Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of a retinal disorder or optic neuritis in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an MHC molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?1 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?2 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises a retinal antigen or an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of a retinal disorder or optic neuritis in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an MHC molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?1 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain, wherein the amino terminus of the ?2 domain is covalently linked to the carboxy terminus of the ?1 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises a retinal antigen or an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers and/or polymers of reduced molecular weight, which comprises reacting at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) with at least one carbonate salt at a temperature of from 50° C. to 300° C., preferably from 120° C. to 200° C. The above reaction allows a controlled degradation of the PHA chains which yields oligomers and/or polymers having a controlled molecular weight, which can be modulated in view of the specific application for which the oligomers and/or polymers are intended. Moreover, during the reaction carbon dioxide evolves which produces a foamed material which can be easily processed on an industrial scale.

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, for example autoimmune diseases or conditions such as acute and recurrent uveitis.