Abstract: The invention is directed to nucleic acid therapy for modulating host microflora, useful in the management of dysbiosis. The invention in embodiments thereof provides compositions and methods for alleviating dysbiosis and conditions associated therewith. According to additional embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention may be used for treating or preventing gut barrier dysfunction in a subject in need thereof, and for reducing the risk of developing adverse events related to expansion of gastrointestinal bacteria in patients at risk for developing dysbiosis, for example in hospitalized patients and immune suppressed subjects.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for treatment of an HLA-B27-associated autoimmune inflammatory disorder by administration of nucleic acid encoding HSP90 or an active fragment thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nucleic acids encoding the ? chain of IL-2 receptor (IL-2Ra, CD25), homologs and fragment thereof, are effective in the treatment and prevention of T cell mediated pathologies. Methods are provided for enhancing anti-ergotypic T cell activity in a subject in need thereof, and for treating or preventing T cell mediated pathologies, such as autoimmune disease, inflammatory diseases and graft rejection.

Abstract: A method of typing a variable region of a specific variant of an antigen receptor chain is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a T cell vaccine for the treatment of immunodeficient HIV-infected patients is described herein, based on the enrichment of autologous CD4-reactive CD8 T cells. Also described is a protocol for the implementation of T cell vaccination in immunodeficient HIV-infected, as well as a method of treatment, based on the T cell vaccine developed herein. Finally, kits for preparing the T cell vaccine as well as for implementing the protocol are also provided.

Abstract: System and method for generating reactive animation, providing a generic link between tools for graphic animation, by operatively linking the representation of an event driven system in conjunction with an event driven engine to an animation engine to generate reactive animation.

Abstract: Immunomodulators selected from: (a) a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty alcohol or an ester thereof with a C1-C6 alkanoic acid; (b) a monoester of a C2-C8 alkanediol or of Glycerol with a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid; and (c) a diester of glycerol with a saturated or cis-unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acid, are useful for treatment of inflammation, particularly immunologically-mediated inflammation such as it occurs in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Basic esters of fatty alcohols of the general formula: R1-O—CO-A or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 is C12-C24 alkyl or C10-C24 alkenyl, and A is a residue containing at least one acyclic or cyclic amino group and/or at least one heteroaromatic ring containing a tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom, are anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, useful in the treatment of immunologically-mediated inflammation, as adjuvants for antigens involved in both cellular and humoral responses.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific peptides derived from hsp70, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. The peptides and compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for the prevention or treatment of an autoimmune disease such as Type 1 Diabetes, Systemic Lupus Erithematosus, Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. The invention further relates to a method for diagnosing the occurrence or incipience of an autoimmune disease in a patient by use of the peptides of the invention, by testing a blood or urine sample of a patient for the presence of antibodies or T-cells which are immunologically reactive to human hsp70. The invention also relates to a kit for the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease by testing for the presence of anti-hsp70 antibodies by aid of the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be prevented or treated by down-regulating the autoimmune response to the C-terminal-DNA-binding domain of the p53 protein (p53) by an active principle selected from the group consisting of: (i) a peptide of, or comprising, the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of the p53 protein; (ii) a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for said domain of p53 (Ab1), and fragments thereof; (iii) an mAb specific for Ab1 (hereinafter Ab2), and fragments thereof; (iv) a peptide based on a complementarity determining region (CDR) of the heavy or light chain of said Ab1 or Ab2; (v) a DNA molecule coding for (i) and (iv) of for the variable region of said Ab1 and Ab2 of (ii) and (iii); and (vi) T cells specific for (i) to (iv), fragments thereof, T cell receptor (TCR) thereof and peptides comprising the variable region of said TCR. SLE can also be diagnosed by assaying for antibodies (Ab1) against the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of p53 or antibodies (Ab2) specific to the Ab1 antibodies.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an immune disease, or a predisposition thereto, in a subject is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inducing an anti-tumor immunity and/or inducing an immune responses to p53 in mammals. The methods comprise administering to a mammal an effective amount of at least one immunogen selected from the group consisting of: (i) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (ii) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle. Preferably the immunogen is administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. Preferably the peptide is 7 to 30 amino acid residues in length and contains a sequence of the CDR2 or CDR3 of the heavy chain, or of the CDR3 of the light chain of an anti-p53 mAb.

Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant constructs encoding heat shock proteins or active fragments thereof that are effective in treating T cell mediated inflammatory autoimmune diseases by DNA vaccines. The treatment with the recombinant constructs of the present invention provides long-term expression of specific heat shock proteins for fragments thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention is related to a recombinant construct of a nucleic acid sequence encoding HSP60, HSP70 or HSP90. The present invention also is related to a recombinant construct of a nucleic acid sequence selected from amino acids 1-140 of HSP60, amino acids 130-260 of HSP60 and amino acids 31-50 of HSP60. Another aspect of the present invention is related to an active fragment of HSP60 corresponding to amino acids 31-50 of HSP60 effective in treating arthritis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating injury to or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. In one embodiment, treatment is effected by administering activated T cells that recognize an antigen of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system. In another embodiment, treatment involves administering Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration in the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The activated T cells, which have been activated by the presence of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide, can be administered alone or in combination with Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide.

Abstract: Heparanase activity in a patient may be inhibited by administering an effective heparanase-inhibiting amount of heparin or an effective chemically modified derivative of heparin which inhibits heparanase activity. Such derivatives are preferably N-desulfated, N-acetylated heparin or O-desulfated, N-acetylated heparin. By means of this invention, allograft rejection may be prevented or delayed and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis may be alleviated and treated.