Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and agonizes EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cancer cell colony formation in soft agar, inhibits tubular network formation in three-dimensional basement membrane or extracellular matrix preparation, preferentially binds to an EphA2 epitope that is exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells, and/or has a low Koff, thereby, inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of stimulating an immune response in a primate utilizing compositions comprising bacterial adhesin proteins and/or immunogenic fragments thereof. The compositions are useful for the prevention and treatment of bacterial induced diseases involving bacterial adherence to a target cell, such as diseases of the urinary tract. More specifically, the invention relates to the vaccination of primates, preferably humans, with protein complexes, such as a purified FimH polypeptides, a purified FimC-FimH (FimCH) polypeptide complex, or immunogenic fragments thereof, to stimulate protective immunity in the recipient against infection by pathogenic bacteria, including all types of Enterobacteriaceae, preferably E. Coli to produce specific immunoglobin molecules in the serum and urine or mucosal secretions of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antitumor compositions capable of inhibiting PCDGF biological activity for the treatment of cancers. In particular the present invention relates to the use of PCDGF antagonist, e.g., antibodies that prevent PCDGF from binding its receptor, Rse (also referred to as “Sky” and “Tyro3”).

Abstract: A protein construct comprising a pilus protein portion, preferably a structurally stabilized pilus-protein, and an additional, or effector, portion other than a pilus protein or chaperone and wherein said effector portion serves to stabilize the pilus protein portion and to confer a therapeutic activity, such as vaccine activity or anti-microbial or anticancer activity, on the protein construct is disclosed. Such effector portion commonly comprises a donor strand complementary segment capable of structurally stabilizing a pilus protein subunit and attaching the auxiliary portion to said subunit to form the pilus protein analog of the invention. Methods of using said protein constructs are also disclosed as well as the formation and use of analogs comprising fragments of a pilus protein linked to effector components to produce immunogenic and/or therapeutic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of a non-neoplastic hyperproliferative cell or excessive cell accumulation disorders, particularly those involving hyperproliferation of epithelial or endothelial cells. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and increase EphA2 cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation and/or increase EphA2 autophosphorylation in cells which EphA2 has been agonized. In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and reduce EphA2 activity (other than autophosphorylation). In another embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise administration of an effective amount of one or more EphA2 agonistic agents that bind to EphA2 and decrease a pathology-causing cell phenotype (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of a hypoproliferative cell disorder, especially those disorders relating to the destruction, shedding, or inadequate proliferation of epithelial and/or endothelial cells, particularly interstitial cystitis (IC) and lesions associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more agents that are antagonists of EphA2.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. Also provided are methods for vaccination of mammalian species, especially human patients, with variants of the E. coli FimH protein, said variants being derived from different strains of E. coli, and to production of antibodies that protect the vaccine recipient against infection by pathogenic bacterial species. In another aspect the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used as diagnostics and/or as protective/treatment agents for pathogenic bacterial species. A plasmid-based method of producing polypeptides, especially fused polypeptides, such as the complex of a bacterial chaperone and a bacterial adhesin, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment, management, or prevention of cancer, particularly, metastatic cancer. In one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and agonizes EphA2, thereby increasing EphA2 phosphorylation and decreasing EphA2 levels. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of an antibody that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cancer cell colony formation in soft agar, inhibits tubular network formation in three-dimensional basement membrane or extracellular matrix preparation, preferentially binds to an EphA2 epitope that is exposed on cancer cells but not non-cancer cells, and/or has a low Koff, thereby, inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. It particularly relates to the vaccination of mammalian species, especially human patients, with variants of the E. coli FimCH protein that elicit antibodies that have better functional inhibitory activity than antibodies raised against wild type protein. In particular, such variants include mutations that promote a more open confirmation of the FimH protein, particularly in regions involved in mannose binding, to expose regions previously poorly exposed and mutations that abolish a significantly reduce mannose binding. In another aspect, the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used in passive immunization to protect or treat pathogenic bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of stimulating an immune response in a primate utilizing compositions comprising bacterial adhesin proteins and/or immunogenic fragments thereof. The compositions are useful for the prevention and treatment of bacterial induced diseases involving bacterial adherence to a target cell, such as diseases of the urinary tract. More specifically, the invention relates to the vaccination of primates, preferably humans, with protein complexes, such as a purified FimH polypeptides, a purified FimC-FimH (FimCH) polypeptide complex, or immunogenic fragments thereof, to stimulate protective immunity in the recipient against infection by pathogenic bacteria, including all types of Enterobacteriaceae, preferably E. coli to produce specific immunoglobin molecules in the serum and urine or mucosal secretions of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. It particularly relates to the vaccination of mammalian species with heteropolymeric protein complexes as a mechanism for stimulating production of antibodies that protect the vaccine recipient against infection by pathogenic bacterial species. In another aspect the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used as diagnostics and/or as protective/treatment agents for pathogenic bacterial species. A novel vector for expressing the FimC-H complex at optimal levels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. It particularly relates to the vaccination of mammalian species with heteropolymeric protein complexes as a mechanism for stimulating production of antibodies that protect the vaccine recipient against infection by pathogenic bacterial species. In another aspect the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used as diagnostics and/or as protective/treatment agents for pathogenic bacterial species. A novel vector for expressing the FimC-H complex at optimal levels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. Also provided are methods for vaccination of mammalian species, especially human patients, with variants of the E. coli FimH protein, said variants being derived from different strains of E. coli, and to production of antibodies that protect the vaccine recipient against infection by pathogenic bacterial species. In another aspect the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used as diagnostics and/or as protective/treatment agents for pathogenic bacterial species. A plasmid-based method of producing polypeptides, especially fused polypeptides, such as the complex of a bacterial chaperone and a bacterial adhesin, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protein construct comprising a pilus protein portion, preferably a structurally stabilized pilus-protein, and an additional, or effector, portion other than a pilus protein or chaperone and wherein said effector portion serves to stabilize the pilus protein portion and to confer a therapeutic activity, such as vaccine activity or anti-microbial or anticancer activity, on the protein construct is disclosed. Such effector portion commonly comprises a donor strand complementary segment capable of structurally stabilizing a pilus protein subunit and attaching the auxiliary portion to said subunit to form the pilus protein analog of the invention. Methods of using said protein constructs are also disclosed as well as the formation and use of analogs comprising fragments of a pilus protein linked to effector components to produce immunogenic and/or therapeutic activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for inducing enhanced immune responses using an antigen by use of an adjuvant comprising a member selected from a Caulobacter (in particular, C. crescentus) LPS or a fragment or derivative thereof.