Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dengue virus chimeric polyepitope composed of fragments of non-structural proteins and its use in an immunogenic composition against dengue virus infection. The present invention provides means, in particular polynucleotides, vectors, cells and methods to produce vectors expressing said chimeric polyepitopes, in particular vectors consisting of recombinant measles virus (MV) particles. The present invention also relates to the use of the recombinant MV particles, in particular under the form of a composition or of a vaccine, for the prevention and/or treatment of a dengue virus infection.

Abstract: Stable pre-fusion respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) F polypeptides, immunogenic compositions including the polypeptides, and uses thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV infection are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic oligoribonucleotides that form hairpin loop structures. The oligoribonucleotides can be used in the treatment of viral infection including prophylactic treatments. The oligoribonucleotides can also be used as adjuvants.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

Abstract: Embodiments herein concern compositions, methods, and uses for inducing an immune response to all four dengue virus serotypes in a child or young adult from about 1 year to about 20 years of age. Some embodiments concern compositions that can include dengue virus chimeras that, either alone or in combination with other constructs, can be used in vaccine compositions against all four dengue virus serotypes. Compositions can include constructs of more than one serotypes of dengue virus, such as dengue-1 (DEN-1) virus, dengue-2 (DEN-2) virus, dengue-3 (DEN-3) virus and/or dengue-4 (DEN-4) virus, at various concentrations or ratios to improve protection from infection in children and young adults. In certain embodiments, viruses of the formulations are limited to dengue virus serotypes. Other embodiments concern methods of administering immunogenic compositions against dengue virus that can include chimeric dengue constructs and live, attenuated dengue viruses using single, dual or other regimens.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine comprising an effective amount of an isolated recombinant influenza virus comprising a mutant M gene segment that is mutated so that upon viral replication the mutant M gene expresses a functional M1 protein and a mutant M2 protein with a deletion of the cytoplasmic tail and either lacking a transmembrane domain or having a mutated transmembrane domain.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive polypeptides (e.g., mutant VP2 proteins) and virus-like particles made from the inventive polypeptides. Other embodiments of the invention include compositions for treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Further embodiments include methods for administering compositions to an animal. Other embodiments include treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Still other embodiments include nucleic acid sequences that encode the inventive polypeptides. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered HCV E2 polypeptide immunogens and related vaccine compositions that display the engineered E2 polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of using such immunogens and vaccine compositions in various therapeutic applications, e.g., for preventing or treating HCV infections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant herpesvirus comprising a heterologous polypeptide ligand capable of binding to a target molecule and fused to or inserted into glycoprotein B at specific sites. The herpesvirus may comprise more than one ligand, and the additional ligand(s) may be comprised by a modified glycoprotein D and/or modified glycoprotein H. This allows the herpesvirus to target a cell for therapeutic purposes, and a cell for virus production. The present invention further comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising the herpesvirus, the herpesvirus for use in the treatment of a tumor, infection, degenerative disorder or senescence-associated disease, a nucleic acid and a vector coding for the gB, a polypeptide comprising the gB, and a cell comprising the herpesvirus, nucleic acid, vector or polypeptide. Moreover, a method for infecting a cell with the herpesvirus or for producing the herpesvirus is disclosed.

Abstract: Materials and methods useful for generating highly mannosylated pseudotyped lentiviral vector particles comprising a Vpx protein are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses that contain mutations that make the disclosed viruses attractive vaccine candidates. The viruses disclosed contain attenuating mutations designed to have increased genetic and phenotypic stability. Desired combinations of these mutations can be made to achieve desired levels of attenuation. Exemplary vaccine candidates are described. Also provided are polynucleotides capable of encoding the described viruses, as wells as methods for producing the viruses and methods of use.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to treating a disease. For example, this document provides methods for treating a subject's disease based on identifying the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy PML using a genetic test.

Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realised that the conditions used for influenza virus culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for treating cancer through the combination of tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells and Dengue Virus. The combination of the two forms of therapeutic intervention provides enhanced tumor cell reduction compared to either alone. The cancer targeted by compositions and methods described herein may be a solid cancer or blood cancer.

Abstract: A method is presented for treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection comprising: (a) locally administering a substance that induces a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to a patient at a site of an HSV lesion to induce a DTH response at the site of the lesion during one or more outbreaks of the HSV infection.

Abstract: This application describes compositions, kits, and methods for removing contaminants from a protein preparation, for example a cell culture harvest comprising a recombinant protein. The methods described herein can enhance the performance of a later applied chromatographic purification step. The method generally involves contacting a protein preparation comprising a desired protein with a combination of allantoin, a cationic polymer, and a fatty acid, thereby causing the formation of solids and removal of the solids using a suitable process. Further treatment by contacting the treated sample with a chemically reactive surface further enhances results achieved by the first purification step.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and materials for inducing an immune response in an animal or person against an immunodeficiency virus, such as HIV, SIV, or FIV. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises administering one or more antigens and/or immunogens to the person or animal wherein the antigen and/or immunogen comprises one or more evolutionarily conserved epitopes of immunodeficiency viruses. In one embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV and SIV, or between HIV and FIV. In another embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV, SIV, and FIV.

Abstract: The present invention provides redesigned soluble coronavirus S protein derived immunogens that are stabilized via specific modifications in the wildtype soluble S sequences. Also provided in the invention are nanoparticle vaccines that contain the redesigned soluble S immunogens displayed on self-assembling nanoparticles. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the redesigned immunogens and the nanoparticle vaccines are also provided in the invention. The invention further provides methods of using the vaccine compositions in various therapeutic applications, e.g., for preventing or treating coronaviral infections.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, methods and uses for dengue-4 (DENV-4) virus constructs. Some embodiments concern a composition that includes, but is not limited to, DENV-4 virus constructs alone or in combination with other constructs, can be used in a vaccine composition to induce an immune response in a subject. In certain embodiments, compositions can include constructs of more than one serotypes of dengue virus, such as dengue-1 virus, dengue-2 virus, or dengue-3 virus in combination with DENV-4 virus constructs disclosed herein. In other embodiments, DENV-4 constructs disclosed herein can be combined in a composition with other flavivirus constructs to generate a vaccine against more than one flavivirus. Other embodiments provide methods and uses for DENV-4 virus constructs in vaccine compositions that when administered to a subject induce an immune response in the subject against DENV-4 that is improved by modified constructs compared to other vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides purification strategies for sterically demanding, i.e. large and pleomorphic, infectious virus particles or VLPs derived therefrom, preferably having a measles virus scaffold to yield fractions or compositions with a significantly reduced content of contaminating host cell DNA and a reduced content of further process-related impurities. Further provided are methods of propagating and purifying infectious virus particles having a measles virus scaffold suitable to provide a preparation having a strongly reduced content of contaminating host cell DNA and a reduced content of further process-related impurities for immunogenic or anti-tumor purposes. In addition, immunogenic and vaccine compositions based on the above methods are provided. Finally, there are provided immunogenic or vaccine compositions produced by the disclosed methods, which are suitable for use in immunogenic or prophylactic vaccination treatment of a subject in need thereof.