Abstract: The present invention is an antineoplastic agent characterized by including at least one of taxol and taxol derivatives and a protein which is a mutant of diphtheria toxin, having an activity to inhibit a binding between HB-EGF and EGFR and substantially not having a toxicity of diphtheria toxin as active ingredients.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: A recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a process for producing the same; a pharmacological composition containing recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a vector containing a genomic gene of varicella-zoster virus and BAC vector sequence; cells containing the above vector; a fragment capable of homologous recombination with a genome of varicella-zoster virus; and a nucleic acid cassette containing the BAC vector sequence. For these, there is provided a process for producing recombinant varicella-zoster virus, comprising use of the BAC vector sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enhancer for a viral promoter such as a promoter that can induce expression selectively and strongly in immunocompetent cells (e.g., lymphocytes) or blood cells. It is found unexpectedly that an intron has the above-mentioned enhancer activity. Thus, it is found that an enhancer for a promoter, which comprises an intron sequence for a major immediate early gene (MIE) of human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) (particularly HHV-6B) or a fragment of the intron sequence, has a potent promoter activity.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-influenza virus antibody that exhibits neutralizing activity beyond the barrier of the two groups of influenza viruses categorized according to the conservativeness of hemagglutinin amino acids, a method of producing the same, and a test method for determining whether the subject carries the neutralizing antibody.

Abstract: The present invention is an antineoplastic agent characterized by including at least one of taxol and taxol derivatives and a protein which is a mutant of diphtheria toxin, having an activity to inhibit a binding between HB-EGF and EGFR and substantially not having a toxicity of diphtheria toxin as active ingredients.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide SE36 derived from the N-terminal domain (47 kd) of SERA (serine-repeat antigen) produced by malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, at the erythrocyte stage, a process for purifying said polypeptide, and a malaria vaccine and diagnostic agent using as an active component said purified antigen obtained therefrom. SE36 can be produced in Escherichia coli on a large scale by deleting all or part of polymerized serines of the 47 kd serine-repeat region, whereby high purification is permitted. The human IgG3 antibodies specifically binding to SE36 prevents highly effectively growth of the protozoa in the red blood cells to inhibit fever and cerebral malaria, and further prevent the death.

Abstract: A recombinant herpesvirus, a method for producing the recombinant herpesvirus, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpesvirus, are provided with a method for producing a recombinant herpesvirus using a BAC vector sequence. In addition, a vector comprising a herpesvirus genomic gene and a BAC vector sequence, a cell comprising the vector, and a nucleic acid cassette comprising a fragment, which is capable of homologous recombination with a herpesvirus genome, and a BAC vector sequence, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides virus-like particles (VLP) highly secreting or producing signal peptide obtained by altering a signal sequence derived from West Nile virus (WNV), the signal peptide, a WNV VLP secretion expression vector containing a nucleic acid encoding prM protein and E protein, a WNP VLP highly secreting or producing animal cell line harboring the vector, a WNV vaccine containing WNV VLP obtained by the cell line as an active ingredient, and a WNV DNA vaccine containing the VLP secretion expression vector as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: The invention provides agents that promote or inhibit neurite elongation comprising as an active ingredient an antibody that recognizes a varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein and cross-reacts with a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The invention also provides methods of utilizing such agents to prevent or treat a nervous disease or a disease with nerve hypersensitivity caused by a condition selected from the group consisting of postherpetic neuralgia, chronic pains, experience-dependent social aversion and stress.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjuvant that possesses a greater adjuvant potential than that of a conventional adjuvant, and that is capable of producing a protective reaction across different strains. This problem has been solved by the finding that a double-stranded RNA (for example, Poly(I:C)) unexpectedly exhibits the above capability when used in combination with a subunit antigen. Accordingly, the present invention provides a vaccine for mucosal administration containing A) a double-stranded RNA and B) a subunit antigen or inactivated antigen of a pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel inactivated virus particle and a reinforced immunogen which have a reinforced titer about twice to about 10 times that of a conventional vaccine, as well as a method for producing the same. The inactivated virus particle is produced by inactivating and then purifying a culture by physical means. The inactivated virus particle of the present invention is useful in a diagnostic agent for infectious disease caused by a group of Japanese encephalitis virus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quality control of an attenuated varicella live vaccine, which comprises subjecting the genomic DNA of a sample varicella vaccine virus to sequence analysis and confirming that the genomic DNA of the sample varicella vaccine virus conserves the 5,745th G, the 105,356th C, the 105,544th G, the 106,262nd C and the 107,252nd C without suffering mutation, wherein the nucleotide numbers are in accordance with the nucleotide numbering system of the nucleotide sequence of the genomic DNA of the varicella virus Dumas strain of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a measles virus mutant gene coding for a measles virus mutant H protein antigen, wherein said gene coding for a measles virus mutant H protein antigen is at least one member selected from the group consisting of the following genes (a) to (c): (a) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (b) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 11; and (c) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 12. By the use of the measles virus mutant gene of the present invention, it has become possible to provide efficiently and economically a gene vaccine which is adapted for an epidemic strain of measles virus, and a diagnostic reagent capable of accurately detecting infections with an epidemic strain of measles virus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a measles virus mutant antigen, comprising at least one protein antigen selected from the group consisting of (I) a measles virus mutant H protein antigen and (II) a measles virus mutant F protein antigen,

Abstract: Disclosed is a tetanus toxin functional fragment antigen (FFA), comprising at least one fragment which is substantially the same as that obtained by a process comprising the steps of splitting at least one peptide bond selected from peptide bonds individually connecting mutually adjacent amino acid residues in a partial amino acid sequence between two cysteine residues participating in forming a disulfide bridge present in the N-terminal of the entire amino acid sequence of the whole tetanus toxin molecule, splitting the disulfide bridge, and splitting non-covalent bonds between groups on the tetanus toxin molecule; wherein the tetanus toxin FFA has a molecular weight of from 90,000 to 110,000 as measured by an SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method, and an isoelectric point of 7.25±0.5 as measured by an isoelectric focusing method.