Abstract: Disclosed is a Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) comprising a PA amino acid sequence, wherein one or more of amino acid residues I207, I210, E654, I656, R659, M662, Y681, and L687, as defined by reference to SEQ ID NO: 1, are, independently, substituted, with the proviso that amino acid residue I207 is not substituted with alanine and amino acid residue I210 is not substituted with alanine. Related compositions, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax protective antigen (PA) toxin. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) in which more than one secreted protease is inactivated by genetic modification. Such a protease-deficient B. anthracis has an improved ability to produce recombinant secreted proteins compared to other bacteria, particularly other Bacillus. Improvements include production of intact (i.e., mature full-length) proteins, often at high yield. The disclosure provides a B. anthracis that comprises a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M4 family of metalloproteases and a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M6 family of metalloproteases. Also provided is a modified B. anthracis comprising such genetic modification transformed with a recombinant molecule encoding a product, as well as methods to prepare and use such B. anthracis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particular antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormal angiogenesis. In particular, these antibodies detect tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in its native and cell-surface expressed form. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing monoclonal antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax protective antigen (PA) toxin. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) comprising a PA amino acid sequence, wherein one or more of amino acid residues I207, I210, E654, I656, R659, M662, Y681, and L687, as defined by reference to SEQ ID NO: 1, are, independently, substituted, with the proviso that amino acid residue I207 is not substituted with alanine and amino acid residue I210 is not substituted with alanine. Related compositions, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protein comprising a cytolethal distending toxin subunit B (CdtB) conjugated or fused to a Bacillus anthracis toxin lethal factor (LF) or a functional portion of LF. Related chimeric molecules, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating or preventing cancer, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for targeted delivery of a compound to a target cell that over-expresses two different proteinases. Specifically, two different modified protective antigen proteins, each comprising a cleavage site recognized by a distinct proteinase in place of the native proteinase cleavage site recognized by furin, are administered in combination with a compound that contains a protective antigen binding site. Upon cleavage by the two proteinases the two modified protective antigen proteins form a hetero-oligomer, allowing the compound to bind to the hetero-oligomer and subsequently to be translocated into the target cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) in which more than one secreted protease is inactivated by genetic modification. Such a protease-deficient B. anthracis has an improved ability to produce recombinant secreted proteins compared to other bacteria, particularly other Bacillus. Improvements include production of intact (i.e., mature full-length) proteins, often at high yield. The disclosure provides a B. anthracis that comprises a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M4 family of metalloproteases and a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M6 family of metalloproteases. Also provided is a modified B. anthracis comprising such genetic modification transformed with a recombinant molecule encoding a product, as well as methods to prepare and use such B. anthracis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) in which more than one secreted protease is inactivated by genetic modification. Such a protease-deficient B. anthracis has an improved ability to produce recombinant secreted proteins compared to other bacteria, particularly other Bacillus. Improvements include production of intact (i.e., mature full-length) proteins, often at high yield. The disclosure provides a B. anthracis that comprises a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M4 family of metalloproteases and a genetic modification that inactivates a protease of the M6 family of metalloproteases. Also provided is a modified B. anthracis comprising such genetic modification transformed with a recombinant molecule encoding a product, as well as methods to prepare and use such B. anthracis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particular antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormal angiogenesis. In particular, these antibodies detect tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in its native and cell-surface expressed form. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing monoclonal antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of specifically targeting compounds to cells overexpressing matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen activators, or plasminogen activator receptors, by administering a compound and a mutant protective antigen protein comprising a matrix metalloproteinase or a plasminogen activator-recognized cleavage site in place of the native protective antigen furin-recognized cleavage site, wherein the mutant protective antigen is cleaved by a matrix metalloproteinase or a plasminogen activator overexpressed by the cell, thereby translocating into the cell a compound comprising a lethal factor polypeptide comprising a protective antigen binding site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protein comprising a cytolethal distending toxin subunit B (CdtB) conjugated or fused to a Bacillus anthracis toxin lethal factor (LF) or a functional portion of LF. Related chimeric molecules, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating or preventing cancer, and methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particular antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormal angiogenesis. In particular, these antibodies detect tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in its native and cell-surface expressed form. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing monoclonal antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for targeted delivery of a compound to a target cell that overexpresses two different proteinases. Specifically, two different modified protective antigen proteins, each comprising a cleavage site recognized by a distinct proteinase in place of the native proteinase cleavage site recognized by furin, are administered in combination with a compound that contains a protective antigen binding site. Upon cleavage by the two proteinases the two modified protective antigen proteins form a hetero-oligomer, allowing the compound to bind to the hetero-oligomer and subsequently to be translocated into the target cell.

Abstract: Provided are immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against B. anthracis and other bacteria that contain 3-methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate- or 3-hydroxybutyrate-substituted saccharides. Conjugates of 3-methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate- or 3-hydroxybutyrate-substituted saccharides elicit an effective immune response against B. anthracis spores in mammalian hosts to which the conjugates are administered.