Abstract: This invention relates to peptides directing a CD4 related T helper cell response wherein the peptides may be used as an adjuvant provided with an antigen or as an immunomodulatory agent without an antigen and compositions comprising modification of a fifteen-mer peptide sequence from the MHC II? chain at positions 135-149 known as Peptide G or a derivative of derG or other derivatives wherein the derivatives enhance the immune response of antigens and methods for treating cancer, autoimmune disease, transplant conditions, infectious conditions or allergies caused by foreign eukaryotic organisms, and infectious conditions or allergies caused by prokaryotic organisms or nonliving agents such as viruses, phages and prions with polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passive protective agent against P. vivax. The passive protective agent is an antibody that, when a concentration of the antibody is injected intravenously, protects a subject to the limits of that concentration of antibody from developing malaria when the subject is subsequently challenged with live, infectious P. vivax sporozoites. The invention includes methods of treatment and pharmaceutical formulations of the agent.

Abstract: An IgG1 monoclonal antibody, Navy Yoelii Liver Stage 3 (NYLS3) does not recognize sporozoites, but recognizes P. yoelii liver stage parasites within 6 hours of invasion of mouse hepatocytes, and throughout the hepatic and asexual erythrocytic stages of the life cycle. When added to primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes 24 hours after inoculation with P. yoelii sporozoites, when all sporozoites have invaded hepatocytes, NYLS3 eliminates up to 98% of liver stage parasites. Intravenous injection of NYLS3 into mice delays the onset and reduces the density of blood stage parasitemia after sporozoite or blood stage challenge. The protein recognized by this mAb is identified and designated P. yoelii hepatic and erythrocytic stage protein, 17-kDa or PyHEP17. The gene encoding PyHEP17 and a DNA vaccine comprising exons of the DNA that encodes PyHEP17 are disclosed. A DNA vaccine consisting of exon 1 and part of exon 2 of the gene encoding PyHEP17 protects 86% of A/J mice, 33%-43% of B10.

Abstract: An agent and pharmaceutical formulations of the agent containing a synthetic peptide of the human malaria Plasmodium vivax, containing at least one repeat of a synthetic peptide having the amino acid sequence Ala-Gly-Asp-Arg (AGDR) which is a protective epitope found on the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the sporozoites of the human malaria Plasmodium vivax. When a monoclonal antibody specific for this four amino acid sequence binds to the CS protein of the P. vivax sporozoite in vivo, infection is prevented.

Abstract: A protein antigen (SSP2) on the surface of Plasmodium sporozoites is disclosed as a candidate immunogen for vaccination against malaria. This use of this protein, which is distinct from the extensively characterized circumsporozoite (CS) protein, will also facilitate research into host immunological responses to malaria. This antigen is detected by a monoclonal antibody (NYS4) which is specific for a 140 kilodalton (kD) protein on the sporozoite cell surface. Immunoreactive genomic clones are described which express this surface antigen gene and the primary nucleic acid sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence derived from this DNA sequence are disclosed. Unique repetitive sequences of amino acids are described which further demonstrate the distinction between SSP2 and the CS protein. A synthetic peptide containing repeating epitopes of SSP2 derived protein antigen and which are substantially shorter in length than the intact antigen are disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide of the human malaria Plasmodium vivax, containing at st one repeat of a synthetic peptide having the amino acid sequence Ala-Gly-Asp-Arg (AGDR) which is a protective epitope found on the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the sporozoites of the human maleria Plasmodium vivax. When a monoclonal antibody specific for this four amino acid sequence binds to the CS protein of the P. vivax sporozoite in vivo, infection is prevented. Also described are pharmaceutical formulations of these peptides.