Abstract: This invention relates to an agent and a humanized antibody or single chain Fv or Fab fragment capable of binding to human CLEVER-1 recognizing an epitope of CLEVER-1, wherein the epitope is discontinuous and comprises the sequences: PFTVLVPSVSSFSSR and QEITVTFNQFTK. This invention relates also an agent capable of binding to an epitope of human CLEVER-1 for use in removing tumour or antigen induced immunosuppression. Further, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the agent capable of binding to human CLEVER-1 and an appropriate excipient.

Abstract: A novel approach to discover new drugs against MS and other autoimmune diseases is disclosed. The p40 family of cytokines has four members which include interleukin-12 (IL-12), the p40 monomer (p40), the p40 homodimer (p402), and the IL-23. To facilitate the studies on p402 and p40, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against mouse p402 and p40 were generated for the first time. MS and other autoimmune disease drug therapies including recombinant p40 and/or monoclonal antibody against p402 (mAb-p402 a3-1d) are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are vesicles derived from bacteria belonging to the genus Proteus and a use thereof. The inventors of the present invention experimentally confirmed that the vesicles was significantly reduced in samples of patients with cancers, allergic-respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, or neuropsychiatric diseases, as compared to that of normal people, and the vesicles inhibited the secretion of inflammatory mediators due to pathogenic vesicles and also exhibited anticancer efficacy. Therefore, it is anticipated that the vesicles derived from bacteria belonging to the genus Proteus, according to the present invention, may be usefully used for the development of a method of diagnosing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neuropsychiatric diseases, allergic-respiratory diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases, and a composition for prevention, treatment, and/or alleviation.

Abstract: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation in affected organs. The present invention discloses kits and a system for a blood test using mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase that has a high positive predictive value for confirming a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Abstract: Methods of formulating live biotherapeutics are disclosed in which a deficiency or excess of a specific bacterial strain in a person's microbiome is identified by comparing a gene-specific characterization of the person's microbiome against a comprehensive, non-redundant reference gene catalog, and the biotherapeutic is formulated by selecting bacteria to address the deficiency or excess. Embodiments include the formulation of live biotherapeutics for improving the health of a person's vaginal microbiome, i.e. using a vaginal reference gene catalog, and may be suitable for ameliorating, treating, or preventing a malignancy such as a cancer of the female genitourinary system.

Abstract: The invention provides Brachyury deletion mutant polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, non-yeast vectors comprising the nucleic acids, non-yeast cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: This invention relates to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Gram-negative bacteria. The vesicles comprise heterologous proteins or immunogenic fragments thereof expressed as lipoproteins in their membrane. The OMVs of the invention are capable of eliciting an immune response to the heterologous protein or to a fragment thereof when administered to a mammal. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of preparing the OMVs and immunogenic compositions containing the same.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to novel methods for modulating an immune response in an animal, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of an agent that increases IL-27R/WSX-1 activity. Further, the inventive subject matter relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of an agent that increases IL-27R/WSX-1 activity.

Abstract: There is provided a Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF) as an active ingredient for use in the treatment of colon or pancreatic cancer through an increase in neutrophilia, wherein the Colony Stimulating Factor is selected from the group consisting of Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF). The new use for these two recombinant proteins represents a new treatment option for two of the most frequent forms of cancer.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a new type of recombinant anti-TNF-? chimeric monoclonal antibody and a use. The method comprises: designing and synthesizing the light chain and heavy chain of a CMAB008 antibody according to the preferred codon of a hamster; constructing a eukaryotic expression vector; transfecting an CHO-CR-GS ?/? host cell with a GS knockout; and cultivating the cell using a serum-free culture technique; isolating and purifying; and thereby obtaining a low immunogenic CMAB008 antibody.

Abstract: A method for treating cystitis, in particular acute cystitis, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of a reagent selected from the group consisting of IL-1? inhibitors and MMP inhibitors, or proteins selected from ASC or NLRP-3. Diagnostic methods are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing innate apolipoprotein B editing catalytic protein (APOBEC) driven C>U RNA deamination of RNA in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of atpenin A5 with or without interferon. Specifically, APOBEC3A is a cytidine deaminase enzyme that edits RNA transcripts of hundreds of cellular genes upon stimulation of innate immune cells by low oxygen tension (hypoxia) or antiviral factor interferon. Atpenin A5 induces APOBEC3A-mediated RNA editing in normoxia to levels comparable to those seen in hypoxia. The method can be used to treat viral conditions.

Abstract: The problem to be solved is to provide an antibody-containing formulation which is stable and suited for subcutaneous administration, wherein dimerization and deamidation is prevented during long-term storage. The present application is directed to a stable antibody-containing liquid formulation characterized by containing arginine and methionine.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to agents that bind Clec9A and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the Clec9A binding agents and their use in the treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides combination vaccines that comprise an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PPE caused by L. intracellularis, and one or more immunological active components effective in treatment and/or prophylaxis of at least one further disease-causing organism for swine. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a kit that comprises an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PPE caused by L. intracellularis, and one or more immunological active components effective in treatment and/or prophylaxis of at least one further disease-causing organism for swine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animals and more specifically to insects. In more details the invention relates to an edible composition or insect artificial diet comprising bacteria, fungi or any fragment or spore thereof for use as a vaccine in preventing a microbial disease or infection in an insect. Still, the present invention relates to preventive methods and different uses relating to said compositions or bacteria, fungi or fragments or spores thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process of production of purified recombinant cholera toxin B (rCTB) which provides protection against diarrhea caused by various bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of production of rCTB with significantly higher yield and higher purity. The present invention also relates to a vaccine formulation having synergistic protection against Vibrio cholerae and cross protection against ETEC.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to bispecific chimeric proteins that find use in various immunotherapies based on various properties, including, for example, a dual immune cell recruitment and immune signal delivery function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide construct comprising a peptide or polypeptide signaling ligand linked to an antibody or antigen binding portion thereof which binds to a cell surface-associated antigen, wherein the ligand comprises at least one amino acid substitution or deletion which reduces its potency on cells lacking expression of said antigen.

Abstract: Methods of treating conditions with antibodies that bind colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) are provided. Such methods include, but are not limited to, methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis and associated conditions, methods of treating systemic lupus erythematosus and associated conditions, and methods of treating multiple sclerosis.