The Rockefeller University

Other

Duke University

Emory University

The Rockfeller University

Robert Darnell

Ralph M Steinman

Nina Bhardwaj

Kayo Inaba

Matthew Albert

Matthew L Albert

Jack D Keene

Scott A Tenenbaum

Stephen T Warren

Peng Jin

Kirk Jensen

Victoria Brown-Kennerly

Stephanie Ceman

Jernej Ule

Jennifer C Darnell

Nina Bhardwai

The present invention provides methods for purifying RNA molecules interacting with an RNA binding protein (RBP), and the use of such methods to analyze a gene expression profile of a cell. The invention also provides sequences of RNA molecules that mediate binding to an RBP, proteins encoded by the sequences, a method of identifying the sequences, and the use of the sequences in a screen to identify bioactive molecules. The invention also provides RNA motifs found among the sequences and compounds that bind the RNA motifs. In addition, the invention provides methods of treating diseases associated with a function of an RNA binding protein.

Method of purifying RNA binding protein-RNA complexes

The present invention relates to peptide vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and associated methodologies that promote the immune-mediated regression of tumors expressing an onconeural antigen, e.g. a cdr-2 antigen, HuD antigen. The cancer peptide vaccines of the present invention are antigenic peptides capable of being faithfully presented on the MHC I complex of a target cell or antigen presenting cell. This external cellular presentation of these peptides promotes a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against tumor cells expressing these proteins, thereby, inducing immunological reactivity.

Methods and compositions for tumor vaccination and therapy

This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for delivering antigens to dendritic cells which are then useful for inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T helper cells. This invention also provides assays for evaluating the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. According to the invention, antigens are targeted to dendritic cells by apoptotic cells which may also be modified to express non-native antigens for presentation to the dendritic cells. The dendritic cells which are primed by the apoptotic cells are capable of processing and presenting the processed antigen and inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity or may also be used in vaccine therapies.

Methods for use of apoptotic cells to deliver antigen to dendritic cells for induction or tolerization of T cells

Compositions and methods for identifying and/or modulating RNA transcripts and/or genes involved in fragile X syndrome and other associated disorders are provided. In particular, RNA targets for fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) have been identified by a novel monoclonal antibody to FMRP and a consensus sequence for the RNA binding region has been identified. Arrays for identifying compounds, proteins, nucleotides, and the like that modulate the RNA targets or associated genes are provided. Additionally, methods for modulating RNA targets are provided.

Method and identification of downstream mRNA ligands to FMRP and their role in fragile X syndrome and associated disorders

Recognition of the role of a cellular immune response to immune-privileged antigens in the etiology of paraneoplastic syndromes and tumor immunity has provided diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the detection of paraneoplastic antigen-specific cells, enhancing tumor immunity by increasing the population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and suppressing cellular immunity to treat the paraneoplastic syndrome. Methods for the detection of memory and cytotoxic T lymphocytes are provided which utilize immune-privileged antigens or their peptides. Enhanced CTL production is provided by stimulating antigen presenting cells in vitro with immune-privileged antigen, with and without further exposure to T lymphocytes, prior to reintroduction of either the antigen-presenting cells and/or the T lymphocytes into the patient. Suppression of the cellular response to non-tumor cells expressing the immune-privileged antigen is provided by using agents which suppress; anti-cytokine therapy is also provided to limit cell surface expression of paraneoplastic antigens by non-tumor cells. Compositions comprising immune-privileged antigen peptides useful for diagnostic methods and therapeutic treatments are also described.

Methods and agents for the detection and modulation of cellular immunity to immune privileged antigens

Growing community of inventors

Pelham, NY, United States of America

Robert Darnell