Abstract: The disclosure provides fusion proteins containing N-terminal signal peptides fused to immunogenic polypeptides. The immunogenic polypeptides may be from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The disclosure also provides elevated expression of the immunogenic polypeptides using the N-terminal signal peptide. The N-terminal signal peptides enhance synthesis of the protein, particularly where the protein is neither a secretory nor a transmembrane peptide. The fusion proteins may be used to diagnose disease and to induce immune responses.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for raising immune responses against influenza and respiratory synctial virus by administering combination immunogenic composition against both viruses at the same time. The combination compositions contain an RSV component and one, two, three, four, or more influenza components. The combination compositions provide a greater immune response than that obtained by separately administering the RSV and influenza components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure encompasses virus-like particles, methods of making virus-like particles, including expression vectors, wherein the virus-like particles may comprise enhanced levels of capsid-bound a chimeric HN-Env polypeptide compared to VLPs derived from unmodified HIV-env polypeptides. Embodiments of the virus-like particle may have Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface of the virus-like particle may specifically bind with an anti-HIV-Env specific antibody. Embodiments of the disclosure further includes methods of generating an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-Env polypeptide, comprising delivering to an animal or a human an effective amount of a suspension of virus-like particles comprising a chimeric HIV-Eny polypeptide, thereby inducing the formation of an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-1 eny polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising rabies virus (RV) glycoproteins (G proteins) and methods for making and using them, including immunogenic compositions such as vaccines for the treatment and/or prevention of rabies virus infection.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to modified or mutated respiratory syncytial virus fusion (F) proteins and methods for making and using them, including immunogenic compositions such as vaccines for the treatment and/or prevention of RSV infection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) that contain chimeric proteins or influenza membrane proteins. The chimeric proteins are derived from fragments of influenza membrane proteins fused to heterologous proteins. The invention includes antigenic formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the invention as well as methods of making and administering VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing immunity to infections, such as influenza.

Abstract: Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: The inventive features include recombinant mammalian E-selectin peptides, nucleic acids encoding said peptides, vectors and cells having these nucleic acids, and methods of making the peptides. Further inventive features include methods of treating diseases and conditions associated with inflammation using recombinant mammalian E-selectin peptides to induce mucosal tolerance to E-selectin.

Abstract: Abstract Compositions comprising an emulsion and aluminum salt nano-/micro-particles surface stabilized with at least one surfactant are useful as immunological adjuvants. The emulsion of these compositions comprises at least one oil; at least one surfactant; a plurality of surfactant vesicles; optionally at least one sterol; and an aqueous phase. The present invention also provides vaccines comprising one or more antigens combined with the emulsion and surface stabilized aluminum salt particles of the present invention, or one or more antigens combined with non-ionic surfactant vesicles.

Abstract: Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the immunity of a subject or vaccinating a subject against mycobacterial infections are disclosed. The invention provides compositions comprising formalin inactivated cultures of a mycobacterium, such as M. bovis, and a Novasome® adjuvant, as well as methods for using such compositions.

Abstract: An insect cell line capable of growth in serum-free media and secretion of high levels of recombinant proteins, including virus-like particles, upon infection with recombinant baculoviruses, is provided. Methods involving clonal selection processes, serum-weaning and recombinant protein secretion selection are used to create the insect lines of the invention. This cell line supports replication of baculoviruses, serves as host substrate for baculovirus plaque assays, provides a source of insect proteins, acts as a depot for cell transfection to produce recombinant baculoviruses, and express viral recombinant proteins. Extracellular and intracellular viral recombinant proteins and virus-like particles expressed from this cell line are useful as pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, or diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the immunity of a subject or vaccinating a subject against mycobacterial infections are disclosed. The invention provides compositions comprising formalin inactivated cultures of a mycobacterium, such as M. bovis, and a Novasome® adjuvant, as well as methods for using such compositions.