Abstract: By transducing cells with an HIV-1-MN molecular clone deleted in the major packaging sequence, a stable HIV-1 packaging cell line, &psgr;422 was produced. &psgr;422 cells form syncytia with CD4 positive cells, correctly express HIV-1 structural proteins, and produce large amount of mature particles with normal RT activity. These particles are not infectious. When stably transfected with an HIV-based retroviral vector, the &psgr;422 cell line produces hybrid virions capable of transducing CD4 positive cells with high efficiency (e.g., 105 cells/ml). The availability of this stable, noninfectious HIV-1 packaging cell line capable of generating high titer HIV vectors enables the use of HIV-1 based nucleic acids delivery systems, for example, in gene therapy. An HIV-2 based vector is packaged by the packaging cell lines, demonstrating that HIV-2 cell transformation vectors are packaged by the packaging cell line.

Abstract: The invention provides non-primate lentiviral vectors, packaging cells and packaging plasmids based, for example, on feline and ungulate retroviruses. In particular, the packaging plasmids are designed for expression in human cells (which are also used as packaging cells). The vectors of the invention transduce human cells, including difficult to target non-dividing cells of the hematopoietic and nervous system, in vitro and in vivo. The vectors are suitable for general gene transfer to these cells and for gene therapy to treat conditions mediated by these non-dividing cells including cancer and HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing immunity in a subject by using dendritic cells transduced with a lentivirus vector constructed to deliver an antigenic epitope. The methods of the invention are particularly suited to inducing immunity to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other viral diseases, as well as to inducing immunity to tumor antigens.

Abstract: Novel HIV-2 proviruses, molecular clones, nucleic acids, polypeptides, viruses and viral components are described. The use of these compositions as components of diagnostic assays, as immunological reagents, as vaccines, as components of packaging cells, cell transduction vectors, and as gene therapy vectors is also described.

Abstract: By transducing cells with an HIV-1-MN molecular clone deleted in the major packaging sequence, a stable HIV-1 packaging cell line, &psgr;422 was produced. &psgr;422 cells form syncytia with CD4 positive cells, correctly express HIV-1 structural proteins, and produce large amount of mature particles with normal RT activity. These particles are not infectious. When stably transfected with an HIV-based retroviral vector, the &psgr;422 cell line produces hybrid virions capable of transducing CD4 positive cells with high efficiency (e.g., 105 cells/ml). The availability of this stable, noninfectious HIV-1 packaging cell line capable of generating high titer HIV vectors enables the use of HIV-1 based nucleic acids delivery systems, for example, in gene therapy. An HIV-2 based vector is packaged by the packaging cell lines, demonstrating that HIV-2 cell transformation vectors are packaged by the packaging cell line.

Abstract: This invention provides an infectious retrovirus having inserted between the 5' and 3' long terminal repeat sequences of the retrovirus a nucleic acid encoding an anti-HIV-type specific agent or a foreign nucleic acid under the control of a pol III promoter. Host cells containing the retroviral vectors of this invention also are provided. Further provided are methods of interfering with or preventing HIV viral replication in a cell infected with HIV or likely to be infected with HIV.

Abstract: An envelope protein of the etiologic agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a method for its preparation are disclosed. Proviral DNA is transferred into a host cell after engineering into an expression vector which produces the envelope protein. A method of testing human blood for the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus using the AIDS envelope protein is disclosed.

Abstract: A new human B lymphotropic virus, also designated human herpesvirus-6, has been isolated. DNA, molecular clones, antigenic viral proteins and antibodies having specificity to the new virus have been prepared. Various utilities of the new virus and products derived therefrom have been described.

Abstract: A new human B lymphotropic virus, also designated human herpesvirus-6, has been isolated. DNA, molecular clones, antigenic viral proteins and antibodies having specificity to the new virus have been prepared. Various utilities of the new virus and products derived therefrom have been described.

Abstract: The determination of the nucleotide sequence of HTLV-III DNA; identification, isolation and expression of HTLV-III sequences which encode immunoreactive polypeptides by recombinant,DNA methods and production of viral RNA are disclosed. Such polypeptides can be employed in immunoassays to detect HTLV-III.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of infections of Rev-binding primate lentiviruses are provided. These methods and compositions utilize the ability of Rev binding nucleic acids such as the SLII sequence from the HIV-1 Rev response element (RRE) to target therapeutic agents to the same sub-cellular location as primate lentiviruses which contain RRE sequences. In particular, the invention provides trans-acting ribozymes comprising Rev-binding nucleic acids less toxic than a full-length RRE, and molecules encoding them. The use of the compositions of the invention as components of diagnostic assays, as prophylactic reagents, and in vectors is also described.

Abstract: Novel HIV-2 proviruses, molecular clones, nucleic acids, polypeptides, viruses and viral components are described. The use of these compositions as components of diagnostic assays, as immunological reagents, as vaccines, as components of packaging cells, cell transduction vectors, and as gene therapy vectors is also described.

Abstract: An envelope protein of the etiologic agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a method for its preparation are disclosed. Proviral DNA is transferred into a host cell after engineering into an expression vector which produces the envelope protein. A method of testing human blood for the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus using the AIDS envelope protein is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides an infectious retrovirus having inserted between the 5' and 3' long terminal repeat sequences of the retrovirus a nucleic acid encoding an anti-HIV-type specific agent under the control of a pol III promoter. Host cells containing the retroviral vectors of this invention also are provided. Further provided are methods of interfering with or preventing HIV viral replication in a cell infected with HIV or likely to be infected with HIV.

Abstract: Nucleic acid encoding a functional HTLV-III/LAV (HIV-1) protein having trans-activating ability, and expression vectors comprising this nucleic acid are described.

Abstract: An envelope protein of the etiologic agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a method for its preparation are disclosed. Proviral DNA is transferred into a host cell after engineering into an expression vector which produces the envelope protein. A method of testing human blood for the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus using the AIDS envelope protein is disclosed.

Abstract: Antigenic proteins may be expressed in bacteria by use of vectors having inserted therein DNA fragments from an envelope gene. The DNA fragments employed in the example are coding sequences found in the HTLV-I envelope gene. The bacteria used was E. coli. The antigenic proteins are useful in identifying antibodies to the organisms from which the DNA fragments were originally obtained.

Abstract: This invention provides an infectious retrovirus having inserted between the 5' and 3' long terminal repeat sequences of the retrovirus a nucleic acid encoding an anti-HIV-type specific agent under the control of a pol III promoter. Host cells containing the retroviral vectors of this invention also are provided. Further provided are methods of interfering with or preventing HIV viral replication in a cell infected with HIV or likely to be infected with HIV.

Abstract: Vectors are provided which stably transduce cells, rendering the cells resistant to a target virus. The vectors are amplified upon infection of the cell by a target virus, and spread throughout an infected host in response to infection by the target virus.

Abstract: Methods, kits and compositions for increasing the titer of rAAV vectors are provided.