Abstract: The present invention relates to a lentiviral vector-based Japanese encephalitis (JE) immunogenic composition. The present invention is directed to a recombinant lentiviral vector expressing the precursor of membrane (prM) and the envelope (E) protein, in particular glycoprotein of a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) or immunogenic fragments thereof. The present invention also provides cells expressing the lentiviral vector, uses and methods to prevent a JEV infection in a mammalian host, especially in a human or an animal host, in particular a pig or a piglet, preferably a domestic pig or a domestic piglet.

Abstract: It has been discovered that disrupting the stromal capsule restores a better vasculature/tumor perfusion and improve T cells infiltration inside the core of a melanoma. The invention relates to the use of drugs or immunoconjugates that target the transmembrane protease ADAM12 and deplete the cells that express it. Since ADAM12 protein is specifically expressed by stromal cells of the tumor stromal capsule and around vessels in models for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer and melanoma, an ADAM12 inhibitor is useful in anti-tumor therapies as an adjuvant. The invention encompasses methods, compositions, and kits containing ADAM12 inhibitors for use in the depletion of ADAM12+ stromal cells in cancer patient, particularly together with anti-tumor compounds and treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic or vaccine composition against the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), comprising a nucleic acid construct encoding a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus Spike (S) protein antigen or a fragment thereof comprising the receptor-binding domain, wherein the nucleic acid construct sequence is codon-optimized for expression in human.

Abstract: K13-propeller polymorphism is a useful molecular marker for tracking the emergence and spread of ART-resistant P. falciparum. The invention encompasses methods, compositions, and kits for detecting and genotyping Plasmodium, for example, Plasmodium falciparum. The methods, compositions, and kits can be used to detect the presence or absence of a mutated K-13 propeller nucleic acid or protein in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that potently neutralize infection of both RABV and non-RABV lyssaviruses. The invention also relates to antigenic sites to which the antibodies and antigen binding fragments bind, as well as to nucleic acids that encode and immortalized B cells and cultured plasma cells that produce such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of RABV infection and infection with non-RABV lyssaviruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method of culturing a segmented filamentous bacterium strain, comprising co-culturing said segmented filamentous bacterium strain with a eukaryotic host cell, wherein the culture is performed at an O2 level inferior to 5% in a rich tissue culture liquid medium containing bacterial medium components including iron. The present invention also relates to methods for genetically modifying a segmented filamentous bacterium strain comprising a step a culturing the strain in vitro.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that potently neutralize infection of both RABV and non-RABV lyssaviruses. The invention also relates to antigenic sites to which the antibodies and antigen binding fragments bind, as well as to nucleic acids that encode and immortalized B cells and cultured plasma cells that produce such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of RABV infection and infection with non-RABV lyssaviruses.

Abstract: The present invention describes specific engineering of the hantavirus spike proteins with modifications to stabilize (Gn/Gc)n heterodimer contacts and/or Gc homodimer contacts and/or Gn/Gn oligomer contacts on the spike with the purpose of using them as immunogens in next-generation vaccine design. Said spike proteins have been covalently stabilized by at least one disulphide inter-chain bond between Gn/Gc heterodimers and/or between Gc homodimers and/or between Gn homo-oligomers as they are presented at the surface of infectious virions. It also involves spike stabilization by introduction of cavity-filling amino acids with a bulky side chain at the above-mentioned contacts.

Abstract: A method for generating a color-faithful extended-depth-of-field (EDF) image from a color volume of 2D images acquired at different focal depths using a microscope.

Abstract: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) represent innate versions of T helper and cytotoxic T cells that differentiate from committed ILC precursors (ILCP). Still, how ILCP relate to mature tissue-resident ILCs remains unclear. ILCP that are present in the blood and all tested lymphoid and non-lymphoid human tissues were identified. Human ILCP fail to express the signature transcription factors (TF) and cytokine outputs of mature NK cells and ILCs but are epigenetically poised to do so. Human ILCP robustly generate all ILC subsets in vitro and in vivo. While human ILCP express RAR related orphan receptor C (RORC), circulating ILCP can be found in RORC-deficient patients that retain potential for EOMES+ NK cells, T-BET+ ILC1, GATA-3+ ILC2 and for IL-22+ but not for IL-17A+ ILC3. A model of tissue ILC differentiation (‘ILC-poiesis’) is proposed whereby diverse ILC subsets are generated in situ from ILCP in response to environmental stressors, inflammation and infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of gasdermin, in particular of gasdermin A, gasdermin B, gasdermin C, gasdermin D, DFNA5 or DFNB59 (or pejvakin), and more particularly pejvakin for modulating cellular redox homeostasis. A particularly preferred use of gasdermin, in particular of gasdermin A, gasdermin B, gasdermin C, gasdermin D, DFNA5 or DFNB59 (or pejvakin), and more particularly pejvakin in the context of the present invention is as an antioxidant. The present invention also concerns a virally-mediated gene therapy for restoring genetically-impaired auditory and vestibular functions in subjects suffering from an Usher syndrome. More precisely, this gene therapy takes advantage of an AAV2/8 vector expressing at least one USH1 gene product, preferably SANS.

Abstract: The invention relates to reconstructing a synthetic dense super-resolution image from at least one low-information-content image, for example from a sequence of diffraction-limited images acquired by single molecule localization microscopy. After having obtained such a sequence of diffraction-limited images, a sparse localization image is reconstructed from the obtained sequence of diffraction-limited images according to single molecule localization microscopy image processing.

Abstract: A method of treating COVID-19 in a patient. The patient may be in moderate to advanced stages of COVID-19 infection. The method includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antagonist or inhibitor of chemokine receptor CXCR4. The at least one antagonist or inhibitor of chemokine receptor CXCR4 is distinct from hydroxychloroquine.

Abstract: A method of generating an antibody and cellular immune response against a Plasmodium in a primate, comprising administering at least 103 genetically modified live Plasmodium to the primate, wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium is a species selected from Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium coatneyi, Plasmodium cynomolgi, and Plasmodium simium, and wherein the genetically modified live Plasmodium does not produce functional histamine releasing factor (HRF) protein, to thereby induce an antibody and cellular immune response against the Plasmodium in the primate. In some embodiments at least 104 genetically modified live Plasmodium is administered to the primate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an organ-on-chip microfluidic device (10) comprising a first element (11), a second element (16), and a hydrogel layer (14) which is interposed between the first element and the second element. The shapes and dimensions of the first element, the second element, and the hydrogel layer are determined to enable the hydrogel layer to expand and retract in a given direction in the conditions of use disclosed herein, in particular to mimic organ functions in vitro. The present invention further relates to method of producing the microfluidic device and to application of said microfluidic device in biomedical field, especially for mimicking the architecture and function of organs.

Abstract: A recombinant attenuated Mopeia virus (MOPV) comprising a recombinant genomic S segment that encodes a nucleoprotein having attenuated exonuclease activity, and optionally further encodes a non-MOPV arenavirus glycoprotein. Use of the recombinant attenuated MOPV to induce an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant DNA polymerases of the Pol theta subfamily capable of performing non-templated nucleic acid extension, or of a functional fragment of such a polymerase, methods of producing these mutant DNA polymerases, kits and methods of using these mutant DNA polymerases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyclonal antibodies, specific for the capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X (NmX), wherein said antibodies are suitable for in vitro detection of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X in biological fluids without culture. The invention also concerns said polyclonal antibodies in different diagnostic tests and methods, in order to detect NmX. The invention discloses also a rapid diagnostic test for detecting NmX in a biological fluid, as well as a method for obtaining polyclonal antibodies useful for detecting NmX in biological fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, serum and urine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection of the occurrence of initiation of replication events in genomic DNA in a eukaryotic cell, involving contacting said eukaryotic cell comprising said genomic DNA with a first nucleotide probe, under conditions enabling in situ hybridization of said first nucleotide probe with a target region in the DNA genome, wherein said target region comprises a nucleic acid sequence which has no identified corresponding annealing RNA in a metabolically active cell and therefore remains RNA-free during transcription and replication of said DNA genome and detecting said first nucleotide probe hybridized to said DNA. Further detection of at least one RNA molecule can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-epitopic peptide compounds obtained from PSA, HwB and LmLRAB proteins of Leishmania as well as to pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines for use against one or more leishmaniases.