Abstract: Peptides capable of binding to HLA-E and affecting immune cell activity are provided. Such peptides can selectively activate NKG2C+ immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and/or can inhibit NKG2A+ cells to decrease or suppress immune cell responses. Methods of use of the peptides are also disclosed, for instance, for treating or inhibiting the development or progression of a multitude of illnesses and conditions, including autoimmune disease, infectious disease such as viral or bacterial infection, and proliferative disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic composition for use as a medicament to prevent and/or treat a medical condition associated with a SARS-CoV infection, said composition comprising one or more bacteria of the human microbiota and/or immunogenic parts thereof, wherein said composition is capable of inducing acquired immunity to said infection. The invention further relates to isolated bacteria of the human microbiota that bind to a neutralising antibody that recognises the spike protein of SARS-CoV, preferably the spike protein of SARS-CoV2. In another aspect, the invention relates to an in vitro method for the diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification and/or therapy management of a human subject with an increased risk of an adverse event associated with a medical condition associated with a SARS-CoV infection (preferably with SARS-CoV-2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for characterizing particles using a flow cytometer comprising detecting radiated light from the particles using two or more detectors positioned to allow for the detection in two or more angular directions and generating a waveform, as a digital representation for the detected radiated light for each of said angulation direction. The waveforms are transformed using one or more basis functions to obtain one or more coefficients characterizing the waveform. The one or more coefficients characterizing the waveform preferably correspond to properties of the particle(s), thereby enabling analysis of physical properties of the particles (such as size, shape, refractive index) or biological properties of the particles (such as cell type, cell cycle state or localization or distribution of molecules within the cell and/or on the cell surface). In preferred embodiments the method and system are used for a label-free sorting of particles, in particular biological cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for classifying selected marker signals from cytometric measurements comprising a first measurement and a second measurement, wherein the first measurement comprises a cytometric measurement acquired from a first sample of particles, and the second measurement comprises a cytometric measurement acquired from a second sample of N2 particles, being the number of particles in the first sample and N2 being the number of particles in the second sample. Each particle njN i of the N1 particles of the first sample is labelled with a number of L1 fluorescent, mass or oligo markers ljN 1. Each particle n1N 2 of the N2 particles of second sample is labelled with a number of L2 fluorescent, mass or oligo markers ljN2? With the acquired data a machine learning method is trained such that the marker combinations showing the most significant differences for two distinct populations are selected and displayed to a user in a novel fashion.

Abstract: Beads for use as a control, calibration and/or quantification probe in a mass cytometry assay, wherein the beads are labeled with a heavy metal selected from the group comprising osmium or ruthenium. Also disclosed are beads labeled with a heavy metal exhibiting a surface functionalization that allows for the binding of an affinity reagent, such as a metal-conjugated antibody. Methods are described for the labeling of the beads and usage of the beads for quantification of cell surface receptors or for a compensation of channel crosstalk in mass cytometry assays.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide includes the amino acid sequence EEAEKAKEAAEKALNEAFE or an amino acid sequence with a sequence identity of least 70%, 80%, or 90% identity to that sequence. The polypeptide is no longer than 200 or 170 amino acids. A nucleic acid encodes the polypeptide, a gene therapy vector includes the nucleic acid and genetically modified cells express the polypeptide. The polypeptide, the nucleic acid, the gene therapy vector and/or the cell can be used for the treatment of a disease associated with pathogenic long-lived plasma cells.

Abstract: A composition including one or more bacteria of the order Anaeroplasmatales for use as a medicament in methods of treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disorder of the digestive system. Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to methods employing Anaeroplasma in the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disorder of the digestive system. Preferably, the inflammatory disorders of the digestive system are inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Furthermore, it is preferable that the composition of the present invention causes increased TGF-? and/or IgA production in the intestine or other component of the digestive tract compared to subjects who have not received administration of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated peptide for use as a medicament, wherein said peptide has 9 to 30 amino acids and comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO 1 (VMAPRTLXL), wherein X is an amino acid with a hydrophobic side chain (A, I, L, F, V, P, G), preferably V, L, I or F. The invention further relates to the peptide of the invention for use as a medicament to expand and/or activate NKG2C+ natural killer (NK) cells. The invention further relates to the peptide of the invention for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a medical condition associated with pathogenic cells expressing HLA-E and a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO 1 or 2. Additionally, the invention relates to a genetically modified virus encoding a peptide comprising or consisting of a polypeptide of the invention for use as a medicament to expand and/or activate NKG2C+ natural killer (NK) cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for characterizing particles using a flow cytometer comprising generating a waveform, as a digital representation of detected radiated light, and transforming said waveform using one or more basis functions and obtaining one or more coefficients characterizing the waveform. The one or more coefficients characterizing the waveform preferably correspond to particular properties of the particle(s), thereby enabling analysis of physical properties of the particles (such as size or shape) or biological properties of the particles, such as cell type, localization and/or distribution of molecules within the cell and/or on the cell surface, structural elements of the cell such as the nucleus or the cytoskeleton, antibody or antibody-fragment binding to the cell or cell morphology. Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems in which the waveform is transformed by a wavelet transformation or Fourier transformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for acquiring discontinuous emission spectra data, whereby the data is analyzed by a multivariate statistic model or equivalent model, such as principal component analysis and the use of the system for flow cytometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated bispecific affinity reagents, such as antibodies or antibody fragments that bind TNF? and a marker molecule for macrophages and/or neutrophils. The affinity reagents of the invention enable pathogenic sub-populations of TNF? to be neutralized, while protective sub-populations of TNF? are not affected.

Abstract: A flow cytometer disinfection module is useful for disinfecting a sheath fluid in a flow cytometer. The module includes a flow cell and at least one UV-C and/or UV-B light source. The UV-C and/or UV-B light source is disposed about the cell and irradiates a sheath fluid passing through the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of notch regulators for modulating IL-22 production in T-cells, by influencing the activity or activation of the notch signal path. The invention further relates to the use of modulating the immune response, primarily in case of infection reactions. The invention in particular relates to the use for treating illnesses associated with infections. The invention further relates to the use for reducing IL-22 production in T-cells.

Abstract: A flow cytometer disinfection module is useful for disinfecting a sheath fluid in a flow cytometer. The module includes a flow cell and at least one UV-C and/or UV-B light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for acquiring discontinuous emission spectra data, whereby the data is analyzed by a multivariate statistic model or equivalent model, such as principal component analysis and the use of the system for flow cytometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of notch regulators for modulating IL-22 production in T-cells, by influencing the activity or activation of the notch signal path. The invention further relates to the use of modulating the immune response, primarily in case of infection reactions. The invention in particular relates to the use for treating illnesses associated with infections. The invention further relates to the use for reducing IL-22 production in T-cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modulating the inflammatory potential of T cells, in particular by regulating the IL-10 production in pro-inflammatory T cells, by influencing the activity or activation of the Notch and STAT4 signaling pathways. The invention also relates to the use of the method for inhibiting inflammations or in immunosuppression. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of the method in the treatment of diseases associated with inflammations. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the method for reducing the IL-10 production in pro-inflammatory T cells and thus the enhancement of T cell-mediated immune reaction, especially in the event of infections, tumor diseases or vaccinations against infections or tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the 4-1BB receptor for identifying and/or separating specific regulatory Th cells after activation with an antigen, polyclonal regulatory Th cells after polyclonal activation and to a method for the identification and/or separation of regulatory Th cells, the regulatory T cells being detected on the basis of the expression of the 4-1BB receptor by an antibody, an antigen or ligands which are coupled to a fluorescent substance, haptenes or magnetic microparticles. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an antibody, an antigen or ligands for detecting the 4-1BB receptor for the identification and/or separation of a regulatory Th cell, the antibody being coupled to a fluorescent substance, haptenes or magnetic microparticles.