170 results about "Self-Antigens" patented technology

The present invention relates to a composition for implantation in the subretinal space of an eye, the composition including amniotic membrane, which may be cryopreserved human amniotic membrane, and a plurality of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells or RPE equivalent cells present at the amniotic membrane. The amniotic membrane may be intact, epithelially denuded, or otherwise treated. The invention includes the use of amniotic membrane for the culturing of RPE cells thereon, forming a surgical graft for replacement of Bruch's membrane as a substrate, and for the transplanting of RPE cells to the subretinal space. The composition does not elicit immunological reactions to alloantigens or to RPE specific autoantigens; and exerts anti-inflammatory, and angiogentic, and anti-scarring effects. The invention includes methods and kits for making or using composites including amniotic membrane and RPE cells. Also disclosed is a device for harvesting RPE cells.

Mutations to the tumor suppressor protein p53 have been observed in 40-60% of all human cancers. These mutations are often associated with high nuclear and cytoplasmic concentrations of p53. Since many tumors exhibit highly elevated p53 levels, the protein is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Unfortunately, p53 is an autoantigen that is likely to be tolerated as a self-protein by the immune system. The present invention is based on the discovery that this self-tolerance can be overcome by administration of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) containing a nucleic acid that encodes p53 (rMVAp53). The invention discloses a method of generating a p53-specific CTL-response to tumor cells expressing mutated p53 by administering a composition comprising rMVAp53. Administration of rMVAp53 decreases tumor development, tumor growth, and mortality in a variety of malignant cell types. These effects are enhanced by administration of CTLA-4 blocker and / or CpG oligodeoxynucleotide immunomodulators.

Fibronectin type III (10Fn3) binding domains having novel designs that are associated with reduced immunogenicity are provided. The application describes alternative 10Fn3 binding domains in which certain immunogenic regions are not modified when producing a binder in order to maintain recognition as a self antigen by the host organism. The application also describes 10Fn3 binding domains in which HLA anchor regions have been destroyed thereby reducing the immunogenic contribution of the adjoining region. Also provided are 10Fn3 domains having novel combinations of modified regions that can bind to a desired target with high affinity.

The present invention provides a method of producing autoantigens, compositions comprising autoantigenic fragments and methods of using autoantigenic fragments in the treatment of a condition associated with an autoimmune response. Also provided are assays for the detection or assessment of an autoimmune response.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for specifically inhibiting host immune responses against autoantigens. In particular, compositions and methods combining CD8 polypeptide expression with autoantigen expression or presentation are described for specifically inhibiting the humoral and cellular components of the host immune response to autoantigens.

Co-administration of an effective amount of autoantigen and UV light to mucosal associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) in a patient.