Abstract: The present invention relates to new peptides of IL-2, derivatives thereof, and their use as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic mice and isolated transgenic mouse cells, the mice and mouse cells comprising a disrupted H2 class I gene, a disrupted H2 class II gene, a functional HLA class I transgene, and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cells are deficient for both H2 class I and class II molecules, wherein the transgenic mouse comprises a functional HLA class I transgene and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cell has the genotype HLA-A2+HLA-DR1+?2m°IA?°. The invention also relates to methods of using a transgenic mouse of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns immunogenic glycopeptides derived from pathogenic microorganisms, useful for vaccination and diagnosis of infections caused by said pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria or fungi), and methods for selecting them and preparing them.

Abstract: A fragment of a nucleic acid specific to mycobacteria of M. tuberculosis complex having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 and SEQ ID No: 2 and their complimentary sequences.

Abstract: Lactobacillus compositions, especially those based on L. casei, and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases or disorders involving or mediated by mast cells, such as anaphylaxis, allergy, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders including arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Use of a variable fragment (VHH antibody) of a camelid single-chain antibody for the preparation of a peptide vector for delivering a substance of interest across the blood-brain barrier or into a cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel polypeptides and their fragments, isolated from Lactobacillus, having at least a N-deoxyribosyl transferase activity, the polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides, cloning and/or expression vectors including said polynucleotides, cells transformed by said vectors and specific antibodies directed against said polypeptides. The invention also concerns a method for enzymatic synthesis of deoxyribonucleosides.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel synthetic or natural E4orf4 or Bcl-2 peptides particularly useful in antitumoral, antiviral and antiparasitic treatments, said peptides being less than 30 amino acids long and binding in vitro to a phosphatase 2A protein holoenzyme or one of its subunits. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the novel peptides, vectors expressing same, as well as antibodies identifying same and probes identifying transcripts thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to mice which are genetically deprived of T, B lymphocytes and NK cells, deficient for murine MHC class I and/or MHC class II molecules, and transgenic for the expression of the HLA class I and/or HLA class II molecules, and to their use as recipient hosts for the transplantation of human haematopoietic precursors, to study the human adaptative immune system development and function in vivo. The invention relates also to the applications of this human/mouse chimera model to improve immunotherapy against pathogens, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex formed between the 3?-phosphoadenosine 5?-phosphate and polypeptide in human cells, to the use of pAp or of a molecule which mimics pAp for modulating the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and small fragment nuclease in human cells, and to process of screening a molecule as a candidate drug for the treatment of diseases where modulation of at least one of the metabolic activities modulated by pAp is needed such as bipolar disorder or related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric nucleic acids, preferably contained on an expression vector, that encode chimeric immunogenic polypeptides. The nucleic acids encode at least site III of a lyssavirus glycoprotein, which has been found to improve the immunogenicity of lyssavirus epitopes for protection from rabies. The chimeric nucleic acids and proteins can also contain antigenic determinants for epitopes other than those of lyssavirus. Thus, the invention provides chimeric nucleic acids and polypeptides that elicit a strong immune response to multiple antigens. Use of the methods of the present invention permits DNA vaccination without the need to supply multiple antigens on separate DNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: A method comprises preventing or inhibiting bacterial adhesion and/or bacterial biofilm development by treating a substrate with a composition of a soluble group II capsular polysaccharide obtained from a bacterial strain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant vector comprising a mycobacterial FAP protein coding sequence under the transcriptional control of a promoter active under hypoxia conditions and its use for the prevention and the treatment of epithelial tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides which can effectively penetrate into cells thereby transporting a substance of interest into the cells.

Abstract: Methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating a gene or other chromosomal DNA in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or prophylaxis of a genetic disease in an individual in need thereof. Further disclosed are chimeric restriction endonucleases.

Abstract: A method for in vitro functional characterization of Opiorphin derivatives by using highly selective biochemical assays. The method may employ an assay involving contacting an Opiorphin derivative with an enkephalin-inactivating ectopeptidase, such as neutral endopeptidase NEP (EC 3.4.24.11) or aminopeptidase AP-N (EC 3.4.11.2). This method provides a rapid and sensitive assay for measuring activity of these two membrane-anchored ectoenzymes when contacted with Opiorphin derivative by means of a selective fluorescence-based enzyme model.

Abstract: A process for screening for a ligand molecule that possesses an agonist biological activity on the NEP binding site for an SMR1 peptide, such as the QHNPR (SEQ ID NO: 2) pentapeptide. The method comprises preparing a cell culture or preparing an organ specimen or a tissue sample containing NEP binding sites for an SMR1 peptide, incubating the cell culture, organ specimen or tissue sample of at concentrations allowing measurement of NEP enzymatic activity under initial velocity conditions in the presence of a candidate ligand molecule, a half-saturating concentration of an SMR1 peptide, and a NEP substrate during a time sufficient for the hydrolysis activity of the NEP substrate to take place under initial velocity conditions; and quantifying the activity of the NEP present in the biological material of by measuring the levels of NEP substrate hydrolysis, respectively in the presence or in the absence of the ligand molecule and in the presence or in the absence of the SMR1 peptide.

Abstract: The inventors have isolated cloned cDNA encoding the RNA genome of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). Various clones are described, which encode different regions of the genome, including those regions encoding viral antigens or proteins. Hybridization results indicate the difference between the HIV-1 clones and those of HTLV-I and HTLV-II. The inventors have also produced a restriction map of the entire cloned genomic sequence in order to facilitate further subcloning and using the restriction fragments in other hybridization tests and in methods to express encoded sequences.

Abstract: A method for identifying a synthetic ligand for retinoic acid receptor ? comprises providing a sample, including a synthetic compound, exposing the sample to cultured cells, wherein the cultured cells comprise RAR?, determining if transcriptional expression of a gene encoding RAR? is upregulated compared to transcriptional expression of a control gene, and choosing a sample that upregulates the expression of RAR? as being a synthetic ligand for RAR?.