Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic peptides from the HPV-18E6 protein that comprise class I restricted T cell epitopes and discloses methods of administering these peptides to individuals, and a method for monitoring or evaluating an immune response to HPV with these peptides.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence DLMGYIPAV (SEQ ID NO: 1), an isolated HCV core polypeptide comprising an L?A substitution at amino acid position 139, an isolated HCV core polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and a fragment of an HCV core polypeptide having fewer amino acids than the entire HCV core polypeptide and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the peptides and polypeptides of this invention, vectors comprising the nucleic acids of this invention and cells comprising the vectors and nucleic acids of this invention. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response in a subject and/or treating or preventing HCV infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject, or to a cell of the subject, any of the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and proteins for use in second generation HIV vaccines and as diagnostic tools in the treatment and control of HIV infection. The antiviral protection shown by compositions of the present invention has not been previously achieved with an HLA epitope-enhanced vaccine. These findings define a critical balance between MHC affinity and receptor crossreactivity required for effective epitope enhancement and also demonstrate construction and efficacy of such a component of a new generation vaccine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions capable of augmenting the immunogenicity of a vaccine. The composition, or adjuvant, is administered to a mammal in need thereof in sequential or concurrent combination with a vaccine antigen. In one preferred aspect, the adjuvant is provided in the form of a recombinant poxvirus vector, such as a vaccinia virus vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding IL-15.

Abstract: Immunogenic T-cell receptor gamma Alternate Reading Frame Protein (TARP) polypeptides are disclosed herein. These immunogenic TARP polypeptides include nine consecutive amino acids of the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 9 and do not comprise amino acids 1-26 or amino acids 38-58 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Several specific, non-limiting examples of these polypeptides are set forth as SEQ ID NOs: 3-7. Nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, and host cells transfected with these nucleic acids, are also disclosed. Methods of using these polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, for the treatment of breast and prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein to prevent a tumor recurrence in a subject, involving administering to the subject an agent that blocks the TGF-? signaling pathway. In one embodiment, the agent inhibits the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-?. Also provided is a method of enhancing an immune respond in a subject to inhibit recurrence of a tumor by administering an agent which blocks the TGF-? signaling pathway. A method of enhancing the activity of an immune cell to inhibit recurrence of a tumor by contacting a TGF-? receptor-expressing cell with an agent which blocks the TGF-? signaling pathway is also provided, as are methods of screening for an agent that inhibits or measurably reduces the recurrence of a tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for induction of an antigen-specific, mucosal cytotoxic T lymphocyte response useful in preventing and treating infections with pathogens that gain entry via a mucosal surface.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence DLMGYIPAV (SEQ ID NO: 1), an isolated HCV core polypeptide comprising an L?A substitution at amino acid position 139, an isolated HCV core polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and a fragment of an HCV core polypeptide having fewer amino acids than the entire HCV core polypeptide and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the peptides and polypeptides of this invention, vectors comprising the nucleic acids of this invention and cells comprising the vectors and nucleic acids of this invention. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response in a subject and/or treating or preventing HCV infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject, or to a cell of the subject, any of the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: Improved methods for designing molecular conjugate therapeutics are described. Antibodies are described having specificity for a targeting antigen, said antigen comprising one or more MHC-binding peptides bound to a corresponding class I MHC molecule. When linked to a label or toxic agent, the resulting antibody conjugate can be used for diagnosis, imaging and for treatment against pathogens.

Abstract: A novel method of immunization, which can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically, is described. The method comprises coating of antigen presenting cells with a peptide and administering the peptide-coated cells to a mammalian subject to provoke an immune response. Useful peptides include peptides derived from viral or bacterial antigens or mutant oncogene or tumor suppressor gene products. Immunogens, constituted by the peptide-coated cells, are also described.

Abstract: Method for eliciting an immune response in a vertebrate subject are provided involving administration of a peptide antigen to the subject in a coordinated vaccination procedure that also involves administration of a non-viral vector that encodes a T cell co-stimulatory molecule. The peptide antigen contains at least one T cell epitope and may include an epitope of a tumor antigen or an antigen of a viral or non-viral pathogen. Epitopes from tumor antigens may represent fragments or partial amino acid sequences of p53, ras, rb, mcc, apc, dcc; nfl; VHL; MEN1, MEN2, MLM, Her-2neu, CEA, PSA; Muc1, Gp100, tyrosinase, or MART1 proteins, and often span a mutation identified in the tumor antigen. Various viral antigens may be selected, for example antigens identified in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) or human papilloma virus (HPV), for production of peptide antigens corresponding to immunogenic epitopes of the viral antigen.

Abstract: The circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium falciparum has been analyzed to develop a new anti-sporozoite malarial vaccine. Localization of sites for T-cell recognition on this molecule is critical for vaccine design. By using an algorithm designed to predict T-cell sites and a large panel of H-2 congenic mice, a major nonrepetitive T-cell was located. When a synthetic peptide corresponding to this site was covalently linked to the major B-cell site on the molecule, an immunogen capable of eliciting a high titer antibody response was formed. This peptide sequence is capable of priming helper T-cells for a secondary response to the intact CS protein. This site represents the first helper T-cell site described for the CS molecule outside of the repetitive region, and is a major immunodominant T-site on the molecule. The approach described herein is useful in the rational design and construction of more efficacious vaccines.