Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic peptides from the HPV-18E6 protein that comprise class I restricted T cell epitopes and discloses methods of administering these peptides to individuals, and a method for monitoring or evaluating an immune response to HPV with these peptides.

Abstract: An immumogenic polypeptide for inducing antibodies that neutralize the immunosuppressive and/or angiogenic activity of an E7 protein from Papillomavirus, wherein said immunogenic polypeptide consists of an E7 protein from Papillomavirus that has been inactivated so as to eliminate at least 70% of the immunosuppressive and/or angiogenic activity of the non-inactivated E7 protein. The inactivation is effected by physical and/or chemical treatments and/or by modification of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of medicine and is concerned with a molecular diagnostic marker for progression to invasiveness of HPV-induced premalignant lesions and future metastatic potential of HPV-induced premalignant lesions and carcinomas. In particular the present invention relates to the use of the TSLC1 gene as marker for progression to invasive cervical cancer and metastatic potential of cervical lesions. The invention provides methods for detecting HPV-induced invasive cancers and their precursor lesions associated with tumor suppressor lung cancer 1 (TSLC1), comprising contacting a target cellular component of a test cell with a reagent that detects TSLC1 and detecting a reduction in the TSLC1 as compared to that of a comparable normal cell. The invention also provides molecular diagnostic markers for premalignant cervical lesions with invasive potential associated with tumor suppressor lung cancer 1 (TSLC1) in cytologically abnormal cervical smears and/or biopsies.

Abstract: The HIV-1 protein Vif comprises a multimerization domain that allows Vif-Vif interaction and Vif multimerization, which is important for Vif function in the HIV-1 life-cycle. A method for screening for an antagonist of Vif comprises contacting the multimerization domain of Vif with a test compound that specifically binds the multimerization domain. Antagonists identified by the screening assay inhibit Vif multimerization. The antagonists inhibit essential functions of Vif and accordingly are useful as inhibitors of HIV-1 replication.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV58 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV58 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV58 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV58 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective imnunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and are also useful for treatment of existing HPV infections.

Abstract: Vaccine formulations comprising, viral capsomeres are disclosed along with methods for their production. Therapeutic and prophylactic methods of use for the vaccine formulations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mosaic VLPs of viral capsid proteins from different virus types are described, as are methods of making the same. Specifically, a diploid yeast strain that coexpresses the L1 and L2 capsid proteins of both HPV-6 and HPV-16 as mosaic VLPs is described. The mosaic VLPs induced the production of conformational antibodies against both L1 proteins upon administration to mice.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mixture of peptides derived from the E6 and/or E7 proteins of a papillomavirus involved in cervix of uterus cancer, such as HPV16, HPV18, HPV30, HPV31, HPV32, HPV33, HPV34, HPV35, HPV39, HPV40, HPV42, HPV43, HPV44, HPV45, HPV51, HPV52, HPV56, HPV57, and HPV58, for example, as well as its uses as medicine (in immunogenic compositions, capable of stimulating the production of anti-HPV T CD4+ lymphocytes in vivo and hence useful for vaccination against uterine of uterus cancer and in other cancers) or as diagnostic reagent of HPV-specific T lymphocytes, in particular for assessing the immune condition of patients. The invention also concerns a mixture of peptides derived from E6 and/or E7 proteins of a papillomavirus involved in benign skin lesions (for example warts), such as HPV10, HPV3 or HPV4 and its uses as medicine.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a papillomavirus infection or tumour, including, as the therapeutical agents, a polypeptide from an early region and a polypeptide from a late region of a papillomavirus, optionally combined-with a polypeptide having immunostimulatory activity or a polypeptide from an early or late region of a papillomavirus and a polypeptide having immunostimulatory activity, or alternatively, a recombinant vector containing inserted DNA fragments coding for the above-mentioned polypeptide combinations.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV31 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are free from internal transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. Also provided are synthetic polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 wherein the polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV31 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV31 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV45 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV45 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV45 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV45 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the determination of the viral titer of a culture of host animal host cells infected with a circovirus. The FACS-based methods of the invention may include determining the viability of the host cells in a cell culture medium supernatant and of those cells that remain adherent to a solid support. Detecting and measuring the percentage of cells that expressed the viral antigens ORF1 and ORF2 may determine the viral load of the cultured host cells. The yield of the virus may be established by the detection and measurement of both antigens in supernatant cells, for example 5 to 7 days from when the host cells are transferred to a serum free medium. The methods of the invention may yield rapid quantitative data. This allows the repeated in-process monitoring of the viral production throughout the incubation period, and ready selection of the most appropriate harvesting point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to HLA-A*02-restricted cellular epitopes within the VP1 polypeptide of a human polyomavirus, BK virus, which is associated with polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in kidney transplant patients. Preferred peptides correspond to amino acids residues 107-116, 108-116 and 44-52 of BKV VP1, and are processed in vivo in natural infection with BKV. Effector T cell populations stimulated by the peptides represent functional CTLs as assessed by cytotoxicity and cytokine production, and are reactive against cells presenting both the BKV peptides above and the JC virus homolog sequences.

Abstract: A fusion protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) for PRRSV vaccine. The fusion protein includes: (a) a Pseudomoitas Exoloxin A (PE) peptide that comprises a binding domain and a translocating domain; (b) a peptide fragment that contains a N-terminal portion of PRRSV ORF6 protein; (c) a peptide fragment that has a N-terminal portion of PRRSV ORF5 protein; and (d) a carboxyl terminal domain that comprises an amino acid seciuence KDEL. The PE peptide is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the peptide fraament containinC the N-terminal portion of PRRSV ORF5 protein is located between the peptide fragment containing the N-terminal portion of PRRSV ORF6 protein and the carboxyl terminal domain.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the treatment of a herpes simplex virus infection comprising the administration of inhibitors of gamma interferon, tumor necrosis alpha and interleukin-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a papillomavirus-like particle, characterized as having conformational epitopes, comprising a papillomavirus L1 product and a papillomavirus L2 fusion product; and related synthetic DNA molecules, host cells, methods and vaccines.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying high-grade cervical disease in a patient sample are provided. The methods of the invention comprise detecting overexpression of at least one biomarker in a body sample, wherein the biomarker is selectively overexpressed in high-grade cervical disease. In particular claims, the body sample is a cervical smear or monolayer of cervical cells. The biomarkers of the invention include genes and proteins that are involved in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, and DNA replication and transcription. In particular claims, the biomarker is an S-phase gene. In some aspects of the invention, overexpression of a biomarker of interest is detected at the protein level using biomarker-specific antibodies or at the nucleic acid level using nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Kits for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices, and kits for the detection of a class of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, or PRRSV, in a biological fluid. The invention is based in part on an agent which binds the nucleocapsid (N) protein of PRRSV. The agent may be an antibody that binds the N protein with specificity. Compositions and devices comprising the binding agent, as well as methods of using it are also provided. Also provided are methods of preparing devices and kits for the practice of the methods.

Abstract: Composition for conferring protection against Tursiops truncatus papillomavirus (TtPV) infection in a subject includes a virus-like particle assembled from at least one type of TtPV L1 protein. Methods for protecting a subject against TtPV infection include administering to the subject an immunogenic composition including a virus-like particle assembled from at least one type of TtPV L1 protein. Methods for diagnosing TtPV infection in a subject include providing a virus-like particle assembled from at least one TtPV L1 protein; contacting the virus-like particle with serum obtained from the subject; and identifying the subject as having TtPV infection if a TtPV antibody capable of binding the virus-like particle is detected in the serum.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.