Abstract: A diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection obtained by sensitizing a solid phase with HCV antigen and a conjugated antigen prepared by chemical bonding of HCV antigen and a carrier protein, and a method of diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection, which comprises adding the diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection to a sample, and measuring the degree of agglutination of carrier particles as the solid phase. The diagnostic reagent and the method of diagnosis enable many samples to be measured with higher sensitivity and rapidity.

Abstract: Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by administering virus to proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway are disclosed. The virus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. The virus is selected from modified adenovirus, modified HSV, modified vaccinia virus and modified parapoxvirus orf virus. Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by further administering a immunosuppressive agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of coronary heart disease by revascularization therapy, and more particularly to the intramyocardial injection of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant fibroblast growth factor-1 protein or a fragment of a recombinant fibroblast growth factor-1 protein, optionally, with a physiologic glue for inducing local neoangiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. Methods of producing the recombinant fibroblast growth factor 1 protein and fragments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of HCV nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting HCV nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the HCV assay.

Abstract: The application discloses novel polypeptides and nucleic acids involved in a variety of biological processes, including viral reproduction. Related methods and compositions are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the effect of vaccines in animals, such as domestic, sport, or pet species, and humans are disclosed. More particularly, vaccine compositions comprising ribavirin and an antigen, preferably an antigen that has an epitope present in Hepatitis C virus (HCV), are disclosed for use in treating and preventing disease, preferably HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing the effect of vaccines in animals, such as domestic, sport, or pet species, and humans. More particularly, the use of Ribavirin as an adjuvant to a vaccine protocol and compositions having Ribavirin and an antigen are described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the effect of vaccines in animals, such as domestic, sport, or pet species, and humans are disclosed. More particularly, vaccine compositions comprising ribavirin and an antigen, preferably an antigen that has an epitope present in Hepatitis C virus (HCV), are disclosed for use in treating and preventing disease, preferably HCV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybridoma cell line which produces human antibodies capable of binding to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoprotein and capable of neutralizing HCV infection in vivo in an animal model, as well as antibodies produced by the cell line. Also disclosed are various uses of said antibodies in the prevention and treatment of HCV infection. Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from human donors having a high titer of anti HCV E2 antibodies are transformed in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus and then fused with heteromyeloma cells to generate hybridomas secreting human antibodies having a high affinity and specificity to HCV E2 glycoprotein.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the finding that the protein p300 has acetylation activity which is directed to the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein pRb by the presence in the cell of the adenovirus E1A protein. This represents a target for modulators of the cell cycle, to which end the invention provides an assay for a modulator of acetylation of pRb by p300, which comprises: a) bringing into contact a p300 protein a pRb protein and a putative modulator compound under conditions where the p300 protein, in the absence of said modulator is capable of acetylating the pRb protein; b) providing conditions for acetylation of said pRb protein; and c) measuring the degree of inhibition of acetylation caused by said modulator compound.

Abstract: The current invention relates to HCV envelope proteins or parts thereof which are the product of expression in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said HCV envelope proteins are characterized in that on average up to 80% of their N-glycosylation sites are core-glycosylated. Of these N-glycosylated sites more than 70% are glycosylated with an oligomannose having a structure defined by Man(8 to 10)-GlcNAc(2). Furthermore, the ratio of the oligomannose with structure Man(7)-GlcNAc(2) over the oligomannose with structure Man(8)-GlcNAc(2) is less than or equal to 0.45. Less than 10% of the oligomannoses is terminated with an ?1,3 linked mannose. The HCV envelope proteins of the invention are particularly suited for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. A suitable eukaryotic cell for production of the HCV envelope proteins of the invention is a Hansenula cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric nucleic acids, preferably contained on an expression vector, that encode chimeric immunogenic polypeptides. The nucleic acids encode at least site III of a lyssavirus glycoprotein, which has been found to improve the immunogenicity of lyssavirus epitopes for protection from rabies. The chimeric nucleic acids and proteins can also contain antigenic determinants for epitopes other than those of lyssavirus. Thus, the invention provides chimeric nucleic acids and polypeptides that elicit a strong immune response to multiple antigens. Use of the methods of the present invention permits DNA vaccination without the need to supply multiple antigens on separate DNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric nucleic acids, preferably contained on an expression vector, that encode chimeric immunogenic polypeptides. The nucleic acids encode at least site III of a lyssavirus glycoprotein, which has been found to improve the immunogenicity of lyssavirus epitopes for protection from rabies. The chimeric nucleic acids and proteins can also contain antigenic determinants for epitopes other than those of lyssavirus. Thus, the invention provides chimeric nucleic acids and polypeptides that elicit a strong immune response to multiple antigens. Use of the methods of the present invention permits DNA vaccination without the need to supply multiple antigens on separate DNA molecules.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection obtained by sensitizing a solid phase with HCV antigen and a conjugated antigen prepared by chemical bonding of HCV antigen and a carrier protein, and a method of diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection, which comprises adding the diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection to a sample, and measuring the degree of agglutination of carrier particles as the solid phase. The diagnostic reagent and the method of diagnosis enable many samples to be measured with higher sensitivity and rapidity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolated from a human patient. Embodiments of the invention include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as, methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. Embodiments include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperproliferative diseases. Specifically, the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising a modified Reoviridae virus, wherein the Reoviridae virus is conjugated to a hydroxylated hydrocarbon or a polycationic polymer to reduce the clearance of the composition and reduce the immunogenicity of the composition. Yet further, the invention relates to methods of treating a hyperproliferative disease by administering to a patient an effective amount of the modified Reoviridae virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Two vaccinia virus CD8+ T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human MHC class I allele, HLA-A0201 have been identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. The induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8+ T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. This information will be useful for the design and analyses of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of these costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater than the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: A highly immunoreactive viral peptide, pE2, is disclosed which is derived from the carboxy-terminal end region of ORF2 region of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) genome. A unique feature of the novel pE2 peptide is that it possesses conformational antigenic determinants which are only exposed when monomers of the peptide associate with one another through non-covalent interactions to naturally form homodimers. The novel pE2 peptide is proven to be highly reactive with sera from patients having current or past infection with HEV which suggests that the homodimer may mimic certain structural features of the HEV capsid protein. Furthermore, the antigenic activity of the pE2 peptide is strictly conformational in nature and therefore, exhibits immunochemical reactivity only when the peptide exists in a dimeric form. Consequently, the antigenic activity is lost upon dissociation of the dimers, but the activity is restored when the monomers reassociate to form dimers.