Abstract: A method for characterizing disease activity in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient (SLE), comprising obtaining a dataset associated with a blood, serum, plasma or urine sample from the patient, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one innate serum or plasma mediator, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one adaptive serum or plasma mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one chemokine/adhesion molecule biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one soluble TNF superfamily biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one inflammatory mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount at least one SLE-associated autoantibody specificity biomarker and calculating a Lupus Disease Activity Immune Index (LDAII) score.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient is undergoing a pre-flare event, the method comprising obtaining a blood, serum, plasma, or saliva sample from the SLE patient; assessing a level of expression for each of a plurality of biomarkers, the plurality of biomarkers comprising OPN, MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-3/CCL7, IL-17A, TNFRII, TNFRI, IL-4, IL-5, BLyS, TNF?, and IL-7; determining a Lupus Flare Risk Prediction Index (LFPI) for the patient based upon the level of expression for each of a plurality of biomarkers; and based upon the LFPI, determining whether the patient is undergoing a pre-flare event.

Abstract: A method for characterizing disease activity in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient (SLE), comprising obtaining a dataset associated with a blood, serum, plasma or urine sample from the patient, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one innate serum or plasma mediator, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of protein expression of at least one adaptive serum or plasma mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one chemokine/adhesion molecule biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one soluble TNF superfamily biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount of at least one inflammatory mediator biomarker, assessing the dataset for a presence or an amount at least one SLE-associated autoantibody specificity biomarker and calculating a Lupus Disease Activity Immune Index (LDAII) score.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.