Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody AT 120 which forms an immunological complex with an epitope of an antigen belonging to normal human tau protein as well as abnormally phosphorylated human tau protein, with said tau protein being liable to be obtained from a brain homogenate, itself isolated from human cerebral cortex. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be used to detect tau and abnormally phosphorylated tau in brain extracts and in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: Described is a new variety of retrovirus designated HIV-3 samples of which are deposited in the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under V88060301. Further described are antigens obtained from the virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p25 and glycoproteins gp41 and gp120 to be used in the diagnosis of ARC or AIDS caused by HIV-3. Immunogenic compositions to be used as vaccines contain an envelope glycoprotein of HIV-3 such as gp41 or gp120.

Abstract: Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against M.tb antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a T.sub.h 1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-.gamma.). Protective efficacy of an M.tb DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with M. bovis BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of M.tb DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to amino acid sequences derived from peptide (Glu.sup.1,8, Leu.sup.11,17) 18A, comprising:Glu-Trp-Leu-A-Ala-B-Tyr-C-Lys-Val-D-Glu-Lys-Leu-Lys-Glu-Leu-Phe,wherein A is Lys, Glu or Asp; B is Phe, Glu or Asp; C is Glu, Lys or Arg;and D is Leu, Glu or Asp. The amino acid sequences form complexes with phospholipids, and are useful for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Methods of detection of the Gram-negative bacterium, Branhamella catarrhalis are disclosed. These methods use nucleic acid hybridization probes derived from the bacterium's ribosomal RNA genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retrovirus isolated from a chimpanzee and designated as SIV.sub.cpz-ant and to variants of this virus, having the following essential morphological and immunological properties: the virus exhibits a tropism for T4 lymphocytes, the virus does not exhibit cytopathic effect with the formation of giant cells in the lymphocytes that it infects, the virus has a diameter of approximately 130 nm, the virus possesses a magnesium dependent reverse transcriptase activity, it can be cultivated in T4 receptor-bearing immortalized cell-lines, lysates of the virus containing a p27 protein that is immunologically distinct from the p25 of HIV-1 and p19 protein of HTLV-1 on Western Blot, lysates of the virus containing a gp140 protein which is immunologically distinct from the gp120 of HIV-1 and gp140 of HTLV-1 by Western Blot analysis, the lysate of the virus contains an additional transmembrane glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 44,000 to 50,000 kD.

Abstract: Described is a new retrovirus designated HIV-3, samples of which have been deposited in the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under V88060301.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides from the spacer region between rRNA genes of a non-viral organism, particularly prokaryotic organism and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides to be used for the detection of non-viral microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide containing a sequence of contiguous amino acids of the polypeptide sequence coded by exon 17 of the cDNA of the APP 770 gene, with said sequence of contiguous amino acids being such that:it has from 5 to the total number of amino acids coded by said exon 17,and it contains the amino acid corresponding to codon 692 in the cDNA of the APP 770 gene and which is alanine substituted for glycine. (no figure).

Abstract: Described is a new retrovirus designated HIV-3 and deposited in the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under V88060301. Further described are antigens obtained from the virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p25 and glycoproteins gp41 and gp120 to be used in the diagnosis of ARC or AIDS caused by HIV-3. Immunogenic compositions to be used as vaccines contain an envelope glycoprotein of HIV-3 such as gp41 or gp120.

Abstract: The property of phagocyte cells to show chemiluminescence when activated by certain chemical or immunological agents is used for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of such agents in biological fluids. A variety of factors such as opsonizing anti-bodies, complement, inhibitors, membrane-specific anti-bodies, and their antigens, membrane-specific lectins, lymphokines, endotoxins, toxic substances and others can be analyzed in this way. The new method finds application in the biotechnical, clinical, immunological and pharmacological fields, with a special preference for toxicological screening of pharmaceuticals. The phagocyte cells needed for the analysis can be derived from a continuous phagocyte cell line and a method of producing such a cell line is provided.