583 results about "T-Cell Epitopes" patented technology

Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbohydrate fragments each linker to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inputs enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may be serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F, or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype A, B, C, W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from 2 to 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, LeY or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule. The multivalent molecules may be employed in vaccines or in the generation of antibodies for diagnostic application.

Some embodiments relate to analogs of peptides corresponding to class I MHC-restricted T cell epitopes and methods for their generation. These analogs can contain amino acid substitutions at residues that directly interact with MHC molecules, and can confer improved, modified or useful immunologic properties. Additionally classes of analogs, in which the various substitutions comprise the non-standard residues norleucine and / or norvaline, are disclosed.

Disclosed are novel methods for combatting diseases characterized by deposition of amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against amyloid precursor protien (APP) or beta amyloid (Abeta). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogues of autologous APP or Abeta, said analogues being capable of inducing antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an immunogen is autologous Abeta which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-cell epitopes. Also disclosed are nucleic acid vaccination against APP or Abeta and vaccination using live vaccines as well as methods and means useful for the vaccination. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogues and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.

The invention provides compositions comprising a combination of two or more monovalent conjugates, each of said two or more monovalent conjugates comprising a carrier protein comprising T cell epitopes from two or more pathogens conjugated to saccharide antigen. The invention also provides a multivalent conjugate comprising two or more antigenically distinct saccharide antigens conjugated to the same carrier protein molecule, wherein the carrier protein comprises T cell epitopes from two or more pathogens. Further compositions comprise one or more of said monovalent conjugates and one or more of said multivalent conjugates. The invention further provides methods for making said compositions and uses for said compositions.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

The present invention is directed to the examination of the pattern of immunodominant CD8 T cell epitopes in the E6 and E7 protein of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its further characterization in terms of its amino acid sequence and HLA restriction. These epitopes are identified based on their ability to induce strong CD8 T cell response and therefore, are important as sources of antigens for dendritic cell immunotherapy to treat cervical cancer. The present invention contemplates identifying a number of similar epitopes restricted by a wide variety of HLA types so that they can be used in concert to develop a preventative vaccine, which can be used for general population.

Modified interleukin-7 (IL-7) polypeptides are disclosed. The modified IL-7 polypeptides have alterations to one or more potential T-cell epitopes, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

The present invention provides novel peptides and homologues thereof. The peptides of the invention comprise (i) a T-cell epitope of an antigen (self or non-self) with a potential to trigger an immune reaction presented by a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinant and recognised by CD4+ T cell more specifically of an allergen or auto-antigen, coupled, optionally through the use of a linker to (ii) an amino acid sequence having a reducing activity, such as a thioreductase sequence. The peptides of the invention have been shown to be useful a medicine, more in particular for the prevention or treatment of immune disorders, more specifically of allergic disorders or autoimmune diseases. The present invention thus provides for the use of said peptides for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of an immune disorder and further provides for methods of treatment or preventing immune disorders by using said peptides. The present invention also provides for compositions comprising said peptides.

The present invention relates to a composition comprsing 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 β (Aβ) peptide linked to a helper T cell epitope (Th) having multiple class II MHC binding motifs. The peptide immunogen elicit a site-directed immune response against the main functional / regulatory site of the Aβ peptide and generate antibodies, which are highly cross-reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide and the amyloid plaques formed in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease patients. The antibodies elicited being cross reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide, promote fibril disaggregation and inhibit fibrillar aggregation leading to immunoneutralization of the “soluble Aβ-derived toxins”; and being cross-reactive to the amyloid plaques, accelerate the clearance of these plaques from the brain. Thus, the composition of the invention comprising the peptide immunogen is useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

New methods and reagents for vaccination are described which generate a CD8 T cell immune response against malarial and other antigens such as viral and tumour antigens. Novel vaccination regimes are described which employ a priming composition and a boosting composition, the boosting composition comprising a non-replicating or replication-impaired pox virus vector carrying at least one CD8 T cell epitope which is also present in the priming composition.

Multivalent immunogenic molecules comprise a carrier molecule containing at least one functional T-cell epitope and multiple different carbonhydrate fragments each linked to the carrier molecule and each containing at least one functional B-cell epitope. The carrier molecule inparts enhanced immunogenicity to the multiple carbohydrate fragments. The carbohydrate fragments may be capsular oligosaccharide fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae which may be serotypes (1, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F or 23F), or Neisseria meningitidis, which may be serotype (A, B, C) W-135 or Y. Such oligosaccharide fragments may be sized from about 2 to about 5 kDa. Alternatively, the carbohydrate fragments may be fragments of carbohydrate-based tumor antigens, such as Globo H, Le<Y >or STn. The multivalent molecules may be produced by random conjugation or site-directed conjugation of the carbohydrate fragments to the carrier molecule. The multivalent molecules may be employed in vaccines or in the generation of antibodies for diagnostic applications.

The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences coding for the Cryptomeria japonica major pollen allergen Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments or peptides thereof. The present invention also provides purified Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and at least one fragment thereof produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid sequence coding for Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I prepared synthetically. Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments thereof are useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing Japanese cedar pollinosis. The present invention also provides isolated peptides of Cry j I and Cry j II. Peptides within the scope of the invention comprise at least one T cell epitope, or preferably at least two T cell epitopes of Cry j I or Cry j II. The invention also pertains to modified peptides having similar or enhanced therapeutic properties as the corresponding naturally-occurring allergen or portion thereof but having reduced side effects. Methods of treatment or of diagnosis of sensitivity to Japanese cedar pollens in an individual and therapeutic compositions, and multipeptide formulations comprising one or more peptides of the invention are also provided.