86 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2002 / Notices 

conserved among closely related 

bacterial species, including Salmonella 

and Klebsiella, presenting a unique 

opportunity to develop both specific 

and broad-based antibiotic therapeutics. 

The invention contemplates a number of 

uses for the sRNAs, including, but not 

limited to, inhibition by antisense, 

manipulation of gene expression, and 

possible vaccine candidates. 

Peptides that Stabilize Protein Antigens 

and Enhance Presentation to CD8+ T 

Cells 

Roger Kurlander, Elizabeth Chao, Janet 

Fields (CC) 

DHHS Reference No. E–172–99/1 filed 

12 Dec 2000 (PCT/US00/33027, 

published as WO 01/40275), with 

priority to 06 Dec 1999

This invention relates to compositions 

and methods for stabilizing an antigen 

against proteolytic degradation and 

enhancing its presentation to CD8+ 

cells. The invention claims ‘‘fusion 

agents,’’ isolated molecules comprising 

a hydrophobic peptide joined to an 

epitope to which a CD8+ T cell response 

is desired. Also claimed in the 

invention are the nucleic acid sequences 

that encode the fusion agents. Recently, 

there has been great interest in 

developing vaccines to induce 

protective CD8+ T cell responses, 

however, there are practical obstacles to 

this goal. Although purified antigenic 

peptides are effectively presented in 

vitro, introduced in a purified form they 

often do not stimulate effective T cell 

responses in vivo because the antigens 

are insufficiently immunogenic and too 

easily degraded. Adjuvants or infectious 

‘‘carriers’’ often can enhance these 

immune responses, however, these 

added agents can cause unacceptable 

local or systemic side effects. The 

present invention increases antigen 

stability and promotes in vivo responses 

in the absence of an adjuvant or active 

infection. 

The invention describes three variants 

of lemA, an antigen recognized by CD8+ 

cells in mice infected with Listeria 

monocytogenes. The antigenic and 

stabilizing properties of lemA can be 

accounted for by the covalent 

association of the immunogenic 

aminoterminal hexapeptide with the 

protease resistant scaffolding provided 

by amino acids 7 to 33 of the lemA 

sequence (lemA(7–33)). Variants t-lemA, 

and s-lemA bearing an antigenic 

sequence immediately preceding 

lemA(7–33), and lemS containing an 

immunogenic sequence immediately 

after lemA(7–33), each induce a CD8+ T 

cell response and protect the crucial 

immunogenic oligopeptide from 

protease degradation. The site of antigen 

insertion relative to lemA(7–33) can 

influence antigen processing by 

preferentially promoting processing 

either in the cytoplasm or endosomal 

compartment. Therefore, several 

embodiments of the invention involve 

the construction of antigen processing 

protein molecules and their methods of 

use. Alternatively, a DNA sequence 

coding lemA(7–33) may be inserted at 

an appropriate site to enhance the 

immunogenicity of the antigenic 

element coded by a DNA vaccine. In 

sum, this invention is an attractive, 

nontoxic alternative to protein/adjuvant 

combinations in eliciting CD8 responses 

in vivo and a useful element for 

enhancing the efficiency with which 

products coded by DNA vaccines are 

processed and presented in vivo. 

Because lemA(7–33) is particularly 

effective in protecting oligopeptides 

from proteases, this invention may have 

particular usefulness in enhancing local 

T cell at sites such as mucosal surfaces 

where there may be high proteolytic 

activity. 

For more specific information about 

the invention or to request a copy of the 

patent application, please contact Peter 

Soukas at the telephone number or email listed above. Additionally, please 

see a related article published in the 

Journal of Immunology at: 

1999;163:6741–6747. 

Vibrio cholerae O139 Conjugate 

Vaccines 

Shousun Szu, Zuzana Kossaczka, John 

Robbins (NICHD) 

DHHS Reference No. E–274–00/0 filed 

01 Sep 2000 (PCT/US00/24119) 

Cholera remains an important public 

health problem. Epidemic cholera is 

caused by two Vibrio cholerae serotypes 

O1 and O139. The disease is spread 

through contaminated water. According 

to information reported to the World 

Health Organization in 1999, nearly 

8,500 people died and another 223,000 

were sickened with cholera worldwide. 

This invention is a polysaccharideprotein conjugate vaccine to prevent 

and treat infection by Vibrio cholerae 

O139 comprising the capsular 

polysaccharide (CPS) of V. cholerae 

O139 conjugated through a dicarboxylic 

acid dihydrazide linker to a mutant 

diphtheria toxin carrier. In addition to 

the conjugation methods, also claimed 

in the invention are methods of 

immunization against V. cholerae O139 

using the conjugates of the invention. 

The inventors have shown that the 

conjugates of the invention elicited in 

mice high levels of serum antibodies to 

CPS, a surface antigen of Vibrio cholerae 

O139, that have vibriocidal activity. 

Clinical trials of the two most 

immunogenic conjugates have been 

planned by the inventors. This 

invention is further described in 

Infection and Immunity 68(9), 5037–

5043, Sept. 2000.

Dated: December 19, 2001. 

Jack Spiegel, 

Director, Division of Technology Development 

and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, 

National Institutes of Health.

[FR Doc. 01–32170 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4140–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; 

Notice of Closed Meetings 

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 

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is hereby given of the following 

meetings. 

The meetings will be closed to the 

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as amended. The grant applications and 

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Name of Committee: National Institute of 

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 

Diseases Special Emphasis Panel. 

Date: December 21, 2001. 

Time: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. 

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant 

applications. 

Place: Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, 

Conference Rooms E1/E2, Bethesda, MD 

20892. (Telephone Conference Call) 

Contact Person: Tracy A. Shahan, PhD, 

Scientific Review Administrator, National 

Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases, Natcher Building, MSC 6500, 

45 Center Drive, 5AS–25H, Bethesda, MD 

20892, (301) 594–4952. 

This notice is being published less than 15 

days prior to the meeting due to the timing 

limitations imposed by the review and 

funding cycle.

Name of Committee: National Institute of 

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 

Diseases Special Emphasis Panel. 

Date: December 21, 2001. 

Time: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. 

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant 

applications. 

Place: Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, 

Conference Rooms E1/E2, Bethesda, MD 

20892. (Telephone Conference Call) 

Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2002 / Notices 87

Contact Person: Tracy A. Shahan, PhD, 

Scientific Review Administrator, National 

Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases, Natcher Building, MSC 6500, 

45 Center Drive, 5AS–25H, Bethesda, MD 

20892, (301) 594–4952. 

This notice is being published less than 15 

days prior to the meeting due to the timing 

limitations imposed by the review and 

funding cycle.

(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program Nos. 93.846, Arthritis, 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research, 

National Institutes of Health, HHS)

Dated: December 20, 2001. 

LaVerne Y. Stringfield, 

Director, Office of Federal Advisory 

Committee Policy.

[FR Doc. 01–32160 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; 

Notice of Closed Meeting 

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice 

is hereby given of the following 

meeting. 

The meeting will be closed to the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions set forth in sections 

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., 

as amended. The grant applications and 

the discussions could disclose 

confidential trade secrets or commercial 

property such as patentable material, 

and personal information concerning 

individuals associated with the grant 

applications, the disclosure of which 

would constitute a clearly unwarranted 

invasion of personal privacy.

Name of Committee: National Institute of 

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 

Diseases Special Emphasis Panel. 

Date: January 15–16, 2002. 

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant 

applications. 

Place: Chevy Chase Holiday Inn, Chevy 

Chase, MD 20815. 

Contact Person: Aftab A. Ansari, PhD., 

Scientific Review Administrator, National 

Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases, Natcher Building, MSC 6500, 

45 Center Drive, 5AS–25S, Bethesda, MD 

20892, (301) 594–4952.

(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program Nos. 93.846, Arthritis, 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research, 

National Institutes of Health, HHS)

Dated: December 20, 2001. 

LaVerne Y. Stringfield, 

Director, Office of Federal Advisory 

Committee Policy.

[FR Doc. 01–32161 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute of Mental Health; 

Notice of Closed Meeting 

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice 

is hereby given of the following 

meeting. 

The meeting will be closed to the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions set forth in sections 

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., 

as amended. The contract proposals and 

the discussions could disclose 

confidential trade secrets or commercial 

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and personal information concerning 

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proposals, the disclosure of which 

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invasion of personal privacy.

Name of Committee: National Institute of 

Mental Health Special Emphasis Panel. 

Date: January 14, 2002. 

Time: 1:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Agenda: To review and evaluate contract 

proposals. 

Place: Neuroscience Center, National 

Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., 

Bethesda, MD 20892, (Telephone Conference 

Call). 

Contact Person: David I Sommers, PhD, 

Scientific Review Administrator, Division of 

Extramural Activities, National Institute of 

Mental Health, NIH, Neuroscience Center, 

6001 Executive Blvd., Room 6144, MSC 9606, 

Bethesda, MD 20892–9606, 301–443–6470, 

dsommers@mail.nih.gov.

This notice is being published less than 15 

days prior to the meeting due to the timing 

limitations imposed by the review and 

funding cycle.

(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program Nos. 93.242, Mental Health Research 

Grants; 93.281, Scientist Development 

Award, Scientist Development Award for 

Clinicians, and Research Scientist Award; 

93.282, Mental Health National Research 

Service Awards for Research Training, 

National Institutes of Health, HHS)

Dated: December 20, 2001. 

LaVerne Y. Stringfield, 

Director, Office of Federal Advisory 

Committee Policy.

[FR Doc. 01–32162 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute of Mental Health; 

Notice of Meeting 

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice 

is hereby given of a meeting of the 

National Advisory Mental Health 

Council. 

The meeting will be open to the 

public as indicated below, with 

attendance limited to space available. 

Individuals who plan to attend and 

need special assistance, such as sign 

language interpretation or other 

reasonable accommodation, should 

notify the Contact Person listed below 

in advance of the meeting. 

The meeting will be closed to the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions set forth in sections 

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., 

as amended. The grant applications and 

the discussions could disclose 

confidential trade secrets or commercial 

property such as patentable material, 

and personal information concerning 

individuals associated with the grant 

applications, the disclosure of which 

would constitute a clearly unwarranted 

invasion of personal privacy.

Name of Committee: National Advisory 

Mental Health Council. 

Date: January 24-25, 2002. 

Closed: January 24, 2002, 10:30 am to 

recess. 

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant 

applications. 

Place: Neuroscience Center, National 

Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., 

Bethesda, MD 20892. 

Open: January 25, 2002, 8 am to 

adjournment. 

Agenda: Presentation of NIMH Acting 

Director’s report and discussion of NIMH 

program, and policy issues. 

Place: National Institutes of Health, 9000 

Rockville Pike, Conference Room 10, 

Building 31C, Bethesda, MD 20892. 

Contact Person: Jane A. Steinberg, PhD., 

Director, Division of Extramural Activities, 

National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, 

Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Blvd., 

Room 6154, MSC 9609, Bethesda, MD 20892–

9609, 301–443–5047. 

Any member of the public interested in 

presenting oral comments to the committee 

may notify the Contact Person listed on this 

notice at least 10 days in advance of the 

meeting. Interested individuals and 

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organization represented, and a short 

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accepted by the committee, presentations 

may be limited to five minutes. Both printed