Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising anti-HLA-Ib antibodies (monoclonal, mixed monoclonal, recombinant, chimeric, humanized or human antibodies) as IVIg mimetics and methods for using the same for the prevention, treatment, therapy and/or amelioration of inflammation induced diseases and allograft rejection. In certain embodiments, the anti-HLA-Ib antibodies strongly mimic IVIg in immunoreactivity to HLA class Ia (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-Cw) and Ib antigens (HLA-E, HLA-F and HLA-G). In certain embodiments, the anti-HLA-Ib antibodies strongly mimic IVIg in immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive activities. Methods are also provided herein to induce production of polyclonal anti-HLA-Ib antibodies in cancer patients for restoring anti-tumor activities of CD8+ T cells and NK cells, by active specific immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric particles comprising single stranded RNA (ssRNA), double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and at least one cationic agent, a pharmaceutical composition containing said particles and to a method of producing the same. The particles of the present invention are particularly useful as an immunostimulating medicament with a superlative pattern of immunostimulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide having a length of no more than 100 amino acids and comprising at least 19 contiguous amino acids from the amino acid sequence of the human PRAME protein, wherein the peptide comprises at least one HLA class II epitope and at least one HLA class I epitope from the amino acid sequence of the human PRAME protein and to its use as such or in a composition as a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Provided are TCL1 peptides that bind to MHC I (HLA-A2) on tumor cells or other antigen-presenting cells and are recognized by T-cell receptors on T cells. The TCL1 peptides may be therapeutically used to treat a cancer, such as a B cell malignancy, leukemia, or lymphoma. Methods for expanding a population of T cells that target TCL1 are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a medical condition, disease, or disorder mediated by a misfolded form of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in a subject in need of treatment. The method optionally comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and an agent selected from (1) an exogenous antibody or fragment thereof that binds selectively to the misfolded form of SOD, and/or (2) an immunogen that elicits production of an endogenous antibody that binds selectively to the misfolded form of SOD, and/or (3) a nucleic acid sequence encoding (1) or (2). In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of treating diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using amyotrophic disease-specific epitopes, and compositions including these epitopes. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to monomeric or misfolded SOD1, and not on the molecular surface of native homodimeric SOD1.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treatment of toxin poisoning are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of subjects with cognitive or neuropsychiatric impairment induced by substance addiction and for increasing cognitive function in a subject with substance addiction. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule including covalently linked first, second, and third domains; wherein the first domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class II ?1 domain; or wherein the first domain is an MHC class I ?1 domain and the second domain is an MHC class I ?2 domain; and wherein the third domain is covalently linked to the first domain and comprises an antigen of the central or peripheral nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention provides (a) isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptides capable of inducing immune responses against human HER-2 receptor; (b) isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide; (c) plasmid constructs comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide; (d) vaccine compositions comprising an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide (e) vaccine compositions comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide; and (f) methods of treating or preventing cancer, inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation, or eliciting an immune response against HER-2 protein in a mammal using (1) an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide, (2) nucleic acid molecule encoding an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide, or (3) a composition comprising an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide, or composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding an isolated immunogenic HER-2 peptide.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and/or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the differential diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia or chronic alcoholism, by imaging the brain of a subject to detect any or all of the markers phosphocreatine (PCr), N-acetyl aspartate divided by the total creatine signal (NA/Crt), and synaptic phosphodiester (sPDE), and determining any increase or decrease in the presence of such markers compared to normal levels in specified anatomic areas of the brain. The output of such a method, resulting from such imaging, is presented to be viewed by a diagnostician in order to support the differential diagnosis based on the data output.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoparticles and compositions comprising such nanoparticles, as well as methods for intracellular delivery of peptides, and methods of producing nanoparticles and related products. The nanoparticles comprise a core comprising a metal and/or a semiconductor atom; and a corona comprising a plurality of ligands covalently linked to the core, wherein at least a first ligand of said plurality comprises a carbohydrate moiety that is covalently linked to the core via a first linker, and wherein at least a second ligand of said plurality comprises a peptide of choice that is covalently linked to the core via a second linker. The second linker comprises a peptide portion and a non-peptide portion, wherein said peptide portion of said second linker comprises the sequence X1X2Z1, wherein: X1 is an amino acid selected from A and G; X2 is an amino acid selected from A and G; and Z1 is an amino acid selected from Y and F.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A? peptide, active fragments thereof or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for modulation of the immune system. Specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions for increasing T cell mediated immune response useful in the treatment of cancer and chronic infection.

Abstract: A vaccine and method of treatment suitable for treating autoimmune diseases, such as Vitiligo, by using variant peptides representing a sequence of amino acids found in heat shock protein 70. The vaccine includes a peptide derived from inducible heat shock protein 70 and a plasmid containing a full inducible heat shock protein 70 DNA sequence encoding the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tumor antigen-specific Th-inducing polypeptide capable of efficient antigen presentation, and an antitumor agent using same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new treatment for noninvasive cancers in the epithelial tissue lining inside and outside surfaces, including the topical use of the immunomodulator, either alone or in association or combination with other drug and non-drug treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) through the administration to a subject in need thereof at least one nucleic acid encoding at least a portion of at least one of toxin A and toxin B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of immunogens comprising an antigenic PCSK9 peptide linked to an immunogenic carrier for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of PCSK9-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting an extracellular matrix derived (EMD) peptide predominantly to an injured tissue, as opposed to an uninjured tissue in vivo. The targeted EMD peptide facilitates the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue by providing a surface for cells to attach and grow, thereby facilitating the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidotes are factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention is related to antigen from Chlamydia trachomatis which are recognized by specific antibodies from individuals infected with Chlamydia or which can induce T cells from the same individuals to secrete gamma-interferon. The T cell reactive antigens are present in a whole-cell lysate and have apparent molecular weights of 5-12, 16-20, 25-35 and 58-74 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. The antigens of the invention are believed to be useful in vaccines but also as diagnostic compositions.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a T-cell receptor (TCR) which binds to a peptide from latent membrane protein 2 (LMP-2) from the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) having the amino acid sequence CLGGLLTMV (SEQ ID No. 1) when presented by a major histocampatability complex (MHC) molecule. The present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence encoding such a TCR, a vector comprising such a nucleotide sequence and its use to produce a EBV-specific T-cell. The present invention also provides the use of EBV-specific T-cell for cellular immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions that include at least two paramyxovirus F protein antigens selected from human metapnuemovirus (hMPV), paarainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The antigens of the disclosed compositions are recombinant F protein polypeptides, which have been modified to stabilize the trimeric prefusion conformation. Nucleic acids encoding the antigens, as well as methods for their production and use are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing or inhibiting allograft rejection by a recipient of that allograft by treating the recipient with a composition comprising Factor H (FH). The invention also encompasses methods in which the recipient is also administered one or more immunosuppressants in addition to the Factor H.

Abstract: The invention features HYR1 as a vaccine target and as a prophylactic strategy for combating disseminated candidiasis.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases resulting from infections by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. In particular the invention relates to the use of an antigen selected among (a) a synthetic peptide 5P having the following formula: DPhe-NMeVal-Ile-Phe-Ala-OMe (SEQ ID NO: 1); (b) a lipopeptide L5P consisting of the synthetic peptide a) wherein the N-terminal phenylalanine residue is N-acylated with an eicosanoic acid acyl chain; (c) a variant of peptide a) or lipopeptide b) able to react with anti-Mycobacterium paratuberculosis antibodies; for in vitro detection or quantification of specific anti-Mycobacterium paratuberculosis antibodies in a biological sample.

Abstract: The prediction of protein function as well as the reconstruction of evolutionary genesis employing sequence comparison at large is still the most powerful tool in sequence analysis. Due to the exponential growth of the number of known protein sequences and the subsequent quadratic growth of the similarity matrix, the computation of the Similarity Matrix of Proteins (SIMAP) becomes a computational intensive task. The SIMAP database provides a comprehensive and up-to-date pre-calculation of the protein sequence similarity matrix, sequence-based features and sequence clusters. As of September 2009, SIMAP covers 48 million proteins and more than 23 million non-redundant sequences. Novel features of SIMAP include the expansion of the sequence space by including databases such as ENSEMBL as well as the integration of metagenomes based on their consistent processing and annotation.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to identifying peptide sequences involved in antibody binding to any protein for synthesis of vaccine treatments. This novel method allows for a more manageable vaccine peptide discovery and specific generation of unique immunogenic peptides from self-tumor associated proteins and/or foreign proteins from infectious organisms for specific and/or enhanced expression only in the presence of the antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for improving the ability of a peptide to stimulate an immune response, comprising exposing the peptide to a chemical modifying agent. It further provides compositions comprising an antigenic peptide, wherein the peptide has been treated with a chemical modifying agent to improve its ability to stimulate an immune response. It also provides methods of stimulating an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a vaccine.

Abstract: Application of oligonucleotide and polypeptide sequences of molecules of the family of the vascular permeability factor (VPF), their receptors, and co-receptors, as well as their modifications, in the active immunotherapy of pathologic entities in which course is associated to the increase of angiogenesis. These procedures can be employed in the single or combined therapy for the treatment of cancer and its metastasis, acute and chronic inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetic and newborn retinopathies, organ transplant rejection, macular degeneration, neovascular glaucoma, hemangioma, and angiofibroma, among others.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing angioedema in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that is capable of inhibiting the interaction of HK with gC1q-R. One aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing vascular permeability in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that is capable of inhibiting the interaction of HK with gC1q-R.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic peptide of eight amino acids that is generated naturally in the intestine of celiac patients by means of the hydrolysis of ingested gluten. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the peptide, or antibodies generated against same, for the in vitro monitoring and/or diagnosis of celiac disease, as well as to the use of such antibodies for the detection of gluten in food. The invention further relates to the use of the aforementioned peptide as a therapeutic target for the development of compounds or compositions for use in the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of this pathological condition, as well as to the use of the peptide and the antibodies against same for the prevention and/or treatment of celiac disease.

Abstract: There exist in the art methods of detecting simple peptides. However, methods to determine the effective plasma concentration of mixtures of peptides as a group, rather than for individual peptides with a defined amino acid sequence, are complicated by the heterogeneity of the peptides to be detected. This application provides improved methods of detecting and assessing random sequence polymer (RSP) compositions, methods for the detection and quantitation of RSP compositions, means to determine and enrich a subset of peptides in an RSP composition based on the subset's interactions with certain capture polypeptides, and methods for administering RSP compositions to a subject in need thereof, wherein the dosage regimen and quantity may be determined or evaluated based on the above-mentioned methods for detection and quantitation.

Abstract: Herein are described two antibodies that can inhibit CETP-lipoproteins interaction and CETP activity. Presently described are an antibody or fragment thereof capable of specifically binding to an epitope of the N-terminal or C-terminal domains of CETP and methods of using these antibodies for separation, identification, diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods that provide pharmacodynamic effects specific to therapeutic macromolecules. The effects may result from reduced doses of therapeutic macromolecules in combination with immunosuppressant doses. The effects may also be enhanced with such compositions.

Abstract: A first or second polypeptide for use in a method of treating or preventing a disorder by tolerisation, wherein said method comprises administration of the first and second polypeptide; and wherein both first and second polypeptides: i) are of 7 to 30 amino acids in length; ii) comprise at least one MHC Class II-binding T cell epitope; and iii) are a fragment of a protein allergen or a homologous variant of said fragment; wherein said first polypeptide induces the release of an amount of IL-10 that is greater than the amount of IL-10 released in response to the whole protein allergen from which the first polypeptide derives; wherein said disorder is characterised by an inappropriate immune response to the protein allergen from which the second polypeptide derives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes isolated from the serum of a mammal. The invention also relates to methods for making such complexes and compositions comprising alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes, isolated from the serum of a mammal, wherein such compositions are used in methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious disease. The invention also relates to methods for treating and preventing cancer and infectious disease using such complexes comprising, isolated from the serum of a mammal. The invention also encompasses methods for production of alpha (2) macroglobulin complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monomeric and multimeric peptidic compounds which have antipathogenic, in particular antiviral or/and antibacterial activity. In a preferred aspect, the peptide compounds of the invention have an activity in respect of a broad spectrum of viruses, both DNA and RNA viruses, irrespective of whether they possess virus envelope or not. Further, the present invention refers to compositions comprising said peptidic compounds for medical use, i.e. for the treatment or prevention of pathogenic, in particular viral or/and bacterial infections.

Abstract: A method of treating a microbial inflammatory encephalopathy condition in a patient is disclosed. The method has the steps of (1) preparing a composition comprising a D peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and (2) administering the composition to the patient in a therapeutically effective dose. The D peptide further comprises the general structure: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H in which: A is Ala, or absent, B is Ser, Thr or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu, E is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, F is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys, Trp, G is Tyr, and H is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly, All of the amino acids are the D stereoisomeric configuration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for eliciting antigen-specific T-cell responses against human cyclin A1 (CCNA1), which is herein identified as a leukemia-associated antigen based on its overexpression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) including leukemia stem cells (LSC) and in immunologically privileged testis cells, but not in other normal cell types. CCNA1-derived peptide epitopes that are immunogenic for T-cells including CTL are disclosed, as are immunotherapeutic approaches using such peptides for vaccines and generation of adoptive transfer therapeutic cells.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an adjuvant polypeptide effective at enhancing the immune response to an antigen crosslinked to the adjuvant polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising, by way of active ingredient, at least one polypeptide comprising, or constituted by a sequence constituted by at least 8 contiguous amino acids and from at the most 30 contiguous amino acids chosen from within the interleukin-6 sequence and from at the most 30 contiguous amino acids chosen from within the complete IL-6 sequence.

Abstract: Provided are expression vectors for generating an immune response to a mucin. The vectors comprise a transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising a secretory signal, a mucin antigen and CD40 ligand. Also provided are methods of generating an immune response against cells expressing a mucin by administering an effective amount of the vector. Further provided are methods of generating an immune response against cancer cells expressing a mucin in an individual by administering an effective amount of the vector. Still further provided are methods of overcoming anergy to a mucin self antigen by administering an effective amount of the vector.

Abstract: A method of treatment of neurodegenerative illness in a patient comprising the steps of preparing a composition comprising a D peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The D peptide has the general structure: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H in which A is Ala, or absent, B is Ser, Thr or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu, E is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, F is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys, Trp, G is Tyr, and H is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly. All amino acids in the D peptide are the D stereoisomeric configuration. The peptide composition is administered in a therapeutically effective dose.

Abstract: A method of treating loss of memory or motor function due to brain neurodegenerative condition, such as Alzheimer's Disease and others, comprising the steps of: preparing a composition comprising a D peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said D peptide further comprises the general structure: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H in which: A is Ala, or absent, B is Ser, Thr or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu, E is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, F is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys, Trp, G is Tyr, and H is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly, and wherein all amino acids are the D stereoisomeric configuration. The composition is administered to the patient in a therapeutically effective dose and acts to treat the condition in the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a molecule that inhibits or prevents an interaction between a Src family kinase and an androgen or estradiol receptor, for use in preventing or treating a non-cancerous condition in which an activity of AR and/or ER is a contributory factor in a subject, or for use in preventing or treating a cancerous condition in which an activity of AR and/or ER is a contributory factor in a subject who wishes to preserve fertility, or for use in preventing or treating a gynaecological condition in which an activity of AR and/or ER is a contributory factor in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and compositions for combating diseases characterized by deposition of amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against amyloid precursor protein (APP) or beta amyloid (A?). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogs of autologous APP or A?, said analogs being capable of inducing antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an immunogen is autologous A? which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-cell epitopes. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogs and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: Novel peptides that inhibit the release of microparticles from cells are disclosed. The peptide contains at least one VGFPV motif at the N-terminal and has a length of 10-100 amino acids. Also disclosed is polynucleotide encoding the peptide, expression vectors carrying the polynucleotide, and methods for treating AIDS and tumors using the novel peptides.

Abstract: Controlled-release formulations of carboxy-terminal C5a analogs (such as sustained-release formulations of the analogs), and their use in methods for treating and preventing an infection or a disease such as cancer, for directly killing microorganisms, for vaccine preparation, for inducing an immune response and for targeting antigen-presenting cells and other cells bearing a C5a receptor, are provided.