Abstract: The hypervariable region (E2HV) of the putative hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein E2/NS1, between about amino acid 384 to about amino acid 414, is a rapidly evolving region of HCV, and is likely to be under positive immune selection. A newly discovered motif within this hypervariable region is immunogenic and conserved with respect to the character of the amino acids. In many isolates, this motif falls between amino acids 401 to 406 or 407. The discovery of this motif allows for additional materials and methods to treat and diagnose HCV.

Abstract: Peptides are used to define epitopes that stimulate HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against hepatitis B virus antigens. The peptides are derived from regions of HBV envelope, and are particularly useful in treating or preventing HBV infection, including methods for stimulating the immune response of chronically infected individuals to respond to HBV antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting, in vitro, an infection with a microorganism, such as the hepatitis C virus, in a biological sample, by simultaneously detecting an antigen of this microorganism and the antibodies against this same antigen, and also to the reagents and kits implementing this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, referred to as CBD-1, CBD-2, CBM-1/TH-1, CBM-1/TH-2, CBM-2/TH-1, CBM-2/TH-2 and C-20 peptides, which are antigenic and elicit a protective immune response against HIV infection. Compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these antigenic peptides are also encompassed by the present invention, as well as neutralizing antibodies which inhibit infection of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes by various HIV isolates. Methods for diagnosis of HIV are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that the transcription factors Pbx1 and HMG I are involved in retrovirus, e.g., HIV, replication. Thus, the invention provides methods of identifying modulators of these proteins. Such modulators can be used as reagents in in vitro assays to modulate expression of retroviral sequences and may be used to inhibit HIV replication in vivo.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a target cell using a virus. The method includes infecting the target cell with the virus by contacting the virus to the target cell and culturing the target cell to propagate the virus; adding a chromogenic substrate to the resultant cell culture to induce enzyme reaction converting the chromogenic substrate to a chromogenic product; and measuring an optical signal emitted from the chromogenic product, wherein the virus contains in its genome a gene encoding an enzyme capable of converting the chromogenic substrate to the chromogenic product and a gene encoding a ligand allowing the virus to specifically bind with a receptor of the target cell to infect the target cell with the virus.

Abstract: A chimeric, carboxy-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid (HBc) protein is disclosed that contains an immunogen for inducing the production of antibodies to the influenza M2 protein. An immunogenic influenza sequence in two to four copies is preferably expressed at or near the N-terminus or in the HBc immunogenic loop sequence. The HBc chimer preferably contains an influenza-specific T cell epitope and is preferably engineered for both enhanced stability of self-assembled particles and enhanced yield of those chimeric particles. Methods of making and using the chimers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating the antiviral activity of test compounds are provided. Further aspects of the methods involve the retroviral capsid protein of HIV-1. In another aspect, methods of reducing mortality associated with AIDS with a compound that binds to the apical cleft near the C-terminal end of the N-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein are provided. Derivatives of CAP-1, CAP-2, CAP-3, CAP-4, CAP-5, CAP-6 and CAP-7 are described that bind to the apical cleft of the N-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein and inhibit proper assembly of the core particle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recombinantly producing, via rescue of mumps virus, a nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and immunogenic compositions formed therefrom. Additional embodiments relate to methods of producing the mumps virus as an attenuated and/or infectious virus. The recombinant viruses are prepared from cDNA clones, and, accordingly, viruses having defined changes, including nucleotide/polynucleotide deletions, insertions, substitutions and re-arrangements, in the place of the genome are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a full length hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein selected from the group consisting of E1 glycoprotein and E1/E2 glycoprotein heterodimer, this molecule having at least one nucleotide alteration, wherein, due to this alteration, at least one RNA splice site selected from the group consisting of RNA splice acceptor and RNA splice donor sites is eliminated from the coding sequence. The invention is also directed to methods for expressing on the surface of a cell and a pseudovirion an HCV glycoprotein, wherein the majority of the glycoprotein is full length. The invention further provides a cell and a pseudovirion expressing such glycoprotein. The invention still further provides a method for determining whether an agent inhibits HCV fusion with and entry into a target cell. The invention also provides an agent that inhibits HCV fusion with and entry into a target cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolation and characterization of a class of isolated novel viruses which is the precursor of the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). The precursor virus which is a SARS coronavirus-like virus (“SCoV-like virus”) is identified to be morphologically and phylogenetically similar to hSARS virus. The present invention relates to a nucleotide sequence comprising the genomic sequence of the SCoV-like virus. The invention further relates to nucleotide sequences comprising a portion of the genomic sequence of the SCoV-like virus. The invention also relates to the deduced amino acid sequences of the SCoV-like virus. The invention further relates to the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from these sequences and their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Random sequence oligonucleotides that have antiviral activity are described, along with their use as antiviral agents. In many cases, the oligonucleotides are greater than 40 nucleotides in length. Also described are methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of a viral infection in a human or animal, and a method for the prophylaxis treatment of cancer caused by oncoviruses in a human or animal. The methods typically involve administering to a human or animal in need of such treatment, a pharmacologically acceptable, therapeutically effective amount of at least oligonucleotide that does not act by a sequence complementary mode of action.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting and/or killing a target sub-population of B cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of a West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Dengue virus (DENV) and antibodies directed against thereof involving contacting a biological specimen suspected of being infected with WNV, JE, SLE or DEN with a substantially purified and isolated WNV E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof having a native conformation wherein the E glycoprotein or subfragment thereof has a reactivity with antibodies against WNV and a cross-reactivity with antibodies against JEV, SLEV and DENV. The instant invention further provides a rapid, sensitive, and consistent method for the specific detection of WNV by employing diagnostic assays having the antigen NS5 which is specifically reactive with anti-WNV antibodies but not cross-reactive with antibodies against other flaviviruses such as JEV, SLEV, or DENV.

Abstract: The invention relates to viral formulations and related pharmaceutical products for use in gene therapy and/or vaccine applications. Especially preferred viral formulations disclosed herein are liquid adenovirus formulations, which show improved stability when stored in about the 2-8° C. range while also being compatible with parenteral administration. These formulations comprise a buffer, a sugar, a salt, a divalent cation, a non-ionic detergent, as well as a free radical scavenger and/or a chelating agent to inhibit free radical oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides the isolated causative agent of the disease affecting Cyprinus carpino and a method for its isolation. The invention further provides avirulent forms, e.g., live-attenuated form, inactivated form and genetically modified forms of the virus which may be used for vaccination of susceptible fish.

Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acid molecules derived from novel hepatitis D virus strains or isolates constituting genotypes different from known I, II and III genotypes, their fragments, corresponding proteins and their uses as diagnostic reagents. The invention also concerns a method for sensitive diagnosis of the hepatitis D virus (or delta hepatitis virus) and a method for epidemiologic monitoring of HDV-related infections.

Abstract: A method of detecting a virus in a specimen, whereby a Norwalk-like virus (GII) is detected by using as an index the nucleic acids of a complementary nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 4851- to 5450-positions of the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA of the prototype (standard strain) of the Norwalk-like virus (GII); and a detection kit for performing this method.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis or detection of conformational diseases by assaying for a marker (the pathogenic conformer) of such diseases in a sample is described, which method comprises a cyclic amplification system to increase the levels of the pathogenic conformer which causes such diseases. In particular, such transmissible conformational diseases may be prion encephalopathies. Assays, diagnostic kits and apparatus based on such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked proteins and covalently cross-linked reverse transcriptase from HIV as immunological binding partners in immunoassays. It also concerns immunological test procedures for detecting an analyte in a sample in which intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked proteins are used as binding partners, and it further concerns intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked reverse transcriptase from HIV and a method for producing this reverse transcriptase.