Abstract: The invention provides BASB205 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB205 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of proteins located on the cell surface of dendritic cells or precursors thereof, particularly antigen presenting dendritic cells. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds such as antibodies that bind these proteins. These compounds can be used to detect and/or enrich a subset of dendritic cells or precursors thereof. These compounds can also be used to target antigens to dendritic cells or precursors thereof to modulate a humoral and/or T cell mediated immune response to an antigen, or used to target cytotoxic agents to dendritic cells or precursors thereof involved in diseased states.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding an allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p III, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p III activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 24,985 daltons is also described. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p III nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having an activity of Der p III. Peptides having an activity of Der p III can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mites.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: This invention relates to the fields of immunology and protein therapeutics. The therapeutic proteins are polypeptides to be administered especially to humans. The polypeptides are modified whereby the modification results in a reduced propensity for the polypeptide to elicit an immune response upon administration to the human subject. The invention therefor provides methods for the development of therapeutic polypeptides that are less immunogenic than any non-modified counterpart when used in vivo. The modifications used according to this invention relate, for example, to the introduction of protease cleavage sites, attachment of different molecules or insertion of non-natural amino acids.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs) of an RNA bacteriophage that (a) comprises a coat polypeptide of said phage modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide that is displayed on said VLP and (b) encapsidates said bacteriophage mRNA as well as populations of these VLPs, and their uses. The invention is further directed to VLPs that encapsidate heterologous substances, as well as populations of these VLPs and their uses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble forms of mesothelin polypeptides, including mesothelin related antigen (MRA). In particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding MRA and an MRA variant. The invention also provides a method of screening for the presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of an antibody specific for a mesothelin polypeptide with a molecule naturally occurring in soluble form in a sample from such a subject, and by hybridization screening using an MRA nucleotide sequence, as well as other related advantages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bioconjugate vaccine, such as an 01-bioconjugate vaccine, comprising: a protein carrier comprising a protein carrier containing at least one consensus sequence, D/E-X—N—Z—S/T, wherein X and Z may be any natural amino acid except proline; at least one antigenic polysaccharide from at least one pathogenic bacterium, linked to the protein carrier; and, optionally, an adjuvant. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of producing an O1-bioconjugate in a bioreactor comprising a number steps.

Abstract: The invention provides expression vectors and virus-like particles (VLPs) containing Newcastle Disease Virus Sequences in combination with sequences encoding proteins of interest. The vectors are useful in, for example, generating virus-like particles (VLPs) that contain proteins of interest. In one embodiment, the expressed VLPs elicit an immune response by an animal host against the protein. The invention's VLPs are useful as, for example, vaccines.

Abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising at least one RSV protein are described. Also described are compositions comprising these VLPs as well as methods of making and using these VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to glutamine-free cell culture media supplemented with arginine. The invention further concerns the production of recombinant proteins, such as antibodies, in arginine-supplemented glutamine-free mammalian cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention includes isolated anti-Langerin vaccines, methods for making and using an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the isolated anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the peptides are separated by the one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site. The present invention also includes isolated vectors for the expression of the anti-Langerin antigen delivery vectors and their manufactures and use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Neisseria ORF2086 proteins, crossreactive immunogenic proteins which can be isolated from nesserial strains or prepared recombinantly, including immunogenic portions thereof, biological equivalents thereof, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the foregoing and nucleic acid sequences encoding each of the foregoing, as well as the use of same in immunogenic compositions that are effective against infection by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides, capable of inducing an immune response against multiple parasites, and methods of designing such polypeptides, are provided. Also provided by the invention are polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, as well as recombinant vectors and transformed host cells containing the said polynucleotides. Oral administration and intramuscular injection of the polypeptides provides vaccination protection against infection from Eimeria parasites that result in the poultry disease coccidiosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel proteins, e.g., antigens, from Piscirickettsia salmonis. The present invention further discloses nucleic acids that encode these proteins. The present invention also discloses the use of the proteins, e.g., antigens, and nucleic acids to prepare vaccines against salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS). The present invention also discloses vaccines that can be used to protect fish from Piscirickettsia salmonis, as well as other pathogens. In addition, the present invention discloses methods of using the vaccines of the present invention to protect fish from SRS as well as from other pathogenic diseases.

Abstract: A method of efficiently expressing Plasmodium AMA-1 ectodomain or a functional part, derivative, and/or analogue thereof, in a eukaryotic expression system. Preferably, the Plasmodium AMA-1 ectodomain is Pf AMA-1 ectodomain. This protein may be expressed in yeast, such as Pichia pastoris. Efficient expression is possible using a method for producing mRNA encoding the Plasmodium AMA-1 ectodomain in a yeast cell, comprising providing the yeast cell with a nucleic acid encoding Plasmodium AMA-1 ectodomain, the nucleic acid being modified to utilize the yeast cell's codon usage. Preferably, at least one putative yeast polyadenylation consensus sequence in the nucleic acid has been modified. More preferably, also at least one site in the protein that is generally glycosylated by eukaryotic expression systems, has been removed.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence that is substantially homologous to consecutive amino acids of a c-terminal portion of the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of gp41 includes an immunogenic epitope reactive with at least one anti-HIV antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of Anaplasma platys polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by influenza virus. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and subunit vaccine compositions. In some embodiments, influenza antigens include hemagglutinin polypeptides neuraminidase polypeptides, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A variant of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae surface protective antigen SpaA protein or of a shortened form of SpaA (?SpaA) in which a portion of SpaA protein is deleted for protection from Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection and a process for preparing the same are provided. Introduction of amino acid substitution at a specific site in the amino acid sequence of SpaA or ?SpaA protein provides a variant of SpaA or ?SpaA protein which is immunogenic and is expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies. The variant of SpaA or ?SpaA protein of the present invention may easily be recovered and purified since it is expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to soluble rubella E1 antigens and variants of these antigens. The antigens contain amino acids 201 to 432 or 169 to 432 and are lacking amino acids 453 to 481 as well as at least the amino acids 143 to 164. They further contain a region spanning two disulfide-bridges. The invention also relates to a recombinant DNA molecule encoding the rubella E1 antigens, the expression of rubella E1 antigens as chaperone fusion proteins and their use in a method of detecting antibodies against rubella in a sample.

Abstract: A method for expressing a heterologous protein in a prokaryotic host cell, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a DNA vector having: (1) a control region operatively linked to a first genetic element encoding a carrier protein capable of expression in the host cell, and (2) a second genetic element encoding the heterologous protein, the second element being embedded within the first element such that the first and second elements are contiguous and in the same reading frame; (b) transforming the host cell with the DNA vector; and (c) expressing a fusion protein of the heterologous protein and the carrier protein, wherein the heterologous protein is joined at its N-terminus to a first domain of the carrier protein and at its C-terminus to a second domain of the carrier protein, and also a method for confirming intact expression of heterologous proteins, as well as fusion proteins, DNA constructs, plasmid vectors and transformed host cells relating to the above methods.

Abstract: A recombinant, refolded non-fusion polypeptide expressed from a truncated r56 gene of the causative agent of scrub typhus, Orientia tsutsugamushi for the Karp, Kato and Gilliam strains has been produced. The invention is useful for detecting prior exposure to scrub typhus, screening for and/or identification of at least one infectious strain-similarity (i.e. a Karp-like, Kato-like or Gilliam-like strain) based on its strength of reaction toward a truncated protein and as a component in vaccine formulation sand production of immune globulins for passive prophylaxis and immunity in subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, zona pellucida binding peptides and polypeptides, and expression vectors for use in species-specific immunocontraception of animals. The disclosed compositions may include immunogenic compositions or vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an allergen extract from a biological allergen source material comprising the steps of a) contacting the source material with a liquid extraction agent to produce a allergen extract mixture containing allergens dissolved in a liquid phase and a solid phase consisting of source material residues, b) subjecting the allergen extract mixture to a first separation step to remove the solid phase to produce a crude allergen extract, c) subjecting the crude allergen extract to a low molecular fraction removal step to remove molecules having a molecular size of less than 10 kDa, and d) carrying out step c) until the allergen extract has conductivity of below 2000 ?S/cm at 25° C. to obtain a purified allergen extract.

Abstract: The subject application provides various compositions of matter directed to West Nile virus (WNV) polypeptides and fragments thereof and polynucleotides, vectors and transformed host cells that encode, direct the expression of, or produce WNV polypeptides as set forth herein. Methods of using the polypeptides and polynucleotides for the production of immune responses in individuals or detecting the presence of WNV specific or neutralizing antibodies are also provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to method of detecting autoantibodies from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. To this end, according to the invention, at least two peptide units are used of which at least one peptide unit comprises a part not derived from (pro)filaggrin, fibrin, fibrinogen, vimentin, cytokeratin 1 and cytokeratin 9, and which peptide unit comprises the motif XG, and a peptide unit comprising the motif XnonG, wherein X is a citrulline or an analogue thereof, and nonG is an amino acid other than glycine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide capable of binding to IgE from subjects allergic to venom of an insect from the order Hymenoptera having a homology of more than 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, which is the honey bee allergen C (Api m 5). The invention further relates to expression vectors, host cells and polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid, as well as diagnostic and pharmaceutical uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression system for the expression of proteins and peptides in a methanotrophic bacterium, preferably M. capsulatus. Further, the invention relates to the exportation and display of said peptides and proteins on the surface of said bacteria. The invention also describes a method for the production of a desired protein in M. capsulatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal sequence peptide for the improvement of extracellular secretion efficiency of a heterologous protein in E. coli. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gene construct for the improvement of extracellular secretion efficiency of the said heterologous protein in E. coli, which comprises a polynucleotide encoding a recombinant protein composed of the heterologous protein linked to C-terminal of the signal sequence peptide represented by SEQ. ID. NO. 3. The present invention contributes to the improvement of extracellular secretion efficiency of a recombinant protein, so that it can be effectively applied to the production of a recombinant protein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to sequences of a novel mutant or variant of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and methods for detecting this genome and protein variant, and antibodies directed against it, from patients' samples.

Abstract: This invention, in one aspect, relates to synthetic immunoreactive peptides. These peptides are approximately 20-25 amino acids in length which are portions of the N termini of the M proteins of the most prevalent United States (U.S.) Group A Streptococcus (GAS) serotypes. At least some of the synthetic peptides can be recognized by M type-specific antibodies and are capable of eliciting functional opsonic antibodies and/or anti-attachment antibodies without eliciting tissue cross-reactive antibodies. In another aspect, it relates to compositions or vaccines comprising these synthetic serotype-specific peptides, including polypeptides and proteins. The invention may also be isolated antibodies which are raised in response to the peptides, compositions or vaccines. The invention further relates to kits for using the peptides, compositions, or antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Yersinia pestis. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions of such antigens and/or vaccines. The present invention provides methods for the production of Y. pestis protein antigens in plants, as well as methods for their use in the treatment and/or prevention of Y. pestis infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel chimeric nucleic acid molecule of porcine circovirus (PCV2Gen-1Rep) that embraces a nucleic acid molecule encoding porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) which contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Rep protein of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), particularly wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Rep protein of PCV1 GO is an open reading frame (ORF) gene and, more particularly, wherein the ORF Rep gene is ORF1. A highly desirable chimeric nucleic acid molecule is constructed by replacing the ORF1 Rep gene of PCV2 by the ORF1 Rep gene of PCV1.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides TC-83 VEE-derived replicons, alphaviral replicon particles and immunogenic compositions containing TC-83 alphaviral replicon particles which direct the expression of at least one antigen when introduced into a suitable host cell. The TC-83 VEE-derived ARPs described herein are improved in that they are subject to a lower vector-specific immune response than prior art ARPs.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions related to the production and use of amino acid sequences. In particular, PCV2 ORF2 is shown to be useful as a virus-like particle which produces amino acid sequences that retain their immunogenicity or antigenicity when the DNA encoding the PCV2 ORF2 is inserted into an expression system. DNA sequences that are foreign to PCV2 can be attached “in-frame” to the ORF2 DNA and the entire sequence, including the DNA foreign to PCV2, is expressed. It was shown that such sequences retain their antigenicity and therefore their potential utility in immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an antigenic composition comprising at least one antigen that comprises at least one antigenic epitope or antigenic determinant derived from a protein present in one or both of S. equi subsp. equi and subsp. zooepidemicus and use thereof for immunization of non-human mammals against S. equi subsp. equi and/or subsp. zooepidemicus. The present invention also discloses a vaccine composition comprising the aforesaid antigenic composition as immunizing component.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns promoters, in particular for the expression of genes and/or coding sequences in vaccinia viruses such as Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA). The invention further concerns expression cassettes comprising said promoter, vectors comprising said expression cassettes as well as pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: An immunogenic detoxified protein comprising the amino acid sequence of subunit A of a cholera toxin (CT-A) or a fragment thereof or the amino acid sequence of subunit A of an Escherichia coli heat labile toxin (LT-A) or a fragment thereof wherein the amino acids at, or in positions corresponding to Ser-63 and Arg-192 are replaced with another amino acid. The immunogenic detoxified protein is useful as vaccine for Vibrio cholerae or an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli and is produced by recombinant DNA means by site-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a protein of interest with a modified N-glycosylation profile within a plant, a portion of a plant, or a plant cell is provided. The method comprises co-expressing within a plant a nucleotide sequence encoding a first nucleotide sequence encoding a hybrid protein (GNT1-GalT) comprising a CTS domain of N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (GNT1) fused to a catalytic domain of beta-1,4galactosyltransferase (GalT), the first nucleotide sequence operatively linked with a first regulatory region that is active in the plant, and a second nucleotide sequence for encoding the protein of interest, the second nucleotide sequence operatively linked with a second regulatory region that is active in the plant. The first and second nucleotide sequences are co-expressed to synthesize a protein of interest comprising glycans with the modified N-glycosylation profile within the plant, the portion of the plant, or the plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel chimeric Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising chimeric VZV glycoproteins. The invention also discloses vaccine formulations of the chimeric VZV-VLPs and methods of inducing an immune response in subjects.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel proteins, e.g., antigens. The present invention further discloses nucleic acids that encode these proteins. The present invention also discloses the use of the proteins, e.g., antigens, and nucleic acids to prepare vaccines against salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS). The present invention also discloses vaccines that can be used to protect fish from Piscirickettsia salmonis, as well as other pathogens. In addition, the present invention discloses methods of using the vaccines of the present invention to protect fish from SRS as well as from other pathogenic diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides and fusion proteins. Also disclosed are related immunotherapeutic compositions and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of one or more nucleic acids encoding, (a) in a first open reading frame (i) a promoter, (U) an amyloid peptide, (iii) a cell surface targeting signal, (iv) a transmembrane anchoring domain and (b) in a second open reading frame (i) a group specific antigen (gag). Also the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a vaccine comprising A?-retrop articles.