Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, expression systems, and vaccine strains which provide efficient expression and secretion of antigens of interest into the cytosol of host cells, and elicit effective CD4 and CD8 T cell responses by functionally linking Listerial or other bacterial signal peptides/secretion chaperones as N-terminal fusion partners in translational reading frame with selected recombinant encoded protein antigens. These N-terminal fusion partners are deleted (either by actual deletion, by mutation, or by a combination of these approaches) for any PEST sequences native to the sequence, and/or for certain hydrophobic residues.

Abstract: Described herein is a mycobacterium mutant, comprising at least one mutation in at least one gene sequence encoding global gene regulators (GGRs) selected from the group consisting of sigH, sigL, sigE, ECF-1, and mixtures thereof, wherein the GGR gene is at least partially inactivated. Described herein also is a vaccine based on the mutant and a method of differentiating between subjects that have been infected with mycobacterium and subjects that have not been infected with mycobacterium or have been vaccinated with a mycobacterium vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatography ligand, which comprises Domain C from Staphylococcus protein A (SpA), or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The chromatography ligand presents an advantageous capability of withstanding harsh cleaning in place (CIP) conditions, and is capable of binding Fab fragments of antibodies. The ligand may be provided with a terminal coupling group, such as arginine or cysteine, to facilitate its coupling to an insoluble carrier such as beads or a membrane. The invention also relates to a process of using the ligand in isolation of antibodies, and to a purification protocol which may include washing steps and/or regeneration with alkali.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of non-surfactant compounds including, for example, polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitans and polyethylene glycols (PEGs), for stabilizing protein-containing formulations and for the prevention of aggregation of proteins in such formulations.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptides capable of modulating tissue transglutaminase-induced cell behavior wherein the polypeptide comprises or consists of either (a) the amino acid sequence of a heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase, or a functional fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant or derivative thereof or (b) an antibody capable of binding to a heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase, or an antigen-binding fragment or derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, The invention further provides medical uses of the polypeptides of the invention and methods of treatment using the same.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ. ID NO. 2, 3, 4, 7 or 8. The polypeptide may have the sequence of an immunogenic fragment thereof comprising at least eight amino acids, wherein the immunogenic fragment is not one of SEQ. ID NOS. 6 or 11 to 16. The polypeptide may have a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to the aforementioned polypeptide or immunogenic fragment. The polypeptide is less than 100 amino acids in length and does not comprise the sequence of any of SEQ. ID NOS. 10, 46, 56, 57 or 59 to 62 and does not consist of the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 58. The polypeptide is useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for identifying the presence or absence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in a human or animal serum, including placing the previously drawn serum in contact with antigens capable of binding with the anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, and the observation of a bond or of an absence of a bond of antibodies with the antigens, and a combination of two recombinant GRA2 and GRA6 proteins. In particular, the antigens are attached to a support, in particular an ELISA plate. This test is preferably carried out as a supplement to another test for diagnosing toxoplasmosis.

Abstract: Immunogenic group A streptococcus M-related polypeptides and peptides and immunogenic compositions comprising these M-related polypeptides and peptides are provided herein that evoke cross-opsonic and cross-protective anti-GAS and anti-SDSE antibodies in animals. Also provided are preparations comprising immunogenic compositions that comprise M-related polypeptides, peptides, or fusion proteins and that further comprise at least one additional group A streptococcus immunogen, such as an M peptide or Spa peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) inhibitor for preventing and/or treating cardiac damage arising after an ischemic process followed by reperfusion. The authors of the present invention have observed that EMMPRIN expression increases in subjects who have suffered ischemia/reperfusion, ascertaining that an EMMPRIN inhibitor is capable of reducing the cardiac damage caused after ischemia followed by reperfusion, both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to multi-specific molecules that bind to multiple bacterial virulence factors, methods for producing these binding molecules, and the use of these binding molecules to treat bacterial infections. In particular, the binding molecules comprise at least two binding domains, preferably an antibody or antibody fragment and an alternative scaffold. The first binding domain is capable of binding to a glycosylated staphylococcal surface protein, preferably an SDR-containing protein. The second binding domain is capable of binding to a staphylococcal leukotoxin, preferably LukAB, LukD or LukE. These multi-specific binding compounds have killing activity against staphylococci and, thus, can be used in the treatment and/or amelioration of a Staphylococcus infection, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: Methods of purifying proteins expressed in non-mammalian expression systems in a non-native soluble form directly from cell lysate are disclosed. Methods of purifying proteins expressed in non-mammalian expression systems in a non-native limited solubility form directly from a refold solution are also disclosed. Resin regeneration methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising the N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These compositions are useful for inducing or enhancing an immune response, for inhibiting tumor cell growth and for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions and methods useful for detecting and monitoring autoimmune diseases in a human subject. The methods comprise providing a moesin fragment for binding to an anti-moesin autoantibody and contacting the moesin fragment with a sample obtained from the human subject. The moesin fragment comprises the entire N-terminal FERM domain of a human moesin protein. The human subject has or is suspected of having an autoimmune disease such as connective tissue disease, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacteriophage with effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus strains and in particular MRSA. There is also provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising said bacteriophage and a method of treating a bacterial infection using a composition comprising said bacteriophage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for promoting wound healing or tissue injury treatment in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more fungal immunomodulatory protein (preferably, Ganoderma immunomodulatory protein).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Hericium erinaceus-containing cereal comprising grain or legume, saccharide and Hericium erinaceus, and a method for preparing the same. The Hericium erinaceus-containing cereal according to the present invention enables the Hericium erinaceus component having excellent anticancer and brain function-activating effects to be naturally taken as a meal replacement or a light meal by people of all ages and both sexes without rejection.

Abstract: In one aspect the disclosure relations to means and methods for identifying a protein or a DNA encoding the protein, involved in the production of a product by a micro-organism. In the methods the micro-organism is cultured under different culture conditions each of which exhibit a different level of the product that is produced by the micro-organism. The genetic expression of the genes of the micro-organism is compared with the level of the product, and groups of DNAs are identified that are involved in the production of the product by the micro-organism.