Embodied herein are engineered fusion proteins that bind and target nociceptor neurons, compositions comprising these engineered fusion proteins, and methods for treatment of pain using these engineered fusion proteins or compositions containing the engineered fusion proteins. The engineered fusion proteins contain domains derived from protein toxins such as the anthrax toxin, clostridial botulinum family of toxins, disulphide-containing toxins, and AB component type toxins.

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of a method of treating an inflammatory bowel disease. Another aspect provides the provision of a screening method for therapeutic agents. Another aspect provides a method of detecting T.sub.reg cells to determine if a subject has an inflammatory disease. The present disclosure provides for methods of treatment, diagnosis, and screening for drugs for colitis and ileitis.

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of a method of treating an inflammatory bowel disease. Another aspect provides the provision of a screening method for therapeutic agents. Another aspect provides a method of detecting T.sub.reg cells to determine if a subject has an inflammatory disease. The present disclosure provides for methods of treatment, diagnosis, and screening for drugs for colitis and ileitis.

Provided is a novel lactic acid bacterium strain which is capable of suppressing production of volatile sulfur compounds by oral bacteria, has no cariogenicity and no causative role in infective endocarditis, and is safe in an oral cavity, and provided is an agent for preventing, improving and/or treating oral diseases and discomforts by use of the bacterial strain. An agent for preventing and/or treating an oral disease, containing, as an active ingredient, at least one lactic acid bacterium selected from Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Streptococcus mitis and having all of the following properties (1) to (6): (1) having no ability to produce a volatile sulfur compound (VSC); (2) having no ability to produce water-insoluble glucan; (3) having adhesiveness to a tooth surface and/or an oral cell; (4) having a growth inhibitory effect on a bad breath-causing bacterium and/or a periodontal pathogen; (5) having no causative role in infective endocarditis; and (6) having no cariogenicity.

The present invention provides methods and systems for targeted delivery of a compound to a target cell that over-expresses two different proteinases. Specifically, two different modified protective antigen proteins, each comprising a cleavage site recognized by a distinct proteinase in place of the native proteinase cleavage site recognized by furin, are administered in combination with a compound that contains a protective antigen binding site. Upon cleavage by the two proteinases the two modified protective antigen proteins form a hetero-oligomer, allowing the compound to bind to the hetero-oligomer and subsequently to be translocated into the target cell.

The present invention provides methods and systems for targeted delivery of a compound to a target cell that over-expresses two different proteinases. Specifically, two different modified protective antigen proteins, each comprising a cleavage site recognized by a distinct proteinase in place of the native proteinase cleavage site recognized by furin, are administered in combination with a compound that contains a protective antigen binding site. Upon cleavage by the two proteinases the two modified protective antigen proteins form a hetero-oligomer, allowing the compound to bind to the hetero-oligomer and subsequently to be translocated into the target cell.

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions containing one or more antigens of interest, one or more carrier proteins, and one or more polycations, wherein the antigen of interest is entrapped with cross-linked carrier protein matrix and one or more polycations, methods of making such vaccines, and methods of vaccine administration.

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions containing one or more antigens of interest, one or more carrier proteins, and one or more polycations, wherein the antigen of interest is entrapped with cross-linked carrier protein matrix and one or more polycations, methods of making such vaccines, and methods of vaccine administration.

The present invention aims to provide a composition for promoting humoral immunity induction and a vaccine pharmaceutical composition that can be universally used for various antigens in inducing humoral immunity to antigens, contain a Th2 reaction promoter, and exerts a high humoral immunity inducing effect. The present invention relates to a vaccine pharmaceutical composition containing an antigen for humoral immunity induction and at least one Th2 reaction promoter.

A composition of matter for dental plaque removal comprising at least one of a strain of the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis and the extracellular enzymes produced by B. licheniformis, and at least one of a natural and synthetic polymer, are disclosed. A method of manufacturing an animal chew or food item coated with the disclosed composition of matter, and animal chews or food items produced therefrom, are also disclosed.