Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising antigenic material of keratinophilic fungi and/or keratinophilic yeasts for use in a method of treating and/or preventing hoof- and claw diseases in animals and a new Trichophyton verrucosum strain which can e.g. be used in such a method of treatment and/or prevention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic materials and methods useful for reducing the risk of fungal infections, particularly valley fever. The disclosure also provides assays for identifying compounds useful to treat valley fever, as well as methods for ameliorating the symptoms of valley fever.

Abstract: This invention describes vaccine compositions and their methods of use utilizing inactivated fbp1? deletion mutant fungal cells.

Abstract: Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 (FIG. 13). The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney, and pancreas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of a composition comprising yeast cell walls comprising ?-1,3-glucans which are insoluble when extracted with water and partially soluble when extracted with DMSO, the process comprising contacting said composition with laminaripentaose-producing-?-1,3-glucanase and inactivating the laminaripentaose-producing-?-1,3-glucanase to result in a composition comprising yeast cell walls wherein the ?-1,3-glucans have an improved solubility in DMSO and the ratio of ?-glucans soluble in DMSO compared to water is greater than or equal to 2.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for the treatment of cancer by modulating fungal populations to enhance the therapeutic response to a cancer therapy. In particular, the present invention discloses modulating the fungal microbiome in combination with a cancer therapy to enhance the anti-tumor effect.

Abstract: Classifier generation methods are described in which features used in classification (e.g., mass spectral peaks) are selected, or deselected using bagged filtering. A development sample set is split into two subsets, one of which is used as a training set the other of which is set aside. We define a classifier (e.g., K-nearest neighbor, decision tree, margin-based classifier or other) using the training subset and at least one of the features (or subsets of two or more features in combination). We apply the classifier to a subset of samples. A filter is applied to the performance of the classifier on the sample subset and the at least one feature is added to a “filtered feature list” if the classifier performance passes the filter. We do this for many different realizations of the separation of the development sample set into two subsets, and, for each realization, different features or sets of features in combination.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a new combination or association of pharmacologically active substances and/or non-drug treatments for cancer. According to the present invention, the combination or association of substances and/or non-drug treatments is used to treat cancer, clinical problems associated to cancer and adverse side effects related to substances and/or treatments used to fight this illness. The components of the combination or association of substances, the biological response modifier (proteic aggregate of ammonium and magnesium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride) and at least one substance and/or treatment with antineoplastic properties can be jointly or simultaneously or consecutively or sequentially administered in an appropriate form, according to their chemical properties, and with the use of the most suitable procedures, and also in the most therapeutically effective dose and use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccination strategy that establishes protective immunity, including a protective memory T-cell population.

Abstract: Described is an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleic acid molecule (ODN) having the structure according to formula (I), wherein any NMP is a 2? deoxynucleoside monophosphate or monothiophosphate, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, -6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine-monophosphate or -monothiophosphate, NUC is a 2? deoxynucleoside, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, 6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine, any X is O or S, a and b are integers from 0 to 100 with the proviso that a+b is between 4 and 150,

Abstract: A preparation method for a water extract of the fruiting body of Antrodia camphorata (ACW) is provided. The method includes steps of: (a) providing the fruiting body; and (b) boiling the fruiting body in water to obtain the water extract. This polysaccharide-rich water extract from A. camphorata induces the maturation of dendritic cells, enhances T cell proliferation and INF-? production, and polarizes them toward the Th1 pathway. ACW can be effectively applied in cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to modulation of fungal morphology between yeast-to-hyphal growth transition by controlling muramyl-L-alanine concentration and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase I activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase I activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) bearing ?-glucose (?-Glc) that preferentially stimulate human invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are provided. GSLs with ?-glucose (?-Glc) that exhibit stronger induction in humans (but weaker in mice) of cytokines and chemokines and expansion and/or activation of immune cells than those with ?-galactose (?-Gal) are disclosed. GSLs bearing ?-glucose (?-Glc) and derivatives of ?-Glc with F at the 4 and/or 6 positions are provided. Methods for iNKT-independent induction of chemokines by the GSL with ?-Glc and derivatives thereof are disclosed. Methods for immune stimulation in humans using GSLs with ?-Glc and derivatives thereof are provided.

Abstract: A mucosal vaccine for the prevention or treatment of microbial infections is described that is capable of inducing vaccine antigen-specific immune responses in an organism without the addition of a mucosal adjuvant. The mucosal vaccine comprises a composite of a nanogel comprising a hydrophilic polysaccharide having a cationic functional group and a hydrophobic cholesterol added thereto as a side chain and a vaccine antigen. The vaccine is administered via a mucosal route.

Abstract: A method for stimulating the immune system in immunocompromised patients in order to treat opportunistic infection. The method involves the infusion of intentionally mismatched allogeneic cells. In order to prevent graft vs. host disease complications, the allogeneic cells can be irradiated prior to infusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells having modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides which may be modified further by heterologous expression of a set of glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases to become host-strains for the production of mammalian, e.g., human therapeutic glycoproteins. The process provides an engineered host cell which can be used to express and target any desirable gene(s) involved in glycosylation. Host cells with modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides are created or selected. N-glycans made in the engineered host cells have a GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc2 core structure which may then be modified further by heterologous expression of one or more enzymes, e.g., glycosyl-transferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases, to yield human-like glycoproteins. For the production of therapeutic proteins, this method may be adapted to engineer cell lines in which any desired glycosylation structure may be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the examination of the pattern of immunodominant T cell epitopes in the E6 protein of Human Papilloma virus and its further characterization in terms of its amino acid sequence and Human Leukocyte Antigen restriction. These epitopes are identified based on their ability to induce specific T cell responses and therefore, are important as sources of antigens for immunotherapies to treat cervical and other cancers. The present invention contemplates identifying a number of similar epitopes restricted by a wide variety of Human Leukocyte Antigen types so that they can be used together to develop preventative or therapeutic vaccines, which can be used for the general human population. The present invention also contemplates using E6 peptides of Human Papilloma virus as a diagnosis method to predict the probability of developing persistent cervical neoplasia in an individual.

Abstract: Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising asymmetrical artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) are disclosed. The non-spherical aAPCs more closely mimic endogenous cell-cell interactions and can be used for antigen-specific immunotherapy.

Abstract: Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is currently diagnosed by relying on infected individuals (humans, dogs, etc.) to generate antibodies against the fungus. Since the immune response against Valley Fever can be delayed or absent in many cases, methods that detect a polypeptide or peptide component of the Coccidioides sp. fungus in a bodily fluid such as blood are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treatment of prion disease, cancers and other conditions, the methods comprising administration of an anti-Candida agent. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing prion disease and cancers, said methods based on the determination of the presence of Candida infection, in particular systemic candidiasis.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that treatment of a subject with an mTOR inhibitor enhances antigen-specific T cell immune responses. Thus, provided herein is a method of enhancing an antigen-specific T cell response in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an mTOR inhibitor. The antigen can be any antigen, such as an antigen from a pathogen or a vaccine, or a tumor antigen. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to the subject a vaccine, such as a virus vaccine or a cancer vaccine. The mTOR inhibitor can be administered either before or after vaccination to enhance the quantity and quality of the T cell immune response and immunological memory. In some examples, the mTOR inhibitor is rapamycin or a rapamycin analog.

Abstract: A vaccine comprising Calnexin fragment and a method of using the vaccine to immunize a patient against fungi are disclosed. The Calnexin fragment may be either a full-length native version or a functionally equivalent version of full-length Calnexin.

Abstract: Adjuvant and immunological vaccine compositions comprising modified, cationic metal oxides are disclosed, including methods of making modified, cationic metal oxides and methods of using the modified metal oxides in vaccine formulations and regimens.

Abstract: Provided herein are cells, vectors and viruses in association with a mutant polypeptide that has emerged in response to a therapeutic or prophylactic agent; compositions comprising such cells, vectors and viruses and methods for their use in eliciting an immune response to the mutant polypeptide. In some examples, the immune response is a cellular immune response.

Abstract: This application concerns a method for preparing glucan from Aspergillus niger, characterised in that it comprises (i) the at least partial deacetylation of the mycelium of A. niger; (ii) acid treatment of the (partially) deacetylated mycelium, preferably following purification and/or washing, to obtain insoluble glucan and soluble chitosane, which acid treatment comprises placing the deacetylated mycelium in contact with an acidic solution; (iii) the separation of the soluble chitosan on the one hand, and the insoluble glucan on the other; (iv) alkaline treatment of the glucan comprising placing the glucan in contact with an alkaline solution to cause the glucans to flocculate; and (v) drying the flocculated glucans to obtain glucan powder. This invention further concerns the glucans thus obtained, compositions comprising them, and their uses. The glucans of the invention may be used as immunostimulants.

Abstract: Peptides including an amino acid sequence of a fragment of mammalian Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), analogs and derivatives thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions including these peptides. Methods for modulating a TLR-4 mediated immune response, particularly stimulating TLR-4 mediated immune response, thereby treating infectious diseases and cancer.

Abstract: Compositions containing sterilized antigens with a high diversity, which can be collected from primitive jungle areas, and uses thereof for balancing immune responses and treating immunological diseases in a subject.

Abstract: The invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel cell-based immunotherapy that can recapitulate neutrophil functions in neutropenic individuals afflicted with a microbial infection. The therapeutic methods of the invention are broadly applicable to treat any infection in a neutropenic individual, including infections caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The methods of the invention represent a practical, rapid cell-based immunotherapy for refractory infections comprising compositions of activated, irradiated HL-60 cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to endophytic fungi from higher plants such as a Pteromischum sp. plant, and to extracts and compounds from such fungi that have desirable biological activities, such as antifungal and immunosuppressive activities. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising such extracts and compounds, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of an immunostimulant by submerged cultivation of Lentinus edodes in which mycelium from agar plates or a fermentation broth is added to a liquid medium in a shake flask or a bioreactor containing nutrients such as malt extract, yeast extract, peptone and glucose having access to air or to which air is added, and which is kept in constant movement at approx. 28° C. At the proper conditions, there will be an increase in the production of extracellular lentinan, which is shown to be a better immunostimulant than intracellular lentinan. The extracellular product is precipitated from the growth medium by means of methods for the precipitation of microbial polysaccharide.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a vaccine adjuvant, including a polysaccharide derived from Antrodia camphorata (also named Antrodia cinnamomea or Taiwanofungus camphoratus) fruiting body, wherein the molecular weight of the polysaccharide is greater than 100 K Da. Furthermore, the polysaccharide is obtained by an extraction process, and the extraction process includes: (a) adding powder of the Antrodia camphorata fruiting body into water to form a mixture; (b) heating the mixture under reflux; (c) after step (b), removing an insoluble matter from the mixture; (d) after step (c), adding ethanol into the mixture to perform a precipitating step and obtain a precipitate; and (e) performing an isolating step to the precipitate to obtain a fraction the molecular weight of which is greater than 100 K Da of the precipitate.

Abstract: The present invention shows that intranasal administration of E1/E3-defective adenovirus particles may confer rapid and broad protection against viral and bacterial pathogens in a variety of disease settings. Protective responses lasted for many weeks in a single-dose regimen in animal models. When a pathogen-derived antigen gene was inserted into the E1/E3-defective adenovirus genome, the antigen-induced protective immunity against the specific pathogen was elicited before the adenovirus-mediated protective response declined away, thus conferring rapid, prolonged, and seamless protection against pathogens. In addition to E1/E3-defective adenovirus, other bioengineered non-replicating vectors encoding pathogen-derived antigens may also be developed into a new generation of rapid and prolonged immunologic-therapeutic (RAPIT).

Abstract: A Candida albicans bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Filament formation and adherence to host cells are critical virulence factors of C. albicans. Multiple filamentation regulatory pathways have been discovered, however the downstream effectors of these regulatory pathways remain unknown. The cell surface proteins in the ALS group are downstream effectors of the filamentation regulatory pathway. Particularly, Als1p mediates adherence to endothelial cells in vitro and is required for virulence. The blocking of adherence by the organism is described resulting from the use of a composition and method disclosed herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a gene, gene product, or specific antibody to the ALS gene family is administered as a vaccine to generate an immune response capable of blocking adherence of the organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for a purified fungal carbohydrate-linked polymer bead platform, which can serve as an artificial fungus-like particle to measure specific patient immune responses to fungal carbohydrate antigens. A specific embodiment comprises a purified ?-1,3-glucan chemically conjugated to a polymer bead.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated truncated form of the secretory aspartyl proteinase 2, as well as to nucleic acid molecules encoding same. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising an isolated truncated form of the secretory aspartyl proteinase 2, as well as to nucleic acid molecules encoding same.

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

Abstract: Anti-glucan antibodies have been found to be protective against systemic fungal infection with C. albicans, but the protective efficacy can be inhibited by blocking antibodies. The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a glucan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, characterized in that, when administered to a mammalian recipient, the composition elicits protective anti-glucan antibodies but does not elicit antibodies which inhibit the protective efficacy of the anti-glucan antibodies. The glucan may be presented on the surface of a protease-treated microbial cell or may be presented as a protein-glucan conjugate. The glucan may be substituted by a glucan mimotope, a peptidomimetic of a glucan mimotope, or nucleic acid encoding a mimotope. Anti-glucan-antibodies show broad spectrum microbicidal activity. ?-glucans are preferred, particularly those containing one or more ?-1,6 linkages.

Abstract: The invention provides adjuvants, immunogenic compositions, and methods useful for polynucleotide-based vaccination and immune response. In particular, the invention provides an adjuvant of cytofectin:co-lipid mixture wherein cytofectin is GAP-DMORIE.

Abstract: We provide new methods of in vitro or in vivo enhancing the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human DCs and the use thereof in cancer vaccination. The method includes the introduction of different molecular adjuvants to human DCs by contacting or modifying them with mRNA or DNA molecule(s) encoding CD40L, and CD70 or constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4).

Abstract: The invention provides novel adjuvants and pharmaceutical composition comprising of an adjuvant alone. The invention also provides novel vaccine compositions comprising of an antigen and a novel adjuvant. The novel adjuvant as per present invention is farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist. The invention also relates to an adjuvant for variety of antigens. The adjuvant improves antibody production specific to incorporated antigen. The adjuvant also induces cell mediated immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions for modulating the immune system, comprising a therapeutically effective quantity of two or more immuno-active antigenic agents with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and/or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents or solvents. The immunogenic compositions according to the present invention are used for producing medicaments for preventing and/or treating, and for preventing and/or treating infectious diseases, auto-immune diseases, allergic diseases, inflammation, arthritis, inflammatory diseases, transplant rejection, affections caused by vascular disorders, diseases caused by haemorrhagic or ischaemic cardiovascular accidents, ischaemia, heart attack and haemorrhagia leading to tissue destruction, heart, kidney, respiratory or liver insufficiency, cancer, malign and benign tumours and neoplasia.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine including an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, with an adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing hematogenously disseminated or mucocutaneous candidiasis. A method of treating or preventing disseminated candidiasis also is provided that includes administering an effective amount of an isolated Als protein family member having cell adhesion activity, or an functional fragment thereof, to inhibit the binding or invasion of Candida to a host cell or tissue. The Als protein family member can be derived from a Candida strain selected from the group consisting of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis and the Als protein family member includes Als1p, Als3p, Als5p, Als6p, Als7p or Als9p. Also provided is a method of treating or preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a protein having the characteristics of a serine protease having an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO 2 for use as a medicament. The invention also pertains to this protein for use in a vaccine to protect an animal against an infection with a micro organism that secretes said protein, and to the corresponding antibodies directed against the protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for delivering one or more active ingredients, and more particularly to compositions, e.g. beads, comprising a matrix material which matrix material comprises a microorganism. In particular, the invention relates to compositions comprising a microorganism selected from live, killed, attenuated and inactivated microorganisms. The matrix material may also comprise a surfactant and may further comprise an adjuvant. The invention further relates to the manufacture and use of such compositions, and to other subject matter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for augmenting the immunogenicity of an antigen in a mammal, comprising immunizing the mammal with a composition comprising the antigen, and an adjuvant in an amount of effective to augment the immunogenicity of said antigen, wherein the adjuvant comprises a Ling-Zhi-8 (LZ-8) protein.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting in advance of treatment whether a cancer patient is likely, or not likely, to obtain benefit from administration of a yeast-based immune response generating therapy, which may be yeast-based immunotherapy for mutated Ras-based cancer, alone or in combination with another anti-cancer therapy. The method uses mass spectrometry of a blood-derived patient sample and a computer configured as a classifier using a training set of class-labeled spectra from other cancer patients that either benefitted or did not benefit from an immune response generating therapy alone or in combination with another anti-cancer therapy.