Abstract: Compositions and methods for detection of the stress-inducible Hsp70B? protein are disclosed. These include antibodies directed against particular amino acid regions of Hsp70B? and various peptides corresponding, or antigenically equivalent, to the regions. The ability to generate anti-Hsp70B? antibodies to defined epitopes permits a variety of in vitro and in vivo uses.

Abstract: This document describes compositions and methods for inducing an immune response (e.g., a cellular response such as a cell-mediated cytolytic immune response) to a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen, which can be displayed by HPV or exhibited by infected cells (e.g., cells from cervical and other tumors). The HPV protein can be joined to a stress protein by chemical conjugation or noncovalently using linking moieties, or by fusion (e.g., a recombinant fusion protein). Also described are expression vectors containing sequences encoding HPV antigens and stress proteins, which can be introduced into cells of a subject or cells ex vivo. Also described are compositions that include a stress protein linked to an HPV antigen and another pharmacologically acceptable component and stress protein—HPV antigen fusions and conjugates. These compositions can be used to induce or enhance an immune response against HPV and cells that exhibit HPV antigens, including HPV-associated tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for inducing an immune response to an antigen in a vertebrate (e.g., mammal) comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein or all or a portion of a protein having an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of the stress protein to induce the immune response against the antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce a CTL response in a mammal comprising an antigen and all or a portion of a stress protein. In another embodiment, the invention relates to vaccines and compositions which induce an immune response to an influenza virus in a mammal comprising an antigen of the influenza virus and all or a portion of one or more stress proteins. The invention also relates to vaccines and compositions for inducing a CTL response to a tumor-associated antigen comprising a tumor-associated antigen and all or a portion of the stress protein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detection of the stress-inducible Hsp70B? protein are disclosed. These include antibodies directed against particular amino acid regions of Hsp70B? and various peptides corresponding, or antigenically equivalent, to the regions. The ability to generate anti-Hsp70B? antibodies to defined epitopes permits a variety of in vitro and in vivo uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to HBV antigen-containing compositions that are useful in treating or preventing HBV infection. The content of the compositions can vary, as described herein, but the compositions comprise a stress protein, or a portion (e.g., a fragment) or derivative thereof, and an HBV antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a wart in a subject by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an immunostimulatory fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus or an antigenic fragment thereof. Also disclosed is a method of treating a human papilloma virus infection in a subject infected or suspected of being infected with a human papilloma virus of a first type by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an antigenic fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus of a second type or an antigenic fragment thereof, where the first type and second type are different.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a wart in a subject by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an immunostimulatory fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus or an antigenic fragment thereof. Also disclosed is a method of treating a human papilloma virus infection in a subject infected or suspected of being infected with a human papilloma virus of a first type by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an antigenic fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus of a second type or an antigenic fragment thereof, where the first type and second type are different.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating a Th1-like response in vitro. Compositions include fusion proteins and conjugates that contain at least a portion of a heat shock protein. A Th1-like response can be elicited by contacting in vitro a cell sample containing naive lymphocytes with a fusion protein or conjugate of the invention. The Th1-like response can be detected by measuring IFN-gamma produced by the cell sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a wart in a subject by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an immunostimulatory fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus or an antigenic fragment thereof. Also disclosed is a method of treating a human papilloma virus infection in a subject infected or suspected of being infected with a human papilloma virus of a first type by administering to the subject a composition containing (1) a heat shock protein or an antigenic fragment thereof, and (2) a protein of a human papilloma virus of a second type or an antigenic fragment thereof, where the first type and second type are different.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising isolated nucleic acid molecules specific to Neisseria meningitidis, Candida glabrata and Aspergillus fumigatus heat shock proteins (Hsps), as well as vector constructs and isolated polypeptides specific to the same are provided. Such compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of infections by these organisms and for generating an immune response to the organisms.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating a Th1-like response in vitro. Compositions include fusion proteins and conjugates that contain at least a portion of a heat shock protein. A Th1-like response can be elicited by contacting in vitro a cell sample containing naive lymphocytes with a fusion protein or conjugate of the invention. The Th1-like response can be detected by measuring IFN-gamma produced by the cell sample.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising isolated nucleic acid molecules specific to Neisseria meningitidis, Candida glabrata and Aspergillus fumigatus heat shock proteins (Hsps), as well as vector constructs and isolated polypeptides specific to the same are provided. Such compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of infections by these organisms and for generating an immune response to the organisms.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating a Th1-like response in vitro. Compositions include fusion proteins and conjugates that contain at least a portion of a heat shock protein. A Th1-like response can be elicited by contacting in vitro a cell sample containing naive lymphocytes with a fusion protein or conjugate of the invention. The Th1-like response can be detected by measuring IFN-gamma produced by the cell sample.

Abstract: METHOD OF SCREENING PHYSIOLOGICAL SAMPLES for elevated levels of heat shock proteins due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of stressors, and kits for carrying out the method, are disclosed.

Abstract: Method of detecting chronic exposure of an organism to a stressor, and for evaluating biological damage due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of stressors and kits for carrying out the method are disclosed. The methods comprise: (a) sampling at least one organism in order to determine whether it has been chronically exposed to a sublethal concentration of one or more stressors in its environment, under sampling conditions that do not induce any additional heat shock protein (hsp) response in the organism; (b) obtaining a sample of cells or secretions of said organism, suspected of having elevated levels of heat shock proteins and solubilizing the heat shock proteins in the sample; and (c) measuring the concentration of a heat shock protein in said sample.

Abstract: Method of detecting chronic exposure of an organism to a pollutant, and for evaluating biological damage due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of pollutants and kits for carrying out the method are disclosed. The methods comprise:(a) sampling at least one organism in order to determine whether it has been chronically exposed to a sublethal concentration of one or more pollutants in its environment, under sampling conditions that do not induce any additional heat shock protein (hsp) response in the organism;(b) obtaining a sample of cells or secretions of said organism, suspected of having elevated levels of heat shock proteins and solubilizing the heat shock proteins in the sample; and(c) measuring the concentration of a heat shock protein in said sample.

Abstract: Method of detecting chronic exposure of an organism to a pollutant, and for evaluating biological damage due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of pollutants and kits for carrying out the method are disclosed. The methods comprise:(a) sampling at least one organism in order to determine whether it has been chronically exposed to a sublethal concentration of one or more pollutants in its environment, under sampling conditions that do not induce any additional heat shock protein (hsp) response in the organism;(b) obtaining a sample of cells or secretions of said organism, suspected of having elevated levels of heat shock proteins and solubilizing the heat shock proteins in the sample; and(c) measuring the concentration of a heat shock protein selected from hsp 70, hsp 60 and ubiquitin, in said sample.