Abstract: The specificity of CD4+ TH responses of German cockroach (Bla g) antigens, and whether differences exist in magnitude or functionality as a function of disease severity, is disclosed. Also disclosed are novel German cockroach allergens and epitopes.

Abstract: Method and compositions for modulating specific populations of monocytes or macrophages are disclosed. Methods include, in certain embodiments, modulating expression or activity of Nr4a1 (Nur77). Compositions disclosed herein include agonistic and antagonistic agents that modulate expression or activity of Nur77 and uses thereof. In various embodiments, methods of treating certain disorders and diseases related to aberrant monocyte or macrophage development are provided. In further various embodiments, methods of identifying agents that modulate specific populations of monocytes or macrophages, and agents that modulate Nur77 activity and/or expression are provided.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods of detecting and/or monitoring germinal center activity in a subject according to an amount of CXCL13 in the blood of a subject. Also presented herein are methods of determine the efficacy of a vaccine or antigen at inducing an immune response. Methods are also presented for monitoring, screening, and/or diagnosing an autoimmune disorder or immune-suppression in a subject and for monitoring or adjusting a treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to common allergen proteins and peptides, subsequences, portions, homologues, variants and derivatives thereof, and methods and uses of common allergen proteins and peptides. Methods include, for example, modulating an immune response; protecting a subject against or treating a subject for an allergic response, allergic disorder or allergic disease; and inducing immunological tolerance to the allergen in a subject.

Abstract: T cell memory can persist in the absence of antigen. However, some memory cells by default are subject to signals accompanying periodic antigen exposure. OX40 is essential to the extent and persistence of Th2 memory when antigen is re-encountered. In an animal model of allergic asthma, inhibiting OX40/OX40L signaling during the secondary response to inhaled antigen suppressed lung inflammation. Inhibiting OX40 at the time of memory cell reactivation reduced the longevity of memory with further inflammation prevented upon tertiary encounter with antigen.

Abstract: Methods of treating inflammatory conditions, disease and disorders of skin are provided. Methods include, for example, contacting or administering a sufficient amount of a LIGHT inhibitor to a subject to treat skin inflammation, skin fibrosis, or a skin fibrotic disease or disorder such as scleroderma, atopic dermatitis, nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, mixed connective tissue disease, scleromyxedema, scleredema, keloid, sclerodactyly, or eosinophilic fasciitis.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an hLIGHT polypeptide; isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; methods of making the antibodies; and a method of treating a hLIGHT-mediated disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject the antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the anti-hLIGHT antibodies provided herein will ameliorate, neutralize or otherwise inhibit hLIGHT biological activity in vivo (e.g., the hLIGHT-mediated production or secretion of CCL20, IL-8 or RANTES from a cell expressing a hLIGHT receptor). Also provided herein is a method for the detection of hLIGHT in a sample as well as a method for ameliorating, neutralizing or otherwise inhibiting hLIGHT activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hLIGHT activity is detrimental.

Abstract: The invention provides HVEM cis complexes which include, for example, HVEM/BTLA, HVEM/CD160 and HVEM/gD cis complexes. The invention provides ligands and agents that bind to HVEM cis complexes, such as antibodies. The invention further provides methods of use of the HVEM cis complexes, and the ligands and agents (e.g., antibodies) that bind to the HVEM cis complexes.

Abstract: The tumor-necrosis factor superfamily member LIGHT (p30; TNFSF-14) is a cytokine for inducing immune responses against tumors. A novel biochemical approach is used to decorate the surface of tumor cells with LIGHT. LIGHT decorated cells can be used to vaccinate and induce effective, sustained immunity against cells expressing neo or pathogen associated antigens. Variants of LIGHT are described that enhance binding to cellular receptors (e.g., LT beta receptor) and decrease regulation by inhibitors (e.g., Decoy Receptor 3) increasing ability to stimulate immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject is at risk of developing a neurological disorder, diagnosing or confirming whether a subject is afflicted with a neurological disorder, assessing whether PD has progressed in a subject afflicted with PD, assessing whether a neurological disorder is developing in a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing the neurological disorder, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder is likely to benefit from a therapy, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder has benefited from a therapy, treating a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder, and prophylactically treating a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing a neurological disorder. The present invention also provides epitopes, compounds and compositions relating to these methods.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to OX40 (CD134), referred to as OX40 antibodies, anti-OX40 or anti-OX40 antibodies. Invention antibodies that specifically bind to OX40 include mammalian (human, primate, etc.), humanized and chimeric anti-OX40 antibodies. Invention antibodies and antibody subsequences (fragments) that specifically bind to OX40 include purified and isolated antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical formulations thereof, are useful in various methods including treatment, screening and detection methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to pan pollen immunogens such as polypeptides, proteins and peptides, and methods and uses of such immunogens for modulating or relieving an immune response in a subject. For example, the immunogens can be used for treating a subject for an allergic immune response or inducing or promoting immunological tolerance to the immunogen or a pollen allergen in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies and subsequences thereof that specifically bind to poxvirus B5R envelope protein, antibodies and subsequences thereof that specifically bind to poxvirus H3L envelope protein, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to combinations of peptides or variants thereof derived from a portion of an amino sequence of CM a house dust mite allergen, e.g. the allergens Der p 1, Der f 1, Der p 2 and/or Der f 2. Such peptides comprise at least one T cell epitope and a significant high number of patients in a worldwide population will have HLA alleles with the potential to bind the peptides of the peptide combinations. The invention also relates to the use of such peptide combinations in relieving an immune response caused by a dust mite.

Abstract: Methods of treating inflammatory conditions, disease and disorders are provided. Method include, for example, contacting or administering a sufficient amount of a LIGHT inhibitor to a subject to treat the inflammatory condition, disease or disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides uses, methods and compositions for eliciting, stimulating, inducing, promoting, increasing, or enhancing an anti-Dengue virus T cell response in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides Galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP, BTBD17B) polypeptide sequences and compositions that include Gal-3BP polypeptide sequences, and methods of using Gal-3BP polypeptide sequences, including modified forms and wild type (native) forms of Gal-3BP polypeptide, such as in treatment, diagnostic, detection and prognostic methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an hLIGHT polypeptide; isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; methods of making the antibodies; and a method of treating a hLIGHT-mediated disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject the antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the anti-hLIGHT antibodies provided herein will ameliorate, neutralize or otherwise inhibit hLIGHT biological activity in vivo (e.g., the hLIGHT-mediated production or secretion of CCL20, IL-8 or RANTES from a cell expressing a hLIGHT receptor). Also provided herein is a method for the detection of hLIGHT in a sample as well as a method for ameliorating, neutralizing or otherwise inhibiting hLIGHT activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hLIGHT activity is detrimental.

Abstract: T cell memory can persist in the absence of antigen. However, some memory cells by default are subject to signals accompanying periodic antigen exposure. OX40 is essential to the extent and persistence of Th2 memory when antigen is re-encountered. In an animal model of allergic asthma, inhibiting OX40/OX40L signaling during the secondary response to inhaled antigen suppressed lung inflammation. Inhibiting OX40 at the time of memory cell reactivation reduced the longevity of memory with further inflammation prevented upon tertiary encounter with antigen.

Abstract: Methods of treating a food allergy, allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, inflammatory responses, inflammation are provided. In one method, histamine releasing factor (HRF)/translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is contacted with a compound that inhibits or reduces binding of HRF/TCTP to an immunoglobulin in order to treat the food allergy, allergic reaction, hypersensitivity, inflammatory response, or inflammation. Methods of reducing or decreasing the probability, severity, frequency, duration or preventing a subject from having an acute or chronic food allergy, allergic reaction, hypersensitivity, an inflammatory response or inflammation, are also provided.