Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

The present invention refers to novel compositions and to methods of using the compositions to treat and/or prevent obesity, obesity-related diseases or disorders (e.g., hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), diabetes, or cardiovascular disease), and overweight. This invention also generally relates to compositions and to methods of using the compositions to increase basal metabolic rate.

The present invention relates to a vector for the expression of recombinant proteins, antigens, pathogen-like particles and immunogenic complexes, said vector (pMRKA vector) being produced by modifying the plasmids containing the gene sequence of the T7 promoter of E. coli, this modification being mainly characterized by the substitution of the ampicillin-resistance gene by the kanamycin-resistance gene, and by the insertion of the par sequence (partition sequence which determines the efficient segregation of the plasmids in daughter cells during cell division). Also provided are expression vectors based on the pMRKA plasmid, which additionally comprise at least one of the gene sequences of the exosome of P. abyssi, which vectors are designated pMRKA-EXO, pMRKA-RING and pSUMAC. The invention also provides the vectors additionally comprising gene sequences with immunomodulatory or immunoregulatory activity, preferably the pMRKA-Z-Z-EXO and pMRKA-Z-Z-RING vectors. Other aspects of the invention include the method for producing said expression vectors and the use of the obtained vectors.

Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include methods and exemplary compositions associated with conjugation of virus and proteins (e.g., antigen) to form vaccines for delivery of immunological and other therapeutic agents, exemplary aspects of which may include harvesting viral and antigenic substances from source organisms; purifying the viral and protein (e.g. antigenic, including influenza hemagglutinin antigens) substances through methodologies described in an exemplary manner, as well as their concentration and collection; and a conjugation platform providing activation of the virus at a pH that increases binding rate and binding propensity between the virus and the protein, wherein embodiments related to the conjugation platform include controlling the ratio of virus to protein.

Fusion polypeptides comprising a TRAIL trimer and a targeting domain are disclosed. The targeting domain can be, in some embodiments, a sequence that binds MUC16, which is prevalent on some tumor cells such as pancreatic and ovarian tumor cells. A sequence that binds MUC 16 can be mesothelin or a MUC16-binding fragment thereof, such as amino acids 1-64 of mesothelin. A fusion polypeptide of the present teachings can induce apoptosis in a target cell such as a MUC16-expressing cancer cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and methods of use of the fusion polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with CD100, including certain autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In particular, anti-CD100 monoclonal antibodies have been developed to neutralize CD100.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with CD100, including certain autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In particular, anti-CD100 monoclonal antibodies have been developed to neutralize CD100.

The present invention includes the complete genome sequence for the methanogen, Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, including polynucleotides which encode M. ruminantium polypeptides or peptides, as well as polynucleotides from non-coding regions. Also included are the encoded M. ruminantium polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed to these peptides or polypeptides, in addition to expression vectors and host cells for producing these peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies. The invention further includes methods and compositions for detecting, targeting, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells such as M. ruminantium cells, using one or more of the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, antibodies, expression vectors, and host cells.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating diseases associated with CD100, including certain autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In particular, anti-CD100 monoclonal antibodies have been developed to neutralize CD100.