Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robust system for the reverse genetics generation of a Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus replicon particle (VRPRVF) vaccine candidate. VRPRVF can actively synthesize viral RNA and proteins, but lack structural glycoprotein genes, preventing spread within immunized individuals and reducing the risk of vaccine-induced pathogenicity. Is it disclosed herein that VRPRVF immunization is both safe and efficacious, resulting in a robust immune response that is protective against RVF virus challenge within 24 hours of immunization. Provided herein are VRPRVF, methods of producing VRPRVF, and method of using VRPRVF for immunization against RVF virus infection.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide of a protective antigenic determinant (PAD polypeptide) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide. The PAD polypeptide and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide are useful in the development of antibodies directed to PAD, vaccines effective in providing protection against PRRSV infection, and diagnostic assays detecting the presence of PAD antibodies generated by a PAD-specific vaccine. The invention also discloses methods of generating antibodies to PAD, for vaccinating a pig to provide protection from PRRSV infections, a method of preparing the vaccine, a method of treating PRRSV infections in a pig, and a method of detecting antibodies to PAD of PRRSV.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody that binds to the surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to neutralize the hepatitis B virus. The surface antigen-binding site of the antibody was found to play a very important role in viral replication, and when a mutation in the site occurs, viral replication is significantly inhibited, and thus at least HBV virus cannot cause a mutation in the site. In the present invention, it was confirmed by the use of patient-derived virus that the antibody of the present invention binds to either YMDD mutant hepatitis B virus, produced by conventional viral replication inhibitors, or G145R HBsAg mutants to which plasma-derived HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) does not bind. In addition, the in vivo effect of the antibody of the present invention was examined using chimpanzees which are unique animal models for hepatitis B virus. As a result, it was found that the antibody has the effect of neutralizing even wild-type hepatitis B virus in the in vivo model.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric vaccine antigens against hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising selected regions of different antigens of said virus, which are placed in a pre-determined order inside the polypeptide. In addition, said chimeric antigens can include artificially formed specific epitopes for auxiliary T helper lymphocytes. The chimeric antigens and the resulting vaccine compositions are suitable for use in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as being suitable for prophylactic and/or therapeutic use against HCV. The vaccine compositions of the invention generate a powerful, broad-spectrum immune response against different antigens of the virus, with a minimum number of components.

Abstract: The author attempted and succeeded in separating and purifying the cysteine protease inhibitors from new gingers. The root and stem of new gingers were extracted with neutral buffer which subsequently underwent heat treatment at 80° C. for 10 minutes. After centrifugal separation, the supernatant was separated with acetone. The fractions that precipitated at an acetone concentration of 55-77% were injected into a chromatographic column of DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-75 gel for purification. The results demonstrated that there were two cysteine protease inhibitors with a molecular weight of 11,000-11,800 and 15,500-16,000, respectively, which strongly inhibit papain. The two cysteine protease inhibitors do not have high heat stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant Measles virus expressing Chikungunya virus polypeptides, and concerns in particular virus like particles (VLP) that contain envelope and capsid proteins of a Chikungunya virus at their surface. These particles are recombinant infectious particles able to replicate in a host after an administration. The invention provides means, in particular nucleic acids, vectors, cells and rescue systems to produce these recombinant infectious particles. The invention also relates to the use of these recombinant infectious particles, in particular under the form of a composition, more particularly in a vaccine formulation, for the treatment or prevention of an infection by Chikungunya virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virus like particle comprising a virus structural protein and an antigen derived from PD-1 or a ligand of PD-1, and a composition or kit comprising thereof, its use in immune response etc.

Abstract: The present provide vaccine and adjuvant formulation comprising an immunostimulant and a metal salt. The immunostimulant is adsorbed on to a particle of metal salt and the resulting particle is essentially devoid of antigen.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccines or compositions. The vaccine or composition may be a recombinant vaccine. The invention also encompasses recombinant vectors encoding and expressing avian pathogen antigens, more specifically avian influenza proteins, epitopes or immunogens. Such vaccines or compositions can be used to protect animals, in particular avian, against disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rapid immunogen selection (RIS) based on the binding a library of recombinant viruses containing randomized HIV gp120 variants of a surface polypeptide displayed to said neutralizing antibodies. The invention relates as well to the use of the HIV gp120 immunogens isolated according to the RIS method of the invention in medicine for the treatment of diseases caused by a virus and in diagnosis for the identification of neutralizing antibodies in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention shows that intranasal administration of E1/E3-defective adenovirus particles may confer rapid and broad protection against viral and bacterial pathogens in a variety of disease settings. Protective responses lasted for many weeks in a single-dose regimen in animal models. When a pathogen-derived antigen gene was inserted into the E1/E3-defective adenovirus genome, the antigen-induced protective immunity against the specific pathogen was elicited before the adenovirus-mediated protective response declined away, thus conferring rapid, prolonged, and seamless protection against pathogens. In addition to E1/E3-defective adenovirus, other bioengineered non-replicating vectors encoding pathogen-derived antigens may also be developed into a new generation of rapid and prolonged immunologic-therapeutic (RAPIT).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter comprising a cowpea chlorotic mottle virus capsid protein (CCMV CP) and a ribonucleic acid, as well as methods for using such compositions. In such compositions, the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus capsid protein envelops the ribonucleic acid so as to for a capsid that can inhibit the degradation of the ribonucleic acid (e.g. by RNAses). A method of delivering a ribonucleic acid into the cytoplasm of a mammalian cell is also provided. Typically, the method comprises the steps of combining the mammalian cell with a composition of matter described herein under conditions selected to allow the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus capsid to contact the mammalian cell and deliver the ribonucleic acid into the cytoplasm of a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the purification of complexes comprising a stress protein complexed to a peptide or peptide fragment, from a source mixture, typically a cell lysate. The improved method of the invention provides for protein complexes to be purified using ion exchange based methods, without the need to use chemicals such as chaotropes and ampholytes. The purified complexes can be used as the immunogenic determinant in vaccine compositions for the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases or cancerous conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing or enhancing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject. The invention further includes isolated nucleic acid vaccines, cellular vaccines, fusion proteins, expression vectors, vaccines, and immunogenic compositions for use therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to production of proteins in insect cells whereby repeated coding sequences are used in baculoviral vectors. In particular the invention relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for endotoxin removal from a sample comprising the following steps: combining the sample comprising one or more target molecule(s) with a chromatography media comprising beads having an inner porous core functionalized with ligands capable of binding endotoxin and an outer porous layer without functional groups and a pore size small enough to exclude the target molecule from the inner core; and collecting the sample from the media, wherein the sample comprises an endotoxin level which is at least 75% less, preferably 90% less, than before the removal and the yield of the target molecule is at least 75%.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition contains a coxsackievirus A11 type that infects cancer cells or an echovirus 4 type that infects cancer cells. The coxsackievirus A11 type and the echovirus 4 type may have capsid eliminated. The pharmaceutical composition has an intensive cytotoxicity to a cell of cancer selected from the group consisting of small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, lung squamous cell carcinoma, malignant mesothelioma, colorectal cancer, colon/rectum cancer, esophageal cancer, hypopharynx cancer, human-B-lymphocyte tumor, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and pancreatic cancer, which is the cancer cells of a solid cancer.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H5N1 influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on human and avian H5N1 isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.