Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to ?-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-?-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-?-glucan antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to soluble beta-glucan compositions and method of using such compositions. In one aspect, an adjuvant for a pharmaceutical composition is described which includes a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen. In another aspect, compositions that generally include an antigen component, a soluble beta-glucan component, and a TLR agonist component and a method that generally includes administering to a subject a composition that comprises a soluble beta-glucan and a TLR agonist, each in an amount that, in combination with the other, is effective to increase a subject's immune response to an antigen, are described.

Abstract: The invention provides immunomodulatory compositions, immunomodulatory combinations, and methods of modulating TLR7-mediated biological activity. Generally, the immunomodulatory compositions include an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide in an amount effective to reduce TLR7-mediated biological activity. In some cases, an immunomodulatory combination can further include an IRM compound. In some of these embodiments, the IRM compound can be a TLR7/8 agonist. Generally, the Imethods include contacting immune cells with an immunomodulatory composition in an amount effective to reduce TLR7-mediated biological activity.

Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and methods of enhancing TLR8-mediated biological activity. Generally, the immunostimulatory compositions include a TLR8 agonist and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide in an amount effective to enhance TLR8-mediated biological activity. The invention also provides methods of inducing TLR8-mediated biological activity in immune cells. Generally, the methods include contacting immune cells with an immunostimulatory composition that includes a TLR8 agonist and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide in an amount effective to enhance TLR8-mediated biological activity. In some cases, the immunostimulatory composition provides a synergistic enhancement of TLR8-mediated biological activity.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a compound that selectively modulates at least one TLR-mediated cellular activity are disclosed. Generally, the methods include identifying a compound as a compound that selectively modulates at least one TLR-mediated cellular activity if the compound modulates one TLR-mediated cellular activity to a different extent than it modulates a second TLR-mediated cellular activity. Compounds so identified and pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds are also disclosed. Methods of selectively modulating immune cells and methods of treating certain conditions are also provided. Such methods include administering to cells or a subject a compound that selectively modulates a TLR-mediated cellular activity.

Abstract: Methods of eliciting a TLR8-mediated cellular response are disclosed. Such methods include administration of either a TLR8 agonist or a TLR8 antagonist to an IRM-responsive cell so that the IRM compound affects at least one TLR8-mediate cellular signaling pathway. In some cases, the method may provide prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for a condition treatable by modulating a TLR8-mediated cellular pathway.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a compound that selectively modulates at least one TLR-mediated cellular activity are disclosed. Generally, the methods include identifying a compound as a compound that selectively modulates at least one TLR-mediated cellular activity if the compound modulates one TLR-mediated cellular activity to a different extent than it modulates a second TLR-mediated cellular activity. Compounds so identified and pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds are also disclosed. Methods of selectively modulating immune cells and methods of treating certain conditions are also provided. Such methods include administering to cells or a subject a compound that selectively modulates a TLR-mediated cellular activity.

Abstract: Methods of eliciting a TLR8-mediated cellular response are disclosed. Such methods include administration of either a TLR8 agonist or a TLR8 antagonist to an IRM-responsive cell so that the IRM compound affects at least one TLR8-mediate cellular signaling pathway. In some cases, the method may provide prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for a condition treatable by modulating a TLR8-mediated cellular pathway.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a compound that activates a TLR-mediated cellular signaling pathway is disclosed. The method includes (a) exposing a TLR-positive cell culture to a test compound and measuring a TLR-mediated cellular response; (b) exposing a TLR-negative cell culture to a test compound and measuring a TLR-mediated cellular response; and (c) identifying the test compound as an IRM if the cellular response in the TLR-positive cell culture is greater than the cellular response of the TLR-negative cell culture. Methods of eliciting a TLR-mediated cellular response are also disclosed. Such methods include administration of an IRM compound to an IRM-responsive cell so that the IRM compounds affects at least one TLR-mediate cellular signaling pathway.