Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing and/or monitoring of virus infection and/or response to vaccination by generating a profile of a virus-specific T cell response that can (i) discriminate between virus infected and uninfected individuals, (ii) determine the effect of vaccination on T cell response, and (iii) determine the effect of viral variants on T cell response. More particularly, the described virus-specific T cell profiling is based on the detection of activated antigen-specific T lymphocytes responding to pools of selected short peptides from virus proteins. These peptide sequences have been selected for their immunogenicity. The profiling is typically performed using ELISPOT, but may also be performed using other techniques such as qPCR, more particularly direct qPCR. The present invention also includes kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Described are novel immunosuppressant drug resistant armored (IDRA) T cells that co-express an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) and one or more exogenous inhibitors of an immunosuppressant. The TCR can bind to an antigen expressed by a tumor cell or virally infected cell. Also described are methods of producing the modified T cell, and methods of treating a subject using the modified T cells.

Abstract: The invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) that bind Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens. The present invention also provides methods of producing, screening and selecting the TCRs, therapeutic applications of the TCRs, and libraries of the TCRs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to T cells, in particular a non-activated T cell, comprising an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a T cell Receptor (TCR) specific for a virus. An embodiment of the invention is directed to a non-activated (resting) T cell expressing Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope s183-191 TCR capable of inhibiting viral replication and which shows reduced expression of perforins and/or granzymes in response to stimulation as compared to an activated T cell expressing the said TCR. Also encompassed are methods for producing such cells, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such cells and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) antigen specific binding molecules, in particular T Cell Receptors (TCRs), TCR polypeptides and fragments thereof. The invention is also related to modified cells containing the TCRs, TCR polypeptides or fragments, pharmaceutical composition or kits including the same or methods of making or using the same as is described. In particular, the invention discloses TCRs or a fragments thereof, capable of binding to a peptide of a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Env polypeptide presented by an MHC class I molecule comprising an MHC class I ?-chain encoded by an HLA-Cw*08 allele.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides for modulating the function of a T cell, including antisense oligonucleotides that hybridise to IFN-?, granzyme, perforin 1, PD-1, PRDM1, PD-L1, CD40LG, NDFIP1, PDCD1 LG2, REL, BTLA, CD80, CD160, CD244, LAG3, TIGIT, ADORA2A & TIM-3 RNAs. In particular, the present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides capable of inducing exon skipping of RNA. Also claimed is a method for further modifying the specificity of said T-cell by providing for a T cell receptor gene.

Abstract: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) antigen specific binding molecules, in particular T Cell Receptors (TCRs), TCR polypeptides and fragments thereof. The invention is also related to modified cells containing the TCRs, TCR polypeptides or fragments, pharmaceutical composition or kits including the same or methods of making or using the same as is described. In particular, the invention discloses TCRs or a fragments thereof, capable of binding to a peptide of a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Env polypeptide presented by an MHC class I molecule comprising an MHC class I ?-chain encoded by an HLA-Cw*08 allele.

Abstract: The present invention relates to T cells, in particular a non-activated T cell, comprising an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a T cell Receptor (TCR) specific for a virus. An embodiment of the invention is directed to a non-activated (resting) T cell expressing Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope s183-191 TCR capable of inhibiting viral replication and which shows reduced expression of perforins and/or granzymes in response to stimulation as compared to an activated T cell expressing the said TCR. Also encompassed are methods for producing such cells, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such cells and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.

Abstract: This invention refers to a mouse for human hepatitis studies wherein the mouse has been injected with CD34+ stem cells and wherein the mouse is immunocompromised, as well as a method of manufacturing a mouse model comprising administering CD34+ stem cells as defined herein into an immunocompromised mouse as defined herein. The invention also refers to the use of a mouse as defined for testing the efficiency of putative anti-HBV or anti-HCV drugs or for characterizing changes in viral quasispecies during HBV or HCV infection.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated TCR-like antibody or fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or fragment thereof is capable of specifically binding to at least one HBV derived peptide.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of eliciting an immune response to an antigen present endogenously in a mammal. The method may comprise administering to the mammal a composition comprising at least one immunomodulator for inducing cell differentiation and or antigen-presenting function of antigen-presenting cell precursor. The antigen-presenting cell precursor may have taken up the antigen. Also disclosed are a composition for use in the method, an adjuvant comprising the composition, the use of the composition and the immunomodulator as described herein.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated TCR-like antibody or fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or fragment thereof is capable of specifically binding to at least one HBV derived peptide.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.