Abstract: The present invention discloses a number of markers selectively deregulated in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. The invention relates to molecules able to modulate the expression and/or function of at least one such marker for use in the prevention and/or treatment of the tumor. Preferably the molecule specifically binds to the marker and induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The invention further relates to a molecule able to modulate the expression and/or function of at least one such marker for use in a method for in vivo depleting tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cell in a subject, or for use in a method to enhance tumor immunity in a subject. Corresponding pharmaceutical compositions are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a number of markers selectively deregulated in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. The invention relates to molecules able to modulate the expression and/or function of at least one such marker for use in the prevention and/or treatment of the tumor. Preferably the molecule specifically binds to the marker and induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The invention further relates to a molecule able to modulate the expression and/or function of at least one such marker for use in a method for in vivo depleting tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cell in a subject, or for use in a method to enhance tumor immunity in a subject. Corresponding pharmaceutical compositions are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomarker of immunity response for use in monitoring the acquired immunity of an immunized subject, to an in vitro method and a kit for monitoring the acquired immunity of an immunized subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosis or prognosis of liver autoimmune diseases by means of detecting specific biomarkers in biological samples. The invention refers also to a method of monitoring an autoimmune liver disease pathology status after treatment with surgery and/or therapy in a subject with autoimmune liver disease, to kits and microarrays to perform said methods.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or prognosticating hepatocellular carcinoma, also in the early stages, or for assessing the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, or for monitoring the effectiveness of an anti-tumour therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma by measuring the expression level of at least one miRNA gene product in a peripheral blood sample or in a biological fluid sample. Said method comprises measuring, in an isolated sample of peripheral blood or biological fluid, the expression level of at least one miRNA gene product, and comparing said measured expression level with a reference level. Such method can also be used to diagnose or assess the risk of developing liver cirrhosis in patients affected by chronic hepatitis, or to prognosticate the evolution of cirrhosis in patients affected by cirrhosis, or to monitor the effectiveness of a pharmacological therapy against liver cirrhosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of CD81 protein and polynucleic acid in the therapy and diagnosis of hepatitis C and pharmaceutical compositions, animal models and diagnostic kits for such purposes.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of eliciting antibodies and neutralizing of binding antibodies against a hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 or E2 antigen using HCV E2 or HCV E1E2 polypeptides and/or HCV E2 or E1E2 polynucleotides. Elicitation of anti-E2 antibodies and anti-E2 NOB antibodies can be used, inter alia, to provide model systems to optimize anti-E2 antibody responses and/or anti-E2 NOB antibody responses to HCV and to provide prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ex vivo hematopoietic cells characterized by the expression of the protein SUSD3 on the surface of said cells, to methods for preparing said cells and to ligands for SUSD3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ex vivo hematopoietic cells characterized by the expression of the protein KRTCAP3 on the surface of said cells, to methods for isolating said cells and to ligands for KRTCAP3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of hepatitis C virus. The method comprises the separation of particles termed exosomes from the blood plasma of an individual infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the extraction or RNA from these exosome particles.

Abstract: Identification of HCV receptor target cells using HCV receptor-binding ligands and cell separation by flow cytofluorimetry is described. HCV receptor target cells are employed to conduct assays for HCV receptor-binding ligands in order to identify potential HCV vaccine candidates. HCV receptor target cells are used to measure antibody neutralisation to monitor vaccine development, as a diagnostic of HCV infection and to develop neutralising antibodies for passive immunisation.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a sub-population of isolated hematopoietic stem cells that express the CRISP-1 gene and produce the CRISP-1 protein on the cytoplasmic membrane of the cell, their isolation and their application in the therapeutic/diagnostic/prognostic field.

Abstract: Cytotoxic T-cell epitopes from C.pneumoniae proteins have been empirically determined. The epitopes from corresponding C.trachomatis proteins have also been identified, and some of these are identical to those from C.pneumoniae. The empirical method showed that algorithmic prediction was inadequate. The epitopes are useful for immunisation and/or diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ex-vivo cells belonging to the hematopoietic system, characterized by the presence of MOSC-1 protein on cell surface, methods for isolating them and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method for antigen independent activation of T cells comprising contacting T cells with a combination of cytokines such as two or more of interleukin-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor ?.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of CD81 protein and polynucleic acid in the therapy and diagnosis of hepatitis C and pharmaceutical compositions, animal models and diagnostic kits for such purposes.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining recombinantly produced, C-terminally truncated, E1 and E2 polypeptides from cell lysates are disclosed. The intracellularly expressed truncated molecules display improved biological properties as compared to their secreted counterparts.

Abstract: Identification of HCV receptor target cells using HCV receptor-binding ligands and cell separation by flow cytofluorimetry is described. HCV receptor target cells are employed to conduct assays for HCV receptor-binding ligands in order to identify potential HCV vaccine candidates. HCV receptor target cells are used to measure antibody neutralisation to monitor vaccine development, as a diagnostic of HCV infection and to develop neutralising antibodies for passive immunisation.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of eliciting antibodies and neutralizing of binding antibodies against a hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 or E2 antigen using HCV E2 or HCV E1E2 polypeptides and/or HCV E2 or E1E2 polynucleotides. Elicitation of anti-E2 antibodies and anti-E2 NOB antibodies can be used, inter alia, to provide model systems to optimize anti-E2 antibody responses and/or anti-E2 NOB antibody responses to HCV and to provide prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against HCV infection.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of eliciting antibodies and neutralizing of binding antibodies against a hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 or E2 antigen using HCV E2 or HCV E1E2 polypeptides and/or HCV E2 or E1E2 polynucleotides. Elicitation of anti-E2 antibodies and anti-E2 NOB antibodies can be used, inter alia, to provide model systems to optimize anti-E2 antibody responses and/or anti-E2 NOB antibody responses to HCV and to provide prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against HCV infection.