Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a modified virus-like particle (VLP) comprising a VLP which can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs), and particular peptides derived from MelanA linked thereto. Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against MelanA peptide analogues optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against the MelanA peptide analogues are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen array, wherein the antigen is an IL-1 mutein. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle, and at least one IL-1 mutein linked thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the composition. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and chronic autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The composition of the invention efficiently induces immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides methods using a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array for visualization and selection of B cells specific for the antigen. These B cells are useful for the production of monoclonal antibodies used for therapy, diagnostic or research purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded and packaged, respectively, with DNA oligonucleotides rich in non-methylated C and G (CpGs). If such CpG-VLPs are mixed with antigens, the immunogenicity of these antigens are dramatically enhanced. In addition, the T cell responses against the antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Surprisingly, no covalent linkage of the antigen to the VLP is required; it is sufficient to simply mix the VLPs with the adjuvants for co-administration. In addition, it was found that VLPs did not enhance immune responses unless they were loaded and packaged, respectively, with CpGs. Antigens mixed with CpG-packaged VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The application is related to compositions and methods for the treatment of hypersensitivity, wherein the compositions comprise a particle packaged with immunostimulatory nucleic acids. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of atopic eczema, asthma and IgE-mediated allergy (type I allergy), especially pollen allergy and house dust allergy.

Abstract: The application provides a method of isolating a eukaryotic cell expressing an antibody of desired specificity, preferably a monoclonal single chain antibody (scFv). The application further provides methods which allow to clone the variable regions of said antibody from that isolated eukaryotic cell and to recombinantly produce antibodies comprising said variable regions as fusion protein with a purification tag, eg. as Fc-fusion, as a Fab fragment, or as whole antibodies, such as IgG, IgE, IgD, IgA and IgM. Said methods also allows to recombinantly produce antibodies with desired specificity in a fully species specific form, preferably as fully human antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of medicine, public health, immunology, molecular biology and virology. The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) and at least one antigen, wherein said antigen is a GIP protein or a GIP fragment linked to the VLP respectively. The invention also provides a method for producing the aforesaid composition. The compositions of this invention are useful in the production of vaccines, in particular, for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity and hereby, in particular, by inducing efficient immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context. Accordingly, the invention further provides for methods of treating and/or preventing obesity and other conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an AP205 virus like particle (VLP) and an antigen. The invention also provides a process for producing an antigen or antigenic determinant bound to AP205 VLP. AP205 VLP bound to an antigen is useful in the production of compositions for inducing immune responses that are useful for the prevention or treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions including infectious diseases, allergies, cancer, drug addiction, poisoning and to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array, and in particular an A?1-6 peptide-VLP-composition. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle and at least one A?1-6 peptide bound thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the conjugates and the ordered and repetitive arrays, respectively. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of medicine, public health, immunology, molecular biology and virology. The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) and at least one antigen, wherein said antigen is a GIP protein or a GIP fragment linked to the VLP. The invention also provides a method for producing the aforesaid composition. The compositions of this invention are useful in the production of immunogens, in particular, for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity and hereby, in particular, by inducing efficient immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context. Accordingly, the invention further provides for methods of treating and/or preventing obesity and other conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array, and in particular an array comprising a protein or peptide of IL-5, IL-13 or eotaxin. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle and at least one protein, or peptide of IL-5, IL-13 and/or eotaxin bound thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the conjugates and the ordered and repetitive arrays, respectively. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of allergic diseases with an eosinophilic component and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure allergic diseases with an eosinophilic component and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a modified virus-like particle (VLP) comprising a VLP which can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs), and particular peptides derived from MelanA linked thereto. Such CpGVLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against MelanA peptide analogues optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against the MelanA peptide analogues are especially directed to the Thl type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of medicine, public health, immunology, molecular biology and virology. The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) and at least one antigen, wherein said antigen is a T-cadherin domain protein, a combination of any T-cadherin domain proteins, a T-cadherin domain fragment or a combination of any T-cadherin domain fragments, linked to the VLP respectively. The invention also provides a method for producing the aforesaid composition. The compositions of this invention are useful in the production of vaccines, in particular, for the prevention and/or treatment of T-cadherin related disease, and hereby, in particular, by inducing efficient immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen array, wherein the antigen is an IL-15 protein, an IL-15 mutein or an IL-15 fragment. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle, and at least one IL-15 protein, IL-15 mutein or at least one IL-15 fragment linked thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the composition. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic autoimmune diseases. The composition of the invention efficiently induces immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Abstract: Liposomes are known to enhance the activity of K- (B-) type CpGs which trigger the production of IL-12. In the present invention, the surprising finding was made that liposomes also enhance the activity of D- (A-) type CpGs, leading to the production of IFN? in vivo. These findings are relevant for the humans situation, since IFN? rather than IL-12 is the key cytokine for the induction of Th1 responses and anti-viral protection in humans.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising a virus like particle (VLP) and at least one GnRH peptide or fragment or variant thereof linked thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the composition. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of GnRH-related diseases and conditions and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of medicine, immunology, virology and molecular biology. The present invention provides a composition comprising a modified virus-like (VLP) particle derived from RNA bacteriophage AP205. The invention also provides a process for producing the aforementioned VLP. The modified VLP disclosed in the present invention is useful in the production of compositions for inducing immune responses for the prevention or treatment of diseases, disorders including infectious diseases, allergies, cancers and drug addiction. Moreover, the modified VLP disclosed in the present invention is, in particular, useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.