Abstract: A conjugate molecule comprising an oligo- or polysaccharide covalently bound to a carrier and its use as potential vaccine against infection by S. Flexneri.

Abstract: The ospF gene of Shigella flexneri encodes a phosphatase, which is a member of a new class of phosphatases. The OspF phosphatase inhibits the activity of several proteins either by direct protein modification or transcription downregulation. These proteins include MAP kinase, IL-8, CCL20, IL-12, AP1, CREB, RPA p32, and BCL2 related proteins. Methods for treating diseases using OspF phosphatase, methods for identifying agents that modulate OspF phosphatase's activity, methods for identifying agents that mimic OspF phosphatase's activity, and immunogenic compositions comprising OspF phosphatase are provided. A strain of Shigella flexneri containing an inactivated ospF gene is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded polynucleotide comprising on its positive strand considered from its 5? end to its 3? end, (i) a promoter of a gene of interest or several promoters of various genes of interest selected among genes which are endogenous to a determined cell, and, (ii) one or several barcode(s) wherein each barcode contains at least one barcode unit formed of at least one, especially of multiple, recognition binding sites each binding site being composed of a nucleotide sequence, and wherein each of said barcode(s) is under the control of at least one of said promoter(s) for transcription. It further concerns use of said polynucleotide to monitor gene expression patterns in living cells, especially in single cells, with a rapid and high spatio-temporal resolution.

Abstract: The ospF gene of Shigella flexneri encodes a phosphatase, which is a member of a new class of phosphatases. The OspF phosphatase inhibits the activity of several proteins either by direct protein modification or transcription downregulation. These proteins include MAP kinase, IL-8, CCL20, IL-12, AP1, CREB, RPA p32, and BCL2 related proteins. Methods for treating diseases using OspF phosphatase, methods for identifying agents that modulate OspF phosphatase's activity, methods for identifying agents that mimic OspF phosphatase's activity, and immunogenic compositions comprising OspF phosphatase are provided. A strain of Shigella flexneri containing an inactivated ospF gene is also provided.

Abstract: Bacteria belonging to the Shigella genus, mutated to inactivate the function of at least one of the gene products responsible for the metabolism and/or recycling of the peptidoglycans of the cellular wall, for immunogenic use, especially mutated at SltY, MltA, MltB, ampG, amiA, MppA genes, and immunogenic compositions comprising them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds derived from sugars which reproduce the epitopes of Shigella flexneri serotypes 3a and X and to the use thereof for the preparation of vaccine compositions. More specifically, the subject matter of the present invention relates to novel glycoconjugated compounds comprising oligosaccharides or polysaccharides described hereinafter, to the method for synthesizing these oligosaccharides or polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, to derivatives of these oligosaccharides or polysaccharides, to compositions containing same, and also to the use of the glycoconjugates for vaccination purposes. Finally, the present invention relates to methods for diagnosing a Shigella flexneri infection using one or more oligosaccharides or polysaccharides or conjugates thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for blocking entry of Shigella into a cell of an animal, to therefore providing protection against, or reduce the severity of Shigella infections. More particularly it relates to the use of the IpaD protein obtained from natural sources and/or through synthesis or recombinant technology, and conjugates thereof to induce neutralizing antibodies having protective activity against several serotypes of Shigella, in particular S. flexneri. The composition of the invention is useful to prevent and/or treat shigellosis caused by a bacterium of the Shigella family.

Abstract: The ospF gene of Shigella flexneri encodes a phosphatase, which is a member of a new class of phosphatases. The OspF phosphatase inhibits the activity of several proteins either by direct protein modification or transcription downregulation. These proteins include MAP kinase, IL-8, CCL20, IL-12, AP1, CREB, RPA p32, and BCL2 related proteins. Methods for treating diseases using OspF phosphatase, methods for identifying agents that modulate OspF phosphatase's activity, methods for identifying agents that mimic OspF phosphatase's activity, and immunogenic compositions comprising OspF phosphatase are provided. A strain of Shigella flexneri containing an inactivated ospF gene is also provided.

Abstract: A method for modulating Nod1 activity wherein said method comprises the steps of providing cells expressing a functional Nod1: and bringing said cells into contact with a molecule related to compositions comprising a molecule related to MTP and use of a molecule related to MTP for modulating inflammation and/or apoptosis.

Abstract: A method for modifying a wild strain of an entero-invasive Shigella to produce a modified strain of Shigella that can be used for making a vaccine against the wild strain of Shigella. The genome of the wild strain of Shigella is transformed so that it cannot substantially invade cells of a human host and cannot spread substantially within infected cells and from infected to uninfected cells of the host and cannot produce toxins which will kill substantial numbers of the host's infected, as well as uninfected, cells. A first gene of the wild strain of Shigella, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to invade cells of the host, and a second gene, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to spread within infected cells and between the infected and uninfected cells of the host, are mutagenized.

Abstract: A method for modulating Nod1 activity wherein said method comprises the steps of providing cells expressing a functional Nod1; and bringing said cells into contact with a molecule related to compositions comprising a molecule related to MTP and use of a molecule related to MTP for modulating inflammation and/or apoptosis.

Abstract: A conjugate molecule comprising an oligo- or polysaccharide covalently bound to a carrier and its use as potential vaccine against infection by S. Flexneri.

Abstract: The ospF gene of Shigella flexneri encodes a phosphatase, which is a member of a new class of phosphatases. The OspF phosphatase inhibits the activity of several proteins either by direct protein modification or transcription downregulation. These proteins include MAP kinase, IL-8, CCL20, IL-12, AP1, CREB, RPA p32, and BCL2 related proteins. Methods for treating diseases using OspF phosphatase, methods for identifying agents that modulate OspF phosphatase's activity, methods for identifying agents that mimic OspF phosphatase's activity, and immunogenic compositions comprising OspF phosphatase are provided. A strain of Shigella flexneri containing an inactivated ospF gene is also provided.

Abstract: A method for modifying a wild strain of an entero-invasive Shigella to produce a modified strain of Shigella that can be used for making a vaccine against the wild strain of Shigella. The genome of the wild strain of Shigella is transformed so that it cannot substantially invade cells of a human host and cannot spread substantially within infected cells and from infected to uninfected cells of the host and cannot produce toxins which will kill substantial numbers of the host's infected, as well as uninfected, cells. A first gene of the wild strain of Shigella, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to invade cells of the host, and a second gene, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to spread within infected cells and between the infected and uninfected cells of the host, are mutagenized.

Abstract: A method for modifying a wild strain of an entero-invasive Shigella to produce a modified strain of Shigella that can be used for making a vaccine against the wild strain of Shigella. The genome of the wild strain of Shigella is transformed so that it cannot substantially invade cells of a human host and cannot spread substantially within infected cells and from infected to uninfected cells of the host and cannot produce toxins which will kill substantial numbers of the host's infected, as well as uninfected, cells. A first gene of the wild strain of Shigella, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to invade cells of the host, and a second gene, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to spread within infected cells and between the infected and uninfected cells of the host, are mutagenized.

Abstract: A method for modulating Nod1 activity wherein said method comprises the steps of providing cells expressing a functional Nod1; and bringing said cells into contact with a molecule related to compositions comprising a molecule related to MTP and use of a molecule related to MTP for modulating inflammation and/or apoptosis.

Abstract: A method for modulating Nod 1 activity wherein said method comprises the steps of providing cells expressing a functional Nod 1; and bringing said cells into contact with a molecule related to compositions comprising a molecule related to MTP and use of a molecule related to MTP for modulating inflammation and/or apoptosis

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using CARD4 molecules to screen for modulators of LPS-induced cell signaling pathways. Also included are CARD-4 deficient mice, methods of modulating LPS-induced cell signaling pathways, and methods of treating or preventing bacterial infections.

Abstract: A method for modifying a wild strain of an entero-invasive Shigella to produce a modified strain of Shigella that can be used for making a vaccine against the wild strain of Shigella. The genome of the wild strain of Shigella is transformed so that it cannot substantially invade cells of a human host and cannot spread substantially within infected cells and from infected to uninfected cells of the host and cannot produce toxins which will kill substantial numbers of the host's infected, as well as uninfected, cells. A first gene of the wild strain of Shigella, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to invade cells of the host, and a second gene, coding for a protein necessary for the Shigella to spread within infected cells and between the infected and uninfected cells of the host, are mutagenized.

Abstract: A method for modulating Nod 1 activity wherein said method comprises the steps of providing cells expressing a functional Nod 1; and bringing said cells into contact with a molecule related to compositions comprising a molecule related to MTP and use of a molecule related to MTP for modulating inflammation and/or apoptosis