Abstract: The invention described herein relates to compositions and methods for stimulating immune responses in vivo against a tolerogen. Novel biotechnological tools, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics and prophylactics, which concern chimeric or conjugated virus-like particles, and methods of use of the foregoing are provided for the study of B cell tolerance and the treatment or prevention of human diseases, which involve the onset of B cell tolerance, such as chronic viral infection, chronic inflammatory disease, and neoplasia.

Abstract: The invention relates to virus like particles, their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical screening and functional genomics. The invention further provides a variety of assay formats to be used with said virus like particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate anti-viral agents.

Abstract: The inventive chimeric ligand in the form of a fusion polypeptide of a single-chain antibody specific for Tag-72 surface antigen and GaLV envelope glycoprotein shows high transduction efficiency to cancer cells, specifically infects target cells and efficiently delivers a therapeutic gene. Accordingly, the inventive chimeric ligand can be effectively used for gene therapy to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humanized antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to a mammalian (e.g., human) CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) or a portion of the receptor and blocks binding of a ligand to the receptor. The invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the interaction of a cell bearing mammalian CCR2 with a ligand thereof, and to use of the antibodies and fragments in therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns an Avipoxvirus comprising in the viral genome a Vaccinia virus host range gene or a homologue of said host range gene. The invention further relates to cells, preferably avian cells, comprising a Vaccinia virus host range gene or a homologue of said host range gene. Moreover the invention concerns the use of a Vaccinia virus host range gene or an homologue thereof to increase the titer of avipoxviruses produced from cells after infection of said cells with the avipoxvirus, wherein the host range gene is expressed in said cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of nucleic acid diagnostics and the identification of base variation in target nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of such genotypic characterization of a target population of HIV and the subsequent association, i.e., correlation, of this information to phenotypic interpretation in order to correlate virus mutational profiles with drug resistance. The invention also relates to methods of utilizing the mutational profiles of the invention in drug development, i.e., drug discovery, drug design, drug modification, and therapy, treatment design, clinical management and diagnostic analysis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions comprising and methods utilizing a retroviral integrase complex comprising a recombinant integrase having a domain comprising a non-native protein binding site, and a DNA binding protein comprising a DNA binding domain and a peptide binding domain that binds the non-native protein binding site of the recombinant integrase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated canine influenza virus of subtype H3N8 comprising an HA having SEQ ID NO: 4 or an amino acid sequence that is greater than 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4 , with the proviso that the amino acids at positions 94 and 233 are identical to SEQ ID NO: 4; a composition comprising attenuated or inactivated virus; isolated or purified HA, NM, NP, M1 , NS1 , PA, PB1 , and PB2 proteins and fragments thereof and compositions comprising same or nucleic acids, optionally as part of a vector, encoding same; and a method of inducing an immune response to canine influenza virus in an animal comprising administering to the animal an aforementioned composition.

Abstract: The inventors have discovered that an ATPase-deficient dominant-negative mutant NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus inhibits activity of the wild-type NS3 protein and inhibits replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The solved crystal structure of a multi-enzyme NS3 complex on a DNA substrate is also provided. The inventors have tested a peptide matching the sequence of a portion of NS3 that interacts with another NS3 molecule for inhibiting HCV replication. The peptide inhibits HCV replication. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of inhibiting HCV replication in cells infected with HCV involving transforming the cells with a vector expressing a dominant-negative mutant NS3 gene. The invention also provides a method of inhibiting HCV replication in cells infected with HCV involving administering to the cells a dominant-negative mutant NS3 protein. The invention also provides peptides and agents that inhibit HCV replication and methods of identifying agents that inhibit HCV replication.

Abstract: The invention provides a vector encoding a derivative of EBNA-1 that is not cytotoxic when expressed efficiently in cells, which supports extrachromosomal replication, maintenance and transcription from extrachromosomal oriP containing vectors but does not substantially activate transcription from host cell genes. Also provided is a vector having oriP and encoding a derivative of EBNA-1. The vectors of the invention may be employed in vitro and in gene therapy.

Abstract: Vectors and methods for the production of influenza viruses suitable as recombinant influenza vaccines in cell culture are provided. Bi-directional expression vectors for use in a multi-plasmid influenza virus expression system are provided. Additionally, the invention provides methods of producing influenza viruses with enhanced ability to replicate in embryonated chicken eggs and/or cells (e.g., Vero and/or MDCK) and further provides influenza viruses with enhanced replication characteristics. A method of producing a cold adapted (ca) influenza virus that replicates efficiently at, e.g., 25° C. (and immunogenic compositions comprising the same) is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a novel attenuated infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of GA-98 isolate. Further, other embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods of immunizing avian against an infectious bronchitis virus. As well, further embodiments relate to method of making a vaccine and/or immunogenic composition for protecting avian, such as poultry, from an infectious bronchitis virus of strain GA-98.

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

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modified version of cyanovirin-N protein and a transformed Lactobacillus bacterium that is capable of recombinantly expressing this modified protein. Further disclosed are polynucleotide sequence encoding the modified cyanovirin-N protein, expression cassette that allows the expression of the modified protein, and method of make and use of the modified protein as well as the transformed Lactobacillus bacterium. In addition, this disclosure describes two novel promoters originated from L. jensenii, which are capable of directing a high level of gene expression in Lactobacillus bacteria. Also described are an expression cassette comprising one of the novel promoters, a genetically modified Lactobacillus bacterium containing the expression cassette, a method for recombinant gene expression in Lactobacillus bacteria using the novel promoters, and a method for delivery of proteins with desired biological activity to a mucosal surface in a human.

Abstract: Provided is an HIV fusion inhibitor peptide having an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, or SEQ ID NO:15; and provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a HIV fusion inhibitor peptide and one or more of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and macromolecular carrier, and uses and methods of treatment provided by these compositions.

Abstract: Genetic constructs that comprise a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. Compositions that comprise at least two nucleic acid molecules in which at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. In such genetic constructs and compositions comprising nucleic acid molecules, the coding sequence for the desired protein comprises at least a portion of coding sequence for an HIV structural protein that includes an RRE and at least one CTE. Methods of inducing an immune response against an immunogen in an individual, methods of delivering proteins to an individual and methods of producing proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid for expressing hepatitis B viral antigens in vivo, comprising an adeno-associated virus (AVV) vector and a replication-competent hepatitis B virus genome fragment. Mice hydrodynamically injected with the recombinant plasmid of the present invention show persistent expression of hepatitis B viral antigens for more than 6 months in the hepatocytes, thus a immuno-competent mouse model for persistent expression of hepatitis B antigens and also for human chronic hepatitis B virus infection is established, which can be applied in evaluation and elucidation of mechanism of chronic hepatitis and anti-viral drug discovery research.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a LT-B blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular this invention provides methods for treating viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new class of peptides related to rapid replication and their use in diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.