Abstract: The invention provides an agent comprising: a cyclic peptide comprising a T cell antigen peptide; wherein in cyclised form the T cell antigen peptide is not capable of eliciting a T cell response; and wherein the T cell antigen peptide is rendered capable of eliciting a T cell response by selective cleavage of one or more cleavage sites in the cyclic peptide. The agent may be used to prevent or treat a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterized by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: CDH15 has been identified as a receptor for a peptide which has an inhibitory effect of the migration of T cells. Agonists of this receptor have applications in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions associated with the migration of T-cells, including T cell auto-reactivity, T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease. The agonist is not PEPITEM or an analogue thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for provoking an immune response in a patient to an autoantigen target, the composition comprising the target conjugated a carrier polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and uses of FcRL4 expression and optionally RANKL expressing B cells as biomarkers and therapeutic target for treatment of an autoimmune and/or chronic diseases associated with joint inflammation, in particular Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Abstract: ?-mannosylceramides or salts or solvates thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a Type I NKT cell agonist in conjunction with a therapeutically effective amount of ?-galactosylceramide or a salt or a solvate thereof, and/or at least one or more T-cell co-stimulatory molecules, disclosed. Compositions comprising ?-mannosylceramide, as well as methods of treatment of tumors are also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining the likelihood of a patient developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is provided, which relies on the use of AdipoR1 and/or AdipoR2 in leukocytes as prognostic markers. The method may comprise determining the expression of A dipoR1 and/or AdipoR2 in leukocytes in a sample from said patient. The method may be used for screening, within a population, one or more patients likely to develop RA.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent comprising: (i) a T cell antigen, and (ii) a binding partner for any of CD22, CD23, CD30, CD74, CD70, CD43, CD44, CD47, CD54, CD58, CD62L, CD95, HLA-DR, CD59, CD55, wherein, following binding of the agent to a cell that expresses any of CD22, CD23, CD30, CD74, CD70, CD43, CD44, CD47, CD54, CD58, CD62L, CD95, HLA-DR, CD59, CD55, the agent is internalised and the T cell antigen is presented on the surface of the cell in a form that can be recognised by a T cell.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating and/or preventing Wolfram Syndrome (WS)-related neurodegeneration (i.e. of Wolfram Syndrome-Associated Neuronal Degeneration), by increasing the expression and/or functional activity of p21. A method of screening for pharmacological agents useful in treating and/or preventing such conditions is also provided.

Abstract: A reactor and process for the oxidation of substrates, comprising: a first reaction chamber configured to dissolve substrates in a fluid, the first reaction chamber comprising a linking outlet; the linking outlet being connected to a tubular reaction chamber downstream of the first reaction chamber, conditions in the first reaction chamber being subcritical for the fluid, and conditions in the tubular reaction chamber being supercritical for the fluid carrying the dissolved substrates

Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease by administration, to a patient, of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? {SEQ ID NO: 1) or an analogue thereof that inhibits T cell migration. Also provided is the peptide or its analogue for use in the methods of treatment: and/or prophylaxis of said condition.

Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises two or more mutually coupled radiating elements and two or more impedance-matching circuits configured for independent tuning of the frequency band of each radiating element. In addition, each radiating element is arranged for selective operation in each of the following states: a driven state, a floating state and a ground state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plasmid curing, and particularly to efficient and stress-free methods for displacing resident or endogenous plasmids from a host cell, such as a bacterium. The invention extends to method of displacing a plasmid comprising a post-segregational killing system from a host cell, the method comprising introducing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule into a host cell harboring a plasmid comprising a post-segregational killing (PSK) system, characterized in that the recombinant nucleic acid molecule is adapted to neutralize the toxic effects of the plasmid's post-segregational killing system, and wherein the nucleic acid molecule is also adapted to outcompete or inhibit replication of the plasmid. The invention further extends to recombinant nucleic acid molecules that can be used in this method, as well as further uses of the methods and nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: A method for producing particulate clusters comprises passing a core through an array of matrix-supported coating particles. Particulate clusters produced by the method may find application as catalytic particles, components of novel electronic and photonic materials and sensors, and as binding sites for protein molecules in biochips.

Abstract: The inventors demonstrate that treatment of young, suckling mice with a glycolipid derived from Helicobacter pylori activates NKT cells in a CD1d-restricted fashion, and is protective against AHR in a model of allergen-induced asthma. The inventors further found that this protective effect can be transferred by NKT cells exposed to the glycolipid, and is associated with the expansion of a suppressive double-negative NKT cells and Foxp3+ TReg cells. The inventors also demonstrate herein that pre-treatment of adult mice with a glycolipid derived from Helicobacter pylori partially suppresses airway hyperreactivity and inhibits BAL inflammation in an ozone-exposure model. Accordingly, provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma or autoimmune diseases, in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides derived from a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA), such as HLA-A2, and derivatives or analogues thereof. The polypeptides, derivatives and analogues can be used to treat or prevent allosensitisation, such as the treatment or prevention of allograft rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease in the live subject. More particularly, the invention relates to methods involving the measurement of differential gene expression in non-neuronal cells taken from human subjects suspected of having Alzheimer's disease wherein the genes to be measured are genes within the m TOR signalling pathway.

Abstract: ?-mannosylceramides or salts or solvates thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a Type I NKT cell agonist in conjunction with a therapeutically effective amount of ?-galactosylceramide or a salt or a solvate thereof, and/or at least one or more T-cell co-stimulatory molecules, disclosed. Compositions comprising ?-mannosylceramide, as well as methods of treatment of tumors are also provided.