Abstract: A monoclonal antibody may have a binding domain that binds to a peptide of the HTT protein having the sequence of p7543 (SEQ ID No. 3). Such a monoclonal according may include a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising GYTFTEYT (SEQ ID No. 66), a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising INPNNGGT (SEQ ID No. 67), a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising ASLDGRDY (SEQ ID No. 68), a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising QSLLNSRTRKNY (SEQ ID No. 69), a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising WAS (SEQ ID No. 70), and/or a light chain variable region comprising KQSYNLLT (SEQ ID No. 71).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to immunization and immunotherapy for the treatment or prevention of HIV. In particular, the methods relate to in vivo and ex vivo enrichment of HIV-specific CD4 T cells. In certain embodiments, the disclosed compositions and methods can incorporate therapy in order to further enhance the HIV-specific CD4 T cells.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions comprising an anti-amyloid antibody and methods of treating microbial infection and treating or preventing microbial biofilms using the composition.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a novel concept for finding the optimum expression level of a therapeutic gene for inducing the largest therapeutic effect without any adverse reaction. An object of the present invention is to develop an immuno-viral therapeutic vector exerting the optimal therapeutic effect while ensuring high safety. The present invention provides, for example, an oncolytic virus comprising an immunity-inducing gene operably linked to the downstream of E2F promoter or a promoter having an activity equivalent thereto, wherein at least one promoter for nucleic acids encoding an element essential for viral replication or assembly is replaced with a promoter for an organ specific highly expressed factor or with a promoter for a cancer cell specific highly expressed factor.

Abstract: Provided are an artificial multi-antigen fusion protein and a preparation method thereof. The fusion protein can effectively stimulate CD8+T and CD4+ T cell immunities, and can be applied to immunodiagnostics or serve as a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides with modified multimerization domains that provide high expression, solubility, stability, and low immunogenicity to the fusion polypeptides have been developed. TRAIL compositions with the modified multimerization domains show improved physico-chemical and biological properties relative to TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions also have lower immunogenicity in the mammalian host when compared to that of TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions induce apoptosis of cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in vivo, reducing tumor size.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing or monitoring Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection, which method comprises detecting the presence of the polypeptide (MAP P900) encoded by the positive strand of IS900, or a fragment thereof, in a sample from a subject, wherein MAP P900, or a fragment thereof, is detected using an antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to MAP P900.

Abstract: Provided herein are HIV-1 vaccines comprising a carrier and a population episensus antigen determined using the EpiGraph approach. Also provided are HIV-1 vaccines comprising a carrier, a population episensus antigen, and a tailored antigen. Also provided are methods of designing and producing an HIV-1 vaccine for a subject comprising designing vaccine antigens to optimally cover the diversity within a geographic area using an antigen amino acid sequence generated using the EpiGraph approach, and producing said designed vaccine antigen. Also provided are methods of inducing an effector memory T cell response comprising designing the one or more EpiGraph amino acid sequences, producing a vaccine comprising the one or more EpiGraph amino acid sequences and a vector, and administering the vaccine to a subject. Further provided are methods of treating HIV-1 in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of the described HIV-1 vaccines to the subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to the discovery that benzodiazepines can be used to reactivate latent HIV-1 virus that is integrated into human genome. In other embodiments, the benzodiazepine is used in combination with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), such as but not limited to SAHA (also known as N-hydroxy-N-phenyl-octanediamide, Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, Vorinostat). In yet other embodiments, the combination of benzodiazepine and the HDACi synergistically reactivates latent HIV-1 virus that is integrated into human genome, with minimal or no significant toxicity associated with the dose of either agent.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are described. In particular, methods of inducing an immune response against HIV by co-locally administering an immunogenically effective amount of an isolated HIV envelope (Env) polypeptide and an immunogenically effective amount of an adenovirus vector encoding an HIV antigen, e.g., Env antigen are described. The isolated HIV Env polypeptide and adenovirus vector can be administered in a single composition or in separate compositions, in which the composition or compositions do not contain an adjuvant.

Abstract: Gas vesicles, protein variants and related compositions methods and systems for singleplexed and/or multiplexed ultrasound imaging of a target site in which a gas vesicle provides contrast for the imaging which is modifiable by application of a selectable acoustic collapse pressure value of the gas vesicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle comprising a polypeptide and at least one antigen, and a composition comprising thereof.

Abstract: Provided are nucleic acid constructs, Toxoplasma comprising same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and methods using same for delivering a protein-of-interest to a tissue-of-interest of a subject, such as the CNS and further treating a pathology which is treatable by administration of a therapeutic polypeptide in a central nervous system of the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance, liposomes, and a polynucleotide, and methods for using such compositions for delivering a polynucleotide to a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to conformationally stabilizing primate immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein trimers.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant nucleic acid sequences derived from the C-terminal domain of the HIV-1 gp41 protein, and more specifically compositions and methods for using these epitopes to develop vaccine protection against HIV. Also provided here are monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to these recombinant nucleic acid sequences derived from the C-terminal domain of the HIV-1 gp41 protein.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium falciparum. Use of such antibodies as anti-malarial agents, to confer protection against infection by malarial parasites such as P. falciparum by insect vector transmission. Diagnosis of malaria using anti-CSP antibodies. Methods of determining efficacy of candidate vaccine compositions in development and testing of anti-malarial vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting whether a binding peptide, which binds to a target peptide presented by a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and is for administration to a subject, has the potential to cross react with another peptide in the subject in vivo. The method comprises the steps of identifying at least one binding motif in the target peptide to which the binding peptide binds; and searching for peptides that are present in the subject that comprise the at least one binding motif and that are not the target peptide. The presence of one or more such peptides indicates that the binding peptide has the potential to cross react in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine comprising a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a dog telomerase reverse transcriptase (dTERT) antigen, as well as methods of using the vaccine to induce an immune response against a TERT and to treat cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Highly effective vaccine compositions are constructed according to the methods of this invention. The methods are amenable to use with any peptidic antigen sequence and involve covalent attachment of an immunostimulatory nucleotide sequence to an antigenic peptide sequence. Preferred antigenic peptides are fusion peptides made up of one or more CTL epitope peptides in sequence fused to a T helper peptide.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting whether a binding peptide, which binds to a target peptide presented by a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and is for administration to a subject, has the potential to cross react with another peptide in the subject in vivo. The method comprises the steps of identifying at least one binding motif in the target peptide to which the binding peptide binds; and searching for peptides that are present in the subject that comprise the at least one binding motif and that are not the target peptide. The presence of one or more such peptides indicates that the binding peptide has the potential to cross react in vivo.

Abstract: The disclosure provides helix grafted proteins, methods of producing helix grafted proteins and methods of use of helix grafted proteins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions involved in disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and materials for inducing an immune response in an animal or person against an immunodeficiency virus, such as HIV, SIV, or FIV. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises administering one or more antigens and/or immunogens to the person or animal wherein the antigen and/or immunogen comprises one or more evolutionarily conserved epitopes of immunodeficiency viruses. In one embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV and FIV.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous acidic formulation suitable for use as in the preparation of a pharmaceutically acceptable fluorocarbon-linked peptide formulation, which aqueous formulation comprises a first fluorocarbon-linked peptide, wherein: the peptide linked to the fluorocarbon is at least 20 amino acid residues long, comprises at least 50% hydrophobic amino acid residues and has an isoelectric point greater than or equal to 7; and the fluorocarbon-linked peptide is present in micelles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glycopolypeptide that includes one or more modified amino acid residues having a sidechain comprising a monosaccharide or an oligosaccharide, wherein the glycopolypeptide binds specifically to a carbohydrate-binding monoclonal antibody with an affinity of less than 100 nM. Immunogenic conjugates that include the glycopolypeptide, and pharmaceutical compositions that include the glycopolypeptide or the immunogenic conjugate are also disclosed. Various method of using the glycopolypeptides, immunogenic conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed, including inducing an immune response, inhibiting viral or bacterial infection, treating a cancerous condition, and detecting a neutralizing antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial peptides of the general formula AxByCz with x, z?1, y?3 and x+y+z?50, where A and C, in each case independently of one another, have at least 65% basic amino acids and B has at least 65% hydrophobic and/or nonpolar amino acids and comprises a direct sequence of at least three hydrophobic amino acids. Moreover, a medical use of the peptides, a conjugate and an antimicrobial composition are indicated.

Abstract: Creation of HIV-1 vaccine immunogens based on glycopeptide scaffolds containing sequences from the V1/V2/V3 and C3 domains of HIV-1 gp120 that is able to bind multiple broadly neutralizing antibodies when expressed in mammalian cells that incorporate mannose-5 and mannose-9 glycans.

Abstract: The invention is based on the use of photoluminescent probes for intracellular sensing of oxygen, especially assaying intracellular oxygen concentration. The photoluminescent probe comprises a suspension of polymeric particles having an average diameter in the 20 nm to 100 nm range, formed from an amphiphilic cationic co-polymer which is oriented in the formed particle to provide a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. The probe includes a hydrophobic oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye such as Pt-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphine, PtPFPP embedded in the hydrophobic core of the particle, and the co-polymer includes quaternary ammonium groups which provide hydrophilic and cationic character to the particle shell. The photoluminescent probe, which in use is provided in the form of an aqueous suspension of probe, is incubated with live mammalian cells in a suitable growth medium for a period of time to allow the probe particles passively load into the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid construct comprising: a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ice structuring protein (ISP) comprising the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence at least 80% identical thereto or comprising the sequence set out in amino acids 21 to 261 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence at least 80% identical thereto; and, linked operably thereto, control sequences permitting expression of the nucleic acid sequence in a filamentous fungal host cell. The construct may be used in a method for the production of an ISP, wherein the ISP is expressed in a filamentous fungal host cell.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing a systemic viral infection in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable composition selected from the group consisting of squalamine, an active isomer thereof, and an active analogue thereof, via a dosing regimen that delivers effective antiviral concentrations of squalamine. Also compositions for achieving the systemic antiviral effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, nucleic acids, and cells for use in the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to survivin-derived tumor-associated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention specifically relates to three novel peptide sequences and variants thereof derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells that can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.

Abstract: The disclosure provides helix grafted proteins, methods of producing helix grafted proteins and methods of use of helix grafted proteins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions involved in disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions containing a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp140 protein, sorbitol, polysorbate 20, and histidine buffer are described. The described immunogenic compositions are advantageous in that they are stable at refrigerated temperature for extended periods of time, and are compatible with an adjuvant. Also described are methods of using the immunogenic compositions to induce an immune response against an HIV in a subject. The immunogenic compositions can be administered alone, or in combination with one or more additional HIV antigens, or one or more adenovirus vectors encoding the one or more additional HIV antigens.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance, liposomes, and a polynucleotide, and methods for using such compositions for delivering a polynucleotide to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a therapeutic exosome using a protein newly-identified to be enriched on the surface of exosomes. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of using the proteins for affinity purification of exosomes. It also provides methods of localizing a therapeutic peptide on exosomes, and targeting exosomes to a specific organ, tissue or cell by using the proteins. The methods involve generation of surface-engineered exosomes that include one or more of the exosome proteins at higher density, or a variant or a fragment of the exosome protein.

Abstract: Depression and PTSD are treated by administration of hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU, preferably 120-170 IU, more preferably 140-160 IU, of hCG per day.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic HIV-1 gp120 mini V3 loop, which is a truncated version of the full-length gp120 V3 loop useful for crystallization with antibodies that recognize carbohydrate moieties. The invention also relates to the structure of a broadly neutralizing antibody as a complex with a glycosylated gp120 outer domain, as determined by crystallographic techniques, and the confirmation that a glycosylated gp120 outer domain has a functional relevant conformation, as well as the determination of key residues on a glycosylated gp120 outer domain, and uses thereof and compounds and compositions therefrom. Furthermore, the invention also relates to other peptides and mimetic peptides, which bind to broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: A method for inducing an immune response against HIV in a subject includes the step of preparing an HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein coding sequence particle having an N425K mutation, introducing the HIV-1 gp120 protein coding sequence particle having an N425K mutation into an expression construct using yeast homologous recombination, transfecting a cell with the expression construct, wherein the HIV-1 particle is secreted by the cell, and administering the secreted HIV-1 particle and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject, wherein the secreted HIV-1 particle stimulates an immune response in the subject.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to the field of immunological-based diagnostic assays including an assay to measure cell-mediated immunoresponsiveness. The present disclosure teaches diagnosis of a subject's exposure to an antigen based on cell-mediated immunoresponsiveness with enhanced sensitivity. Lymphocytes from a subject are contacted with at least a first set of peptides comprising at least one peptide of from 7 to 14 amino acid residues in length and a second set comprising at least one peptide of 16 amino acid residues or greater and the presence or elevation of an immune molecule is detected. The assay contemplated herein is capable of integration into standard pathology architecture to provide a diagnostic reporting system and to facilitate point of care clinical management.

Abstract: An approach of producing recombinant trimers that mimic native HIV-1 envelope trimers is developed. A recombinant protein forming the recombinant trimers encompasses a recombinant HIV-1 gp140 fused to a tag through a linker at C-terminus of the recombinant HIV-1 gp140. The linker is sufficiently long so that the tag is accessible for binding by a binding molecule bound on a solid matrix. After expressed in a cell, the recombinant protein is secreted into the culture medium and assembles into recombinant trimers therein. The recombinant trimers may be directly purified from the culture medium. Cleaved and uncleaved trimers from different clade viruses are produced.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to recombinant bacteria, e.g. L. lactis, expressing heterologous pili containing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens. In certain embodiments, the recombinant bacteria are administered in combination with other HIV antigens, nucleic acids encoding HIV antigens, recombinant virus encoding HIV antigens, anti-viral agents and/or adjuvants in an effective amount to elicit a mucosal immune response against HIV.

Abstract: The present invention provides for recombinant Endo-D and selected mutants that exhibit reduced hydrolysis activity and increased transglycosylation activity for the synthesis of glycoproteins wherein a desired sugar chain is added to a core fucosylated or nonfucosylated GlcNAc-protein acceptor by transglycosylation. Such recombinant Endo-D and selected mutants are useful for efficient glycosylation remodeling of IgG1-Fc domain.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treating HIV including identification and manipulation of particular domains associated with immunogenicity.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, which may be utilized as HIV-1 vaccine immunogens, and antigens for crystallization, electron microscopy and other biophysical, biochemical and immunological studies for the identification of broad neutralizing antibodies. The present invention encompasses the preparation and purification of immunogenic compositions, which are formulated into the vaccines of the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing infection due to a pathogen such as a fungal pathogen. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccinations against or treatment for a fungal organism in a non-immunocompromised or immunocompromised subject.

Abstract: Macrocyclization of amino acids or linear peptides upon reaction with amphoteric amino aldehydes and isocyanides is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel muteins derived from human tear lipocalin having affinity to human c-Met receptor tyrosin kinase (c-Met). The invention also refers to a corresponding nucleic acid molecule encoding such a mutein and to a method for its generation. The invention further refers to a method for producing such a mutein. Finally, the invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a lipocalin mutein as well as to various uses of the mutein.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide analogues conjugated to carrier peptides are provided. The disclosed compounds are useful for the treatment of various diseases, for example diseases where inhibition of protein expression or correction of aberrant mRNA splice products produces beneficial therapeutic effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant hemagglutinin antigenic protein, a virus-like particle and a recombinant influenza virus. The present invention further provides a vaccine comprising the recombinant hemagglutinin antigenic protein, the virus-like particle or recombinant influenza virus.