Abstract: The invention involves a papilloma pseudovirus that can induce immune response after oral intake as well as its preparation. It is characterized in that HPV or BPV pseudovirus are made by disrupting HPV-VLP or BPV-VLP, mixing them with plasmids (plasmids or DNA vaccine), and reassembling them into the pseudoviruses (VLPs with plasmids inside). Oral administration of the pseudoviruses will result in delivery to mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues and induce immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. The pseudovirus induces stronger immune response than DNA vaccines. Additionally, the pseudovirus can be applied in gene therapy by bringing the therapeutic genes into lymphoid tissues in the human body.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccine, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. Also provided is recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein, and immunogenic compositions comprising PCV2 ORF2 protein. Moreover, multivalent combination vaccines are provided which include an immunological agent effective for reducing the incidence of or lessening the severity of PCV2 infection, preferably PCV2 ORF2 protein, or an immunogenic composition comprising PCV2 ORF2 protein, and at least one immunogenic active component of another disease-causing organism in swine.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel MDCK-derived adherent non-tumorigenic cell lines that can be grown in the presence or absence of serum. The cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of vaccine material (e.g., viruses). More specifically, the cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of influenza viruses in general and ca/ts influenza viruses in particular. The invention further provides methods and media formulations for the adaptation and cultivation of MDCK cells such that they remain non-tumorigenic. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for the production of vaccine material (e.g., influenza virus) in the novel cell lines of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a DNA vaccine for treating cervical cancer including an E5 gene of human papillomavirus (HPV). Also, disclosed is a combination DNA vaccine for preventing and treating cervical cancer including a gene encoding HPV L1 and/or L2 along with the HPV E5 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant bovine parainfluenza virus (bPIV) cDNA or RNA which may be used to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cell systems and/or to rescue negative strand RNA recombinant viruses that express, package, and/or present the heterologous gene product. The chimeric viruses and expression products may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations including vaccines against a broad range of pathogens and antigens.

Abstract: The present invention comprises new pestivirus mutants, characterized in that the mutants are based on a cp strain of the virus wherein part of the gene sequence encoding the Npro region is deleted, except that the deleted part does not encompass the coding sequence for the N-terminal twelve amino acids of the Npro protein. Preferably the pestivirus is the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). It was found that a mutant according to the invention is a safe and efficient vaccine candidate.

Abstract: A novel signal transducer TAB2 which acts as an adapter molecule of TRAF6 and TAK1 and mediates the activation of TAK1 in the signal transduction of IL-1 was isolated. TAB2 induced the activation of NF-?B and JNK by IL-1. The signal transduction by IL-1 was inhibited by inhibiting the signal transduction of TAB2 with the use of a dominant negative mutant of TAB2. A compound inhibiting the signal transduction in TAB2 is useful as an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA vaccine for carps for inducing protective immunity against Koi herpesvirus (KHV). The DNA vaccine comprises a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an immunogenic polypeptide against Koi herpesvirus (KHV) of carps, or an expression vector comprising the DNA as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and reagents for diagnosing and assessing the prognosis of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention provides reagents and methods for detecting pathogen infections in human samples. This detection utilizes specific proteins to detect the presence of pathogen proteins or abnormal expression of human proteins resulting from pathogen infections. Specific methods, compositions and kits are disclosed herein for the detection of oncogenic Human papillomavirus E6 proteins in clinical samples.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions including a complexes of papillomavirus capsid polypeptide L2 and polypeptide including an immunotherapeutic epitope, and GST fusions thereof. Other embodiments also provide complexes comprising chimeras of papillomavirus L2 polypeptides non-covalently associated with papillomavirus L1 polypeptides, and GST fusions thereof. These compositions may be used to elicit immune responses in a patient to papillomavirus. Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for the prevention and treatment of viral infection, especially papillomavirus infection and cervical cancers and warts associated therewith, made from compositions of this invention, are also disclosed. Nucleic acids and expression vectors coding for compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of culturing mammalian taste cells, including taste receptor cells. Cells are maintained for a duration of up to three months and longer while maintaining molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The cells are cultured on coated cell culture vessels and, from first replacement of medium onwards, the medium is replaced in intervals of at least 5 days. The invention further provides isolation and culturing methods of taste cells wherein the time that the cells are exposed to isolation solution and proteolytic enzymes is minimized and the cells are cultured in coated culture vessels with the medium replaced in intervals of at least 5 days from first replacement onwards. The invention further provides cultured taste cells, transfection and assay methods, and taste cell assay buffers with an osmolarity of about 300-320 and pH of about 7.0-7.3.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. The method generally involves the steps of transfecting recombinant virus containing open reading frame 2 coding sequences into cells contained in growth media, causing the virus to express open reading frame 2, and recovering the expressed protein in the supernate. This recovery should take place beginning approximately 5 days after infection of the cells in order to permit sufficient quantities of recombinant protein to be expressed and secreted from the cell into the growth media. Such methods avoid costly and time-consuming extraction procedures required to separate and recover the recombinant protein from within the cells.

Abstract: Anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies (MAb's) specific for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) are used for rapid diagnostic identification between poultry infected with vaccine strains of NDV (LaSota/B1) and END virus (ENDV). Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease of birds and poultry. The present invention provides for diagnostic detection of ENDV in commercial poultry.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for identifying inhibitors of the L-type Ca2+ channel ?3 protein, which has been demonstrated to be involved in calcium signaling, insulin secretion, and glucose homeostasis. The invention also provides therapeutics and methods for treating a subject with one or more of diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and impaired glucose homeostasis, involving the use of inhibitors of an L-type Ca2+ channel ?3 subunit to provide a benefit to the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides to assays for agent useful for treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Included are cell-based assays for agents that modulate the effect of Parkin proteins on proteasome function.

Abstract: The invention concerns the prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by administration of Factor D antagonists.

Abstract: Neuregulin, a known neuroprotein, has been found to ameliorate or prevent damage caused by mechanical or chemical assault to blood vessels and, when administered into the cerebral spinal fluid, can ameliorate damage to neuronal tissue caused by stroke or inflammation. Additionally, neuregulin has been found to be useful for enhancement of stem cell migration from the ventricle to the site of injury to the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine and a method for protecting piglets against PCV-2 infection by administering a vaccine comprising at least 20 micrograms/dose of ORF-2 protein of porcine circovirus type 2, even when they have a relatively high titer of maternally derived antibodies against PCV-2. A vaccine according to the invention may contain a recombinant ORF-2 protein, wherein said recombinant protein is preferably produced by way of expression from a baculovirus expression vector in insect cells, said baculovirus expression vector containing the PCV-2 ORF-2 gene sequence under control of a suitable promoter.