Methods, uses, compositions and kits for modulating HIV replication based on PD-1 modulation are disclosed. Methods, uses, compositions and kits useful for the elimination of latent HIV reservoirs based on PD-1 inhibition are also disclosed. Methods and kits useful for identifying agents useful for modulating HIV replication are also disclosed.

IVIG replacement compounds are derived from recombinant and/or biochemical creation of immunologically active biomimetic(s). These replacement compounds are then screened in vitro to assess each replacement compound's efficiency at modulating immune function. Particular replacement compounds are selected for further in vivo validation and dosage/administration optimization. Finally, the replacement compounds are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for identifying agents capable of inducing sensitization of human skin and arrays and diagnostic kits for use in such methods. In particular, the methods include measurement of the expression of the biomarkers listed in Table 3A and/or 3B in MUTZ-3 cells exposed to a test agent.

In one aspect, the present invention provides, for example, an improved method for identifying an epitope on a protein, comprising the following steps: (A) contacting a major histocompatibility complex (MHC molecule)-expressing cell differentiated from a stem cell or a progenitor cell derived therefrom with a target protein; (B) isolating a complex of a peptide contained in the target protein and the MHC molecule from the MHC molecule-expressing cell; and (C) eluting the peptide from the complex and identifying the peptide.

The present invention discloses immunomodulating compositions. More particularly, the present invention discloses compositions comprising an immune-modulating agent and a lectin-interactive agent, which are useful for stimulating and prolonging host immune cell responses. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a range of conditions including pathogenic infections, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, graft versus host disease, allergies, inflammatory disease, as well as cancers and tumors.

A method of assessing an anti-cancer drug including culturing a cell structure including cancer cells and stromal cells in a presence of at least one anti-cancer drug, and assessing an anti-cancer effect of the at least one anti-cancer drug based on a number of viable cancer cells in the cell structure after the culturing.

Provided herein are methods and kits for predicting and monitoring a cancer patient's response to treatment with a therapeutic agent by measuring the amount of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) having the profile CDl11b.sup.+CD33.sup.+HLA-DR.sup.− and/or CDl11b.sup.+CD33.sup.+HLA-DR.sup.low, and optionally by further measuring various suppressive features of the patient's immune system. Also provided herein are methods of treating a cancer patient comprising as an initial step determining whether the cancer patient would be responsive to treatment with the therapeutic agent as described above and wherein the patient is found to be responsive, administering the therapeutic agent.

The present invention relates to a new probiotic with immune modulating properties and to a new biomarker.

Functional in vitro assays are provided for determining patient specific responsiveness to immunotherapy agents within a clinically actionable time frame.

The present invention relates to a method of determining a metabolic adaptation of a living entity of interest to a first set of environmental conditions and to a second set of environmental conditions comprising (a) determining with a first substrate concentration at least two activities of at least one enzyme comprised in a specimen of said living entity maintained under said first set of environmental conditions and at least two activities of said at least one enzyme comprised in a specimen of said living entity maintained under said second set of environmental conditions, wherein said activities are determined at two non-identical points in time t.sub.1 and t.sub.2 after starting the determining reaction; (b) determining with a second substrate concentration at least two activities of at least one enzyme comprised in a specimen of said living entity maintained under said first set of environmental conditions and at least two activities of said at least one enzyme comprised in a specimen of said living entity maintained under said second set of environmental conditions, wherein said activities are determined at two non-identical points in time t.sub.3 and t.sub.4 after starting the determining reaction; wherein said second substrate concentration is at most twofold, preferably is about equal to or lower than, the K.sub.M of said enzyme for said substrate; and (c) determining the metabolic adaptation of said living entity based on comparing at least one non-linear activity determined in step (a) and/or (b) to at least one further activity determined in step (a) and/or (b). The present invention also relates to devices and further methods related thereto; as well as to a redox-fixed HMGB1 derivative polypeptide.