Abstract: The invention relates to novel endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecules designated ATHERO-ELAM. ATHERO-ELAM molecules are expressed on cultured endothelial cells stimulated with bacterial LPS and selectively mediate the binding of monocytes to the endothelial cells. Monoclonal antibodies specific for ATHERO-ELAM bind to vascular endothelial cells involved in early atherosclerotic lesions, but not to vascular endothelial cells from uninvolved arterial tissue. ATHERO-ELAM and antibodies directed to ATHERO-ELAM may be used in identifying early atherosclerotic lesions and in treating and preventing atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The complete nucleotide sequence of a proviral molecular clone of the lymphadenopathy-associated virus, LAV, was ascertained. Recombinant phage clones were isolated from a genomic library of LAV-infected human T-lymphocyte DNA. The insert of recombinant phase .lambda.J19 was sequenced according to the dideoxy chain termination method. In addition to the retroviral structural genes gag, pol, and env, a novel open reading frame (ORF) was identified in the 3' region of the viral genome and designated ORF-R. The ORF-R coding region, which has subsequently been renamed nef, encodes a 206 amino acid protein that slightly overlaps the 3' end of the env gene and the 5' portion of the U3 region of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Nucleic acids encoding this protein and the precise amino acid sequence of the Nef are disclosed in this application. These products are useful for the generation of immunological reagents to facilitate the detection of LAV.

Abstract: An antigen capture method, and an antigen capture assay diagnostic kit, for detecting the presence or concentration of HIV in a biological sample without interference from antigen-antibody immune complexes is provided. The lysate of a biological sample obtained from an animal is contacted with a detectable mount of an antibody specifically reactive with the nucleocapsid p7 antigen or an immunoreactive fragment of the p7 antigen for a time and under conditions sufficient for p7 antigen contained in the lysate to form a p7-antibody complex. The presence or concentration of this p7-antibody complex is determined to detect or quantitate the presence of HIV in the biological sample. Uses of this assay and method include detecting the presence of HIV infection in an infant born to an HIV-infected mother, monitoring the progression of HIV infection, and evaluating the effectiveness of an anti-HIV treatment administered to an animal, such as a human.

Abstract: Inappropriate degradation of extracellular matrix molecules by metalloproteinases plays an important role in a wide variety of pathologic conditions including neoplasia and arthritis. The present invention is an isolated protein of approximately 23,000 daltons in size which binds to metalloproteinases with high affinity, can be purified using affinity chromatography on solid phase metalloproteinases, and is potentially useful for therapy of pathologic conditions involving the inappropriate production of metalloproteinases. This protein is characterized by the presence of the following amino acid sequences:CSCSPVHPQQAFCNADVVIRAKAVSEKEVDSGNPIYGNNIKDIEFIYTAPSEAVCGVELDVEGKKRHITLCDFIVPWDTLSTTQKKSLNHRYQQGCEECKITRCPMIPCYISSPDECLWTDTVVKFFACIKRHITLCDFIVPWSQIADXLSSWith the positions of the cysteine residues and associated disulfide bridges required for biologic activity.

Abstract: Purified immunosuppressive drug binding proteins (immunophilins) of molecular mass 2.4-3.0 kDa, 4.5 kDa, 34-37 kDa, 50-54 kDa, 80-100 kDa, and greater than about 120 kDa are described. The 34-37 kDa immunophilin specifically binds FK-506 and rapamycin. The 50-54 kDa immunophilin specifically binds FK-506, rapamycin and cyclosporine A, but with binding site distinctions. The 50-54 kDa immunophilin is devoid of significant rotomase activity, but inhibits cAMP-activated protein kinase activity. The amino acid composition, and the sequences of a dodecameric amino acid C-terminus partial sequence and of two heptameric internal partial amino acid sequences, of the 50-54 kDa immunophilin are described; the deduced molecular weight is 52,171. Recombinant about 52 kDa immunophilin is also described.

Abstract: Escherichia coli strains that produce recombinant Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin toxoids from a Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin gene fragment encoding the Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin binding domain subcloned into an expression vector for forming plasmids are disclosed. The Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin toxoids of this invention recognize, irreversibly bind to and saturate receptor sites on intestinal membranes and, thus effectively compete for these receptor sites with Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin. The toxoids of this invention may be used to treat the symptoms of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in patients. Vaccines are also disclosed that may be used to prevent the symptoms of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in patients. Processes for preparing the plasmids and toxoids of this invention and for using the toxoids and vaccines of this invention are also provided.

Abstract: Novel retroviral vectors were constructed by making modifications to the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) long terminal repeat (LTR). A portion of the U3 region of the MoMLV LTR was replaced with a hybrid regulatory element consisting of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early enhancer/promoter (CMV-IE) together with the human immunodeficiency virus transactivation response element (HIV-TAR). Transfection of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter constructs into a variety of human cell lines showed that the CMV-IE/HIV-TAR enhancer/promoter chimeric MoMLV LTR exhibited basal expression levels which were 10- to 50-fold higher than those obtained from the wild-type MoMLV LTR enhancer/promoter. Expression from the recombinant LTR was further increased in the presence of the HIV-1 Tat protein.

Abstract: Method of inducing a mucosal and or/systemic immune response in a host, comprising the step of administering to the host an effective amount of a Bluetongue antigen in the form of virus like and/or virus core like particles. Vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: VH3 and VH4 type immunoglobulins display superantigen-type binding affinity for the HIV gp120 envelope glycoprotein. VH3 and VH4 type antibody molecules, including IgG and IgM, are shown to suppress HIV infection in vivo and in vitro. Determining the level of such antibody molecules is correlated to the advancement of HIV disease state.

Abstract: Compositions including a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide that binds TAR DNA (particularly the region -18 to +28 of HIV-LTR DNA) and that does not bind to TAR RNA (particularly the region +1 to +80 of the TAR RNA) are disclosed. The cellular binding protein TDP-43 including the polypeptide has an estimated molecular weight of between about 40 kD and 46 kD as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fusion proteins that include the entire cellular binding protein TDP-43 or fragments thereof are also described. The cellular binding protein, peptide fragments and nucleic acid sequences encoding them, repress HIV gene expression. Methods for preparing the cellular binding protein from cells as recombinant proteins with recombinant host cells are also disclosed. Antibodies to the TDP-43 cellular binding protein are also described. The isolated nucleic acid sequences of the protein and its fragments are described in the construction of retroviral vectors.

Abstract: There is disclosed anti-receptor and growth blocking agents to the vitamin B.sub.12 /transcobalamin II receptor and binding sites. The anti-receptor and growth blocking agents antagonize or modulate the vitamin B.sub.12 /transcobalamin II receptor or binding sites, causing cellular depletion of vitamin B.sub.12, thus preventing or inhibiting cell division or causing apoptosis. Anti-receptor and growth blocking agents of the present invention include proteins (such as antibodies and antibody derivatives), peptides and small organic molecules. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-receptor agent is an antibody to the vitamin B.sub.12 /transcobalamin II receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are nucleotides for genes encoding the canine herpesvirus (CHV) gB, gC and gD homologues. These genes encode polypeptides of 879, 459 and 345 amino acids, respectively, which are also disclosed and claimed. The genes are useful as DNA probes or, for preparing PCR primers. The polypeptides are useful in antigenic, immunological or vaccine compositions. The nucleotides can be expressed in any suitable vector system, allowing for production of the polypeptides. Additionally, the vector system containing any or any combination of the nucleotides can be employed in an antigenic, immunological or vaccine composition, such as a poxvirus vector system, e.g., a CHV-vaccinia or avipox virus recombinant, as can the products from expression, i.e., the gB, gC and gD glycoproteins. Antibodies elicited by the glycoproteins or from expression of the vector containing the nucleotide(s) are also useful. Methods for making and using the composition are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing RNA virus cDNA, methods for producing viable, RNA virus and viable, RNA virus produced by those methods. The invention also related to a novel RNA virus cDNA, recombinant DNA molecules containing that cDNA and hosts transformed with those recombinant cDNA molecules. This invention further related to novel methods for screening for variants of a strain 3 poliovirus. This invention also related to methods for increasing the attenuation of a strain poliovirus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II reactive antibodies and diagnosis of ATL (adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma) condition by the use of chemically synthesized peptide compositions. The peptide compositions comprise peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to transmembrane and external segments of the envelope protein of HTLV-I/HTLV-II and mixtures thereof. The peptide compositions are highly immunoreactive with antibodies to HTLV in sera. The present invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous detection and diagnosis of ATL, HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by the use of chemically synthesized HTLV peptide compositions in conjunction with a chemically synthesized HIV (1 and 2) peptide composition. The present invention also provides a simple method to differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections.

Abstract: The invention is an improved immunoassay and method for detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The improved assay comprises the addition of a reducing agent to decrease the number of false positive reactions in the assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to extracorporeal cell systems infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present invention also relates to products of such cell systems and their use as vaccines and in immunoassays. Methods whereby HCV-infected extracorporeal cell systems are constructed are included, and various immunoassays to detect HCV antibodies are also presented. The HCV-infected cell systems can be used to screen putative antiviral agents.

Abstract: HIV-2 virus variants, namely virus HIV D194 and virus HIV D205, which can be cloned from the corresponding virus isolate HIV D194 (ECACC V 87122303) or from the infected cell line HUT 194 (ECACC V 87122306) or from the virus isolate HIV D205 (ECACC V 87122304), respectively, and their RNA or RNA-fragments and DNA and DNA-fragments derived therefrom and/or proteins and the use thereof for diagnostics and therapy.

Abstract: An assay for detecting the presence and amount of a hormone in culture media or a biological sample includes the steps of preincubating two antibodies specific for the hormone to be assayed in a preincubation medium that is essentially free of the hormone to be detected, contacting a sample to be tested with the preincubated antibodies, and detecting hormone-antibody complexes formed in the contacting step. This assay reduces or eliminates non-specific interference and thereby increases the sensitivity of the assay.

Abstract: Two amino acid sequences are joined together using an electron acceptor moiety and a linking moiety, such as a chelating agent. In particular, an amino acid sequence specific for binding to a material interest is linked to an enzyme which acts on an indicator, such as a colorimetric, phosphometric, fluorometric or chemiluminescent substrate. The linking composition is useful in immunoassays.

Abstract: Peptides corresponding to epitopes of HTLV-2 proteins are provided. These peptides are immunologically reactive with HTLV-2 specific antibodies. Several of the peptides are sufficiently unreactive to antibodies to HTLV-1 to distinguish between antibodies which recognize HTLV-1 and those which recognize HTLV-2. Thus HTLV-1 infections can be distinguished from HTLV-2 infections. The peptides are useful in assays for detection of HTLV-2 infection or exposure. The peptides are also useful as vaccine compositions against HTLV-2. Antibodies generated in response to immunization by the peptides are also provided.