Abstract: Provided herein are OspA polypeptides from Lyme Disease-causing Borrelia having certain alteration(s). In one embodiment, the alteration(s) increase the conformational stability of the OspA polypeptide containing the alteration(s) while maintaining at least some of the antigenicity of the corresponding unaltered OspA polypeptide. In another embodiment, the altered OspA polypeptide has reduced cross-reactivity to hLFA-1, as compared to the corresponding unaltered OspA polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided is a polypeptide composition comprising one or more polypeptides, which polypeptides are immunogenic in a vertebrate such that they cause the vertebrate to produce immune system cells capable of recognizing at least one epitope from an arthropod saliva protein fraction, wherein the arthropod saliva protein fraction has a mass of 40 kDA or less, and wherein the polypeptides are selected independently from: the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID 1-44 or sub-sequences from these sequences, the sub-sequences having 7 amino acids or more; or from polypeptide sequences having 85% homology or more with one or more of the above sequences and contained in one or more of the following databases: GenBank, Protein Data Bank (PDB), SwissProt, Protein Information Resource (PIR), Protein Research Foundation (PRF), or CDS translations of these.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for preventing and/or treating Plasmodium falciparum infections, which comprises a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or represented by formula (1), and an adjuvant. X1-A-B-X2-Y-X3-(Y)n-X4-(Y)n-X5??(1) (In the formula, X1 represents the 1st to 7th amino acid residues in a polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; X2 represents the 73th to 177th amino acid residues; X3 represents the 178th to 258th amino acid residues; X4 represents the 259th to 289th amino acid residues; X5 represents the 290th to 334th amino acid residues; A represents an 8-mer repeat sequence contained in a 47-kd region of SERA polypeptide of Plasmodium falciparum; B represents a sequence of a serine-rich region contained in a 47-kd region of SERA polypeptide of Plasmodium falciparum; Y represents any one selected from A-A, A-B, and B; and n is an integer of 0 or 1.

Abstract: Isolated proteins and nucleic acid sequence encoding such protein that interacts with a red blood cell to be invaded by a malaria parasite and link with a component of the actin-myosin based machinery of the malaria parasite are provided. In addition methods for identifying agents which inhibit the function of these proteins as chemotherapeutic and/or immunologic agents for treatment and prevention of malaria infections are provided. Compositions for treatment and prevention of malaria infections and methods for preventing and treating malaria infections are also provided.

Abstract: Peptides useful in determining the presence of autoantibodies in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of novel immunogens comprising an antigenic IgE peptide preferably linked to an immunogenic carrier, compositions comprising the immunogens, and methods for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of IgE-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for in vitro prognosticating and/or diagnosing cerebral cerebral malaria, wherein said method comprises a step of detecting non-erythroid spectrin or fragments thereof, and/or antibodies directed against non-erythroid spectrin, in a biological sample. Reagents and kits for performing this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa pneumococcal surface adhesion A protein (PsaA) from Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention also provides purified polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid encoding the 37-kDa protein from and the nucleic acids comprising unique fragment of at least 10 nucleotides of the 37-kDa protein. Additionally, multiple antigenic peptides that provide protection against S. pneumoniae challenge are provided. These multiple antigen peptides comprise the peptides that immunospecifically bind to the monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are vaccines comprising such immunogenic peptides, and methods of conferring protective immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection by administering therapeutic composition comprising the immunogenic peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction of recombinant, immunodominant polypeptides against spotted fever group Rickettsia. The invention also relates to a method for the use of the recombinant proteins, either singly or in combination, in detection and diagnostic assays of spotted fever. The proteins can also be used to induce immune response against spotted fever group Rickettsia.

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: It refers to a recombinant alpha-hemolysin polypeptide of Staphylococcus aureus, comprising a deletion in the stem domain, wherein at least one heterologous sequence is inserted in a region selected from the group consisting of regions defined by amino acid position of 108 to 151, 1 to 5, 288 to 293, 43 to 48, 235 to 240, 92 to 97, 31 to 36,or 156 to 161 of SEQ ID NO: 1, with the proviso that, if the heterologous sequence contains five or more consecutive histidines the moiety of the heterologous sequence other than the moiety of five or more consecutive histidines has a minimum length of 11 amino acids; or a variant thereof comprising 1-50 amino acids added, substituted or deleted in SEQ ID NO. 1 and the activity to form oligomers and to bind to lipidic bilayers. It also provides a medicament and vaccine comprising said recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: Isolated human monoclonal antibodies which bind to and inhibit human CD20, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. The human antibodies can be produced by a transfectoma or in a non-human transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, capable of producing multiple isotypes of human monoclonal antibodies by undergoing V-D-J recombination and isotype switching. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the human antibodies, non-human transgenic animals and hybridomas which produce the human antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the human antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies, including monoclonal and polyclonal, or fragments thereof, which discriminate between the histidine and tyrosine isoforms of Complement Factor H and to their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic treatments relating to Complement Factor H mediated diseases.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to assessing immunity to folate receptors. For example, methods and materials for assessing FR? immunity in a mammal are provided. This document also provides methods and materials related to stimulating immunity to folate receptors.

Abstract: A liposomal composition, preferably a vaccine, comprising liposomes formed of liposome forming compounds, containing coentrapped polysaccharide antigen and T-cell dependent protein carrier, such as tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxin modified to render it non-toxic. The invention is of use in the production of vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of novel immunogens comprising an antigenic IgE peptide preferably linked to an immunogenic carrier for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of IgE-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.

Abstract: Polypeptides that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for different fHbp variant strains of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are cloning and expression of a plurality of protein fragments of virB10, a Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Such recombinant protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as kits for ELISA is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosis and therapy of cancers expressing the HER2 receptor. The invention provides antibodies or fragments thereof that recognizes an epitope of a HER2 receptor truncated form, said epitope being defined by a sequence included in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention also provides a method of cancer diagnosis, which comprises the detection of the presence of the HER2 receptor truncated form consisting of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 in a patient sample.

Abstract: Based on the discovery of the nucleotide and amino acid differences which distinguish the Gova and Govb allelic forms of the membrane glycoprotein CD109, and which comprise the biallelic Gov platelet alloantigen system, compositions and methods are provided for determining the Gov genotype and phenotype of individuals. Also provided, on the basis of this discovery, are compositions and methods for treating disorders associated with Gov alloantigen incompatibility, such as the bleeding disorders post-transfusion purpura, post-transfusion platelet refractoriness, and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. The two allelic forms of CD109 differ by a single amino acid. The Gova allelic form has Tyr at amino acid position 703 in the CD109 sequence. The Govb allelic form has Ser at the same position. This amino acid difference is due to a single change, from A for the Gova allele to C for the Govb allele, in the CD109 gene.

Abstract: By detecting an antibody which immunologically reacts with amylase ?2-A in a sample, AIP or FT1DM is examined or the possibility of developing FT1DM is determined. For instance, detection of this antibody is carried out by an immunological method using an antigen which immunologically reacts with this antibody. The antigen is preferably a partial fragment containing the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 299 to 511 of human amylase ?2-A (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a polypeptide that comprises i) a first portion comprising the part of human Fc that binds to CD64, and ii) a second portion comprising one or more heterologous T cell epitopes for stimulating a cytotoxic T cell response. The polypeptide may be an antibody that may be used to stimulate a cytotoxic T cell response against pathogens and tumor cells in patients in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A recombinant gene sequence that comprises human SLC gene, antigen gene, and IgG1-Fc fragment gene, wherein the SLC gene is linked upstream to the antigen gene, and the IgG1-Fc fragment is linked downstream to the antigen gene. This invention also relates to the application of the recombinant gene sequence in the preparation of gene vaccine.

Abstract: This invention provides antibodies immunologically specific for human ARL-1 (also referred to AKR1B10), a species of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily of proteins. The invention also provides methods of making and methods of using said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydophila.

Abstract: Oral, topical and injectable contraceptives, which are based on sperm protein 22 kDa (SP22) polypeptides and antibodies and infertility diagnostics are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are predicted to be useful antigens for vaccines and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: Antigenic fragments of human Factor VIII polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions which contain these fragments, and complexes containing these peptides and a carrier protein or peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a peptide immunogen useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. More particularly, the peptide immunogen comprises a main functional/regulatory site, an N-terminal fragment of Amyloid ? (A?) peptide linked to a helper T cell epitope (Th) having multiple class II MHC binding motifs. The peptide immunogen elicits a site-directed immune response against the main functional/regulatory site of the A? peptide and generate antibodies, which are highly cross-reactive to the soluble A?1-42 peptide and the amyloid plaques formed in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease patients. The antibodies elicited being cross reactive to the soluble A?1-42 peptide, promote fibril disaggregation and inhibit fibrillar aggregation leading to immunoneutralization of the “soluble A?-derived toxins”; and being cross-reactive to the amyloid plaques, accelerate the clearance of these plaques from the brain.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides with the Marburg I polymorphism of FSAP and to their preparation and uses, in particular in therapy and diagnosis. The peptides are suitable for use as immunizing antigens for preparing FSAP MR I specific antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines comprising a bacteriophage which has been engineered to express an immunogenic protein/peptide and wherein the surface of the bacteriophage has not been modified to contain proteins/peptides designed to target the phage to receptors on the surface of specific cell types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of antigenic and immunogenic peptide-based mimicry of mannose-containing cell-wall compounds characterizing mycobacterial infectious agents, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Amino acid molecules which are mimotopes of mannosylated lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM), including at least one of the following characteristics: (a) being capable of binding to ManLAM binding antibodies; (b) being capable of eliciting production of ManLAM binding antibodies, are provided. Also diagnostic methods for diagnosing mycobacterial infections and methods of vaccinating subjects against such infections. The diagnostic and vaccination methods employ the provided amino acid molecules. Accordingly, a diagnostic kit and a vaccine for executing the aforementioned methods are provided.

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 peptide mimics of a conserved gonococcal epitope of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which epitope is not found on human blood group antigens. This invention also relates to methods and compositions using such peptide mimics for the prophylaxis of gonorrheal infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptide carrier proteins that comprise at least five CD4+ T cell epitopes, for conjugation to capsular polysaccharides. The carrier proteins are useful as components of vaccines that can elicit a T-cell dependent immune response. These vaccines are particularly useful to confer protection against infection from encapsulated bacteria in infants between the ages of 3 months and about 2 years.

Abstract: The invention provides a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. Also provided are compositions comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. The invention also discloses methods of making a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods for inducing an immune response against Yersinia pestis.

Abstract: Vaccine preparations for the prevention and treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and, in particular, its most severe form, termed “shipping fever”, are provided. The preparations comprise chimeric proteins comprising immunodominant epitopes of recombinant Mannheimia haemolytica outer membrane protein PlpE, and immunodominant epitopes of recombinant M. haemolytica leukotoxin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to efficiently express high levels of a recombinant untagged NT-proBNP for use as a calibrator in NT-proBNP immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention provides novel Class I HLA-A2 and Class II HLA-DR4-restricted epitopes and methods for their use in detecting T-cells in peripheral blood specific for infection or latency of mycobacterial infection, including M. tuberculosis and M. leprae as others. For example, methods for diagnosing the presence of infection or exposure by M. tuberculosis utilize multimers of HLA monomers or modified monomers having a bound HLA-binding peptide to perform high throughput screening of patient PBLs. The methods can be used for monitoring the success of anti mycobacterial treatment in patients and to screen vaccines and drugs for effectiveness in treating or preventing exposure, infection and latency of mycobacteria in humans.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis, including the amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are predicted to be useful antigens for vaccines and/or diagnostics.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Abstract: Cyclosporine derivatives are disclosed which possess enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity over naturally occurring and other presently known cyclosporins and cyclosporine derivatives. The cyclosporine derivatives of the present invention are produced by chemical and isotopic substitution of the cyclosporine A (CsA) molecule by: (1) Chemical substitution and optionally deuterium substitution of amino acid 1; and (2) deuterium substitution at key sites of metabolism of the cyclosporine A molecule such as amino acids 1, 4, 9. Also disclosed are methods of producing the cyclosporine derivatives and method of producing immunosuppression with reduced toxicity with the disclosed cyclosporine derivatives.

Abstract: Cyclosporine derivatives are disclosed which possess enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity over naturally occurring and other presently known cyclosporins and cyclosporine derivatives. The cyclosporine derivatives of the present invention are produced by chemical and isotopic substitution of the cyclosporine A (CsA) molecule by: (1) Chemical substitution and optionally deuterium substitution of amino acid 1; and (2) deuterium substitution at key sites of metabolism of the cyclosporine A molecule such as amino acids 1, 4, 9. Also disclosed are methods of producing the cyclosporine derivatives and method of producing immunosuppression with reduced toxicity with the disclosed cyclosporine derivatives.

Abstract: Proteins derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa are antigenic and are of use in the treatment, prophylaxis and diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel allergen from house-dust mites, to polypeptides derived from said allergen and polynucleotides encoding the same. Furthermore, the invention provides antibodies directed against the allergen and to the use of the polypeptides, polynucleotides and/or antibodies in therapy and diagnosis of allergic disorders.

Abstract: It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by masking the site with a compound that prevents IgE binding or by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, most typically a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE binding epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. The method allows the protein to be altered as minimally as possible, other than within the IgE-binding sites, while retaining the ability of the protein to activate T cells, and, in some embodiments by not significantly altering or decreasing IgG binding capacity. The examples use peanut allergens to demonstrate alteration of IgE binding sites. The critical amino acids within each of the IgE binding epitopes of the peanut protein that are important to immunoglobulin binding have been determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p 6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.

Abstract: A novel isoform of tropomyosin is disclosed. The isoform is closely related to epithelial human tropomyosin (hTM) and more particularly to hTM5 except the last coding exon. The novel isoform, is called TC22. Northern blot analysis with TC22-specific probe revealed that normal culture cell lines and normal epithelial tissues expressed very little, if at all, TC22 message, whereas their transformed counterparts and tumor tissues including dysfunction of the alimentary canal, significantly increased the expression of TC22. Assays directed at determining the level of TC22 are useful in diagnostics and therapeutics of dysfunction of the alimentary canal. Specific antibodies and mimics for TC22 are also disclosed for use in diagnostics and therapeutics of dysfunction of the alimentary canal.