Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Abstract: Chimeric nucleic acids and polypeptides comprising an antigen or an epitope thereof are described, as well as compositions and methods to increase the presentation of an antigen or epitope by MHC class II molecules and to modulate the immune response.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a peptide having anti-tumour activity and its related pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, the invention concerns a peptide with anti-tumour preventive and therapeutic activity, also in combination with other known anti-tumour compounds such as, for example, 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract: The method of immunotherapy of the present invention involves the regulation of the T cell immune response through the activation or suppression/inactivation of the CD28 pathway. Induction of activated T cell lymphokine production occurs upon stimulatory binding of the CD28 surface receptor molecule, even in the presence of conventional immunosuppressants. Inhibition of CD28 receptor binding to an appropriate stimulatory ligand or inactivation of the CD28 signal transduction pathway through other means down-regulates CD28-pathway related T cell lymphokine production and its resulting effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel myeloid suppressor cells (MSCs) and to methods of isolating these MSCs are also included. The MSCs of the present invention can be used to treat or prevent autoimmune diseases or alloimmune responses. The MSCs of the present invention may also be used to reduce a T cell response, induce T regulatory cells, and produce T cell tolerance.

Abstract: A method for processing immuno-competent cells in view of an antiviral therapy on a human or animal subject, includes: a step for collecting immuno-competent cells on the human or animal subject, and a step for processing the collected immuno-competent cells, so as to stimulate at least a part of the immuno-competent cells, by presenting a muted viral particle to the cells, in view of a reinjection of the stimulated cells into the human or animal subject.

Abstract: A protocol of activating and administering human blood cells so that bone marrow histology and/or blood cell counts of patients suffering from a plastic anemia approach normal. The protocol includes culturing the blood cells in the presence of a cytokine and an ionophore. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated T cell receptors (TCRs) having the property of specifically binding to the VYGFVRACL-HLA-A24 peptide-MHC. Such TCRs are useful, either alone or associated with a therapeutic agent, for targeting cancerous cells presenting the complex.

Abstract: A delivery system comprising a T cell comprising at least one antigen capable of loading antigen-presenting-cells with the antigen.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: A method of manipulating allogeneic cells for use in allogeneic cell therapy protocols is described. The method provides a composition of highly activated allogeneic T-cells which are infused into immunocompetent cancer patients to elicit a novel anti-tumor immune mechanism called the “Mirror Effect”. In contrast to current allogeneic cell therapy protocols where T-cells in the graft mediate the beneficial graft vs. tumor (GVT) and detrimental graft vs. host (GVH) effects, the allogeneic cells of the present invention stimulate host T-cells to mediate the “mirror” of these effects. The mirror of the GVT effect is the host vs. tumor (HVT) effect. The “mirror” of the GVH effect is the host vs. graft (HVG) effect. The effectiveness and widespread application of the anti-tumor GVT effect is limited by the severe toxicity of the GVH effect. In the present invention, the anti-tumor HVT effect occurs in conjunction with a non-toxic HVG rejection effect.

Abstract: The invention is to articles of extracellular matrix. The articles comprise one or more sheets of mammalian extracellular matrix laminated together. A single sheet can be folded over and laminated on 3 sides. Two or more sheets can be laminated to each other at their edges. The sheets can further encase a composition comprising a cell or cells, such as for example, a stem cell. A single sheet can be folded over to encase a composition, or rolled to encase a composition with lamination at either end of the roll, for example. The invention also includes methods of using these articles to regenerate tissue at tissue defects, or heal wounds in damaged tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating acute myocardial infarction has the steps of providing human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBC); and administering the HUCBC to the individual with the acute myocardial infarction at particular time intervals after said myocardial infarction. Preferably the intervals are about one to about three hours or about 12 to about 48 hours after the acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: An affinity ligand is reactive to the GARP protein may be capable of binding to an extracellular domain of GARP protein expressed on regulatory T (Treg) cells. The affinity ligand may be an antibody and may be used to identify Treg cells. A method comprises providing a blood sample from a subject and determining the amount of Treg cells in that sample. A composition containing Treg cells may be administered to an individual to suppress effector T cell activity in the individual. A composition containing an affinity ligand capable of binding to a GARP domain may be administered to an individual to suppress Treg cell activity and increase effector T cell activity in the individual. A kit for detecting Treg cells may include an affinity ligand reactive with mammalian GARP protein.

Abstract: Ex-vivo prepared T-cells are harvested from cell culture conditions and formulated in medium suitable for infusion. The formulation is made by labeling the cells with one or more agents which have reactivity for T-cell surface moieties capable of delivery activation signals upon cross-linking and mixing the labeled cells with biodegradable nanospheres or microspheres coated with a material capable of cross-linking the agents attached to the T-cell surface moieties. Alternatively, the formulation may be made by mixing a population of T-cells with biodegradable nanospheres or microspheres coated with a first material and one or more second materials. The first material binds the second material and the second material has reactivity for surface moieties on the T-cells and the interaction of the second materials with the T-cells causes the activation of the T-cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assessing whether a subject comprises CD4+,CD25+ T cells that have been activated to a specific antigen. The method comprises the steps of obtaining from the subject a sample of lymphocytes comprising CD4+,CD25+ T cells, incubating at least one portion of the sample of lymphocytes so as to promote distinction of CD4+,CD25+ T cells that have been activated to the specific antigen from those CD4+,CD25+ T cells that have not been activated to the specific antigen, and thereafter determining whether CD4+,CD25+ T cells activated to the specific antigen are present in the sample. The invention further relates to methods of growing CD4+, CD25+ T cells that have been activated to a specific antigen in vitro and to methods of increasing tolerance in a subject using the CD4+, CD25+ T cells that have been grown in vitro.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for delivering a therapeutic agent to target organs or tissues, such as brain. The methods and compositions use bone marrow stem cells, monocytes, macrophages or microglial cells to deliver the therapeutic agent associated with nanoparticles to the target organ or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved method of cancer therapy in a mammal. More particularly, the invention is concerned with systems comprising cytosine arabinoside (AraC) and a cytokine-expressing cancer immunotherapy composition and methods of administering the combination to cancer patients in order to generate an immune response against the cancer and provide treatment with therapeutic efficacy that is an improvement relative to administration of AraC or the cytokine-expressing cancer immunotherapy composition alone as a monotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of cancer using donor lymphocyte infusions of T cells. Further, the present invention relates generally to methods for stimulating and activating allogeneic and/or xenogeneic cells which can then be used in a DLI setting.

Abstract: Many cell types in the body can remove apoptotic and cellular debris from tissues; however, the professional phagocyte, or antigen presenting cell (“APC”), has a high capacity to do so. The recognition of apoptotic cells (“ACs”) occurs via a series of evolutionarily-conserved, AC associated molecular-pattern receptors (“ACAMPRs”) on APCs that recognize and bind corresponding apoptotic-cell-associated molecular patterns (“ACAMPs”). These receptors recognize ligands such as phosphotidyl serine and oxidized lipids found on apoptotic cells. Savill et al. (2002); and Gregory et al. (2004).

Abstract: The present invention relates to CD200 receptor isoforms and modulators thereof and their use in methods of immune modulation and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-liquid biomaterial that may be used as a surgical sealant, a suture support, a blood flow controller, an adhesion reducing agent, an adhesion preventing agent, a tissue support, a tissue filler, a wound dressing or a combination thereof. The non-liquid biomaterial may comprise a blood derived material such as plasma, platelet poor plasma, platelet rich plasma or a material derived from blood containing tissue aspirate, such as bone marrow aspirate, a protein binding agent and a polymerizing agent. Methods for making and using the non-liquid biomaterial are also provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing surgical site infections (SSI) that have occurred at extremely high incidence rates at the time of surgical operations and particularly surgical operations on digestive system organs, and to provide a column to be used for the method. According to the present invention, a method is provided for suppressing surgical site infections, which comprises the steps of: (a) administering a chemotherapeutic drug for treating and/or preventing a surgical site infection; and (b) collecting blood from a surgical subject and removing leukocytes that comprise neutrophils from the blood during or within 24 hours after surgical operation, and then returning the blood from which the leukocytes have been removed to the surgical subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing maturation of immature dendritic cells (DC) and for priming those cells for inducing a type 1 immune response. The present invention also provides dendritic cell populations useful for activating and for preparing T cells polarized towards production of type 1 cytokines and/or a type 1 response. Similarly, activated, polarized T cell populations, and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides HIDE1 as novel monocyte markers. Since HIDE1 are membrane proteins, monocytes can be specifically detected by using antibodies that bind to HIDE1. Further, HIDE1-positive monocytes can also be collected from peripheral blood or the like using a cell sorter, magnet, or such. Monocytes that can be prepared based on the present invention are useful in cell immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing antigen-specific Tr1 regulatory lymphocytes. The inventive method involves the use of artificial antigen-presenting cells, expressing a molecule from the HLA class II system and a human LFA-3 molecule and expressing none of the B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, CD40, CD23 or ICAM-1 costimulation molecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more prostate-specific polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly prostate cancer.

Abstract: Single chain trimer (SCT) molecules are disclosed, comprising an MHC antigen peptide sequence, a ?2-microglobulin sequence and a full-length MHC class I heavy chain sequence, joined by linker sequences. Further described are nucleic acids encoding single chain trimers. Methods for expansion of antigen-specific T cell populations using single chain trimer molecules are also disclosed. In some configurations, these methods comprise co-culturing, in a first stage, CD8+ T cells from a donor with antigen presenting cells comprising an MHC antigen peptide, and co-culturing, in a second stage, the CD8+ T cells with cells comprising an SCT which has an MHC antigen peptide sequence identical to the sequence of the antigen peptide in the first stage. The methods can provide 10,000-100,000 fold expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells within about 28 days after establishing culture, and can yield over 1 billion antigen-specific CD8+ T cells expanded from an individual donor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the isolation of T cell lymphocyte, preferably, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte, which is capable of specifically recognizing an antigen related to a pathologic disorder. The method of the invention is base on ability of the CTL's to capture membrane from labeled target cells. The invention further provides compositions comprising said specific lymphocytes and methods for the treatment of said pathologic disorder using the specific lymphocytes isolated and prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent vaccines for the treatment of B-cell malignancies (e.g., lymphomas and leukemias). The present invention also provides methods for the production of custom vaccines, including multivalent vaccines for the treatment of immune cell tumors malignancies as well as methods of treating immune cell tumors using custom vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapeutic methods, and molecules and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumour-associated T-helper cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumour-associated peptides, that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions which stimulate anti-tumour immune responses. In particular, the present invention relates to 49 novel peptide sequences derived from HLA class II molecules of human tumour cell lines which can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumour immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapeutic methods, and molecules and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumour-associated T-helper cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumour-associated peptides, that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions which stimulate anti-tumour immune responses. In particular, the present invention relates to 49 novel peptide sequences derived from HLA class II molecules of human tumour cell lines which can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumour immune responses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunotherapeutic methods, and molecules and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumour-associated T-helper cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumour-associated peptides, that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions which stimulate anti-tumour immune responses. In particular, the present invention relates to 49 novel peptide sequences derived from HLA class II molecules of human tumour cell lines which can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumour immune responses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more breast tumor polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention is based on the observation that certain phenols, monophenols or benzenediols, can be metabolized into reactive quinones, in particular ortho-quinones and related reactive intermediates, which is brought about by oxidation of monophenols and benzenediols by proteins exhibiting tyrosinase activity, such as human tyrosinase and the related proteins TRP1 and TRP2. Although the substances and the produced reactive intermediates are toxic and can induce cell death, it is more relevant according to this invention that they function as haptens that become covalently bound to the tyrosinase enzymes, in particular to histidine moieties, in or near the catalytic site of proteins exhibiting tyrosinase activity, such as tyrosinase, TRP1 and TRP2. An immune response is then to be mounted against these haptenized auto-antigens, in order to treat melanocytic malignancies, in particular melanomas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods useful in the preparation of immunostimulatory vaccines which include as one of their components, activated antigen presenting cells which are characterized by having an ability to stimulate a therapeutic T cells response in vivo.

Abstract: A method is provided for the diagnosis of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or prion disease in an animal which comprises assaying a sample obtained from said animal to determine the number of hematopoietic cells of the erythroid, megakaryocyte or platelet cell lineages in the sample or an expression product thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of gene products that are the result of tumor-associated expression and the nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also relates to the therapy and diagnosis of diseases wherein these gene products are the result of an aberrant tumor-associated expression. The invention also relates to the proteins, polypeptides and peptides that are the result of tumor-associated expression and to the nucleic acids encoding the same.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to facilitate the acquisition of antibody-producing cells that are infiltrating virus-infected cells, cancer cells, abnormal cells forming a benign hyperplasia, and the like, and to improve the efficiency of the production of antibodies as well as nucleic acids encoding them from the antibody-producing cells. The present inventors discovered that, when cancer tissues comprising infiltrating lymphocytes are transplanted into highly immunodeficient animals that do not have T cells, B cells, and NK cells and further exhibit a low IFN production ability, the differentiation and proliferation of infiltrating lymphocytes are unexpectedly promoted, and the number of plasma cells that produce antibodies recognizing cancer tissues increases dramatically, plasma cells can be separated easily, and antibodies or nucleic acids encoding them can be easily prepared from the plasma cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to culture-expanded T suppressor cells derived from CD25?CD4+ T cells, and their use in modulating immune responses. This invention provides methods of producing culture-expanded T suppressor cells, which are antigen specific, and their use in modulating autoimmune diseases and transplantation rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, their methods of making and their methods of use. One such matrix is cells that have been transfected to produce MHC antigen-presenting molecules with one or more accessory molecules. The matrices are used to activate naive CD4+ T cells as well as shift the ongoing activation state into a preferred differentiated population of either Th1 or Th2 cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for activating a T lymphocyte by contacting the T lymphocyte with a dendritic cell (DC) that presents a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TRT) peptide in the context of an MHC class I or MHC class II molecule. The DC may be pulsed with a TRT polypeptide or may comprise a recombinant polynucleotide encoding a TRT such as hTRT. The invention also provides DCs comprising a recombinant TRT polynucleotide. The methods and compositions of the invention are used in prevention and treatment of cancers and other cell proliferation diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Devices useful in the delivery of DNA encoding neurotrophic agents, anti-fibrotic agents, and related compositions are disclosed herein for use in the treatment of central and/or peripheral nervous system injury. Methods of making and using the disclosed devices and DNA are also described. In various embodiments, the invention also discloses compositions and devices that may further include a targeting agent, such as a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor (e.g., bFGF), or another ligand that binds to cell surface receptors on neuronal cells, or a support cell. The invention also discloses methods of promoting neuronal survival and regeneration via transfection of an axon as it grows through a device or composition of the present invention, or via transfection of a repair cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy in a primate subject in need thereof by administering the subject a cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount. The method comprises administering as the CTL preparation a preparation consisting essentially of an in vitro expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population enriched prior to expansion for central memory T lymphocytes, and depleted prior to expansion of effector memory T lymphocytes. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise concurrently administering Interleukin-15 to the subject in an amount effective to increase the proliferation of the central memory T cells in the subject. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Treatment and/or prophylaxis, in mammalian patients, of neurodegenerative and other neurological medical disorders is effected by administering to the patient effective amounts of apoptotic bodies and/or apoptotic cells, preferably those derived from the patient's own white blood cells, e.g. by extracorporeal treatment of the patient's blood cells to induce apoptosis and administration of the apoptotic bodies and/or cells so formed to the patient.

Abstract: Autoimmune disease is treated by the delivery of a suppressive agent to the site of disease. Delivery is accomplished by introducing an expression vector encoding the suppressive agent into cells targeted for such sites, and administering the genetically modified cells to the patient. Suppressive agents of particular interest include IL-4; and anti-CD3 antibodies, particularly single chain anti-CD3 antibodies. Cells of interest for delivery include T cells and T cell hybridomas, where the T cell antigen receptor recognizes epitopes associated with the autoimmune disease. Alternatively, dendritic cells are used as delivery vectors.

Abstract: Recombinant dendritic cells are made by transforming a stem cell and differentiating the stem cell into a dendritic cell. The resulting dendritic cell is an antigen presenting cell which activates T cells against MHC class I-antigen targets. Kits, assays and therapeutics are based upon the activation of T cells by the recombinant dendritic cell. Cancer, viral infections and parasitic infections are all ameliorated by the recombinant dendritic cells, or corresponding activated T cells. Therapeutic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.