Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

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 PilG-like protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the PilG-like 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 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: Pertactin (formerly 69 kDa protein) is recovered in stable biologically pure form having no detectable adenylate cyclase activity from fermentation broth from the fermentation of Bordetella pertussis as well as from the cells. The broth is processed to selectively remove pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertactin is precipitated by ammonium sulphate and the precipitate is dissolved in buffer at pH 6.0 to 8.5, the solution then is passed through hydroxyapatite and Q-Sepharose® chromatograph columns before final ultrafiltration. Cells are extracted with urea and the extract ultrafiltered and diafiltered. The pertactin is precipitated from the extract and the precipitate processed as above. In a variation, the broth is contacted with ammonium sulphate to precipitate pertactin, PT and FHA, the precipitate is dissolved and the PT and FHA selectively removed, before the solution is passed to the chromatograph columns.

Abstract: Immunogenic envelope glycoproteins are produced from enveloped virus, such as of the paramyxoviridae family, particularly PIV-3 and RSV, by culturing the virus in the substantial absence of exogenous serum proteins, isolating the virus from the tissue culture, solubilizing the envelope glycoproteins and isolating the solubilized envelope glycoproteins by chromatography.

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: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic envelope glycoproteins are produced from enveloped virus, such as of the paramyxoviridae family, particularly PIV-3 and RSV, by culturing the virus in the substantial absence of exogenous serum proteins, isolating the virus from the tissue culture, solubilizing the envelope glycoproteins and isolating the solubilized envelope glycoproteins by chromatography.

Abstract: Vectors for DNA immunization against cervical cancer comprise a nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one non-toxic T-cell epitope of the E6 and/or E7 antigens of a strain of human papilloma virus (HPV) associated with cervical cancer, such as HPV-16, and a promoter operatively coupled to the nucleic acid molecule for expression of the nucleic acid molecule in a host to which the vector is administered.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles 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 responses.

Abstract: Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA molecule conferring on Mycobacterium tuberculosis an ability to enter mammalian cells and to survive within macrophages. Peptides, proteins, or polypeptides (e.g. the Mycobacterium cell entry protein or Mcep) encoded by this gene fragment are useful in vaccines to prevent infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while the antibodies raised against these peptides, proteins, or polypeptides can be employed in passively immunizing those already infected by the organism. These proteins, peptides, polypeptides, and antibodies may be utilized in diagnostic assays to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissue or bodily fluids. The peptides, proteins, or polypeptides of the present invention can be associated with various other therapeutic materials, for administration to mammals, particularly humans, to achieve uptake of those materials by such cells.

Abstract: An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured transferrin receptor protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has an apparent molecular mass of about 80 to about 90 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The transferrin receptor protein or a fragment analog thereof is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a strain of Moraxella. The transferrin receptor protein is isolated from strains of Moraxella catarrhalis by a procedure including extraction of agent soluble proteins of a cell mass produced by cultivating the strain under iron-starved conditions. The transferrin receptor protein is selectively solubilized from the extracted cell mass and purified.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode lactoferrin receptor proteins of Moraxella, such as M. catarrhalis, or a fragment or an analog of the lactoferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce recombinant lactoferrin receptor proteins Lbp1, Lbp2 and ORF3 of the strain of Moraxella free of other proteins of the Moraxella strain for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: An immunization strategy to provide protection against disease caused by infection with a paramyxoviridae virus, specifically respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus, is described. A priming intranasal administration of a recombinant virus expressing at least one RSV or PIV protein or immunogenic sequence there first is made to the host followed by a booster administration of at least one purified RSV or PIV protein or immunogenic fragment thereof, which may be adjuvanted with alum. This immunization strategy provides a safe and effective means of controlling RSV and PIV infections. The strategy leads to a stronger protective immune response than other strategies and to the induction of a more balanced Th-1/Th-2 type response than previously attained.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides have an amino acids sequence corresponding to at least one antigenic determinant of at least one protein, usually a structural protein, particularly the E1, E2 or C proteins, of rubella virus (RV), are used as is, in hybrid or chimeric tandem T-B form, in lipidated form, linked to a carrier molecule and/or polymerized to form molecular aggregates, in vaccines against rubella. Analogs of peptides which are human T-cell determinants are used to treat rubella-associated autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

Abstract: The three-dimensional structure of crystalline pertussis holotoxin (PT) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal structures have also been determined for complexes of pertussis toxin with molecules relevant to the biological activity of PT. These three-dimensional structures were analyzed to identify functional amino acids appropriate for modification to alter the biological properties of PT. Similar procedures may be used to predict amino acids which contribute to the toxicity of the holotoxin, to produce immunoprotective, genetically-detoxified analogs of pertussis toxin.