Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in various embodiments, immunogenic mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, such as pneumolysin, which have reduced hemolytic activity and reduced pore-forming activity in comparison to their wild type protein. The present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, nucleic acids which encode such mutants, and methods of the use of such mutants.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in various embodiments, immunogenic mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, such as pneumolysin, which have reduced hemolytic activity and reduced pore-forming activity in comparison to their wild type protein. The present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, nucleic acids which encode such mutants, and methods of the use of such mutants.

Abstract: Mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins comprising at least one amino acid substitution in at least one of Loop 1, Loop 2, or Loop 3 of Domain 4, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells encoding such polypeptide mutants, and compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptide mutants.

Abstract: Mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins comprising at least one amino acid substitution in at least one of Loop 1, Loop 2, or Loop 3 of Domain 4, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells encoding such polypeptide mutants, and compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptide mutants.

Abstract: Mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins comprising at least one amino acid substitution in at least one of Loop 1, Loop 2, or Loop 3 of Domain 4, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptide mutants, and compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptide mutants.

Abstract: Polypeptides having high specific binding for H-antigen, particularly Lewis y and Lewis b antigens are described. The polypeptides are useful in making conjugates with diagnostic reporter molecules or therapeutic agents such as anticancer agents for binding to epithelial derived tumors or cancer cells which overexpress such antigens.

Abstract: Mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins comprising at least one amino acid substitution in at least one of Loop 1, Loop 2, or Loop 3 of Domain 4, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptide mutants, and compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptide mutants.

Abstract: A vaccine utilizing purified mutant alpha toxins from Clostridium septicum for humans and animals against infections caused by C septicum. Persons potentially affected by C. septicum infections include colonic cancer patients, diabetics, leukemia patients, and neutropenics. The alpha toxin mutant of the vaccine lacks the toxicity of a native C. septicum alpha toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the alpha toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. septicum infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. septicum. Antibodies to the alpha toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear alpha toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant alpha toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: A vaccine utilizing purified mutant alpha toxins from Clostridium septicum for humans and animals against infections caused by C septicum. Persons potentially affected by C. septicum infections include colonic cancer patients, diabetics, leukemia patients, and neutropenics. The alpha toxin mutant of the vaccine lacks the toxicity of a native C. septicum alpha toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the alpha toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. septicum infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. septicum. Antibodies to the alpha toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear alpha toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant alpha toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.