Abstract: The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the role of purinergic receptors and ATP in T cell activation and autocrine system signaling. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating diabetes by administering a therapeutically effective inhibitor of ATP to a subject. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating fibrosis by administering a P2X7R soluble fusion protein. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating graft rejection by administering an inhibitor of P2X receptor signaling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soluble negative control MHC multimer comprising a nonsense peptide that binds the MHC protein efficiently, but that does not support binding of the resultant MHC-peptide complex to the desired T Cell Receptor. The nonsense peptide is designed to i) have a length enabling binding to the MHC allele in question, ii) have appropriate amino acids at relevant anchor positions which anchor the nonsense peptide to the peptide-binding groove of the MHC, iii) have amino acids outside the anchor positions that do not support binding to a T Cell Receptor, and iv) have an amino acid sequence that is different from the linear sequence of any naturally occurring peptide.

Abstract: The invention describes new peptides containing epitopes recognized by CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) cells for increasing activity for use in infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, immune reaction to administration of allofactors, allergic diseases, therapy of tumors, prevention of graft rejection and prevention of immunization against viral proteins used in gene therapy or gene vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and materials for efficiently treating patients having an HLA-B*0702 phenotype, based on peptides representing shared epitopes of tumor antigens. In particular, the invention relates to a method for identifying a HLA-B*0702-restricted peptide which can trigger a cytotoxic response against several antigens from one single multigenic family, and to several such epitopes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a newly identified B7 family member, zB7H6, which functions as a counter-receptor for the NK cell triggering receptor, NKp30. Methods and compositions for modulating NKp30-mediated NK cell activity based on the interaction of zB7H6 with NKp30, as well as related screening methods, are also disclosed. Further disclosed are anti-zB7H6 antibodies as well as antibody-drug conjugates comprising an anti-zB7H6 antibody conjugated to a therapeutic agent, including methods for using such antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to exert therapeutic effects against zB7H6-expressing cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibody compositions for regulating an immune response in a subject. More particularly, the invention relates to specific antibodies that regulate the activity of NK cells and allow a potentiation of NK cell cytotoxicity in mammalian subjects. The invention also relates to fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and their uses, particularly in therapy, to increase NK cell activity or cytotoxicity in subjects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing transplantation and side effects associated with transplantation. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibition of graft rejection and promotion of graft survival. Thus, the invention relates to modulation of cellular activities, including graft rejection, promotion of graft survival, graft versus host rejection and conditions commonly associated with graft rejection. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inhibitory compounds comprising naturally occurring and man-made inhibitors of serine protease and inducers of other alpha1-antitrypsin activities.

Abstract: Anti-RhoB antibodies, compositions comprising the same, and methods for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using the anti-RhoB antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods to prepare NK and LTi-like, NK22 cells from HSCs and uses of those cells.

Abstract: Described are multimeric proteinaceous molecules comprising at least two members that bind each other via a region of noncovalent interaction, wherein a first of the members comprises a conditionally reactive group that, when activated, cleaves a covalent bond within the first member. Cleavage of the covalent bond results in a reduction in the binding strength with which the at least two members bind to each other via the region of noncovalent interaction. The reduction in the binding strength can result in the separation of the members under mild conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an antibody or fragment thereof against oxidized Collagen II (CII) in which the antibody or fragment thereof is conjugated to a pharmaceutically active moiety. The invention also provides a composition comprising an antibody or fragment thereof against oxidized Collagen II (Gil) and a detectable label. The invention further provides the use of such compositions in medicine, in particular for the treatment of an arthropathy, and in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant CD83 promoter comprising the promoter/enhancer regions of human CD83 promoter and being dendritic cell-specific, and the use thereof, specifically for the treatment or prevention of diseases or medical conditions related to malignancy, autoimmunity or prevention of transplant rejections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1 through 95 and any combination thereof. The peptide or combination of peptides possess OCT4 specific inducibility. The peptide or combination of peptides can further be used as a vaccine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a compound comprising one or more CD1d complexes in association with an antibody specific for a cell surface marker. The CD1d complexes comprise a CD1d, a ?2-microglobulin molecule, and may further comprise an antigen bound to the CD1d binding groove. The invention is further directed to methods of inhibiting or stimulating an immune response with the CD1d-antibody compounds, in particular anti-tumor and autoimmunity responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind HLA-B*27 (also called HLA-B27). In certain embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind soluble and/or cell surface-expressed forms of HLA-B*27. The antibodies of the present invention, in certain embodiments, inhibit HLA-B*27-mediated activation of T cells. Certain exemplary antibodies of the present invention exhibit enhanced binding to HLA-B*27 as compared to other HLA-B allelic variants (e.g., HLA-B*07). The present invention also provides anti-HLA-B*27 antibodies with pH-dependent binding characteristics (e.g., higher affinity binding at neutral pH than at acidic pH). The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with HLA-B*27 expression, including ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel artificial oligopeptides capable of binding HLA Class II molecules encoded by several alleles. The oligopeptides include the sequence AX1FVAAX2TLX3AX4A (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein X1 is H; X2 is selected from the group consisting of F, N, Y and W; X3 is H and X4 is selected from the group consisting of A, D and E. The invention also relates to large peptides comprising the oligopeptides, polynucleotides encoding the oligopeptides and larger peptides, as well as to compositions comprising the oligopeptides, peptides or polynucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for inducing immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine/inhibitor combination comprising as a vaccine at least one antigen and as an inhibitor at least one inhibitor of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I restricted antigen presentation. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of vaccination of a mammal using the inventive vaccine/inhibitor combination. The present invention also provides kit of parts comprising the inventive vaccine/inhibitor combination, preferably in different parts of the kit, e.g. for prior, concurrent or subsequent administration of the different parts. Additionally the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the inventive vaccine/inhibitor combination to further improve the immune response against tumor cells and infected cells having lost the capability of MHC class I restricted antigen presentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating an immune response to an antigenic molecule, by contacting a cell with the antigenic molecule and with a photosensitizing agent, irradiating the cell, and thereby presenting the antigenic molecule, or part thereof, on the surface of said cell and stimulating an immune response.