Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of a hypersensitivity immune response caused by a non-profilin allergen of a profilin-containing plant material (e.g. grass or tree pollen) by bystander suppression with a plant profilin (e.g. Phl p 12, Bet v 2, or Ole e 2) or a variant thereof. Also the invention features a particular variant of Phl p 12 with two of its cysteine residues replaced with another amino acid to increase its pharmaceutical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of one or more allergenic enzyme(s) and an oxygen-containing metal salt adjuvant, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and wherein at least a part of the allergenic enzyme(s) is adsorbed to the solid phase, the method comprising the steps of measuring the enzymatic activity of the mixture in an enzyme activity assay, and using the measurement obtained as an indication of the immunological activity of the vaccine preparation, or using the measurement obtained for quantifying the amount of allergenic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an allergen extract from a biological allergen source material comprising the steps of a) contacting the source material with a liquid extraction agent to produce a allergen extract mixture containing allergens dissolved in a liquid phase and a solid phase consisting of source material residues, b) subjecting the allergen extract mixture to a first separation step to remove the solid phase to produce a crude allergen extract, c) subjecting the crude allergen extract to a low molecular fraction removal step to remove molecules having a molecular size of less than 10 kDa, and d) carrying out step c) until the allergen extract has conductivity of below 2000 ?S/cm at 25° C. to obtain a purified allergen extract.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro method of evaluating the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of a molecular antigen and a carrier, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, to which at least a part of the antigen is attached, the method comprising the steps of i) subjecting the vaccine to one or more measurements; and ii) using the measurement results to evaluate the immunological activity of the vaccine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of one or more allergenic enzyme(s) and an oxygen-containing metal salt adjuvant, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and wherein at least a part of the allergenic enzyme(s) is adsorbed to the solid phase, the method comprising the steps of measuring the enzymatic activity of the mixture in an enzyme activity assay, and using the measurement obtained as an indication of the immunological activity of the vaccine preparation, or using the measurement obtained for quantifying the amount of allergenic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an allergen extract from a biological allergen source material comprising the steps of a) contacting the source material with a liquid extraction agent to produce a allergen extract mixture containing allergens dissolved in a liquid phase and a solid phase consisting of source material residues, b) subjecting the allergen extract mixture to a first separation step to remove the solid phase to produce a crude allergen extract, c) subjecting the crude allergen extract to a low molecular fraction removal step to remove molecules having a molecular size of less than 10 kDa, and d) carrying out step c) until the allergen extract has conductivity of below 2000 ?S/cm at 25° C. to obtain a purified allergen extract.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid vaccine formulation adapted for mucosal administration comprising at least one antigen as active substance, wherein the formulation comprises a lyophilisate of a suspension comprising an oxygen-containing metal salt, the antigen(s) and one or more excipients selected from (i) saccharides, (ii) sugar alcohols, and (iii) amino acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the immunological status of a subject comprising the steps of 1) determining the content of an antibody in a liquid sample from the subject using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the presence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 1, 2) determining the content of an antibody in the liquid sample using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the absence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 2, and 3) interrelating measurements 1 and 2 to express the interference and using the interference as a parameter for evaluating the immunological status of the

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the immunological status of a subject comprising the steps of 1) determining the content of an antibody in a liquid sample from the subject using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the presence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 1, 2) determining the content of an antibody in the liquid sample using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the absence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 2, and 3) interrelating measurements 1 and 2 to express the interference and using the interference as a parameter or evaluating the immunological status of the subjec

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the therapeutic potential of a vaccination program comprising a vaccine for mucosal administration comprising one or more antigens and a vaccination protocol, the method comprising a) subjecting at least one test individual to the vaccination program, b) measuring the level of a biomarker antibody selected from the group consisting of IgA, IgG, IgE and IgX specific to the antigen in a biological sample from the test individual, and c) using the measurements obtained to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the vaccination program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the immunological status of a subject comprising the steps of 1) determining the content of an antibody in a liquid sample from the subject using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the presence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 1, 2) determining the content of an antibody in the liquid sample using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the absence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 2, and 3) interrelating measurements 1 and 2 to express the interference and using the interference as a parameter for evaluating the immunological status of the subje

Abstract: The invention relates to An in vitro method of evaluating the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of a molecular antigen and a carrier, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, to which at least a part of the antigen is attached, the method comprising the steps of i) subjecting the vaccine to one or more measurements selected from the group consisting of: 1) the immunological activity of the mixture, 2) the immunological activity of antigen in the liquid phase, 3) the immunological activity of antigen in the solid phase, 4) the immunological activity of antigen in the liquid phase upon a treatment of the mixture to displace the antigen from the solid phase, and 5) the immunological activity of antigen in the solid phase upon a treatment of the mixture to displace the antigen from the solid phase, wherein the immunological activity measurement is selected from the group consisting of a) antibody binding capacity using an immunoassay employing an antig

Abstract: Novel recombinant allergens are disclosed. The allergens are non-naturally occurring mutants derived from naturally-occurring allergens. The overall &agr;-carbon backbone tertiary structure of the allergens is essentially preserved. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the recombinant allergens as well as the use of the recombinant allergens for the treatment of allergic reactions.

Abstract: Novel recombinant allergens with multiple mutations and reduced IgE binding affinity are disclosed. The allergens are non-naturally occurring mutants of naturally-occurring allergens. The overall &agr;-carbon backbone tertiary structure is essentially preserved. Also disclosed is a method for preparing such recombinant allergens as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the immunological status of a subject comprising the steps of 1) determining the content of an antibody in a liquid sample from the subject using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the presence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 1, 2) determining the content of an antibody in the liquid sample using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the absence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 2, and 3) interrelating measurements 1 and 2 to express the interference and using the interference as a parameter for evaluating the immunological status of the subje

Abstract: A method of detecting an antibody in a sample using a labelling compound and comprising the steps of mixing a ligand antigen, antibody or hapten bound to biotin with the sample; an antibody directed against the antibody to be detected bound to paramagnetic particles; and a chemiluminescent acridinium compound bound to avidin or streptavidin to form a solid phase complex; separating the solid phase from the liquid phase; and analyzing the separated solid phase for the presence of chemiluminescent complex.