Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and compositions for protecting host animals (e.g., chickens) from exposure to virulent infectious bronchitis virus. In ovo administration of live, avirulent strains of IB at appropriate dosage levels on a per egg basis provides an effective and efficient vaccination having acceptable safety and efficacy features.

Abstract: This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The present invention includes an assay useful for identifying inhibitors of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a dual HCV assay useful for high throughput screening that quantifies both the amount of HCV RNA replication inhibitory activity associated with a test compound and the amount of cytotoxicity associated with that test compound. The present invention also includes compounds discovered using this assay, compositions containing such compounds and methods of treating Hepatitis C by the administration of such compounds. The present invention also includes reporter assays using enzymes associated with HCV RNA replication, as well as a cell line having ATTC Accession No. PTA-4583.

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: This invention relates to antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance tests to be used in identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), particularly treatment regimens including a protease inhibitor. The invention further relates to the means and methods of monitoring the clinical progression of HIV infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy using phenotypic or genotypic susceptibility assays.

Abstract: Methods of identifying compounds that disrupt aggregation of aggregation-disposed polypeptides, such as huntingtin or beta-amyloid protein, are disclosed. Furthermore, an artificial polypeptide that contains an extended polyglutamine region and DNA that encodes the polypeptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protein having a lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase-like activity, etc. or its salt, a precursor protein of the protein or its salt, a partial peptide of the protein or its salt; a DNA coding for the protein; a recombinant vector; a transformant; a method for producing the protein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein, the partial peptide or its salt; and an antibody to the protein or the partial peptide. The protein, the partial peptide or its salt, and the DNA are useful as an agent for treating or preventing arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypercalorism, obesity or hypertriglyceridemia. The antibody can be used in assay of the protein, the partial peptide or its salt. The protein, the partial peptide or its salt is useful as a reagent for the screening for candidate medical compounds.

Abstract: This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding attenuated, non-functional virion infectivity factor (vif) proteins. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention are inserted into recombinant expression vectors and administered to mammals in order to induce a cellular and humoral immune response to the encoded protein product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hepatitis virus core proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations.

Abstract: Pathological regional adipose tissue accumulation associated with HIV-associated dysmorphic/dysmetabolic syndrome (HADDS) which may occur with or without subcutaneous adipose tissue lipodystrophy (and which is also described as HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome or HARS and other specific medical terms), is treated by administering an effective amount of human growth hormone or other substance which binds to and initiates signalling of the hGH receptor. Alternatively, a substance which stimulates production of endogenous hGH, such as human growth hormone releasing hormone, may be administered. HADDS and related syndromes include abnormal adipose tissue accumulation in the visceral, submandibular, supraclavicular, pectoral, mammary and/or dorsocervical (buffalo hump) area, and/or with subcutaneous lipomas, with or without associated metabolic or other physiologic abnormalities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the expression of peptides on viral particles, and more particularly to the expression of peptides on the interior or the viral capsid. Methods are described for modifying viruses so that exogenous epitopes are expressed on the interior of the viral capsid. Viruses that can be modified include (+) stranded RNA viruses, especially plant (+) stranded RNA viruses such as the cowpea mosaic virus. Internal expression is especially useful for the expression of hydrophobic epitopes. The modified viral particles also find use as vaccines and as such are capable of eliciting an immune response.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors, especially parvovirus vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, capable of enhanced expression of heterologous sequences, and methods for their construction and use, are provided. The vectors have a structure, or are capable of rapidly adopting a structure, which involves intrastrand base pairing of at least one region in a heterologous sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable region of the monoclonal antibody against the S-surface antigen of hepatis B virus and a gene encoding the same, a recombinant vector containing the said gene, and a transformant obtained from the said recombinant vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhibition of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by RNA molecules of the present invention. Specifically, the RNA molecules of the present invention are double-stranded ribonucleic acid molecules (dsRNA). Specifically, the invention relates to small interfering RNAs (siRNA) which are double-stranded RNAs that direct the sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA in mammalian cells. The invention relates to development of a new anti-HBV therapy by inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication using stably-expressed short hairpin RNAs (shRNA), which degrade HBV pregenomic RNA and message RNAs. Included are methods of treatment of cancer by the administration of RNA molecules of the present invention in combination with surgery, alone or in further combination with standard and experimental chemotherapies, hormonal therapies, biological therapies/immunotherapies and/or radiation therapies.

Abstract: We isolated and characterized a new surface mutant of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). The mutant was isolated from a symptomatic patient with Down's syndrome who was found to be persistently positive for both for HBsAg and anti-HBs Antibody (Ab) with an equally long-lasting anti-HB core (c) IgM Ab.