Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for exporting target proteins (e.g., surface lipoproteins) from the cytosol to the extracellular surface of bacterial cells using surface lipoprotein assembly modulator (SLAM) polypeptides. The use of SLAM polypeptides in a method of preparing vaccines useful in the prevention of bacterial infectious diseases is also taught.

Abstract: The disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising a polypeptide comprising a C-lobe domain or an N-lobe domain of a HIBP surface receptor protein obtainable from or obtained from a Gram-negative bacterial species. The HIBP surface receptor proteins have been modified in such a manner that they are unable to bind host iron binding protein. Methods of making and using these immunogenic positions to prepare animal and human vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to polypeptides having antigenic epitopes from granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to methods of screening a sample obtained from a subject for antibodies relating to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to methods of screening a sample obtained from a subject for antibodies relating to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S1, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S1, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and saponin adjuvants and antigens and the use thereof for stimulating immunity, enhancing cell-mediated immunity, and enhancing antibody production are disclosed. Also described are immune adjuvant compositions comprising immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and saponin adjuvants, as well as methods for increasing an immune response using the same.

Abstract: Hybrid antigens comprising an antigenic domain and improved heat shock protein binding domains are described which are useful for the induction of an immune response to the antigenic domain and thus can be used to treat infectious diseases and cancers that express an antigen of the antigenic domain.

Abstract: Hybrid antigens comprising at least one antigenic domain, at least one heat shock protein binding domain, and at least one improved peptide linker there between are described which are useful for the induction of an immune response to the antigenic domain when administered alone or in a complex with at least one heat shock protein. The hybrid antigens and complexes can be used to treat infectious diseases and cancers that express an antigen of the antigenic domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases (i.e., cancer), neurodegenerative or amyloid diseases, or any other disease wherein the treatment of such disease would be improved by an enhanced immune response, and methods of formulating the compositions. The compositions comprise an immunoreactive reagent (i.e., an antigen binding protein comprising an antigen binding region and a region or regions of an antibody that mediate antibody dependent immunological processes) and a saponin. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions of the invention for the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases, primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases (i.e., cancer), neurodegenerative or amyloid diseases, or any other disease wherein the treatment of such disease would be improved by an enhanced immune response.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and saponin adjuvants and antigens and the use thereof for stimulating immunity, enhancing cell-mediated immunity, and enhancing antibody production are disclosed. Also described are immune adjuvant compositions comprising immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and saponin adjuvants, as well as methods for increasing an immune response using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, particularly vaccine compositions, employing an adjuvant system comprising RC-529 (an aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphate compound) and QS-21 (a saponin). Such compositions synergistically enhance the immune response in a mammal to a co-administered antigen. Also provided are methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various human diseases, including cancer, microbial infections and autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: This invention particularly discloses an improved immunoassay method for the specific detection of anti-rubella IgM antibodies. This method employs rubella antigens comprising rubella E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins substantially free of capsid protein. Use of this antigen composition reduces or eliminates nonspecific protein-protein interactions leading to false positive results. A sample diluent comprising urea can also be used in the process to further reduce the occurrence of nonspecific protein-protein interactions. A diagnostic kit to aid in the detection of anti-rubella IgM antibodies is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using lectin or lectin-like molecules to promote oligomerization of a glycoprotein or an immunologically and/or biologically active complex comprising glycoproteins. In particular, the invention provides compositions of a molecular complex comprising lectin molecules and immunologically and/or biologically active molecules. Methods of making such molecular complexes and methods of use of the compositions comprising such molecular complexes for the prevention and treatment of diseases, particularly cancer and infectious diseases, and for eliciting an immune response in a subject, are also provided.

Abstract: This invention particularly discloses an improved immunoassay method for the specific detection of anti-rubella IgM antibodies. This method employs rubella antigens comprising rubella E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins substantially free of capsid protein. Use of this antigen composition reduces or eliminates nonspecific protein-protein interactions leading to false positive results. A sample diluent comprising urea can also be used in the process to further reduce the occurrence of nonspecific protein-protein interactions. A diagnostic kit to aid in the detection of anti-rubella IgM antibodies is also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain novel compositions of the adjuvant saponin QS-21 having improved properties are disclosed. The compositions of the present invention are designed (1) to minimize the lytic effects of QS-21, (2) to improve the tolerance of QS-21 containing formulations in humans or other animals, (3) to stabilize the QS-21 from alkaline hydrolysis and/or (4) to maintain the high adjuvant potency of the QS-21 product. These compositions may be employed with vaccines comprising proteins or peptides, polysaccharides, lipids, or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention is related to vaccines comprising novel combinations of saponin adjuvants, to pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these novel combinations, to methods of using these novel combinations to enhance the immune response of an individual to an antigen, and to the use of the novel combinations to increase the immunogenicity of vaccines.