Abstract:
Porcine circovirus (PCV2) vaccine compositions comprising a peptide antigen derived from a PCV2 capsid protein are described. In various embodiments, the peptide antigen contains amino acids of the capsid protein from about amino acid 47 to about amino acid 202. In some embodiments, the peptide antigen is optionally linked to an artificial T helper epitope and/or mixed with T helper epitopes derived from the ORF1 and ORF3 proteins of PCV2. Methods of using PCV2 vaccine compositions are also described. In various embodiments, a vaccine composition is used in animals for the prevention of PCV2 infection. In other embodiments, a PCV2 vaccine composition is used as an antigen for diagnosing PCV2 infection.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of using a bioassay consisting of an electrophysiological method and a cell culture system of dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons to screen and identify opioids with a high potential for use as "low- or non-addictive" analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to a specific group of opioid alkaloids and analogues thereof identified by the bioassay of the invention for the unique ability to activate only inhibitory, but not excitatory, opioid receptor function, for use as low- or non-addictive analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to the specific use of etorphine or dihydroetorphine of the opioid alkaloid family as low- or non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of opioid addiction. The present invention also relates to the preparation of dihydroetorphine hydrochloride (7(alpha)-(1-(R)-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-tetrahydrooripavine hydrochloride) and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound as an active ingredient in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to amino acid sequences from SARS-CoV-2 S1-RBD variants of concern (VoCs) including Omicron variants BA.4/BA.5 protein and N, M and S2 derived Th and CTL epitope peptides and an idealized pathogen derived artificial Th epitope peptide to offer effective prevention and treatment of long-haul COVID with specificities against SARS-CoV-2 VoCs including SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.4/BA.5. The disclosed vaccine compositions utilize amino acid sequences for the design and manufacture of optimal SARS-CoV-2 antigenic proteins, Th/CTL peptide immunogen constructs, CHO- derived S1- RBD VoCs-sFc proteins including CHO- derived S1-RBD Omicron variants BA.4/BA.5-sFc protein, and compositions thereof, as vaccines for prevention and treatment of long-haul COVID.
Abstract:
A fusion protein is disclosed. The fusion protein of the invention comprises an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin G and a bioactive molecule, wherein the Fc is a single chain Fc. The amino acids in the hinge of the Fc is mutated, substituted, or deleted so that the hinge of Fc cannot form disulfide bonds. Methods for producing and using the fusion protein of the invention are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to antigenic peptides and peptide compositions selected from the Membrane glycoprotein (M), the Spike glycoprotein (S), and the Nucleocapsid (N) protein antigens of the SARS coronavirus (SCoV). The present invention is also directed to methods of use of the peptides of the invention, e.g., for the detection of SARS-associated antibodies. Detection methods include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or other immunoassay procedures.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for eliciting the production in healthy mammals, including humans, of high titer antibodies specific for sites on the extracellular segment of the anchor domain of the membrane-bound epsilon heavy chain of B cell-expressed humain IgE by the use of a composition comprising a synthetic peptide immunogen containing extracellular membrane anchor sites, to reduce IgE-secreting B leukocytes and allergen-induced IgE production. It also relates to the use of optimally designed, carrier protein free, IgE epsilon -chain related immunogens as key components in a synthetic vaccine to provide an immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy. The subject peptides contain immune stimulator sequences, including a tandemly linked helper T cell epitope, to aid in stimulating the immune response towards the mIgE membrane anchor domain.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for eliciting the production in healthy mammals, including humans, of high titer antibodies to an effector site in human IgE heavy chain, i.e. a site in the CH4 domain of the ELEMENT -chain, by the use of compositions of synthetic peptide immunogens in either a radially branching multimeric form (such as branching octameric or hexadecameric peptides) or a linearly arranged monomeric form, to inhibit mast cell activation and reduce allergen-induced IgE production. It also relates to the use of such "optimally" designer, carrier protein free, IgE ELEMENT -chain related immunogens as key components in a synthetic vaccine to provide an immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy. The subject peptides contain immune stimulator sequences, including a built-in helper T cell epitope tandemly linked in a specific orientation, to aid in stimulating the immune response towards the IgE CH4 domain.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to antigenic peptides and peptide compositions selected from the Membrane glycoprotein (M), the Spike glycoprotein (S), and the Nucleocapsid (N) protein antigens of the SARS coronavirus (SCoV). The present invention is also directed to methods of use of the peptides of the invention, e.g., for the detection of SARS-associated antibodies. Detection methods include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or other immunoassay procedures.
Abstract:
A peptide-based marker vaccine against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and a set of immunodiagnostic tests for the prevention, monitoring and control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) are disclosed. Vaccine formulations according to various embodiments of the invention contain a mixture of peptides derived from PRRSV GP2, GP3, GP4, or GP5 proteins; each peptide individually contains a B cell PRRSV neutralizing/receptor binding epitope which is individually linked to an artificial T helper epitope for enhancement of the respective peptide's immunogenicity; and which can be supplemented with a mixture of peptides representing the T helper epitopes derived from the PRRSV GP4, GP5, M and Nucleocapsid proteins to provide cell mediated immunity. Such viral peptide compositions are prepared in an acceptable delivery system as vaccine formulations and can provide cross protection of PRRSV antibody free pigs from infection upon PRRSV challenge.
Abstract:
This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. When male rats are immunized with these peptides, serum testosterone drops and androgen-dependent organs atrophy significantly. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator. In another aspect this invention relates to immunogenic synthetic peptides having an invasin domain, a helper T cell epitope and a peptide hapten and methods of using these peptides to treat disease or provide protective immunity. The peptide haptens of the invention include LHRH, amylin, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptide, IgE CH4 peptide, Chlamydia MOMP peptides, HIV V3 peptides and Plasmodium berghei.