Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to multicistronic vectors and methods for their design. Methods and compositions of the invention include a vector including at least two cistrons, wherein a first cistron includes a first promoter and a first nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more therapeutic agents, and wherein a second cistron comprises a second promoter and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more RNA molecules that interfere with the expression of a biological response modifier or the therapeutic agent, wherein the expression of the first sequence is under control of the first promoter and expression of the second sequence is under control of the second promoter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for exponentially increasing antigenic stimulation of class I MHC CD8+ T cell responses over that based in the art. Some embodiments relate to an immunogenic composition that enhances an immune response in a subject. In some embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises an antigen in combination with an immunopotentiator or a biological response modifier (BRM). Overall, the invention disclosed herein demonstrates that increasing antigenic stimulation in a manner independent of the dose of the antigen enhances immunogenicity.

Abstract: A method provided by the present invention for transmitting overhead information, includes dividing and reforming overhead information into at least two overhead parts, inserting the at least two overhead parts into overhead bytes of at least two corresponding data frames, and transmitting the at least two overhead parts via the it least two data frames which are microwave frames. Overhead information transmitting apparatus and overhead information receiving apparatus are also provided by the present invention. With the method and apparatus of the present invention, the channel bandwidth resources occupied by the overhead bytes or each microwave frame are greatly reduced. If the saved channel bandwidth is used for performing the error correction code on the transmitted information, the code gain is improved and the sensitivity requirement on the receiver is reduced so that the cost of a microwave transmitting system is reduced eventually.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette and also vectors including epitope cluster regions. The housekeeping epitope(s) can be derived from a target-associated antigen. The housekeeping epitope can be liberatable, that is capable of liberation, from a translation product of the cassette by immunoproteasome processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer by providing to a subject in need thereof an immunogenic composition comprising a nucleic acid construct encoding a polypeptide comprising CTL epitopes PSMA288-297 and PRAME425-433, or a cross-reactive analogue. In embodiments of the present invention there is provided methods and compositions for inducing, entraining, and/or amplifying the immune response to MHC class-I restricted epitopes of carcinoma antigens to generate an effective anti-cancer immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a cell proliferative disease such as cancer by providing to a subject in need thereof an immunogenic composition comprising plasmid and peptide(s) or analogues thereof. In embodiments of the present invention there is provided methods and compositions for inducing, entraining, and/or amplifying the immune response to MHC class-I restricted epitopes of carcinoma antigens to generate an effective anti-cancer immune response.

Abstract: Human SLIM polypeptides for use in modulating STAT-dependent gene transcription.

Abstract: Immunogenic compostions composed of poxvirus immunogens and related methods are disclosed. Specifically, immunogenic compostions useful in eliciting immune responses in animals are disclosed. In one embodiment the immunogenic compostions include viral antigens derived from vaccinia and/or variola that elicit cross-reactive immune responses. The immunogens can be made synthetically, by using recombinant DNA technology or derived from purified virus. Moreover, methods of using the immunogenic compostions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette. The invention relates to epitope cluster regions and to vectors including epitope cluster regions. The invention also relates to a method of activating a T cell comprising contacting a substrate polypeptide with an APC and contacting the APC with a T cell.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette and also vectors including epitope cluster regions. The housekeeping epitope(s) can be derived from a target-associated antigen. The housekeeping epitope can be liberatable, that is capable of liberation, from a translation product of the cassette by immunoproteasome processing.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette. The housekeeping epitope(s) can be derived from a target-associated antigen, and the housekeeping epitope can be liberatable, that is capable of liberation, from a translation product of the cassette by immunoproteasome processing. The invention also relates to a method of activating a T cell comprising contacting a substrate polypeptide with an APC and contacting the APC with a T cell.