Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods for making monoclonal antibodies. The present invention further comprises vectors that replicate the immune system components, particularly an antigen-presenting cell (APC) element of the immune synapse. Additionally, the present invention may further comprise synthetic T-cells.

Abstract: A hybridoma capable of producing a monoclonal antibody against dectin-1, and a monoclonal antibody which specifically reacts with dectin-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of soluble forms of CD83 and nucleic acids encoding them for the treatment of diseases caused by the dysfunction or undesired function of a cellular immune response involving dendritic cells, T cells and/or B cells. The invention moreover provides soluble CD83 molecules specifically suited for said purpose, antibodies against said specific soluble CD83 proteins and assay methods and kits comprising said antibodies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to T cell epitopes wherein said epitopes comprises a peptide or polypeptide chain comprising at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant or variable region. The invention also relates to methods of using and methods of making the epitopes of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for conducting cancer immunotherapy and diagnosis using universal tumor associated antigens, such as the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT), and methods for identifying and characterizing universal tumor associated antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for infiltration of polypeptides in cells. The invention further relates to the use of the cells and urea-adjuvated polypeptides for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of diseases. The invention further relates to the detection of polypeptide-specific immune cells.

Abstract: It is believed that the abnormal absorption of endotoxin present in the gastrointestinal tract relates to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis, it is observed that arthritis is improved by removing endotoxin. The present invention provides an endotoxin-adsorbent, which is capable of removing endotoxin in the gastrointestinal tract and can be administered to humans safely. By using a non-digestible and non-absorbable, and therefore, safe endotoxin-adsorbent, which has a high endotoxin-binding capacity for removing large amounts of endotoxin present in the gastrointestinal tract, it is possible to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A method for eliciting an immune response to an antigen in a subject via (a) loading isolated antigen presenting cells with an antigen ex vivo; and (b) administering the antigen presenting cells to a subject at a pre-treated site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inducing an immune response in a human or animal, comprising dendritic cells loaded with at least five cancer/testis antigen and no lineage specific differentiation antigens or substantially no lineage specific differentiation antigens provided from at least one cancer cell line, as well as to isolated cell lines expressing a multiplicity of cancer testis antigens and no differentiation antigens, and to a method of inducing an immune response in a human or animal using the composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soluble T cell receptor (sTCR), which comprises (i) all or part of a TCR ? chain, except the transmembrane domain thereof, and (ii) all or part of a TCR ? chain, except the transmembrane domain thereof. (i) and (ii) each comprise a functional variable domain and at least a part of the constant domain of the TCR chain, and are linked by a disulphide bond between constant domain residues which is not present in native TCR.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding T-bet, and isolated T-bet proteins, are provided. The invention further provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals carrying a T-bet transgene. The invention further provides T-bet fusion proteins and anti-T-bet antibodies. Methods of using the T-bet compositions of the invention are also disclosed, including methods for detecting T-bet activity in a biological sample, methods of modulating T-bet activity in a cell, and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of T-bet.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, such as by administering to the subject agents which modulate tim-1, tim-2 or tim-4 activity, or which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4 or between tim-2 and a tim-2 ligand. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, autoimmune disorders, transplantation tolerance, and Th1 and Th2-mediated responses and disorders. The invention also relates to novel assays for identifying agents which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4. In addition, the invention relates to novel soluble tim-4 polypeptides and to nucleic acids which encode them.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating autoimmune diseases comprising administering RBAp48 production suppressor or inhibitor; a screening method for a preventive or therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases comprising determining RBAp48 production suppressing effect or inhibitory effect of a sample; a diagnosis agent or a diagnosing kit for autoimmune diseases containing a reagent for measuring RBAp48 level in gland tissue; and a diagnosis method for autoimmune diseases comprising measuring RBAp48 level in gland tissue.

Abstract: A method for overcoming immune suppression includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T cells and restoring T cell immunity. A method of vaccine immunotherapy includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T cells and exposing the naïve T cells to endogenous or exogenous antigens at an appropriate site. Additionally, a method for unblocking immunization at a regional lymph node includes the steps of promoting differentiation and maturation of immature dendritic cells at a regional lymph node and allowing presentation of processed peptides by resulting mature dendritic cells, thus, for example, exposing tumor peptides to T cells to gain immunization of the T cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of ameliorating a Th1-mediated immune pathology in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering a low dose of estrogen to the mammal. Optionally, an immunotherapeutic agent can also be administered to the mammal. Also provided are kits containing a low dose of estrogen and an immunotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for specifically inducing proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The methods are of use in treating immunodeficiencies, such as an immunodeficiency produced by infection with an immunodeficiency virus, such as infection with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The methods include contacting isolated mammalian CD4+ T cells with an effective amount of a thymic stromal derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) polypeptide or a therapeutically effective amount of nucleic acid encoding the TSLP polypeptide, thereby inducing proliferation of the T cells. Methods are also disclosed for treating an IgE mediated disorder, such as asthma. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TSLP antagonist. Transgenic mice are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inducing an immune response in a human or animal, comprising dendritic cells loaded with at least five cancer/testis antigen and no lineage specific differentiation antigens or substantially no lineage specific differentiation antigens provided from at least one cancer cell line, as well as to isolated cell lines expressing a multiplicity of cancer testis antigens and no differentiation antigens, and to a method of inducing an immune response in a human or animal using the composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing an autoantigen-specific regulatory T cell enriched composition, and resultant compositions and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody specific for N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG 2) protein, a cell line producing the monoclonal antibody, a method for measuring a quantity and quality of NDRG 2 protein, and a protein chip using the same. In the present invention, NDRG 2, a cancer-related factor is specifically expressed in dendritic cells differentiated from a monocyte of human peripheral blood. Accordingly, the monoclonal antibody specific for the NDRG 2 protein, the protein chip comprising the same and the method for measuring a quantity and quality of the NDRG 2 protein by using the same can be applied to elucidate characteristics of the dendritic cell and perform a research on the NDRG 2. Therefore, the present invention may help clinically to investigate and treat intractable diseases and cancers using the dendritic cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the assessment of T cell receptor variable subunits. The present invention provides nucleotide sequences for the evaluation of the expression of TCRV families. These nucleotides sequences were obtained through a bioinformatic investigation of the nucleotide sequences for TCRV? and TCRV? families. The nucleotide sequences of the present invention uniquely recognize each and every subfamily and allelic member of a particular TCRV family, while at the same time not recognizing the members of any other TCRV family. This unique expression recognition profile of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention provides great utility for the assessment of TCR families in a clinical setting, such as through polymerase chain reactions, gene chip technology, and direct electrophoretic measurement of DNA or RNA.