Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel artificial T helper cell epitopes (Th epitopes) designed to provide optimum immunogenicity when used in peptide immunogens comprising B cell epitopes or peptide haptens, a target antigenic site of a target antigen for eliciting antibodies thereto. The artificial Th epitopes are covalently linked to the target antigenic site and and optionally an immunostimulatory sequence to provide effective and safe peptide immunogens.

Abstract: The present invnetion is directed to novel peptide immunogens for eliciting antibodies to LHRH comprising artificial T helper cell epitopes (Th epitopes) designed to provide optimum immunogenicity. The artificial Th epitopes are covalently linked to LHRH and optionally an immunostimulatory seqence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel peptide immunogens for eliciting antibodies to LHRH comprising artificial T helper cell epitopes (Th epitopes) designed to provide optimum immunogenicity. The artificial Th epitopes are covalently linked to LHRH and optionally an immunostimulatory sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a peptide composition as an immunogen, with each peptide contained therein comprising a target antigenic site derived from the VP1 capsid protein of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV). The antigenic site is covalently linked to a helper T cell epitope and, preferably, to other immunostimulatory sequences, preferably by conventional peptide bond(s) through direct synthesis, for the prevention of FMDV infection and eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of such peptide composition as an immunogen to elicit the production in animals including swine, cattle, sheep, goats and susceptible wild species, of high titer polyclonal antibodies that can effectively neutralize, in vitro, multiple strains or serotypes of FMDV, and to the use of such composition as a vaccine to prevent, and/or reduce the incidence of, FMDV infection regardless of serotype, and thus affect the eradication of FMDV.

Abstract: The invention provides peptides comprising a sequence homologous to a portion of the CDR-2 like domain of CD4, covalently linked to a helper T cell epitope, and optionally to other immunostimulatory sequences as well. The invention provides for the use of such peptides as immunogens to elicit the production in mammals of high titer polyclonal auto-antibodies, which are specific to CD4 surface complex. These auto-antibodies prevent binding of HIV viral particles to CD4+ cells. The peptides are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, to provide an immunotherapy for HIV infection and to protect against HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel peptides derived from the non-structural proteins of the Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) and their use for the detection in animal body fluids of antibodies to FMDV. The peptides of the invention are useful for the diagnosis of FMDV infection, detection of potential carrier status, and for the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals. The amino acid sequence of each of the peptides of the present invention correspond to an immunodominant region of the non-structural proteins 3A, 3B and 3C of FMDV. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of a peptide selected from a group consisting SEQ ID NOS:4-16 or their analogs for the detection of antibodies to FMDV in animal body fluids. The detection method includes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and other well-known immunoassay formats.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel peptide immunogens for eliciting antibodies to LHRH comprising artificial T helper cell epitopes (Th epitopes) designed to provide optimum immunogenicity. The artificial Th epitopes are covalently linked to LHRH and optionally an immunostimulatory seqence.

Abstract: This invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies produced by using CD4-expressing T lymphocytes, such as peripheral blood mononuclear T cells, thymocytes, splenocytes and leukemia or lymphoma derived T cell line cells such as HPB-ALL or SUP-T as the immunogen in accordance with the protocols and screening procedures described. The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are characterized by their ability to neutralize in vitro and in vivo primary isolates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and related immunodeficiency viruses. The antibodies are directed against a host cell antigen complex comprising CD4 protein in association with domains from chemokine receptors and have broad neutralizing activities against primary isolates from all clades of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and primary isolates of HIV type 2 (HIV-2) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Abstract: This invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies produced by using CD4-expressing T lymphocytes, such as peripheral blood mononuclear T cells, thymocytes, splenocytes and leukemia or lymphoma derived T cell line cells such as HPB-ALL or SUP-T as the immunogen in accordance with the protocols and screening procedures described. The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are characterized by their ability to neutralize in vitro and in vivo primary isolates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and related immunodeficiency viruses. The antibodies are directed against a host cell antigen complex comprising CD4 protein in association with domains from chemokine receptors and have broad neutralizing activities against primary isolates from all clades of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and primary isolates of HIV type 2 (HIV-2) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method using synthetic peptides as the solid phase immunoadsorbent for the detection and elicitation of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) gp120, and, in particular, antibodies having HIV neutralizing capabilities. The amino acid sequences of the peptides correspond to segments of the external envelope protein gp120 of HIV. These peptides have been found to be highly immunogenic, and are reactive with antibodies in sera of patients with AIDS, ARC or HIV infected individuals. They can also be used to elicit the production of neutralizing antibodies to HIV. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of a synthetic peptide selected from the groups consisting of peptides containing thirty-three amino acids in a prescribed sequence derived from the HIV-gp120 external protein, analogues, mixtures and poly-L-lysine polymers thereof, for the detection and elicitation of antibodies to HIV-gp120.

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. When male rats are immunized with these peptides, serum testosterone drops and androgen-dependent organs atrophy significantly. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which are immunoreactive to antibodies to HCV or NANBHV and a method of detecting the presence of HCV or NANBHV antibodies in body fluids by using the peptides as the antigen. The peptides are selected from both the envelope and non-structural protein regions of the HCV or NANBHV. The detection method includes enzyme linked immunosorbent assay or other immunoassay procedures. The peptides and conjugates or polymers thereof are also useful as immunogens in generating high titer antibodies to HCV or in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel linear and branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to linear and branched synthetic peptides containing at least one antigenic site which is effective for detecting HCV-associated antibodies in patients using immunoassay techniques. In some cases, these peptides are also library peptides with degenerate amino acid positions. Preferred mixtures for detection of HCV antibodies are provided as well as a novel spliced peptide useful for blocking the non-specific reactivity of certain NS-3 conformational epitopes.

Abstract: A novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope has been identified in the gag coding region. This epitope corresponds to amino acids 255-269 of Gag and has the following sequence: NH.sub.2 -asn-pro-pro-ile-pro-val-gly-glu-ile-tyr-lys-arg-trp-ile-ile-COOH. This peptide interacts specifically with human leukocyte antigen-B8 (HLA-B8). This peptide is useful for the identification HIV-1 gag-specific CTL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant proteins encoding at least two antigenic epitopes joined by flexible hinge domains. Proteins of this design enable presentation of each epitope to the immune system and are particularly useful as vaccines against infectious agents, such as viruses, when many variants of that agent exist. Moreover, the recombinant proteins of the invention are useful as a single vaccine composition effective against diverse infectious agents since the subject proteins can have antigenic epitopes from different infectious agents. The invention further provides nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells and methods for production of the subject recombinant proteins as well as vaccines and methods for treating HIV.

Abstract: Peptides are described which have the amino acid sequence of a fragment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which interacts specifically with a particular human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule, to stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocyte immunity. Such fragments can be used in a potential vaccine against AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), and for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II reactive antibodies and diagnosis of ATL (adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma) condition by the use of chemically synthesized peptide compositions. The peptide compositions comprise peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to transmembrane and external segments of the envelope protein of HTLV-I/HTLV-II and mixtures thereof. The peptide compositions are highly immunoreactive with antibodies to HTLV in sera. The present invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous detection and diagnosis of ATL, HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by the use of chemically synthesized HTLV peptide compositions in conjunction with a chemically synthesized HIV (1 and 2) peptide composition. The present invention also provides a simple method to differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel linear and branched peptides specific for the diagnosis and prevention of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More particularly, the present invention is directed to linear peptides diagnostic for NS-3 of HCV as well as branched synthetic substituted and hybrid peptides containing at least one epitope which is effective in detecting NANBH-associated antibodies in patients with NANBH using immunoassay techniques. In addition, this invention provides immunoassays for the detection and diagnosis of NANBH using the subject peptides, vaccine compositions for prevention and treatment of NANBH or HCV infection as well as a method of treating or preventing NANBH and HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a bioassay consisting of an electrophysiological method and a cell culture system of dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons to screen and identify opioids with a high potential for use as "low- or non-addictive" analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to a specific group of opioid alkaloids and analogues thereof identified by the bioassay of the invention for the unique ability to activate only inhibitory, but not excitatory, opioid receptor function, for use as low- or non-addictive analgesics. Another aspect of the invention relates to the specific use of etorphine or dihydroetorphine of the opioid alkaloid family as low- or non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of opioid addiction.