The present application is generally directed to methods for identifying immunogens from organisms and pathogens, and in particular for identifying immunogens which when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular and/or humoral immune response. The present application is also directed to pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, and vaccine compositions comprising one or a combination of pneumococcal immunogens and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infections using the vaccines thereof. The present invention also encompasses use of the pneumococcal immunogens for diagnostic purposes to identify a subject with a pneumococcal infection.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an isolated polypeptide including the amino acid sequence of a carrier polypeptide and the amino acid sequence of an ORF2086 polypeptide. In another aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic conjugate including ORF2086 polypeptide and a carrier polypeptide. The invention further includes immunogenic compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against Neisseria meningitidis in a mammal.

The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting, improving, or preventing aging, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a recombinant protein of flagellin, which is the constituent of Vibrio vulnificus flagella, fused with a pathogenic protein antigen, which is pneumococcal surface protein A (PsaA) of Streptococcus pneumonia. According to the present invention, the recombinant protein of the present invention can improve external and internal aging-related malfunctions and enhance immunity. Also, the composition of the present invention can easily perform immunization through mucosal administration.

Pre-conditioning a vaccine site with a potent recall antigen such as tetanus/diphtheria (Td) toxoid can significantly improve the lymph node homing and efficacy of tumor antigen-specific DC vaccines. Patients given Td had enhanced DC migration bilaterally and significantly improved survival. In mice, Td pre-conditioning also enhanced bilateral DC migration and suppressed tumor growth in a manner dependent on the chemokines CCL3 and CCL21 and Td-activated CD4.sup.+ T cells. Interference with any component of this axis markedly reduced Td-mediated DC migration and antitumor responses. Our clinical studies and corroborating investigations in mice suggest that pre-conditioning with a potent recall antigen represents a viable strategy to increase DC homing to lymph nodes and improve antitumor immunotherapy.

The present invention provides pneumococcal conjugate vaccine formulations comprising surfactant systems incorporating polysorbate 20 or a combination of a poloxamer and a polyol.

The present application is generally directed to methods for identifying immunogens from organisms and pathogens, and in particular for identifying immunogens which when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular and/or humoral immune response. The present application is also directed to pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, and vaccine compositions comprising one or a combination of pneumococcal immunogens and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infections using the vaccines thereof. The present invention also encompasses use of the pneumococcal immunogens for diagnostic purposes to identify a subject with a pneumococcal infection.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major health concern, especially in very young, elderly, or immunocompromised patients. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, certain highly effective vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions in Streptococcus pneumoniae that contain fusion proteins. The antigens may be used therapeutically or prophylactically.

The present invention relates to treatment of diabetes, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) modulators and methods for using the same. Particularly, the present invention provides an isolated peptide from pneumolysin (PLY peptide) which is effective in treatment of diabetes. In addition, the PLY peptide of the present invention is a TLR-4 antagonist and thus can be used in the treatment of a disease or condition associated with TLR-4 activation. The present invention also provides treatment of diabetes with a TLR-4 antagonist.

The disclosure provides a fusion protein comprising at least one antigenic fragment of a protein from a bacterium from genus Streptococcus, as well as means for its expression. Outer membrane vesicles and vaccines comprising the fusion protein are also disclosed, as well as a method of vaccination using such vaccines.

The present invention relates to the field of immunotherapeutics. It provides a method for characterisation and quality control, in particular for determining the potency of an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins derived from a plurality of human donors, the method comprising contacting the immunoglobulin composition with pneumolysin, adding erythrocytes to the immunoglobulin composition and determining lysis of the erythrocytes. The invention also provides a corresponding use of pneumolysin, as well as a kit and composition useful in said method. The method can be used for quality control of immunoglobulin concentrate, e.g., of an IgM-containing immunoglobulin composition comprising IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies, and in a method of preparing an immunoglobulin composition. The immunoglobulin compositions obtainable from said method may be used, e.g., in the treatment of pneumonia, e.g., severe community-acquired pneumonia, which may be caused, e.g., by Streptococcus pneumoniae.