Abstract: A vaccine containing one or more synthetic or highly purified natural peptides or proteins as antigen(s) as well as one or more adjuvants is present in the form of a solution or emulsion which is free from inorganic salt ions or has a low concentration of salt ions. Preferably, it contains substances capable of making the vaccine isotonic, particularly sorbitol.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which include hyaluronic acid derivatives in combination with vaccine antigens, and optionally adjuvants, for mucosal delivery. Also provided are methods of making the compositions, as well as methods of immunization using the same.

Abstract: Isolated peptide sequences and proteins containing these sequences are provided which are useful in the prevention and treatment of infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The peptide sequences have been shown to be highly conserved motifs in the surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria, and these consensus sequences include amino acid sequences such as LPXTG (SEQ ID NO:13), ALKTGKIDIIISGMTSTPERKK (SEQ ID NO:14), VEGAWEKPVAEAYLKQN (SEQ ID NO:15), and EYAGVDIDLAKKIAK (SEQ ID NO:16). By virtue of the highly conserved regions, the sequences and the proteins including these sequences can be utilized to generate antibodies which can recognize these highly conserved motifs and the proteins containing them and thus be useful in the treatment or prevention of a wide range of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel processes for regulating immune responses in mammalian subjects, e.g., humans, afflicted with diseases such as cancers, infections, e.g., viral infections, bacterial infections, or immune dysfunctions, especially auto-immune disorders, e.g., diabetes, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, arteriosclerosis and ulcerative colitis. More particularly, this invention relates to generating elevated levels of an intermediary metabolite, e.g., lipids or conjugated biomolecules, e.g., glycolipids, lipoproteins and glycoproteins other than antibodies, cytokines or hormones. Treatment can be carried by introduction of the intermediary metabolite into the afflicted subject or by a reagent that when administered leads to elevated levels. The treatment regimen can be in vivo or ex vivo.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: A substantially pure capsular exopolysaccharide adhesin of coagulaso-negative staphylococcal strains, and a general method to prepare such adhesins, are described. Vaccines composed of such adhesins, and uses of such adhesins to produce polyclonal and mono-clonal antibodies against such adhesins, are also disclosed. The adhesins are useful in coating polymeric medical materials to prevent colonization by coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, and as a probe in selecting desirable polymeric medical materials. Such adhesin antibodies are useful in vivo to prevent infection by noso-comial coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, in assays for the detection of such bacteria, in assays for the estimation of such adhesins in complex mixtures, and as an affinity chromatography matrix.

Abstract: Matrices that support cell adhesion and growth are disclosed that deliver low heparin-binding affinity growth factor protein peptides in a controlled manner. These matrices comprise covalently or non-covalently bound heparin or heparin-like polymers, which serve to sequester the low heparin-binding affinity growth factor protein peptides within the matrix. The controlled release of some low heparin-binding affinity growth factor or peptides thereof occurs by degradation of some matrix component or dissociation of the low heparin-binding affinity growth factor protein peptides from the bound heparin. This differs from many controlled delivery devices in that release is not controlled solely by diffusion, and the rate of release may therefore be regulated by altering the rate of degradation of the matrix component or the amount of heparin bound within the matrix. The controlled release of such low heparin-binding affinity growth factor proteins such as NGF-&bgr;, NT-3 and BDNF, is demonstrated.

Abstract: A method of administering a vaccine to females to prevent or treat infections associated with pathogens which cause sexually transmitted diseases is described. The vaccine comprises one or more antigens for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, for example an HSV glycoprotein D or an immunological fragment thereof, and an adjuvant, especially a TH-1 inducing adjuvant. The use of the vaccine components for the formulation of a vaccine composition for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in female subjects is also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns an alkaloid glycoside for use in medicine. In a preferred aspect, the alkaloid glycoside is used for the stimulation of a class I-restricted immune response and/or a class II-restricted immune response. In a preferred aspect, the alkaloid glycoside is tomatine.

Abstract: A kit useful for immunization is described. The kit contains an antigenic substance from a Mycobacterium and an adjuvant combination of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide and monophosphoryl lipid A.

Abstract: An immunogenic complex includes at least one glycoside and at least one lipid. The complex further contains a) at least one mucosal surface targeting protein, protein derivative or carbohydrate that targets lymphatic tissue and induces an immune response when administered locally on mucous membranes; and b) at least one passenger immunogen that lacks tropism for mucous membranes.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are primed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and compositions for attenuating xenograft rejection by administering, to an animal receiving the xenograft, an amount of a polymer-derivatized xenoantigen (hereinafter “xenopolymer”) effective for inhibiting or lessening the severity of hyperacute rejection response (HAR), or other immunological response to the graft, that is dependent on the presence of the xenoantigen on the grafted tissues or cells. In certain embodiments, the xenopolymer is administered in an amount sufficient to neutralize host antibodies (“xenoreactive antibodies” or “XNA”) immunoreactive with the xenoantigen. The xenopolymer may additionally, or alternatively, be used as a tolerogen (or anergen) for the xenoantigen, e.g., able to suppress, to some degree, the production/secretion of XNAs by the immune system of the host.

Abstract: A diversity of inflammatory diseases can be treated via local delivery to the patient of a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-malarial agent. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a pulmonary inflammatory condition, such as asthma, is treated by inhalation of an aerosolized anti-malarial agent, such as hydroxychloroquine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particulate drug carriers, such as vesicles, formed from polysaccharide derivatives. A polysaccharide bearing at least one non-ionic hydrophilic group attached to an individual monosaccharide unit is hydrophobised to form a derivative bearing at least one long chain alkyl residue. Particle formation is then induced in the presence of cholesterol. The particles are suited for entrapment or conjugation of pharmaceutically active ingredients.

Abstract: The invention concerns an alkaloid glycoside for use in medicine. In a preferred aspect, the alkaloid glycoside is used for the stimulation of a class I-restricted immune response and/or a class II-restricted immune response. In a preferred aspect, the alkaloid glycoside is tomatine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the effects of bacterial polysaccharides on cell mediated immunity in animals. Polysaccharides of the present invention comprise the outer polysaccharides (OPS) located on bacterial cell membranes and other polysaccharides (e.g. “Poly B”) either secreted or contained within the periplasmic space. These polysaccharides have been found to enhance the general or cell mediated immunity of animals to various diseases. The invention provides for the use of such polysaccharides in preventing and treating various infections as well as in treating carcinomas. The invention also provides for synthetic polysaccharides having the same immuno-modulating effect as the bacterial polysaccharides.

Abstract: An antigen-containing formulation is provided, comprising: (a) an antigen; (b) a TH1-inducing adjuvants; and (c) a sparingly soluble amino acid or a derivative thereof. The adjuvants may be, for example, monophosphoryl lipid A, 3′-de-O-acetylated monophosphoryl lipid A, derivatives thereof, or any other adjuvants that enhances an individual's TH response to the antigen. Suitable amino acids include tyrosine, tryptophan, derivatives thereof, and the like. Methods for using the formulation are also provided; in a particularly preferred embodiment, the formulation is used as a vaccine.

Abstract: A vaccine contains at least one Drosophila cell-secreted, recombinantly-produced form of a truncated Flavivirus envelope glycoprotein, as an active ingredient, and an adjuvant, as a critical component of the vaccine. The adjuvant is an immunomodulating agent having an iscom-like structure and comprising within the iscom-like structure at least one lipid and at least one saponin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Such a vaccine protects a subject against infection by a Flavivirus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multipurpose, high-functional, alkaline solution composition, preparation therefor and use thereof as a nonspecific immunostimulator. The composition comprises 1-25 parts by weight of borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O), 10−5-10−4 parts by weight of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3.5H2O), 30-150 parts by weight of potassium carbonate, 30-200 parts by weight of refined sugar (C12H22O11), and 100-200 parts by weight of water, based on 100 parts by weight of sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3.5H2O). In addition to bringing about an improvement in disease resistance, weight gain rate, crop yield, crop quality, harvest time, the composition shows nonspecific immunostimulating activities, including antibody production and immune enhancement, by activating immune cells, thereby maximizing vaccination effects on malignant viral diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to adjuvants, and in particular to methods and products utilizing a synergistic combination of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) and a non-nucleic acid adjuvant. Such combinations of adjuvants may be used with an antigen or alone. The present invention also relates to methods and products utilizing immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) for induction of cellular immunity in infants.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic compositions of receptor ligand-containing antagonist complexes and methods of using them to treat diseases, disorders or conditions associated with the function or aberrant function of a cell surface receptor.

Abstract: The invention involves the combination of Interleukin-12 with p53 derived peptides and an adjuvant, preferably QS-21. It is found that this combination provokes a surprisingly strong immune response. Further, in an accepted in vivo model, the use of compositions containing these three ingredients led to diamatic decreases in the growth of induced tumors, thus suggesting a therapeutic regime.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for removing toxic lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from outer membranes of Gram-negative cocci, such as Neisseria meningitidis. LOS-depleted outer membranes and LOS-depleted soluble outer membrane proteins can be prepared, which are able to elicit bactericidal antibodies against homologous strains of bacteria. Vaccines and other uses of the preparations are further described.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are primed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention related generally to materials and methods for reduction and/or alleviation of prostatic and prostatic-related (metatastic) carcinoma via the administration of disclosed compositions, immunotherapeutic agents, or antibodies.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing Muramyl dipeptide derivatives and conjugates or Muramyl dipeptide derivatives and conjugates combined with nucleoside derivatives which induce hematopoietic stem cell stimulation and mobilization into the circulating blood system. Methods to induce hematopoietic stem stimulation and mobilization, as well as methods to decrease myelotoxic effects using these pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: S19 mAb, deposited under Accession Number HB-12144 at the ATCC, binds to a carbohydrate epitope of a glycoprotein found distributed over the surface of sperm. The carbohydrate nature of the epitope, its distribution over the entire sperm surface, and the fact that it is epididymal/sperm specific and not naturally found in any of the tissues of the female reproductive tract, make the glycoprotein, SAGA-1, a desirable immunogen as the active agent for a contraceptive vaccine, as well as a test standard for monitoring antibody titer. The antibody provides a diagnostic for the presence of sperm, as well as a topical spermistatic.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression. The composition comprises a substantially non-immunogenic carrier molecule to which is linked carbohydrate chains containing a suppressive amount of a repeated, antigenic carbohydrate determinant derived from a shed antigen of interest. In a method of tolerizing shed antigen-specific B cells involved in an immune complex-mediated disease progression, administered to an individual is a therapeutically effective amount of the composition which, when contacting the shed antigen-specific B cells, induces tolerization of the shed antigen-specific B cells.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is an adjuvant for immunogenic, immunological, antigenic or vaccine compositions. The adjuvant is composed of insect cells or fractions thereof. Disclosed and claimed are also methods for preparing and using the adjuvant and compositions containing the adjuvant. Advantageously, a recombinant baculovirus containing DNA encoding and expressing an epitope of interest or antigen can be infected into insect cells such as insect cells derived from a Lepidopteran species such as S. frugiperda for expression, and the infected insect cells or a fraction thereof can be used with the expressed epitope of interest or antigen as an inventive antigen or in an inventive immunological, antigen or vaccine composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the isolation, diagnosis and treatment of microorganisms such as flaviviruses and other hemorrhagic fever viruses are based on the sulfated polyanion-dependent interaction of flaviviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses, in particular dengue virus, with target cells. The cellular receptors targeted by these viruses have been identified as sulfated polyanionic glycoproteins, that include highly sulfated heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans for some target cell types, and as a sulfated mucin on vascular endothelium. Compounds such as heparin, highly sulfated heparan sulfate, and synthetic polyanions such as Suramin, inhibit the interaction between the microorganisms and target cells, thereby disrupting the infective process.

Abstract: Substantially non-antigenic polymers containing pI and/or pH optimum modulating moieties are disclosed. The polymers are useful as intermediates for synthesis of amine-based polymers and in the formation of activated polymers for conjugation with nucleophiles. Conjugates and methods of preparation and treatment with the conjugates are also disclosed.

Abstract: DTH-Effector cells are printed with carbohydrate antigens and used to enhance the cellular immune response. Tumors have been inhibited by DTH-Effector cells primed with epiglycanin and with synthetic T and Tn antigens. Either the DTH-Effector cells, or these tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens directly, may be used for tumor prophylaxis and therapy.