The present invention provides a polypeptide comprising: (i) a first domain which is capable of downregulating cell surface expression of an MHC class I molecule; and (ii) a second domain which is capable of binding to a target molecule.

The present invention provides compositions comprising peptides derived from amino acid sequences (or from combinations thereof) of fusion and other protein regions of various viruses, including but not limited to, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, herpesvirus saimiri, human herpesvirus 6, Lassa virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Mopeia virus, Tacaribe virus, Friend murine leukemia virus; human T lymphotropic virus type 1; herpesvirus ateles; Marburg virus; Sudan Ebola virus; Zaire Ebola virus, and comprising L- and/or D-amino acids and combinations thereof, which affect T cells by acting on the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). More specifically, the peptides act on the TCR-CD3-CD3- signaling complex. Yet more specifically, the peptides act on the TCR/CD3/ signaling module of TCR. The present invention further relates to the prevention and therapy of various T cell-related disease states involving the use of these compositions. Specifically, the compositions are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or condition where T cells are involved or recruited. The compositions of the present invention also are useful in the production of medical devices comprising peptide matrices (for example, medical implants and implantable devices).

Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a novel method for diagnosing, treating, or preventing a mood disorder. The method includes the step of measuring, by using a fusion protein, a level of the anti-fusion protein antibody in a biological sample.

The present invention provides compositions comprising peptides derived from amino acid sequences (or from combinations thereof) of fusion and other protein regions of various viruses, including but not limited to, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, herpesvirus saimiri, human herpesvirus 6, Lassa virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Mopeia virus, Tacaribe virus, Friend murine leukemia virus; human T lymphotropic virus type 1; herpesvirus ateles; Marburg virus; Sudan Ebola virus; Zaire Ebola virus, and comprising L- and/or D-amino acids and combinations thereof, which affect T cells by acting on the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). More specifically, the peptides act on the TCR-CD3-CD3- signaling complex. Yet more specifically, the peptides act on the TCR/CD3/ signaling module of TCR. The present invention further relates to the prevention and therapy of various T cell-related disease states involving the use of these compositions. Specifically, the compositions are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or condition where T cells are involved or recruited. The compositions of the present invention also are useful in the production of medical devices comprising peptide matrices (for example, medical implants and implantable devices).

The present invention relates to a peptide of length equal to or less than 5 amino acids, or a derivative thereof, comprising the sequence DKY, preferably XDKY (SEQ ID No. 7) or DKYX (SEQ ID No. 8), or the sequence DRY, preferably XDRY (SEQ ID No. 9) or DRYX (SEQ ID No. 10), where X is any amino acid, for use as a drug, particularly for use in the treatment of a disorder resulting from pathological angiogenesis, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising it together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Disclosed are a protein and a gene each of which is a factor involved in latent infection with a herpesvirus. An antibody against the factor was detected in approximately 50% of patients suffering from mental disorders, whereas the antibody was hardly detected in healthy persons. Further, a mouse having SITH-1 introduced therein developed a mental disorder such as a manic-depressive illness or depression-like disorder. Based on these findings, it is possible to provide a method for objectively determining a mental disorder and an animal model of a mental disorder.

Mesothelin can be used as an immunotherapeutic target. It induces a cytolytic T cell response. Portions of mesothelin which induce such responses are identified. Vaccines can be either polynucleotide- or polypeptide-based. Carriers for raising a cytolytic T cell response include bacteria and viruses. A mouse model for testing vaccines and other anti-tumor therapeutics and prophylactics comprises a strongly mesothelin-expressing, transformed peritoneal cell line.