Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a vaccine that includes a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Gag antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Gag antigen is less susceptible to proteolytic degradation by eliminating one or more proteolytic sites or a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Nef antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Nef antigen comprises one or more codon usage optimization that increase antibody-antigen complex secretion, or both, wherein the vaccine is able to elicit an HIV-specific T cell immune response to Gag p17, Gag p24, Nef and/or Cyclin D1.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: Cyclic beta glucan compounds function as an immunoadjuvant when administered prior to, concommitantly with, or subsequent to the administration of one or more antigens to a subject. These adjuvant compounds may be effectively used as dendritic cell activating molecules.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing Th1/Th17 cell responses and decreasing Th2 cell responses. In various embodiments the present invention describes activation of human dendritic cells and enhancement of antigen-specific T cell responses in a Dectin-1-expressing human dendritic cells comprising an anti-Dectin-1-specific antibody or fragment thereof fused with one or more antigens. TLR2 ligands may also be included to enhance the activation and for enhancement of T-cell responses. Further, the invention also includes methods based on the compositions described herein for the treatment of allergy, and asthma.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing Th1/Th17 cell responses and decreasing Th2 cell responses are disclosed herein. In various embodiments the present invention describes activation of human dendritic cells and enhancement of antigen-specific T cell responses in a Dectin-1-expressing human dendritic cells comprising an anti-Dectin-1-specific antibody or fragment thereof fused with one or more antigens. TLR2 ligands may also be included to enhance the activation and for enhancement of T-cell responses. Further, the invention also includes methods based on the compositions described herein for the treatment of pathogenic infections.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for binding Dectin-1 on immune cells with anti-Dectin-1-specific antibodies or fragment thereof capable of activating the immune cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for targeting the LOX-1 receptor on immune cells and uses for the anti-LOX-1 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for targeting the LOX-1 receptor on immune cells and uses for the anti-LOX-1 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclic beta glucan compound for use as an immuno adjuvant and vaccine composition comprising thereof. These novel adjuvant compounds represent in particular a new class of dendritic cell activating molecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer disclosed herein. The method of the present invention comprises administration of compositions comprising ?-glucan, a natural ligand for dectin-1, to block OX40L expression on tumor associated mDCs by blocking STAT6 phosphorylation. The ?-glucan-treated mDCs secrete higher levels of IL-12p70 and do not expand TNF? and IL-13-producing CD4+ T cells, further resulting in inhibition of Th2 responses. Thus, compositions disclosed herein reprogram the function of mDCs in breast tumor microenvironment and turn tumor promoting Th2-type chronic inflammation into Th1-type acute inflammation that are able to reject tumors. The present invention finds particular uses for the intratumoral administration of the composition thereby directly binding to and directing a Th1-type acute inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing Th1/Th17 cell responses and decreasing Th2 cell responses. In various embodiments the present invention describes activation of human dendritic cells and enhancement of antigen-specific T cell responses in a Dectin-1-expressing human dendritic cells comprising an anti-Dectin-1-specific antibody or fragment thereof fused with one or more antigens. TLR2 ligands may also be included to enhance the activation and for enhancement of T-cell responses. Further, the invention also includes methods based on the compositions described herein for the treatment of allergy, and asthma.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating dendritic cell (DC)-targeting vaccines against vaginal infections, including but not limited to sexually transmitted diseases, are disclosed herein. The present invention reports the isolation of at least four major subsets of myeloid-originated antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that possess distinct phenotypes and functions in directing immune responses, namely, Langerhans cells (LCs: E-cadherin+CD207+CD205+), CD1c+CD14? DCs (DC-ASGPR+CD209+/?Dectin-1+/?), and CD1c+CD14+ DCs (CD209+/?DC-ASGPR+/?) all expressing high levels of CD11c, CD83, and CCR6, and are more potent than CD1c?CD14+ macrophages (CD163+CD209+DC-ASGPR+/?Dectin-1+/?LOX-1+CD1d+) at eliciting naïve T cell proliferation The compositions, methods and vaccines of the present invention are directed towards the four functionally distinct major subsets of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that can differentially contribute to the host immune response in the female genital tract, including the vagina.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a patient at risk for or diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by determining the overall expression of syndecan-1 in one or more cells of a patient suspected of having SLE; and predicting the efficacy of a therapy with a pharmaceutical agent for treating the patient, wherein a decrease in the overall expression of syndecan-1 in the patient cells when compared to the expression of syndecan-1 in normal cells indicates a predisposition to responsiveness to anti-neoplastic agent therapy, wherein the therapy comprises administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical agent to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: Biomarkers and therapies against autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and BCMA variant expression on SLE monocytes that can be directly associated with disease activity. The findings of the present invention enable the design of monoclonal antibodies or recombinant proteins that can block BCMA and BCMA variants as well as BCMA-bound APRIL.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing Th1/Th17 cell responses and decreasing Th2 cell responses are disclosed herein. In various embodiments the present invention describes activation of human dendritic cells and enhancement of antigen-specific T cell responses in a Dectin-1-expressing human dendritic cells comprising an anti-Dectin-1-specific antibody or fragment thereof fused with one or more antigens. TLR2 ligands may also be included to enhance the activation and for enhancement of T-cell responses. Further, the invention also includes methods based on the compositions described herein for the treatment of pathogenic infections.