Abstract: Compositions and methods for specific binding to the stalk of a polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) of a cell with the proviso that the ligand does not substantially bind to secretory component of pIgR under physiological conditions. The ligand may be targeted to, into, or across the cell and may comprise a biologically active composition.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptide may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals' resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: Methods for making peptides comprising an HLA-A24.1-, HLA-A1-, HLA-A11-, and HLA-A3.2-restricted T cell epitope consisting of about 8-11 amino acid residues, and methods of making a peptide that binds to an HLA-A24.1, HLA-A1, HLA-A11, and HLA-A3.2 molecule at a dissociation constant of less than 500 nM.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methods and products for initiating an immune response against an antigen, and in particular relates to transepithelial delivery of antigens to provoke tolerance and immunity. The present invention further relates to methods and products for the transepithelial delivery of therapeutics. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the delivery of therapeutics conjugated to a FcRn binding partner to intestinal epithelium, mucosal epithelium and epithelium of the lung. The present invention further relates to the synthesis, preparation and use of the FcRn binding partner conjugates as, or in, pharmaceutical compositions for oral systemic delivery of drugs and vaccines.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for regulating surface membrane receptor responses by modulating interaction between MHC Class I antigen and the surface membrane receptor. Various techniques may be employed for enhancing or reducing the interaction between the MHC Class I antigen and surface membrane receptor (e.g., enhancing surface expression of the MHC Class I antigen or employing agents which affect interaction between MHC Class I antigen and surface receptors). The aggregative characteristics of oligopeptides which act as agents in affecting interaction between MHC Class I antigen and surface receptors may be employed in a screening assay for determining drugs which affect interaction between Class I antigen and surface receptors. Active peptide aggregative characteristics may also be employed in a method of administration of effectors of surface receptor response modulation.

Abstract: Nonapeptides and decapeptides which bind to HLA molecules and provoke proliferation of cytolytic T cells are disclosed. The decapeptides terminate in Valine, and are restricted in their first three amino acid positions. Other useful nonapeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Plasmodium falciparum gene encoding immunogenic SERA protein has been isolated by a) systematically screening a lambda gt11 recombinant DNA expression library with a murine monoclonal antibody directed against protein antigens of this pathogen, and b) systematically screening a lambda gt11 genomic cDNA and oligonucleotide probes directed against this pathogen. A 111 kDa protein has been shown to have immunogenic activity against parasite inhibitory antibodies. The gene encoding this protein, including the signal sequence and regulatory sequence in the adjacent 5' flanking sequence has been isolated and sequenced.Isolation and characterization of genes encoding major protein antigens of P. falciparum make it possible to develop reagents useful in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malaria. In addition, the signal sequences or regulatory sequences of this gene can be used to stimulate the production of other useful genetic products.

Abstract: Methods, compounds, compositions and kits that relate to pretargeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents are disclosed. In particular, methods for radiometal labeling of biotin, as well as related compounds, are described. Articles of manufacture useful in pretargeting methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The invention features a method for reducing an undesired antibody response in a mammal by administering to the mammal a non-immunogenic construct which is free of high molecular weight immunostimulatory molecules. The construct which contains at least two copies of a B cell membrane immunoglobulin receptor epitope bound to a pharmaceutically acceptable non-immunogenic carrier directly binds to B cell membrane immunoglobulin receptors but fails to form an immunon.

Abstract: An isolated DNA molecule consisting of SEQ I.D. No: 22 encoding a polypeptide having a protease activity and capable of inducing a apoptosis and the method of producing a polypeptide consisting of the said sequence.

Abstract: A method of treating a human patient via active immunotherapy comprising administrating an effective amount of extracellular portion of human HER2 receptor to the patient wherein the method provokes a cell-mediated immune response to HER2 receptor in the patient treated therewith.

Abstract: A new family of tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them, are disclosed. These tumor rejection antigen precursors are referred to as GAGE tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them are referred to as GAGE coding molecules. Various diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the coding sequences and the tumor rejection antigens, and their precursor molecules are described. Tumor rejection antigens are also shown.

Abstract: An altered MHC class I determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .alpha..sub.3, .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin (.beta..sub.2 m) polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class I locus in which the .alpha..sub.3 domain is covalently linked to the .beta..sub.2 M domain. An altered MHC class II determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .beta..sub.1, and .beta..sub.2 polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class II locus, in which the domains are covalently linked to form a polypeptide comprising the .beta..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.1 -.beta..sub.1 domains in sequence. The altered MHC class I and class II determinants can be associated with an antigen to elicit an immune response. The invention can be used in the immunization or treatment of diseases such as AIDS, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, toxic shock or snake bite.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a host so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies. The vaccine is composed of anti-idiotypic antibodies which are internal images of a segment of the T cell receptor (TCR) present on the surface of the pathogenic T cells. The vaccine is administered to the host in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of pathologic T cell. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. Means of determining an appropriate amino acid sequence for such a vaccine are also provided.

Abstract: Oligopeptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a receptor's extracellular domain, and having sequence similarity to regulatory peptides from MHC class I antigens, enhance the physiological response of ligand binding to the corresponding receptor. The oligopeptides are used in diagnosis and therapy of diseases that involve inadequate or inappropriate receptor response as well as in the screening of drug candidates that affect surface expression of receptors. Also useful for drug screening is a modified receptor molecule, where the sequence corresponding to the regulatory peptide is modified or deleted.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of insulin dependent diabetes (IDD) are provided. Specifically, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) proteins, and fragments. thereof, can be administered to an animal in order to the reduce the severity of IDD.

Abstract: This invention concerns a family of chimeric antibodies with high affinities to a high molecular weight, tumor-associated sialylated glycoprotein antigen (TAG-72) of human origin. These antibodies have (1) high affinity animal V.sub.H and V.sub.L sequences which mediate TAG-72 binding and (2) human C.sub.H and C.sub.L regions. They are thought to produce significantly fewer side-effects when administered to human patients by virtue of their human C.sub.H and C.sub.L antibody domains. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of V.sub.H .alpha.TAG V.sub.H, CC46 V.sub.H, CC49.sub.H, CC83 V.sub.H, and CC92 V.sub.H, and CC49.sub.L, CC83 V.sub.L, and CC92 V.sub.L idiotype sequences are disclosed, as well as in vivo methods of treatment and diagnostic assay using these chimeric antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides useful in the treatment and prevention of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax. In particular, the polypeptides are derived from the binding domains of the proteins in the DBL family as well as the sialic acid binding protein (SABP) on P. falciparum merozoites. The polypeptides may also be derived from the Duffy antigen binding protein (DABP) on P. vivax merozoites.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a vertebrate so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies, including autoimmune diseases and the unregulated replication of T cells. The vaccine is composed of a T cell receptor (TCR) or a fragment thereof corresponding to a TCR present on the surface of T cells mediating the pathology. The vaccine fragment can be a peptide corresponding to sequences of TCRs characteristic of the T cells mediating said pathology. Such a peptide can bind to conventional antigens completed to MHC antigen presenting cells or to superantigens. Means of determining appropriate amino acid sequences for such vaccines are also provided. The vaccine is administered to the vertebrate in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of T cells mediating the pathology. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. The invention additionally provides specific .beta.

Abstract: An altered MHC class II determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .beta..sub.1, .beta..sub.2, domains of a mammalian MHC class II locus in which the domains are covalently linked to form a construct comprising the .beta..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.1 .beta..sub.1 domains in sequence. The altered class II determinants can be associated with an antigen to elicit an immune response. In addition, the altered determinants may be used to prepare antibodies. The antibodies so produced have various diagnostic and therapeutic uses.