Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)-associated diseases. More specifically, there are provided recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising pneumococcal surface antigen A (PsaA), the recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the N-terminal native lipid signal peptide of PsaA and the C-terminal structural gene for PsaA. Methods of inducing broad spectrum mucosal immunity against SP comprising administering a vaccine comprising recombinant lipidated fusion proteins are also described.

Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)-associated diseases. More specifically, there are provided recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising pneumococcal surface antigen A (PsaA), the recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the N-terminal native lipid signal peptide of PsaA and the C-terminal structural gene for PsaA. Methods of inducing broad spectrum mucosal immunity against SP comprising administering a vaccine comprising recombinant lipidated fusion proteins are also described.

Abstract: There are provided compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)-associated diseases. More specifically, there are provided recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising pneumococcal surface antigen A (PsaA), the recombinant lipidated fusion proteins comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the N-terminal native lipid signal peptide of PsaA and the C-terminal structural gene for PsaA. Methods of inducing broad spectrum mucosal immunity against SP comprising administering a vaccine comprising recombinant lipidated fusion proteins are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition against the infection of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) comprising a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus carrying a nucleotide sequence encoding the F protein of RSV or fragment thereof. A method of preventing RSV infection-related diseases using the vaccine composition of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition against the infection of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) comprising a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus carrying a nucleotide sequence encoding the F protein of RSV or fragment thereof. A method of preventing RSV infection-related diseases using the vaccine composition of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: The crystal structure of the Fab? fragment of Mab 2F5, a potent neutralizer of both laboratory strains and primary clinical isolates of most clades of HIV-1, both uncompleted and complexed with the largely conserved peptide sequence ELDKWAS of the viral envelope protein gp41, has been elucidated and the characteristics of peptide-protein interactions determined. Having regard to such determination, the peptide-mimetics are constrained in the three-dimensional structure to provide an increased immunogenicity to the epitope sequence.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: A method of generating an HIV-specific cytotoxic T-cell response in a host involves an initial administration of a T-helper molecule to the host to prime T-helper cells of the immune system of the host and a subsequent administration to the host of a mixture of the T-helper molecule and a T-cell inducing HIV-derived molecule to generate an HIV-specific T-cell response in the host.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides containing SEQ ID NO: 3 and functional equivalents thereof. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, related expression vectors, related host cells, related antibodies, and related compositions. Methods of producing the polypeptide, diagnosing infection with a coronavirus, and identifying a test compound for treating infection with a coronavirus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbohydrate fragments each linker to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inputs enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may be serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F, or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype A, B, C, W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from 2 to 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of ?-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-?-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-?-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbonhydrate fragments each linked to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inparts enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae which may be serotypes (1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F), or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype (A, B, C) W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from about 2 to about 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric mircoparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: The identification of immunogenic peptides of PSMA, nucleic acids coding therefor, and recombinant nucleic acids into which are inserted said nucleic acids coding for PSMA peptides are disclosed. These peptides, nucleic acids and recombinant nucleic acids may be used in isolation, or as compositions thereof to modulate immune responses in animals. The invention further encompasses methods per se of modulating immune responses in animals.

Abstract: The crystal structure of the Fab′ fragment of Mab 2F5, a potent neutralizer of both laboratory strains and primary clinical isolates of most clades of HIV-1, both uncompleted and completed with the largely conserved peptide sequence ELDKWAS of the viral envelope protein gp41, has been elucidated and the characteristics of peptide-protein interactions determined. Having regard to such determination, the peptide-mimetics are constrained in the three-dimensional structure to provide an increased immunogenicity to the epitope sequence.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody responses.