Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the specific immune response against an immunogenic compound which comprises administering the immunogenic compound together with a poxvirus recombinant and a vaccinal antigen, which is not a poxvirus. The immunological material may be any biological material useful as a vaccine e.g., a polypeptide characteristic of a pathogenic microorganism or associated with a tumoral disorder, a DNA plasmid encoding a peptide or a polypeptide characteristic of a pathogenic microorganism or a tumor-associated antigen, or an hapten coupled to a carrier molecule. The poxvirus may be a live, attenuated or inactivated virus or a recombinant virus. Recombinant virus may encode a heterologous polypeptide such as chemokines, cytokines or co-immunostimulatory molecules or an homologous polypeptide, which is immunologically cross reactive with the immunogenic polypeptide or peptide.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a lorf2 protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the lorf2 gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions including vaccines are described that comprise an outer membrane antigen extract of a strain of Chlamydia and are effective in protection against disease caused by Chlamydia infection The immunogenic compositions may comprise the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia which may be in a homooligomeric form or complexed with at least one other antigen of Chlamydia. The immunogenic composition may include an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) and the outer membrane antigen may be incorporated therein. The immunogenic compositions have utility as chlamydial vaccines and in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization is used to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a serine-threonine kinase (STK) of a strain of Chlamydia. A non-replicating vector, including a plasmid vector, contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a STK or a fragment of the STK that generates antibodies that specifically react with STK and a promoter sequence operatively coupled co the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the STK in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-&agr;-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric mircoparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an omp P6 precursor of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the omp P6 precursor in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oil-in-water immunostimulant emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase, characterised in that it further comprises an immunostimulant polynucleotide whereof at least part is covalently bound to at least a lipid molecule. The invention also concerns a vaccine composition comprising such an emulsion as immunoadjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a membrane ATPase of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the membrane ATPase in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a 98 kDa outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the 98 kDa outer membrane protein gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an POMP91B precursor protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the POMP91B precursor gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reductive amination of polysaccharides which comprises subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a polysaccharide, an amino compound and a reducing agent, to microwave radiation for a period of time sufficient to aminate the polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, polypeptides, and nucleic acids and the use of the peptide, polypeptide or nucleic acid in preventing and/or treating cancer. In particular, the invention relates to peptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides for use in diagnosing, treating, or preventing melanoma.

Abstract: Non-infectious, non-replicating immunogenic HIV-like particles are produced by stable long-term constitutive expression in mammalian cells by eliminating elements toxic to the mammalian cells. An expression vector contains a nucleic acid molecule comprising a modified HIV genome devoid of long terminal repeats and wherein Tat and vpr sequences are functionally disabled and a constitutive promoter operatively connected to the modified HIV genome for constitutive expression of the modified genome to produce the HIV-like particles.

Abstract: Attenuated recombinant viruses containing DNA coding for a canine distemper virus antigen or measles M or N antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The DNA can code for at least one of: canine distemper virus fusion protein, canine distemper virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein, canine distemper nucleocaspid portein, canine distemper matrix protein, measles virus nucleocaspid protein, and measles virus matrix protein. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom are useful for eliciting protection against canine distemper virus and/or measles virus, and, the gene products and antibodies elicited thereby are useful in assays. Additionally, DNA from the recombinants is used for probes or for generating PCR primers.

Abstract: Attenuated strains of Mycobacterium, particularly species of the tuberculosis complex, have the mycobacterial cell entry (mce) gene functionally disabled. The gene may be disabled by an insertion into the gene which disrupts the mycobacterial cell entry function thereof of a selectable marker which is used for screen for homologous recombinants in which a double cross-over event has been effected. The attenuated strains may be used in the immunization of hosts against Mycobacterium disease.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles contain mutations to reduce gag-dependent RNA-packaging of the gag gene product, eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product, eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product and eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product through genetic manipulation of the gag and pol genes. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel immortal non-adherent human melanocyte cell line, designated WC-1 14.07. This cell line is stable and MHC class I negative. This continuous melanocyte cell line can be used as a source of melanin and hgp100. The Class I MHC-negative nature of this cell line allows it to be used as a target for transfection with MHC class I genes, providing a novel source of hgp100 in a pre-determined MHC context. The cell line can thus be used in a variety of ways, directly or indirectly, in the development and manufacture of vaccines for melanoma.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing C hepatitis (HCV), induced infections, which in a preferred embodiment, comprises a main active principle, (i) a fusion polypeptide, including the HCV capsid polypeptide (C191) and polypeptide coat (E1) and in which at least one cleavage site 173/174 and 191/192 has been made inoperative by mutation; (ii) an equimolar mixture of the C191 polypeptide of which the cleavage site 173/174 has been made inoperative and of the E1 polypeptide (mixture equivalent to the fusion polypeptide); or (iii) a DNA molecule coding for this fusion polypeptide. Products (i) to (iii) are characterized in that the C191 element is incapable of regulating the functioning of the genes, in particular of causing them to interact. Such a composition can also include any form equivalent to the products described above.

Abstract: An isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule encoding an inclusion membrane protein C of a strain of Chlamydia, is useful for nucleic acid immunization of a host, including a human host, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, particularly C. pneumoniae.