PLGA/PEI microparticle, designed to deliver nucleic acids and/or proteins, such as FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators, to boost different pathways of an immune response. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method of making biodegradable microparticles. The further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the chitosan and other polycationic microparticles to deliver FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators to modulate immune system for the prevention and/or treatment infectious diseases and cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sterile-filtered lyophilized nanoparticle compositions which contain at least one biodegradable polymer, at least one surfactant, at least one cryoprotective agent and at least one antigen. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such compositions and kits supplying such compositions.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions comprising growth regulatable recombinant intracellular pathogens that have been transformed to express recombinant immunogenic antigens of the same or other intracellular pathogens are provided. Exemplary immunogenic compositions include, but are not limited to, growth regulatable and growth limited recombinant intracellular pathogen immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a truncated form of the secretory aspartyl proteinase 2 (Sap2), as well as to nucleic acid molecules encoding same. This truncated Sap2 polypeptide (tSap2) is surprisingly stable and devoid of enzymatic activity but retains full immunogenicity upon intravaginal administration and confers full protection against intravaginal challenge by the Candida fungus. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising tSap2 and to the use of tSap2 in the preparation of such compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for immediately immunizing an individual against any molecule or compound are provided. The present invention is directed to an immunity linker with at least two sites; (1) at least one first binding site that binds to an immune response component in an individual, and (2) at least one second binding site that binds specifically to a desired compound or molecule, the target. The second binding sites are preferably thiolated aptamers that have the benefit of increased stability, resistance to degradation and longer circulating half life. Methods of making and using pharmaceutical compositions including immunity linker molecules having a thiolated aptamer are also provided.

Abstract: Anti-glucan antibodies have been found to be protective against systemic fungal infection with C. albicans, but the protective efficacy can be inhibited by blocking antibodies. The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a glucan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, characterised in that, when administered to a mammalian recipient, the composition elicits protective anti-glucan antibodies but does not elicit antibodies which inhibit the protective efficacy of the anti-glucan antibodies. The glucan may be presented on the surface of a protease-treated microbial cell or may be presented as a protein-glucan conjugate. The glucan may be substituted by a glucan mimotope, a peptidomimetic of a glucan mimotope, or nucleic acid encoding a mimotope. Anti-glucan-antibodies show broad spectrum microbicidal activity. ?-glucans are preferred, particularly those containing one or more ?-1,6 linkages.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems are described for controlling pathogenic condition or disease in a subject. Devices are described that include one or more bone cages. The device including one or more bone cages can be configured to include one or more immunogens and one or more adjuvants. The device including one or more bone cages can be configured to, and/or structured to at least partially or completely surround one or more cells or tissues that produce one or more immunogens and/or one or more adjuvants. The device is useful in a method for treating a pathogenic condition or disease in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to endophytic fungi from higher plants such as a Pteromischum sp. plant, and to extracts and compounds from such fungi that have desirable biological activities, such as antifungal and immunosuppressive activities. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising such extracts and compounds, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: An immunogenic or vaccine composition comprising an immunoadjuvant compound consisting of a Rho GTPase activator. The Activators of Rho GTPases, namely the cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1), and DNT bear immunostimulatory properties towards the systemic response to orally administered ovalbumine.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in fungus-induced inflammation and eosinophil degranulation. For example, isolated nucleic acids encoding fungal polypeptides, fungal polypeptides, methods for assessing fungus-induced inflammation, methods for assessing eosinophil degranulation, and methods for identifying inhibitors of fungus-induced inflammation and/or eosinophil degranulation are provided.

Abstract: A number of immunologically active agents are described, including an isolated protein or polypeptide that includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, immunogenic conjugates containing either the protein or polypeptide, a full-length Pneumocystis kexin, or a full length Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), antibodies recognizing the protein or polypeptide or the immunogenic conjugates (particularly the epitope of SEQ ID NO: 1), and nucleic acid molecules that encode the protein or polypeptide, as well as DNA constructs, expression vectors, and host cells that contain the nucleic acid molecules. Disclosed uses of the antibodies, immunogenic conjugates, and DNA constructs include inducing passive or active immunity to treat or prevent pathogen infections, particularly by a Pneumocystis organism, in a patient.

Abstract: Adjuvant combinations comprising at least one NKT activator, such as alpha-galactosylceramide (?-Gal-Cer) or iGb3, a CD40 agonist and optionally an antigen are disclosed. The use of these immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as cancers is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, immunogenic compositions comprising a first antigen, at least two adjuvants, wherein a first adjuvant comprises a polymer derived from poly(lactides) and/or poly(lactide-co-glycolides), and wherein a second adjuvant comprises an imidazoquinoline, wherein said first antigen is encapsulated within, adsorbed or conjugated to, co-lyophilized or mixed with said first adjuvant, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein said composition elicits a cellular immune response when administered to a vertebrate subject. The invention also provides methods of producing immunogenic compositions, methods for producing a cytotoxic-T lymphocyte (CTL) response in a vertebrate subject, and methods of immunization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising IgY antibodies against at least two different fungi, the use of the composition for the preparation of a pharmaceutical especially for prophylaxis and/or therapy of all kinds of fungal infections, such as conditions caused by organisms belonging to the Candida genus or Aspergillus genus, especially of fungi that are less sensitive to antimycotica and a diagnotstic method using the IgY antibodies. Further it relates to immunisation of birds with a combination of at least two different species of fungi to the Candida genus or Aspergillus genus and a diagnostic method for fungi. It also relates to relates to a novel method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of fungal infections, especially infections by fungi which have lowered sensitivity or resistance to antimycotics. The method is both safe and effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifungal protein gene and cDNA sequence thereof, which is obtained by mining the whole genome sequences of Monascus pilosus BCRC 38072 and the unigene database. The gene can encode an antifungal protein MAFP1. A purified protein obtained from M. pilosus culture broth having molecular weight of about 7 kDa is identified as MAFP1 by N-terminal protein sequencing and comparative analysis. The purified MAFP1 protein can inhibit the growth of pathogens such as Paecilomyces variotii BCRC 33174 and Helminthosporium panici BCRC 35004. In addition, it is found by PCR test that the gene of this antifungal protein exists in other Monascus species such as M. Barkeri, M. floridanus, M. lunisporas, M. pilosus, M. ruber and the like. It is also been proved that the mafp1 gene and cDNA thereof in four Monascus strains, M. pilosus (BCRC 38072, BCRC 38093 and BCRC 31502) and M. ruber BCRC 31533, have the same DNA sequences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed in particular to dipeptide-like compounds derived from functionally substituted amino acids, having fatty acid chains bound thereto through amidification of the amine functional groups of said dipeptide-like compounds, one end portion of which bears an accessory functional side chain spacer, with the other end portion being an acid group either in neutral or charged state. Compounds of the present invention have immunomodulating properties like adjuvants, In addition, compounds of the invention can be grafted on a given antigen in order to modulate or tune the immune response or can be equally grafted on a pharmaceutical carrier to enhance the therapeutic effect or targeting thereof. Accordingly, compounds of the invention find use in human and veterinary medicine both as immunogens and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: Disclosed are newly discovered Ras mutations and combinations of mutations, proteins and peptides and fusion proteins containing these mutations, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, peptides, and fusion proteins, and a variety of tools and diagnostic, therapeutic, and screening methods associated with the use of such mutations.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to search and identify novel antifungal proteins capable of inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms including Magnaporthe grisea and Rhizoctonia solani causing two major rice diseases at relatively low concentrations, and further to clone a gene for said protein. The present invention provides an antifungal protein which can be obtained from fraction(s) precipitated by ammonium sulfate precipitation using an aqueous extract from Pleurotus cornucopiae, wherein said protein has an antifungal activity against at least rice blast, and exhibits existence of a component having a molecular weight of about 15 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE method; a gene encoding said protein and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for augmenting an immunogenicity of an antigen in a mammal, comprising administering said antigen together with an adjuvant composition that includes a synthetic glycolipid compound of Formula I, as described herein. According to the present invention, the use of a compound of Formula I as an adjuvant is attributed at least in part to the enhancement and/or extension of antigen-specific Th1-type responses, in particular, CD8+ T cell responses. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful for prophylaxis and treatment of various infectious and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: The invention provided herein relates to vaccines that can be tailored to achieve a desired immune response. Some compositions provided herein are used for preferentially eliciting a humoral immune response while other compositions are useful for preferentially eliciting a cell-mediated response. Combinations of vaccine compositions are also useful for eliciting both types of responses and/or for modulating the type of immune response elicited. The invention also provides methods for eliciting an immune response in an individual by administering the compositions disclosed herein. These immune responses are useful for protecting an individual from various types of diseases, infections, and undesirable conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for culturing yeast at a neutral pH level. Yeast cultured under neutral pH conditions exhibit desirable characteristics useful for biological purposes, such as the development of vaccines, prophylactics and therapeutics. The invention also provides for compositions and kits comprising yeast grown using the methodologies disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), compositions, methods and kits are provided. The compounds and compositions may be particularly useful for modulating immunological responses. Formula (I) wherein, R1 is alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl; R2 is H, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, OR3 or N(R3)2, R3 is H, alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl; R4 is H, CN, halogen, CF3, CO2R3, or C(O)N(R3)2; X is S, SO2, O, or NR3; and Y is S, O, or NR3.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with transdermal immune preparations which can exhibit a high immunological activity without containing any adjuvant, methods for producing the preparation, and transdermal immunization methods using the preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using immunogenic oligosaccharide compositions comprising native O-linked and S-linked oligosaccharides coupled to a protein carrier, wherein the resultant conjugate elicits a protectively immunogenic response. These compositions may be useful in vaccines against pathogenic Candida species.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treatment of prion disease, cancers and other conditions, the methods comprising administration of an anti-Candida agent. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing prion disease and cancers, said methods based on the determination of the presence of Candida infection, in particular systemic candidiasis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to search and identify novel antifungal proteins capable of inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms including Magnaporthe grisea and Rhizoctonia solani causing two major rice diseases at relatively low concentrations, and further to clone a gene for said protein. The present invention provides an antifungal protein which can be obtained from fraction(s) precipitated by ammonium sulfate precipitation using an aqueous extract from Pleurotus cornucopiae, wherein said protein has an antifungal activity against at least rice blast, and exhibits existence of a component having a molecular weight of about 15 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE method; a gene encoding said protein and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods for using the same. Generally, the vaccine is used to prevent infection of a microorganism that produces an HIF inducing compound. Accordingly, vaccines of the invention comprise at least a portion of an HIF inducing compound that is produced by the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases by mucosal delivery by micro-organism, in particular Lactococcus lactis, of secreted immunodominant antigens.