Constructs for fusion proteins of the DC specific receptor DC-SIGN fused to GFP have been completed and tested.

100 micrograms/ml curdlan (Wako) was used (along with R848, LPS, yeast RNA and yeast cells in different conditions of culture) to induce DC activation.

LPS (1microgram/ml, Sigma, St. Louis, MO) (along with R848, Curdlan, yeast RNA and yeast cells in different conditions of culture) was used to induce DC activation.

Differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells is promoted, along with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, by addition of recombinant IL-4 (1000U/ml, R&D Systems).

Differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells is promoted, along with recombinant IL-4, by addition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF 1000U/ml, Chemicon).

The vaccine is composed by autologous DCs electroporated with mRNA encoding CD40L, CD70, caTLR4 and one tumorantigen (gp100, Tyrosinase, Mage-C2 or Mage-A3).

This newly engineered antibody specific for alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer)-human CD1d (hCD1d) complexes was used to measure the affinity of binding of iNKT TCR to hCD1d molecules loaded with a panel of alpha-GalCer analogues and to assess the rate of dissociation of alpha-GalCer and alpha-GalCer analogues from hCD1d molecules.

The agonists were used as adjuvants in vivo to induce DC activation and CD4+ T cell and antibody responses.

We analysed the ability of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells to assist priming of antigen specific T and B cell responses. 1) We have demonstrated that activation of human DC by Toll like receptor ligands (TLR-L) modulates the lipid biosynthetic pathway, resulting in enhanced recognition of CD1d-associated lipids by iNKT cells. 2) We have clarified the mechanisms by which CD1d-restricted lymphocytes translate T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of lipids with similar group heads into distinct biological responses. Using a soluble iNKT TCR and a newly engineered anti...

This is mRNA encoding CD40L, CD70, caTLR4 and one tumorantigen (gp100, Tyrosinase, Mage-C2 or Mage-A3). It was used to electroporate autologous dendritic cells in order to produce a vaccine for advanced melanoma patients.

The vaccine for ovarian carcinoma is composed by autologous DCs pulsed with apoptotic autologous ovarian carcinoma cells. Apoptosis is induced by UV.

The vaccine is composed by autologous DCs pulsed with apoptotic allogenic prostate carcinoma cell line LNCap. It is used for vaccination of patients with advanced prostate carcinoma.

For transient transfection of synthetic siRNA, commercially available siRNA Smart Pool from Dharmacon targeted against the STAT3 transcription factor have been successfully transfected in human MDDCs (Lipofectamine 2000 as transfection reagent). The efficiency of silencing, as detected by western blot or FACS analysis of the protein was of 50-80% (depending on the donor), and peaked at 72 h post-transfection. Transfection efficiency was reproducibly higher than 80% and did not induce any type I IFN production.

We have worked to strengthen vaccine developments with an improved humanized mouse model. We focus on recombinant vaccines against HIV driven by a powerful poxvirus vaccine system termed MVA BN. To improve our understanding MVA BN has been analyzed thoroughly on the nucleotide level, safety in cell cultures, immune deficient mice as well as in healthy, HIV–infected and other immune deficient humans.

CyP was extracted from the freshwater cyanobacterium Oscillatoria Planktothrix FP1. We found that CyP acts as a potent and selective antagonist of bacterial LPS.

Expression vectors for GFP-RIG-I used to analyse the interaction between RIG-I, a viral sensing protein, and NS1, an inhibitor of interferon production that is encoded by influenza A virus have been made available.

This vaccine consists of DC loaded with a single MAA-derived peptide (MAGE-3.A1 or -A2 or Na17.A2). It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.

Fabs that bind strongly to L-SIGN, but to a lesser degree or not at all to dendritic cell-specific ICAM-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) were isolated and characterized. We believe that the isolated Abs may be useful for selective delivery of Ags to DC-SIGN- or L-SIGN-bearing APCs for the modulation of immune responses and for blocking viral infections.

This vaccine consists of G4-DC loaded with 8 different peptides. It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.

This vaccine is composed of DC pulsed with 2 to 3 MAA-derived peptides (combinations of MAGE-3.A2, MAGE-C2.A2 or Na17.A2). It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.