Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a vaccine that includes a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Gag antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Gag antigen is less susceptible to proteolytic degradation by eliminating one or more proteolytic sites or a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Nef antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Nef antigen comprises one or more codon usage optimization that increase antibody-antigen complex secretion, or both, wherein the vaccine is able to elicit an HIV-specific T cell immune response to Gag p17, Gag p24, Nef and/or Cyclin D1.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for aiding in the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of SLE in a subject and for identifying potential therapeutic agents to treat and/or ameliorate the symptoms associated with SLE. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of identifying the gene expression profile of a suitable sample by screening for the presence of a differentially expressed SLE-associated gene isolated from a sample containing or suspected of containing a cell that can differentially express an SLE-associated gene.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, systems and methods for the early detection and consistent determination of metastatic melanoma and/or immunosuppression using microarrays by calculating one or more expression vectors from the expression of one or more genes.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, methods and systems for inducing immune tolerance using antigen presenting cells by infecting isolated antigen presenting cells with an effective amount of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or portions thereof sufficient to infect the antigen presenting cells and contacting CD4+, CD8+ or both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells with the RSV-infected antigen presenting cells, wherein the CD4+, CD8+ or both CD4 and CD8+ T cells are rendered tolerogenic as measured in vitro by a mixed leukocyte reaction.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for inducing tolerance in a subject in need thereof comprising providing the subject with an effective amount of an anti-CD8 antibody sufficient in induce CD8+ T cell immune tolerance to allogeneic antigens.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for aiding in the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of SLE in a subject and for identifying potential therapeutic agents to treat and/or ameliorate the symptoms associated with SLE. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of identifying the gene expression profile of a suitable sample by screening for the presence of a differentially expressed SLE-associated gene isolated from a sample containing or suspected of containing a cell that can differentially express an SLE-associated gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating an autoimmune disease in a subject by administering an interferon antagonist and a Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) antagonist. The invention also provides compositions containing one or more interferon antagonists, and one or more Flt3L antagonists, an in vitro assay for determining a subject's risk for developing an autoimmune disease, and kits for use, inter alia, with the assay.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating an autoimmune disease in a subject by administering an interferon antagonist and a Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) antagonist. The invention also provides compositions containing one or more interferon antagonists, and one or more Flt3L antagonists, an in vitro assay for determining a subject's risk for developing an autoimmune disease, and kits for use, inter alia, with the assay.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for targeting the LOX-1 receptor on immune cells and uses for the anti-LOX-1 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for using novel anti-CLEC-6 antibodies and fragments thereof for modulating the activity of immune cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for binding Dectin-1 on immune cells with anti-Dectin-1-specific antibodies or fragment thereof capable of activating the immune cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition, methods and systems for detecting, evaluating, diagnosis, tracking and treating Type 1 Diabetes by determining the level of expression of one or more genes listed in Table 1 (e.g., interleukin-1? (IL1B), early growth response gene 3 (EGR3), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2)). The present invention also includes compositions and methods for treating a patient in need thereof with a composition having a therapeutically effective amount of one or more IL-1? antagonists sufficient to spare pancreatic beta cells, including an anti-IL-1? receptor and downstream activators.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, systems and methods for the early detection and consistent determination of the extent, type and nature of a host immune response and the nature of the infectious disease using gene expression data.