Abstract: The present invention relates to a new family of iNKT stimulators, referred to as 6?-O-PEGm-NHR-GalCer, which are potent analogues of KRN7000. These iNKT stimulators can advantageously be used in therapy, in particular for the prevention and/or treatment of many diseases requiring a stimulation of an immune response, such as cancer, viral, bacterial or parasitic diseases, autoimmune diseases or inflammatory diseases. The iNKT cell stimulator of the invention may be coupled to a biological carrier, such as a therapeutic and/or targeting agent, or be vectorized, for example in nanoparticles, to be specifically delivered to target cells.

Abstract: A method for detecting a Norwalk-Like Virus (NLV) in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: obtaining a biological sample suspected of containing a NLV; contacting the biological sample with at least one human histo-blood group antigen to allow formation of a complex of the NLV with the antigen; and detecting the antigen-NLV complex. The antigen-NLV complex can be detected by contacting the NLV-antigen complex with a NLV antibody that binds at an epitope of the NLV, and detecting the NLV antibody. The invention also includes a method for identifying compounds, and the compounds, that can inhibit the binding between a Norwalk-Like Virus (NLV) and a histo-blood group antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound which competitively inhibits the binding of a norovirus with a native blood antigen of a human host, as well as a kit for determining whether an individual has been infected by a norovirus. Also provided is a method for determining the susceptibility of an individual to infection by a particular, known strain of norovirus. The invention is based on the determination that noroviruses recognize human blood antigens such as human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as a receptor in seven specific binding patterns. The invention allows one to predict that a particular strain of norovirus can infect humans who have a particular human histo-blood type, as well as blood antigens that can bind the particular strain of infecting norovirus. The invention also allows one to predict that a particular strain of norovirus will bind with one or more particular histo-blood group antigens, but will not bind with other blood group antigens.

Abstract: A method for detecting a Norwalk-Like Virus (NLV) in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: obtaining a biological sample suspected of containing a NLV; contacting the biological sample with at least one human histo-blood group antigen to allow formation of a complex of the NLV with the antigen; and detecting the antigen-NLV complex. The antigen-NLV complex can be detected by contacting the NLV-antigen complex with a NLV antibody that binds at an epitope of the NLV, and detecting the NLV antibody. The invention also includes a method for identifying compounds, and the compounds, that can inhibit the binding between a Norwalk-Like Virus (NLV) and a histo-blood group antigen.