Abstract: The disclosure is in the field of immunology and provides means and methods for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. More in particular, the disclosure relates to means and methods for inducing immune tolerance to an antigen, wherein the antigen is covalently attached to a sialylated oligosaccharide, in particular, 6?-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine. More in particular, the disclosure provides means and methods for inducing immune tolerance against an antigen derived from myelin, such as a myelin component, such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, a well-known target in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a murine multiple sclerosis model.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of molecular immunology, more in particular in the field of medical treatment of animals such as humans suffering from unwanted immune reactions. The invention relates to methods for the treatment of unwanted immune reactions and provides means and methods for suppressing an immune response. The present invention relates in particular to regulatory T cells and methods of long-term, culture-expanding, activating and using same in immunotherapy and for the suppression of autoimmune responses, allergies and inflammatory diseases. The invention provides a sia alpha 2,3-conjugated antigen for use in the suppression of an immune response in a patient in need of such a treatment.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of molecular immunology, more in particular in the field of medical treatment of animals such as humans suffering from unwanted immune reactions. The invention relates to methods for the treatment of unwanted immune reactions and provides means and methods for suppressing an immune response. The present invention relates in particular to regulatory T cells and methods of long-term, culture-expanding, activating and using same in immunotherapy and for the suppression of autoimmune responses, allergies and inflammatory diseases. The invention provides a sia alpha 2,3-conjugated antigen for use in the suppression of an immune response in a patient in need of such a treatment.

Abstract: C-type lectins are involved in the binding of many different types of carbohydrates. Considering their diversity in kind and expression of different types of cells, the influence of such binding is very diverse and dependent among others on the type of cell, the environment of the cell and the type of carbohydrate bound. In the present invention new carbohydrate specificities of C-type lectins are disclosed. Interference with this binding property has uses in the prevention of pathogen binding and also in influencing signaling pathways in the C-type lectin containing cell, particularly in Toll like receptor expressing cells such as dendritic cells. Also provided is the use of the carbohydrate specificity to enhance antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells and to manipulate migration of C-type lectin containing cells and the interaction of C-type lectin expressing cells with cellular ligands on neighboring cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among others, means and methods for detecting terminal GalNAc-containing molecules. A preferred molecule for detecting the structures is a molecule comprising a carbohydrate binding part of MGL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides among others means and methods for detecting terminal GalNAc containing molecules. A preferred molecule for detecting said structures is a molecule comprising a carbohydrate binding part of MGL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of auto-immune diseases, the treatment of allergy, and/or for inhibiting HIV infection. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins.

Abstract: C-type lectins are involved in the binding of many different types of carbohydrates. Considering their diversity in kind and expression of different types of cells, the influence of such binding is very diverse and dependent among others on the type of cell, the environment of the cell and the type of carbohydrate bound. In the present invention new carbohydrate specificities of C-type lectins are disclosed. Interference with this binding property has uses in the prevention of pathogen binding and also in influencing signaling pathways in the C-type lectin containing cell, particularly in Toll like receptor expressing cells such as dendritic cells. Also provided is the use of the carbohydrate specificity to enhance antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells and to manipulate migration of C-type lectin containing cells and the interaction of C-type lectin expressing cells with cellular ligands on neighboring cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a sinusoid endothelial layer, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The sinusoid endothelial layer may be either constituted by liver sinusoid endothelial cells (LSEC) or by the lymph node sinusoidal zone.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that a receptor, named DC-SIGN, is specifically expressed on dendritic cells, and facilitates infection of T lymphocytes with HIV. Assays for identifying compounds that modulate the interaction of DC-SIGN and HIV and/or T cells and macrophage are provided. Compounds so identified are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that a receptor, named DC-SIGN, is specifically expressed on dendritic cells, and facilitates infection of T lymphocytes with HIV. Assays for identifying compounds that modulate the interaction of DC-SIGN and HIV and/or T cells and macrophage are provided. Compounds so identified are also part of the present invention.