Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding immunogenic HIV polypeptides. Uses of the polynucleotides in applications including immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of HIV polypeptides are also described. Polynucleotides encoding antigenic HIV polypeptides are described, as are uses of these polynucleotides and polypeptide products therefrom, including formulations of immunogenic compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: Env-CD4 polypeptide complexes and hybrids that expose cryptic epitopes important in virus neutralization are disclosed. Method of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising CD4 minimal modules that bind to HIV Env polypeptides in a non-CD4 backbone are described. Also described are complexes of these fusion proteins with Env as well as methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule CD4 mimetics effective to bind to HIV Env proteins. A CD4 mimetic of the invention, when bound to an Env protein, is effective to induce a conformational change in the Env protein such that cyptic epitopes on the Env protein are exposed. Also provided herein are related methods of identifying and using such small molecule CD4 mimetics, for example, to elicit an immune response in a subject upon administration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vectors comprising polynucleotide sequences that encode HIV polypeptides. In particular, the disclosure relates polycistronic vector constructs comprising sequences that encode HIV polypeptides as a single polyprotein. Compositions comprising these vectors and sequences along with methods of using these vectors and sequences are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hybrid molecules comprising CD4 minimal modules or mimetics that bind to HIV Env polypeptides in combination with one or more HIV Tat polypeptides are described. Also described are complexes of these hybrid molecules with Env as well as methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient expression of HIV polypeptides in a variety of cell types, including, but not limited to, mammalian, insect, and plant cells. Synthetic expression cassettes encoding the HIV Gag-containing polypeptides are described, as are uses of the expression cassettes in applications including DNA immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of Env-, tat- or Gag-containing proteins. The invention provides methods of producing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), as well as, uses of the VLPs including, but not limited to, vehicles for the presentation of antigens and stimulation of immune response in subjects to whom the VLPs are administered.

Abstract: Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided, including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides encoding modified immunogenic HIV-1 South African subtype C Env polypeptides. The modifications to the Env polypeptides include deletions of V1, V2 and the stem region. The expression cassettes may be used, for example, to express the encoded polypeptide. A recombinant expression system for use in a selected host cell comprising an expression cassette encoding for the modified HIV-1 Env polypeptide is also described.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for utilizing recombinant alphavirus vectors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for making and utilizing eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems.

Abstract: Mosaic VLPs of viral capsid proteins from different virus types are described, as are methods of making the same. Specifically, a diploid yeast strain that coexpresses the L1 and L2 capsid proteins of both HPV-6 and HPV-16 as mosaic VLPs is described. The mosaic VLPs induced the production of conformational antibodies against both L1 proteins upon administration to mice.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Env-CD4 complexes and hybrids are disclosed that expose cryptic epitopes that are important in virus neutralization. Methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating intracellular infections comprising the step of administering a vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of an antigen derived from an intracellular pathogen, and also administering to the warm-blooded animal a protein which comprises the immunogenic portion of the antigen, such that an immune response is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient expression of HIV polypeptides in a variety of cell types, including, but not limited to, mammalian, insect, and plant cells. Synthetic expression cassettes encoding the HIV Gag-containing polypeptides are described, as are uses of the expression cassettes in applications including DNA immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of Env-, tat- or Gag-containing proteins. The invention provides methods of producing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), as well as, uses of the VLPs including, but not limited to, vehicles for the presentation of antigens and stimulation of immune response in subjects to whom the VLPs are administered.

Abstract: Polynucleotide encoding modified HIV Env polypeptides are disclosed. The Env polypeptides are modified so as to expose at least part of the CD4 binding region. Methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vectors comprising polynucleotide sequences that encode HIV polypeptides. In particular, the disclosure relates polycistronic vector constructs comprising sequences that encode HIV polypeptides as a single polyprotein. Compositions comprising these vectors and sequences along with methods of using these vectors and sequences are also disclosed.