Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods that include antibodies that selectively neutralize a bioactivity of at least two interferon alpha (“IFN?”) protein subtypes for the protein subtypes A, 2, B2, C, F, G, H2, I, J1, K, 4a, 4b and WA, but does not neutralize at least one bioactivity of IFN? protein subtype D. Examples of bioactivity for measurement include activation of the MxA promoter or antiviral activity and variants, derivatives and fragments thereof. The invention also includes host cells, hybridomas and plasmacytomas that produce antibodies. Because of their unique selectivity and affinity, the antibodies of the present invention are useful to detect IFN? subtypes in sample or tissue and/or for therapeutic applications that include, but are not limited to the treatment and/or amelioration of an IFN? related disorder such as SLE, lupus, type I diabetes, psoriasis, AIDS and Graft versus Host Disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting effector CD8+ T cell priming by Langerhans cells (LCs), together with promotion of the production of IL-4 and IL-10 are disclosed herein. The findings of the present indicate that immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT) inhibitory receptors expressed on dermal CD14+ DCs represent natural counterparts of the anti-CD8 mAbs. Accordingly, blocking ILT2 or ILT4 on dermal CD14+ DCs enhanced the generation of effector polyfunctional CD8+ T cells. Conversely, soluble ILT2 and ILT4 act as CD8-antagonists that inhibit effector CD8+ T cell priming by LCs, together with promoting the production of IL-4 and IL-10. The results presented herein indicate that ILT receptor family members can skew the polarization of CD8+ T cell responses and strategies to block ILT expression on dendritic cells (DCs) may be useful to augment dendritic cell function to enhance responses to cancer or chronic viral infections.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an electromagnetic (EM) sensor system and method that permits rapid and non-invasive measurement of blood glucose or other biological characteristics that exhibits a unique spectral signature, such as its complex electrical permittivity within the frequency range from near DC to microwave frequencies. Low-level EM signals are coupled through the skin and modified by electrical properties of the sub dermal tissues. These tissues essentially integrate with the sensor circuit as they interact with the transmitted EM energy. The guided-wave signal can be sampled and converted to a digital representation. The digital information can be processed and analyzed to determine the frequency-sensitive permittivity of the tissues and a determination of blood glucose level is made based upon the sensor output. The sensor design and method has wide-ranging applicability to a number of important measurement problems in industry, biology, medicine, and chemistry, among others.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a patient at risk for or diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by determining the overall expression of syndecan-1 in one or more cells of a patient suspected of having SLE; and predicting the efficacy of a therapy with a pharmaceutical agent for treating the patient, wherein a decrease in the overall expression of syndecan-1 in the patient cells when compared to the expression of syndecan-1 in normal cells indicates a predisposition to responsiveness to anti-neoplastic agent therapy, wherein the therapy comprises administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical agent to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides adjuvants, vaccines and therapies in which antigen presentation is enhanced through inhibition of negative immune regulators. The compositions and methods are useful for generating immune responses against antigens, including microbial pathogens and tumor-associated antigens, by way of inhibiting a negative immune regulator in a cell and providing a proinflammatory stimulus. In particular, nucleotides encoding inhibitors of negative immune regulators, antigens, and co-stimulatory molecules are contacted with immune cells in order to elicit a therapeutic or prophylactic response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecule compositions comprising minivectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence and methods of gene therapy using minivectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence.

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: Use of a CAT25 mononucleotide marker in a novel tetraplex PCR for the detection of MSH6-defective colorectal cancers (CRCs) is described herein. The tetraplex PCR of the present invention offers a facile, robust, less expensive (compared to the original pentaplex assay), highly sensitive, and specific assay for the identification of microsatellite instability (MSI) in CRCs.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, kits and biomarkers for detecting and determining the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis based on changes in the expression pattern of one or more microRNAs (miR) or miR clusters that include the miR-200/141 family.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with auto-inflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks IL-1? receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonradioactive NIR optical imaging agents based up on the structure of retinoid acid derivatives. The nonradioactive NIR optical imaging agent has been evaluated at the cellular level by confocal microscopy, and in vivo in a whole animal using a various xenograft models. The specific uptake of this agent in human cancer cells and multiple xenograft models demonstrate that nonradioactive near infrared dye labeled retinoid metabolites and/or analogs are useful for early stage cancer studies and diagnoses. Also, the present invention provides that nonradioactive near infrared dye labeled retinoid metabolites and/or analogs are useful for visualization of drug redistribution within the body which is useful in determining the optimal biological dose. Ultimately, the visualization data can be used as an analytical tool to reduce any systemic toxicity.

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 present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.

Abstract: A method for determining a colorectal cancer metastasis in a human subject suffering from a primary colorectal cancer (CRC) is described herein. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: i) identifying the human subject suffering from the primary CRC, ii) obtaining one or more biological samples from the human subject, iii) detecting a methylation level of Alu, LINE-1, or both in the one or more biological samples, and iv) increasing the level of the colorectal metastatic stage in the human subject when the methylation level of Alu, LINE-1 is lower compared to a corresponding control methylation level of Alu, LINE-1.

Abstract: The present invention includes biomarkers and methods for predicting recurrence-free survival and determination of risk for colorectal liver metastasis (LM) by determining a level of microsatellite instability at tetranucleotide repeats (EMAST) and at mono- and a dinucleotide repeat loci (MSI-L) or a SMARCA2R-LOH in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Results obtained indicate that stage II and III patients with MSI-M had a shorter recurrence-free survival than the rest of patients with high levels of MSI (MSI-H) or with highly stable microsatellites, and that MSI-M is an independent predictor for recurrent distant metastasis in primary stage II and III CRCs. It was found that SMARCA2R-LOH and MSI-M are found in stage IV primary CRC and LM tissues.

Abstract: A method for detecting an early-onset of colorectal cancer in a human subject is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of: (i) identifying the human subject suspected of suffering from a colorectal cancer, (ii) obtaining one or more biological samples from the human subject; (iii) determining a LINE-1 methylation level for the one or more biological samples; and (iv) comparing the LINE-1 methylation level to a LINE-1 methylation control level, wherein a higher degree of the LINE-1 methylation level is indicative of an early-onset colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing an immune response with an adjuvant composition comprising: an anti-dendritic cell (DC)-specific antibody or fragment thereof conjugated to at least a portion of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonist, more specifically a TLR7 ligand (TLR7L), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the conjugate and agonist are each comprised in an amount such that, in combination with the other, are effective to produce the immune response in a human or animal subject in need of immunostimulation.

Abstract: A method of modulating plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is disclosed, wherein an ammonia scavenger compound or a salt thereof, for example phenylbutyrate or an even numbered congener thereof or a salt thereof, is administered to an individual in need thereof. In various methods, a decrease in plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is effected to treat individuals suffering from an inborn error in metabolism of amino acids, such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease, for example.

Abstract: Biomarkers and therapies against autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and BCMA variant expression on SLE monocytes that can be directly associated with disease activity. The findings of the present invention enable the design of monoclonal antibodies or recombinant proteins that can block BCMA and BCMA variants as well as BCMA-bound APRIL.