Abstract: The present invention features Ad6 vectors and a nucleic acid encoding a Met-NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5A-NS5B polypeptide containing an inactive NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region. The nucleic acid is particularly useful as a component of an adenovector or DNA plasmid vaccine providing a broad range of antigens for generating an HCV specific cell mediated immune (CMI) response against HCV.

Abstract: The present invention features antigen binding protein that bind to a SR-BI target region identified herein as a region involved in HCV E2 binding. Identified target regions are regions bound by a single-chain antibody of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of PPAR? agonists in methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in mammals, especially humans.

Abstract: Peptides which are mimotopes of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the putative envelope protein E2 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided, useful in obtaining antibodies and raising an immune response cross-reactive against different strains of HCV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening for anti-obesity agents using the ciliary neutrophic factor receptor.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of screening for compounds that inhibit HCV binding to a cell, methods of inhibiting IICV entry into a cell, and methods of actively or prophylactically treating against an IICV infection. The different methods are based on the identification of the scavenger receptor class B type I as a target site for HCV E2 binding to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention features Ad6 vectors and a nucleic acid encoding a Met-NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5A-NS5B polypeptide containing an inactive NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region. The nucleic acid is particularly useful as a component of an adenovector or DNA plasmid vaccine providing a broad range of antigens for generating an HCV specific cell mediated immune (CMI) response against HCV.

Abstract: Cytokines, including muteins thereof, which are biologically inactive in humans but remain immunogenic, are used in pharmaceutical compositions to promote a neutralizing immune response against native cytokines when administered to a subject in need thereof to treat homeostatic disorders and disorders associated with an overproduction of cytokines.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of hCNTF (human ciliary neurotrophic factor), mutants thereof or other molecules that activate the CNTF receptor, for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of obesity and associated diseases, for example hyperglycemia. FIG. 1 shows the anti-obesity effect of hCNTF and leptin on body weight (left panels) and on food intake (right panels) in genetically obese mice and in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO).

Abstract: A purified immunogenic polypeptide comprises an epitope unit recognized by a protective monoclonal antibody having a high affinity and a high specificity for a surface polysaccharide of a pathogenic microorganism of bacterial, viral, or fungal origin. The polypeptide is capable of inducing an immune response in vivo against the pathogenic microorganism. The immune response confers protection in mice against challenge with the virulent microorganisms.

Abstract: A transcription factor, which is a transcriptional activator or a transcriptional repressor, comprising a DNA-binding domain and a transcriptional activator or repressor domain, and optionally a regulatory domain for ligand-dependent DNA binding and/or transcriptional activation or repression by the transcription factor, wherein the transcription factor is chimeric, comprising a HNF1 polypeptide DNA-binding domain and a transcriptional activator or repressor domain of a different polypeptide, with the proviso that where the transcription factor is a transcriptional activator comprising a transcriptional activator domain the transcription factor does not comprise a regulatory domain which binds AcylHSL or an analogue thereof whereby upon AcylHSL binding DNA binding function of the DNA-binding domain is activated. A transcriptional activator comprises a human HNF1 polypeptide DNA-binding domain, a human estrogen receptor alpha regulatory domain containing a G521R mutation, and a human p65 activation domain.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of hCNTF (human ciliary neurotrophic factor), mutants thereof or other molecules that activate the CNTF receptor, for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of obesity and associated disease, for example hyperglycemia. FIG. 1 shows the anti-obesity effect of hCNTF and leptin on body weight (left panels) and on food intake (right panels) in genetically obese mice and in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of immunogens or diagnostic reagents that mimic an antigen or a pathogenic organism specific to a disease, essentially characterized by the following operations: identification of at least one antibody that reacts with the antigen or pathogenic organism specific to the disease; construction of phage libraries which display on the surface of the capsid oligopeptides, expressed from random sequence oligonucleotidic inserts introduced into a gene coding for a phage capsid protein using genetic manipulation techniques (for example, using a plasmid engineered for the purposes of the invention, the genetic map of which is shown in the figure); selection of the phages that display on the surfaces of the capsid antigenic oligopeptides recognized by said antibody; optional use of the selected phages and/or fragments thereof and/or their derivatives for the formulation of diagnostic kits for the specific pathogenic agent, or in general for the disease, including immunological disorders typ

Abstract: A purified immunogenic polypeptide comprises an epitope unit recognized by a protective monoclonal antibody having a high affinity and a high specificity for a surface polysaccharide of a pathogenic microorganism of bacterial, viral, or fungal origin. The polypeptide is capable of inducing an immune response in vivo against the pathogenic microorganism. The immune response confers protection in mice against challenge with the virulent microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method that allows the use of filamentous bacteriophages to detect the presence of molecules of interest in biological samples. It consists of a series of combined operations, which are drawn up and defined according to the characteristics of the phages employed. These have, exposed on the surfaces of the capsid, at least one molecule, generally but not exclusively of proteic nature, capable of binding at least one molecule of interest present in the biological sample. Detection of the presence of the molecule takes place, according to the method of the invention, using the association between the molecule exposed on the surfaces of the phage and the genome of the phage itself. The ability to form specific complexes typical of the molecule exposed on the capsid enables formation of phage-molecule of interest complexes, which can be detected by means of amplification of known sequences in the phage DNA.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of immunogens or diagnostic reagents that mimic an antigen or a pathogenic organism specific to a disease, essentially characterized by the following operations: identification of at least one antibody that reacts with the antigen or pathogenic organism specific to the disease; construction of phage libraries which display on the surface of the capsid oligopeptides, expressed from random sequence oligonucleotidic inserts introduced into a gene coding for a phage capsid protein using genetic manipulation techniques (for example using a plasmid engineered for the purposes of the invention, the genetic map of which is shown in the figure); selection of the phages that display on the surfaces of the capsid antigenic oligopeptides recognized by said antibody; optional use of the selected phages and/or fragments thereof and/or their derivatives for the formulation of diagnostic kits for the specific pathogenic agent, or in general for the diseases, including immunological disorders typ