Abstract: An adenovirus wherein the adenovirus fiber protein includes a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type. The adenovirus may have at least a portion of the adenovirus fiber protein removed and replaced with a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type, or the adenovirus may include a fusion protein of the adenovirus fiber protein and the ligand. Such an adenovirus may also include a gene(s) encoding a therapeutic agent(s) and may be "targeted" in order to deliver such gene(s) to a desired cell type.

Abstract: The present application discloses retrovirus-derived vectors in which the retroviral envelope glycoprotein has been replaced by the G glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus, and the use of these vectors in the transfer of exogenous genes into the cells of a wide variety of non-mammalian organisms. Also disclosed is a method for the generation of retroviral vectors in high titers, wherein a recombinant, stable host cell line is provided which harbors the retroviral vector of interest without envelope protein. High-titer retroviral vector production is initiated by introducing nucleic acid encoding a functional membrane-associated protein into the cell line. The vectors disclosed in the present application can be concentrated by ultracentrifugation to titers greater than 10.sup.9 cfu/ml which are especially useful in human gene therapy trials, and can also infect cells, such as hamster and fish cells, that are ordinarily resistant to infection with vectors containing the retroviral envelope protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing retroviral proteins which are protease, everse transcriptase and endonuclease. The method is characterized by the consecutive expression and processing of retroviral genes by the stepwise cultivation of hosts transformed with a vector constructed to carry retroviral gene fragments comprising at least a protease gene and one or more of the other genes coding for retroviral proteins. The retroviral proteins of this invention are used as specific reagents for the diagnosis of retroviral disease, e.g., AIDS, malignant tumors and so forth, also may be used as the basis for research and development of antiviral agents and a vaccine against the above infectious diseases, and for genetic engineering.

Abstract: A gene encoding for alternative forms of a POU domain transcription factor is disclosed. The first polypeptide form of the transcription factor includes a transferable region which inhibits DNA binding by itself and other transcription factors. The second polypeptide form serves to activate expression of a gene typical for terminal differentiation of skin. Fusion proteins wherein the inhibitory region of the first form of the gene is coupled to, and inhibits the function of, other transcription factors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based eucaryotic vectors and uses thereof. Such vectors may, for example, be used to down regulate any targeted viral or cellular gene whose sequence is known. Furthermore, the vectors may also be used to cause the expression of proteins.

Abstract: Retrovirus packaging cell lines PG13 (ATCC No. CRL 10686) and PG13/LNc8 (ATCC No. CRL 10685), and retroviruses packaged by said cells.

Abstract: Fibroblasts transduced with genetic material encoding a polypeptide or protein of interest and, optionally, a selectable marker, as well as methods for making and using the transduced fibroblasts. Such fibroblasts are useful in delivering the encoded polypeptide or protein, such as an enzyme, a hormone or a drug, to an individual who has had a graft or implant of the transduced cells.

Abstract: The structural gene encoding isoamylase from Pseudomonas SMP 1 is obtained. Also described are vectors comprising the isoamylase gene and host microorganisms transformed by these vectors. The transformed host microorganisms are capable of expressing and/or secreting mature isoamylase having biological activity.

Abstract: Packaging cell lines useful for the generation of helper-free recombinant retroviruses with amphotropic or ecotropic host ranges, methods of constructing such packaging cell lines and methods of using the recombinant retroviruses to introduce DNA of interest into eukaryotic cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: An H. saimiri-HTLV-1 or 2 X region vector is disclosed. This vector can be used to establish continuous cell lines of difficult to grow cells, such as human T-cells. It can also be used to obtain certain cell products and in methods for screening new compounds.

Abstract: The invention pertains to self-assembled replication defective hybrid virus-like particles having capsid and membrane glycoproteins from at least two different virus types and method of making same. Recombinant viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: An agent for combating pests and for protecting plants comprising a carrier-free cell granulate of a microorganism which is suitable for combating pests or for plant treatment such as fungi or bacteria which are capable of mycelium formation, e.g. Deuteromycetes and Metarhizium including the new anisopliae strains DMS 3884 and 3885.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated and purified feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) culture having the identifying characteristics of FIV isolate NCSU.sub.1. A biologically pure culture of host cells containing a FIV having the identifying characteristics of FIV isolate NCSU.sub.1 is also disclosed, along with isolated and purified DNA coding for (a) an FIV having the identifying characteristics of FIV isolate NCSU.sub.1, or (b) an antigenic fragment of an FIV having the identifying characteristics of FIV isolate NCSU.sub.1. Various vaccine formulations containing active agents derived from the foregoing FIV virus, DNA encoding the virus, and DNA encoding antigenic fragments of the virus are also disclosed herein.Also disclosed are immunodeficient mice containing feline tissue, which feline tissue is capable of infection with a feline immunodeficiency virus such as (but not limited to) FIV isolate NCSU.sub.1.

Abstract: Biologically active proviral molecular clones of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus and cell lines infected with the same have been prepared. Various utilities of the clones are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel retroviral particle associated with autoimmune disease. New methods of diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease, novel cell lines comprising the new retrovirus, assay systems that may be used in the development of antiretroviral pharmaceuticals, and model systems for the study of autoimmune diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are provided by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified preparations of a novel retrovirus, to methods of diagnosis and treatment of Sjogren's syndrome, novel cell lines, and model systems for the study of autoimmune diseases and AIDS. It is based, in part, on the discovery of a novel retrovirus which is antigenically similar to human immunodeficiency virus but which appears to comprise a functionally distinct reverse transcriptase.According to the present invention, Sjogren's syndrome as well as other autoimmune diseases, may be diagnosed, and their clinical course may be monitored, by demonstrating the presence of anti-retroviral antibodies and/or measuring the levels of such antibodies. Alternatively, Sjogren's syndrome or other autoimmune diseases may be diagnosed or monitored by directly or indirectly demonstrating vital particles in the cells of a patient.

Abstract: A method for expressing proteins which are immunologically reactive with antibodies to lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), now known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is disclosed. The proteins are produced by bacterial host cells transformed with a recombinant plasmid which includes appropriate procaryotic transcriptional and translational signals for expression, followed in reading phase by a DNA sequence comprising a portion of the env region of the LAV genome. This portion codes for a protein which is immunologically reactive with antibodies to LAV, or antibodies to viruses defined to be the same as or equivalent to LAV. The proteins produced by the method disclosed may be used to screen for the presence of antibodies to LAV in a biological fluid, to determine the presence of LAV antigen in a biological fluid, or within a method for producing antibodies to LAV through the immunization of an animal with the protein.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a method of conferring, upon a host cell, resistance to retroviral infection by interfering with one or more of the infection processes including retroviral replication and assembly into infective viral particles. The method involves introducing a vector into a host cell, wherein the vector comprises a polynucleotide which directs transcription, within the host cell, of RNA which is a) complementary or homologous, depending on the target region, to a nucleic acid sequence within one or more regions of the genome of the retrovirus; and b) is effective in inhibiting retroviral replication and/or interfering with assembly into viral particles when the host cell is infected. Also disclosed is a method of treatment using cells upon which resistance to infection has been conferred.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing fusion proteins, particularly HCV fusion proteins, wherein one part of the fusion protein is formed from the bacterial protein CKS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mammalian cell line useful for retroviral packaging comprising two plasmids, the first such plasmid comprising in 5' to 3' order: a DNA sequence comprising a 5' long terminal repeat (LTR); a mutated .psi. packaging sequence; a DNA sequence comprising the encoding portion of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MULV) env gene; and the second such plasmid comprising in 5' to 3' order: a DNA sequence comprising a 5' long terminal repeat (LTR); a mutated .psi. packaging sequence; a DNA sequence comprising the encoding portion of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MULV) gag and pol genes; a selectable marker; and an origin of replication.The invention also relates to processes for preparing a producer cell line useful for transferring a gene of interest into recipient mammalian cells in vitro.