Abstract: The invention provides TLR agonists and conjugates thereof useful in vaccines and to prevent, inhibit or treat a variety of disorders including pathogen infection and asthma.

Abstract: The invention discloses the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-?-glutamic acid, and at least one bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and their enhanced permeability for paracellular drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine composition and methods for eliciting a protective immune response in animals against an endogenous peptide of the formula pGlu-Pro-Pro-Gly-Gly-Ser-Lys-Val-Ile-Leu-Phe, the composition comprising an immunizing effective amount of said peptide or conjugates thereof. Further, the invention relates to methods of treating cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and increasing life span in an animal, the methods comprising a step of administering to the animal of the vaccine composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds with high affinity to at least a portion of a segment of human prostate-derived Ets transcription factor (PDEF). The anti-PDEF antibody of the present invention is effective in prognostic and diagnostic assays for detecting PDEF with immunohistochemistry. The present invention also relates to methods of making the anti-PDEF antibody disclosed herein. The present invention further relates to vaccines against cancers associated with positive expression of PDEF, as well as methods for treating those cancers. Vectors, diagnostic kits, and hybridomas are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides TLR agonists and conjugates thereof useful in vaccines and to prevent, inhibit or treat a variety of disorders including pathogen infection and asthma.

Abstract: A nanoparticle-based delivery system and methods for its use are disclosed. In one aspect, a nanoparticle-based delivery system comprising at least one molecule such as proteins, DNA/RNA or fragments thereof, carbohydrates, enzymes, chemicals, virus cells, bacteria, parts of a virus, parts of a bacteria, parts of a cell, part of a tissue, or a combination of one or more of these, which shall be referred to as immunogens, are chemically or physically combined with water soluble nanoparticles which, when administered to a living system, is capable of eliciting a desired immunological response. More particularly, the invention relates to nanoparticle-based delivery systems that are specifically engineered to enhance humoral or cellular immune response without the use of adjuvants.

Abstract: Immunogenic polypeptides corresponding to one or more RSV G glycoproteins, or analogues thereof, are provided as components of vaccines. The inventive compositions are useful as both a prophylactic and therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of RSV infections and associated pulmonary or other diseases. The inventive immunogens include regions of the RSV G protein, specifically, amino acid residues 164-176 of RSV G A2 protein or analogues thereof. This inventive immunogen is operable alone or in combination with other polypeptides such as the RSV G protein amino acid residues 155-206, or other vaccines such as live RSV vaccines, or inactivated RSV vaccines or immunogenic analogues thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides TLR agonists and conjugates thereof useful in vaccines and to prevent, inhibit or treat a variety of disorders including pathogen infection and asthma.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present invention provides immunogenic nanoemulsion compositions and methods of using the same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity against a bacterial species of the genus Streptococcus (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae))). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods that can be used immunize a subject against influenza. Generally, the compositions and methods include peptides obtained or derived from human influenza A virus hemagglutinin.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods that can be used immunize a subject against influenza. Generally, the compositions and methods include peptides obtained or derived from human influenza A virus M2 protein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to functionalized self-assembling polypeptide nanoparticles, and to methods of using these nanoparticles to vaccinate against malaria. The functionalized SAPN comprises a self-assembling core, and at least one epitope fused to the self-assembling core. The self-assembling core comprises a pentameric coiled-coil domain, a trimeric coiled-coil domain, and a linker. The linker joins the pentameric coiled-coil domain and the trimeric coiled-coil domain. Particular sequences of the epitopes used in the vaccine are from the Plasmodium parasite.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protamine/RNA nanoparticles of defined average size, a pharmaceutical composition containing said nanoparticles and to a method of producing the same. The nanoparticles of the present invention is particularly useful as an immunostimulating medicament with a precise pattern of immunostimulation different from the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a metallo-organic system that includes: a metal ion salt or complex; at least one organic ligand; and a substance of interest to be encapsulated, belonging to the group comprising a biological entity, a drug, a vaccine, a diagnostic contrast agent, a marker, an organic compound, an inorganic compound, a metallo-organic compound or a nanomaterial or nanodevices. Also disclose is the process for obtaining same and the uses thereof for the release and/or protection and/or storage of said substances in the pharmaceutical, chemical, environmental, medical and industrial sectors.

Abstract: Self-assembling peptide nanoparticles (SAPN) incorporating T-cell epitopes and/or B-cell epitopes are described. The nanoparticles of the invention consist of aggregates of a continuous peptidic chain comprising two oligomerization domains connected by a linker segment wherein one or both oligomerization domains incorporate T-cell epitopes and/or B-cell epitopes within their peptide sequence. These nanoparticles are useful as vaccines and adjuvants.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic molecular entity, a supramolecular assembly, and an antibody that can be used to inhibit Gram-positive bacterial quorum sensing, prevent infection or development of a disease condition associated with a Gram-positive bacterial infection. The invention also provides methods of inhibiting Gram-positive bacterial quorum sensing, and methods of preventing infection or development of a disease condition associated with a Gram-positive bacterial infection.

Abstract: Cationic liposomes with entrapped polynucleotide in the intravesicular space are described. The liposomes include cationic components such as cationic lipids such as DOTAP. Preferably the method of forming liposomes uses the dehydration-rehydration method in the presence of the polynucleotide. The polynucleotide preferably operatively encodes an antigen capable of eliciting a desired immune response, that is, is a gene vaccine.

Abstract: A method of inducing either a TH1 polarised immune response, a TH2 polarised immune response or a combined TH1 and TH2 response to an antigen and associated vaccine formulations are disclosed. A method is provided for inducing a polarised TH1 response by parenteral administration of microparticles sized such that at least 50% of the microparticles are less than 5 ?m, the microparticles containing antigen entrapped or encapsulated by a biodegradable polymer. Additionally, a method is provided for inducing a polarised TH2 response by parenteral administration of nanoparticles sized such that at least 50% of the nanoparticles are less than 600 nm, the nanoparticles containing antigen entrapped or encapsulated by a biodegradable polymer. Vaccine formulations containing the B. pertussis antigens PTd, FHA or a combination of PTd and FHA are provided.