Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitive St. thermophilus bacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by the St. thermophilus bacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a St. thermophilus bacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of the St. thermophilus bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions and uses thereof. Embodiments of the present invention provide oral bacterial (e.g., probiotic lactic acid bacteria) vaccine delivery systems comprising an antigen and a dendritic cell-targeting peptide. Such compositions target vaccines to dendritic cells, resulting in a high level of humoral and acquired immunity, including both mucosal and systemic immunity. Such delivery systems find use in the specific delivery of a wide variety of oral vaccines to subjects.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitive St. thermophilus bacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by the St. thermophilus bacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a St. thermophilus bacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of the St. thermophilus bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Cell wall, cell surface and secreted protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, cell wall, cell surface and secreted fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cell wall, cell surface and secreted antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, fragments and variants thereof are provided in the current invention. In addition, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further provided.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions and uses thereof. Embodiments of the present invention provide oral bacterial (e.g., probiotic lactic acid bacteria) vaccine delivery systems comprising an antigen and a dendritic cell-targeting peptide. Such compositions target vaccines to dendritic cells, resulting in a high level of humoral and acquired immunity, including both mucosal and systemic immunity. Such delivery systems find use in the specific delivery of a wide variety of oral vaccines to subjects.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-related protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, FOS-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-FOS-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Stress-related nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, stress-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-stress-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-related protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, FOS-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-FOS-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.