Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides containing at least three amino acids randomly joined in a linear array; wherein at least one of the three amino acids is an aromatic amino acid, at least one of the three amino acids is a charged amino acid and at least one amino acid is an aliphatic amino acid. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide contains three or four of the following amino acids: tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid or lysine. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides bind to antigen presenting cells, purified human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and/or Copolymer 1-specific T cells. Moreover, according to the present invention, these polypeptides can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for treating autoimmune disease. The present invention further contemplates methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the present polypeptides to the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides heteropolymer compositions and peptide compositions, and methods of making and using therapeutic compositions comprising amino acid heteropolymers for treatment of a subject for an autoimmune or an inflammatory disease, the heteropolymer compositions made by solid state synthesis. The invention also provides kits for assaying binding of a composition to a water-soluble MHC protein.

Abstract: A human synthetic peptide-based influenza vaccine for intranasal administration comprises a mixture of flagella containing at least four epitopes of influenza virus reactive with human cells, each expressed individually in Salmonella flagellin, said influenza virus epitopes being selected from the group consisting of: (i) one B-cell hemagglutinin (HA) epitope; (ii) one T-helper hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleo-protein (NP) epitope that can bind to many HLA molecules; and (iii) at least two cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) nucleoprotein (NP) or matrix protein (M) epitopes that are restricted to the most prevalent HLA molecules in different human populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: A human synthetic peptide-based influenza vaccine for intranasal administration comprises a mixture of flagella containing at least four epitopes of influenza virus reactive with human cells, each expressed individually in Salmonella flagellin, said influenza virus epitopes being selected from the group consisting of: (i) one B-cell hemagglutinin (HA) epitope; (ii) one T-helper hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleo-protein (NP) epitope that can bind to many HLA molecules; and (iii) at least two cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) nucleoprotein (NP) or matrix protein (M) epitopes that are restricted to the most prevalent HLA molecules in different human populations.

Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides which participate in influenza virus infection of cells and nucleic acid molecules, which include a polynucleotide sequence capable of specifically binding the polypeptides of the present invention. Also provided are methods of using such nucleic acid molecules, polynucleotides and antibodies directed thereagainst for diagnosing, treating and preventing influenza virus infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of polypeptides, wherein each polypeptide (a) is a copolymer of the amino acids L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine, and (b) may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and wherein in the mixture (i) the polypeptides have an average molecular weight in the range 13,500 to 18,500 daltons, (ii) 13% to 38% of the polypeptides have a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present at one end thereof, and (iii) 68% of the polypeptides have a molecular weight between 7,000 and 41,000 daltons. In an embodiment, the average molecular weight is 16,000 daltons, and processes for preparing and its uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides containing at least three amino acids randomly joined in a linear array; wherein at least one of the three amino acids is an aromatic amino acid, at least one of the three amino acids is a charged amino acid and at least one amino acid is an aliphatic amino acid. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide contains three or four of the following amino acids: tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid or lysine. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides bind to antigen presenting cells, purified human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and/or Copolymer 1-specific T cells. Moreover, according to the present invention, these polypeptides can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for treating autoimmune disease. The present invention further contemplates methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the present polypeptides to the mammal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of graft rejection associated with transplantation of tissues and organs include combined treatment involving at least one agent selected from Copolymer 1, a copolymer 1-related heteropolymer or an ordered peptide in combination with at least one additional known immunosuppressive agent. Compositions and methods for the treatment of graft rejection using ordered peptides or ordered copolymer 1-related heteropolymers as monotherapy are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Copolymer 1 (glatiramer acetate), a Copolymer 1-related polypeptide, or a Copolymer 1-related peptide, for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of polypeptides, wherein each polypeptide (a) is a copolymer of the amino acids L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine, and (b) may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and wherein in the mixture (i) the polypeptides have an average molecular weight in the range 13,500 to 18,500 daltons, (ii) 13% to 38% of the polypeptides have a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present at one end thereof, and (iii) 68% of the polypeptides have a molecular weight between 7,000 and 41,000 daltons. In an embodiment, the average molecular weight is 16,000 daltons, and processes for preparing and its uses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating and preventing host-versus-graft disease and graft-versus-host disease comprising as active ingredient random copolymers of amino acids comprising one amino acid from at least three of the following groups: (a) lysine and arginine; (b) glutamic acid and aspartic acid; (c) alanine and glycine; and (d) tyrosine and tryptophan; with the proviso that the random copolymer is not Copolymer 1 or D-Copolymer 1 when the disease being treated is graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: A human synthetic peptide-based influenza vaccine for intranasal administration comprises a mixture of flagella containing at least four epitopes of influenza virus reactive with human cells, each expressed individually in Salmonella flagellin, said influenza virus epitopes being selected from the group consisting of: (i) one B-cell hemagglutinin (HA) epitope; (ii) one T-helper hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleo-protein (NP) epitope that can bind to many HLA molecules; and (iii) at least two cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) nucleoprotein (NP) or matrix protein (M) epitopes that are restricted to the most prevalent HLA molecules in different human populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: A human synthetic peptide-based influenza vaccine for intranasal administration comprises a mixture of flagella containing at least four epitopes of influenza virus reactive with human cells, each expressed individually in Salmonella flagellin, said influenza virus epitopes being selected from the group consisting of: (i) one B-cell hemagglutinin (HA) epitope; (ii) one T-helper hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleo-protein (NP) epitope that can bind to many HLA molecules; and (iii) at least two cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) nucleoprotein (NP) or matrix protein (M) epitopes that are restricted to the most prevalent HLA molecules in different human populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to avidin-type molecules having 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl or lactosyl groups or being complexed with an antibody specific to the avidin-type molecule, which shifts the biodistribution pattern in tissues and organs to the liver, where these molecules accumulate at high levels over several days. These modified avidin-type molecules provide a means for delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents, including radionuclides to the liver and cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) for diagnosing and treating hepatic disorders and disorders of the RES.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.