Abstract: Polypeptides, in particular the polypeptide of formula I: ##STR1## and analogues thereof which possess inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase. The polypeptides may be obtained by expression using plasmidic expression systems in hosts such as E. Coli and yeast, the polypeptide of formula I being also obtainable from psoriatic plaques.

Abstract: Hybrid cell lines (hybridomas) which produce and secrete high affinity monoclonal antibodies specific for Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) are described. High affinity antibodies to BBI are described that have one or more of the following additional characteristics: (1) they are specific to the active form of BBI, that is, they react and bind with undenatured BBI, but do not bind with BBI which has been denatured by heat or disulfide exchange; (2) they do not react and bind with KTI; (3) they distinguish classical BBI from other BBI's including lima bean protease inhibitor; and (4) they bind BBI-protease complex, e.g., BBI-chymotrypsin. Immunoassay methods using the monoclonal antibodies to analyze BBI specifically in plant, animal or human tissue or fluid or foodstuffs and techniques for immunoaffinity binding of BBI are described.

Abstract: A ringworm vaccine comprising an effective amount of a homogenized, formaldehyde-killed Microsporum canis culture in a carrier. The vaccine can include an effective amount of the homogenized, formaldehyde-killed Microsporum canis culture in a combination with homogenized, formaldehyde-killed pure Microsporum gypsum culture and homogenized, formaldehyde-killed pure Trichophyton mentagrophytes culture. Methods of treating a patient employing the vaccines are disclosed.

Abstract: Treatment and diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infection or colonization is achieved in accordance with this invention by the discovery of a polypeptide which is smaller than the naturally occurring P. aeruginosa pillin protein. The pure polypeptide comprises at least one amino acid residue sequence containing about twelve amino acid residues and up to about twenty amino acid residues that define a sequence capable of immunologically mimicking an antigenic determinant cite of P. aeruginosa pilin. This amino acid residue sequence can repeat as a unit one or more times in the same polypeptide molecule. More than one of such repeating units and more than one repeating unit of the same type can be present in a single polypeptide molecule. The polypeptides act an antigens or immunogens and antibodies may be raised to the immunogens and a vaccine prepared suitable for the prevention of P. aeruginosa infection.

Abstract: Peptides immunoreactive with antibodies to native proteins, and which have at least two cysteine residues that contribute to mimicking an epitope of the protein, are prepared with the cysteine thiol groups protected. When deprotected, the peptides have enhanced immunoreactivity. The peptides are particularly useful for detecting antibodies or antigens associated with retroviruses, including the clinically important lymphotropic retroviruses HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I, and HTLV-II.

Abstract: This invention relates to flagella-less strains of Borrelia and to novel methods for use of the microorganisms as vaccines and in diagnostic assays. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the present invention encompasses flagella-less strains of other microorganisms belonging to the genus Borrelia. Accordingly, with the aid of the disclosure, flagella-less mutants of other Borrelia species, e.g., B. coriacei, which causes epidemic bovine abortion, B. anserina, which causes avian spirochetosis, and B. recurrentis and other Borrelia species causative of relapsing fever, such as Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia turicatae, Borrelia duttoni, Borrelia persica, and Borrelia hispanica, can be prepared and used in accordance with the present invention and are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine against Lyme disease, wherein it contains one or more monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the 31 kD antigen (OspA) or the 34 kD antigen (OspB) of Borrelia burgdorferi.The present invention also provides a process for obtaining this vaccine, as well as new monoclonal antibodies and antigens.

Abstract: Non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANB hepatitis) virus RNA and its corresponding polypeptide, related antigen, antibody, and detection systems for detecting NANB hepatitis antigen or antibodies.

Abstract: The phoP gene and its equivalents are of a type which have "global regulation of pathogenicity", i.e., they coordinately regulate a number of genes including those that encode bacterial virulence factors. In Salmonella, the phoP gene product also controls the expression of non-specific acid phosphatase from the phoN gene. A central feature of the invention are microorganisms which are avirulent as a result, in whole or in part, of a mutation in phoP, but which retain their immunogenicity. These cells are suitable as components of live vaccines.

Abstract: New immunological carrier systems, DNA encoding the same, and the use of these systems, are disclosed. The carrier systems include chimeric proteins which comprise a leukotoxin polypeptide fused to a selected antigen. The leukotoxin functions to increase the immunogenicity of the antigen fused thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic polypeptide having the amino acid sequence ##STR1## which polypeptides are capable of inducing an immune response against Eimeria parasites, and the DNA encoding such polypeptides, as well as recombinant vectors and recombinant viruses containing the said DNA and transformed microorganisms containing such vectors and viruses and coccidiosis vaccines comprising such polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for preparing a vaccine for dental caries comprises the step of culturing a variant which is obtained by integrating a protein antigen (PAc)-expressing gene into the chromosomal gene of a Streptococcus mutans GS-5 strain to obtain the protein antigen, the protein antigen being produced on the surface of cells of oral Streptococcus mutans or it being extracellularly produced by the microorganism and having a molecular weight ranging from about 170,000 to 220,000. Streptococcus mutans GS-5 (K-3), in which a protein antigen-expressing gene is integrated into the chromosomal gene thereof, has an ability of producing the protein antigen on the surface of the cells or extracellularly. A preventive vaccine composition for dental caries for nasal drops comprises the protein antigen thus produced by the strain: Streptcoccus mutans, the vaccine being intranasally administered. The method makes it possible to enhance the yield of PAc and to simplify processes for purifying PAc.

Abstract: PLS antigens I and II are derived from the pili-like structures on the cell wall of Human type Streptococcus mutans of the serotypes c, e, f and g and the serotype d, respectively and capable of specifically inhibiting the adherence (infection) of the corresponding strains to the teeth of humans. These antigens are a kind of glycoprotein comprising protein (about 15-25%) and carbohydrates (about 75-85%) and have a molecular weight of about 60,000-90,000. It is possible to isolate these antigen by extracting the intact cells in a hypertonic buffer solution at a pH of 6-8 and at a temperature below the denaturing point of the antigenic protein and fractionating the resultant antigen from the extract thereby obtained. A non-cariogenic vaccine comprises as antigen PLS antigens I and/or II. Non-cariogenic antibodies may be obtained by immunizing a mammal with PLS antigens I and/or II to produce the corresponding antibodies in the body of the mammal and recovering the resultant antibodies from the mammal.

Abstract: Preparations active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, namely vaccines for active immunization as well as preparations containing antibodies and destined for passive protection; as well as methods for the production thereof.The vaccines contain protective flagellar (H) antigens of the serotype a and b, which consist of monomeric components, each monomeric component is composed of certain amino acids having a certain N-terminal amino acid sequence and has a certain molecular weight. The vaccines are made from purified flagellar (H) antigen solutions. The immunoglobulin-G-containing preparations contain flagellar (H) antibodies obtained from the blood plasma of human donors or mammals immunized with protective flagellar (H) antigens. They can be purified by methods of affinity chromatography.

Abstract: Protein G variants are disclosed. These protein G variants have the immunoglobulin binding properties of protein G. Also disclosed is the preparation of the protein G variants by expression from hosts transformed with a gene encoding the protein G variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize defined regions of the T-cell receptor (TCR). In a specific embodiment, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are reactive with a constant region of the alpha chain of the TCR. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to two monoclonal antibodies, termed .alpha.F1 and .alpha.F2, which react with two different epitopes on the framework region of the .alpha. monomer of the TCR molecule. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the beta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides two monoclonal antibodies, termed W112 and 2D1, which react with .beta. chain variable regions V.beta.5.3 and V.beta.8.1, respectively. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the delta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides monoclonal antibody .delta.

Abstract: A peptide having a sequence corresponding to an antigenic site in the protein exoenzyme S which is antigenically similar to a C-terminal portion of the Pseusdomonas aeruginosa pilin protein is disclosed. The peptide is cross-reactive with surface peptides present in certain bacterial and fungal microorganisms, and is effective in inhibiting binding of such organisms to target epithelial cells. The peptide may also be employed in a vaccine composition, for producing immunity against such cross-reactive microorganisms.

Abstract: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a novel Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki .delta.-endotoxin prepared by use of a novel hybrid gene. This gene is cloned into a novel plasmid which is transformed into a prokaryotic host. The .delta.-endotoxin of the subject invention is active against Lepidoptera larvae.

Abstract: A protein characterized by the fact that it is a nonkeratinic protein present in the cytoplasm of suprabasal epidermal cells, in particular in man, and absent in basocellular carcinoma, melanoma and naevus cells; antibodies directed against said protein, their preparation and their application as reagents; cellular stocks secreting such antibodies, and their preparation.