Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.

Abstract: Means and methods for producing mammalian viruses, the method comprising infecting a culture of immortalized human cells with a virus, incubating the culture infected with virus to propagate the virus under conditions that permit growth of the virus, and to form a virus-containing medium, and removing the virus-containing medium. The viruses can be harvested and be used for the production of vaccines. Advantages include that human cells of the present invention can be cultured under defined serum-free conditions and the cells show improved capability for propagating virus. Methods are provided for producing, in cultured human cells, influenza virus and vaccines derived thereof. This method eliminates the necessity of using whole chicken embryos for the production of Influenza vaccines. The method also provides for the continuous or batch-wise removal of culture media. As such, the present invention allows the large-scale continuous production of viruses to a high titer.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses polypeptides encoded by an alternative reading frame of a pathogenic virus, which polypeptides—start with a methionine amino acid residue,—comprise an antigenic determinant and—comprise more than 7 amino acid residues and fragments of said polypeptides comprising more than 7 amino acids.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of producing viral particles which include introducing into avian cells a nucleotide sequence encoding a replication deficient retroviral vector and introducing into the avian cells nucleotide sequences encoding products required for replication of the replication deficient retroviral vector under the control of a promoter that is functional in the avian cell line, and harvesting the viral particles.

Abstract: New conformational antibodies are directed against HCV and more particularly to monoclonal antibodies. Described compositions of particles are liable to be recognized by the antibodies, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Also described are HCV enveloped subviral particles or purified HCV enveloped complete viral particles, and the processes for preparing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replication competent variants of mammalian immunodeficiency virus comprising mutations and/or deletions of the V3 hypervariable loop and compensatory mutations, as well as methods for producing such variants. The invention also relates to V3-loop deletion mammalian immunodeficiency virus mutants that have compensatory mutations, deletions of the V1/V2 loops, or both. The invention further relates to isolated Env, gp120 polypeptides, and gp41 polypeptides comprising novel mutations useful in conjunction with, or separate from, a virus of the invention, as well as nucleic acids encoding the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of detecting a virus in an avian tissue sample wherein genetic material derived from feathers is tested for the presence of genetic material from the virus.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for the noninvasive immunization of a subject that involve alkyl glycosides. Also described herein are compositions, kits, and devices for the noninvasive immunization of a subject.

Abstract: Cleavage site for the protease furin is inserted between domains of a membrane glycoprotein. Upon cleavage by furin in the trans-Golgi network, the protein is separated into individual membrane-free domain that retains its native conformation. This protocol can be used to produce virus membrane protein domains for structural analysis and for trials as vaccines.

Abstract: Means and methods for producing mammalian viruses, the method comprising infecting a culture of immortalized human cells with a virus, incubating the culture infected with virus to propagate the virus under conditions that permit growth of the virus, and to form a virus-containing medium, and removing the virus-containing medium. The viruses can be harvested and be used for the production of vaccines. Advantages include that human cells of the present invention can be cultured under defined serum-free conditions and the cells show improved capability for propagating virus. Methods are provided for producing, in cultured human cells, influenza virus and vaccines derived thereof. This method eliminates the necessity of using whole chicken embryos for the production of Influenza vaccines. The method also provides for the continuous or batch-wise removal of culture media. As such, the present invention allows the large-scale continuous production of viruses to a high titer.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines used in the eradication or control of pestivirus infections, particularly those used in pigs or ruminants. The invention provides nucleic acid, pestivirus-like particles and a pestivirus vaccine, comprising the nucleic acid or particles, which is capable of eliciting a proper immune response without having the ability to spread throughout the vaccinated animal, thereby avoiding the negative consequences of viral spread. Preferably, the immune response allows for serological discrimination between vaccinated animals and wild-type pestivirus infected animals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel immune potentiators, novel vaccine adjuvants, novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, novel methods for treating viral infections, including HCV, by administering the compounds, and novel methods for modulating an immune response by administering the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences coding Cyn d I, or at least one fragment thereof or the functional equivalent of such nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also provides expression vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequences and host cells transformed therewith. The present invention further provides isolated Bermuda grass pollen protein allergen Cyn d I or fragments thereof. Isolated Bermuda grass pollen protein allergens or antigenic or allergenic fragments thereof are useful for diagnosing and treating sensitivity in an individual to Bermuda grass pollen allergens.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating inflammatory arthropathies by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides integrase interacting proteins including cofactors which promote strand transfer activity of viral integrase, more particularly HIV integrase, and methods and uses relating thereto. The present invention also relates to methods of identifying molecules interacting with integrase interacting protein and their use as an antiviral.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-inflammatory oligopeptides which contain the terminal pharmacophore Cys-Asn-Ser which is capable of inhibiting the NF-?? signaling pathway. The oligopeptides are useful in stimulating the in vivo production of IL-10, and for treating inflammatory diseases and scarring when formulated in pharmaceutical compositions for administration to patients.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel virus suppressing factor (VSF) protein having antiviral activity against a variety of viruses and a hybridoma secreting such a VSF protein. In addition, the present invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the VSF protein for prevention or treatment of viral infections in humans and animals, and a method of preventing or treating viral infections using such a pharmaceutical composition. The VSF protein has strong antiviral activity against a variety of viruses.

Abstract: New methods and reagents for vaccination are described which generate a CD8 T cell immune response against malarial and other antigens such as viral and tumor antigens. Novel vaccination regimes are described which employ a priming composition and a boosting composition, the boosting composition comprising a non-replicating or replication-impaired pox virus vector carrying at least one CD8 T cell epitope which is also present in the priming composition.