Abstract: A change in viral tropism occurs in many HIV positive individuals over time and may be indicated by a shift in coreceptor use from CCR5 to CXCR4. The shift in coreceptor use to CXCR4 has been shown to correlate with increased disease progression. In patients undergoing HAART, the predominant populations of virus may be shifted back to CCR5-mediated entry soon after the CXCR4-specific strains have emerged. The present invention relates to a diagnostic method to monitor coreceptor use in the treatment and clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic method applied to HIV-positive individuals undergoing HAART to monitor the suppression of CCR5- or CXCR4-specific strains. The diagnostic methods may be used to assist in selecting antiretroviral therapy and to improve predictions of disease prognosis over time.

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope proteins E1 and E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conserved conformational and linear epitopes of the HCV protein E1 or E2 have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E1 or E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of binding molecules specifically binding to a coronavirus such as SARS-CoV and capable of neutralizing an infection caused by the virus. The compositions are suitable for diagnosing, preventing and/or treating a condition resulting from a coronavirus such as SARS-CoV.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection of enteroviruses. In particular, the invention provides transgenic African green monkey kidney cell lines and buffalo green monkey kidney cell lines. The invention provides cell lines which have increased sensitivity to infection by enteroviruses in single-cell type and mixed-cell type cultures compared to other cell types which are currently used for enterovirus detection. The cells of the invention also are permissive to infection by a larger number of enteroviruses as compared to the cell type from which they were derived.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant multi-functional chimera of CVN and 12p1. Chimeras of CVN and 12p1 present a model for targeting gp120 at two discrete sites, by two different modes of inhibition and with increasing potency versus either component alone. A chimera of the invention combines the high affinity suppression of viral activity by CVN with the allosteric suppression of viral envelope binding to both CD4 and co-receptor by 12p1.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as coronavirus-HKU1 (“CoV-HKU1”), isolated in Hong Kong from a patient who had a recent history of visit to Schenzhen, China. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronavirdae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. The invention also provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

Abstract: Compounds, which inhibit the binding of gp120 to CD4 as well as 17b and methods for their use in inhibiting the HIV fusion process, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a TRIM—cyclophilin A fusion sequence encoding a TRIMcyp fusion protein which is active as an anti-viral agent, and in particular an anti-HIV-1 agent. The invention provides for a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having both TRIM activity and cyclophilin activity. The invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide encoding a TRIM-cyclophilin fusion protein, or variants thereof retaining the TRIM and cyclophilin activities. The invention provides for compositions thereof, antibodies that specifically bind thereto, and vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid or polypeptide. In addition, the invention provides for methods for treating or preventing viral infection, or reducing viral load in a subject comprising administering the nucleic acid, polypeptide, vector, or composition to the subject in an amount effective to treat or prevent the viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides influenza A viruses that include a hemagglutinin subtype H2, a neuraminidase subtype N3, or the combination thereof. Included in the present invention are H2 hemagglutinins and N3 neuraminidases, and the polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Antibody to the polypeptides, and methods of using the viruses, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to raising a detectable immune response in a vertebrate by administering in vivo, into a tissue of the vertebrate, at least one polynucleotide comprising one or more regions of nucleic acid encoding a SARS-CoV protein or a fragment, a variant, or a derivative thereof. The present invention is further directed to raising a detectable immune response in a vertebrate by administering, in vivo, into a tissue of the vertebrate, at least one SARS-CoV protein or a fragment, a variant, or derivative thereof. The SARS-CoV protein can be, for example, in purified form. The polynucleotide is incorporated into the cells of the vertebrate in vivo, and an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic epitope of a SARS-CoV polypeptide, fragment, variant, or derivative thereof is produced in vivo. The SARS-CoV protein is also administered in an immunologically effective amount.

Abstract: This invention provides a method whereby a vaccine, particularly a vaccine based on a prophylactic or therapeutic AIDS/HIV vaccine, or other immune-reactive substance is administered to produce an immunologic response that decreases intraocular pressure or has a neuro-protective effect beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma patients. The invention may also be used as a provocative test to diagnose glaucoma as well as identify those patients at risk for developing glaucoma. The invention may also be used to prevent the development of glaucoma in patients deemed to be at high risk of developing glaucoma, such as glaucoma suspects or ocular hypertensive patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides new uses of recombinant adenoviral vectors in vaccination regimens, such as prime/boost set-ups and subsequent vaccinations and applications for gene therapy. Moreover, the invention provides new assays to determine the best regimen for applying the most suitable recombinant viral vector in a vaccination or gene therapy setting.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified DNA encoding feline CD80 (B7-1) ligand, feline CD86 (B7-2) ligand, feline CD28 receptor, or feline CTLA-4 (CD152) receptor, as well as vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention provides a host cells transformed with CD80-encoding vectors, CD86-encoding vectors, CD28-encoding vectors, or CTLA-4-encoding vectors. The invention provides polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid of feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention provides a vaccine comprising an effective amount of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid of feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention also provides vaccines which further comprise immunogens derived from pathogens. The invention provides for vaccines capable of enhancing an immune response. The invention also provides for vaccines capable of suppressing and immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a targeted multi-layered drug delivery system for the delivery of cytotoxic agents to B-cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of expressing the papillomavirus capsid protein coding sequence in a cell using an expression system under conditions facilitating expression of the protein in the cell. In another aspect of the invention, it has been discovered that virus-like particle(s) (VLPs), fragment(s), capsomer(s) or portion(s) thereof are formed from the papillomavirus capsid protein. It was further discovered that the virus-like particle(s) comprises antigenic characteristics similar to those of native infectious papillomavirus particles. In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of expressing the L1 major capsid protein of human papillomavirus type-11 (HPV-11) in Sf-9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system, and the production of HPV-11 virus-like particles.

Abstract: Five-Helix protein, which comprises the three N-helices and at least two, but not three, of the three C-helices of the trimer-of-hairpin structure of HIV gp41, separated by linkers, such as amino acid residue linkers, is disclosed. Six-Helix protein, which includes the three N-helices and the three C-helices of the trimer-of-hairpin structure of HIV gp41, separated by linkers, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Stabilized forms of gp120 polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding these stabilized forms, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, and methods of using these polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells are disclosed. Crystal structures and computer systems including atomic coordinates for stabilized forms of gp120, and gp120 with an extended V3 loop, and methods of using these structures and computer systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1 Vpr and hybridoma cell lines that produce the monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1 Vpr. Methods for use of such antibodies in the detection of HIV-1 infection are also provided.

Abstract: A canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCV) that is present in the respiratory tract of dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease and which has a low level of homology to the enteric canine coronavirus, but which has a high level of homology to all bovine coronavirus strains (e.g., Quebec and LY138) and human coronavirus strain OC43.

Abstract: Pseudotyped retroviruses having viral glycoproteins with modified O glycosylation regions are provided. Also provided are methods for making the pseudotyped retroviruses of the present invention and for using the pseudotyped retroviruses for transduction of target cells. Cells for stably producing the pseudotyped retroviruses or the present invention are also provided.