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: Provided herein is a method of expanding clinically-relevant quantities of polyclonal ?? T cells that have anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial reactivity. Polyclonal ?? T cells can target a variety of tumors, including solid tumors as well as other conditions, such as viral and bacterial infections.

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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 invention describes a method and compounds for the prevention of immune responses towards allofactors, towards viral vectors used for gene therapy and gene vaccination, towards proteins to which subjects are naturally exposed, towards genetically-modified organisms and towards undesirable effects related to vaccine administration for allergic or infectious diseases.

Abstract: A monoclonal chimeric immunoglobulin wherein the heavy chains and the light chains are human by nature in their constant parts, in particular, the heavy chain constant parts are chosen from the group formed of the heavy chain constant parts of an IgA, of an IgG or of an IgM and the light chain constant parts are chosen from the group formed of the kappa chains and the lambda chains, and the light chain and the heavy chain variable parts are chosen from the group formed of monoclonal antibodies specific to monomorphic epitopes of HLA class I antigens and monoclonal antibodies specific to monomorphic epitopes of HLA class II antigens. A process for standardization of the screening and for quantification of anti-HLA antibodies in a liquid medium is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of anticancer therapy, and to the identification of immunogenic peptides derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding hTERT epitopes restricted to MHC class I molecule, analogs thereof and polyepitopes containing such epitopes and/or analogs. Are also included in the present invention, vector and cell comprising such polynucleotides. The present invention also concerns composition comprising hTERT polypeptides, corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and cells, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of modulating an immune response in an animal, comprising administering a composition comprising one or more soluble CD1d complexes, in particular non-specific soluble CD1d complexes. Soluble CD1d complexes comprise a soluble CD1d polypeptide, a ?2-microglobulin polypeptide, and a ceramide-like glycolipid antigen bound to the CD1d antigen binding groove, and in certain embodiments, an immunogen. The administration of compositions of the present invention affects the activity of CD1d-restricted NKT cells, and in particular, allows for multiple administrations without causing CD1d-restricted NKT cell anergy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expanded NK cells. The NK cells have been expanded ex vivo, are activated and have a cytotoxic phenotype. The cytotoxicity against malignant cells is markedly increased compared to non-expanded NK cells. The invention also relates to a method of treatment.

Abstract: MHC Class I-restricted peptides derived from the tumor associated antigen, survivin, which peptides are capable of binding to Class I HLA molecules at a high affinity, capable of eliciting INF-?-producing cells in a PBL population of a cancer patient and capable of in situ detection of cytotoxic T cells in a tumor tissue, therapeutic and diagnostic composition comprising the peptide and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, nucleic acids, and cells for use in the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to survivin-derived tumor-associated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention specifically relates to three novel peptide sequences and variants thereof derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells that can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.

Abstract: A protein produced by an expression system that includes a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an MHC class I heavy chain. The MHC class I heavy chain comprises an alpha-1 helix and an alpha-2 helix. The nucleic acid sequence has a disulfide bridge formed between the alpha-1 helix and the alpha-2 helix in the MHC class I heavy chain. Amino acid 139 is substituted by a cysteine so as to provide Cys-139. Amino acid 84 is substituted by the cysteine so as to provide Cys-84 or amino acid 85 is substituted by the cysteine so as to provide Cys-85. The disulfide bridge is formed between the alpha-1 helix and the alpha-2 helix in the MHC class I heavy chain between Cys-139 and Cys-84 or between Cys-139 and Cys-85. The protein comprises an anchor element selected from a natural biotinylation sequence, a polyhistidine sequence, or a polyarginine sequence.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides are useful for modulating activities of antigen-specific T-cells, including for modulating pathogenic potential and effects of antigen-specific T-cells. Exemplary MHC class II-based recombinant T-cell ligands (RTLs) of the invention include covalently linked ?1 and ?1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, to modulate T-cell activity, including by regulatory switching of T-cell cytokine and adhesion molecule expression, to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells, including treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system damage relating to stroke.