Abstract: The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is genotypically and phenotypically similar to the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). Both viruses display similar structural, biological, and immunological properties. The external envelope glycoprotein (EMP) and transmembrane envelope glycoprotein (TMP) appear to be formed from the cleavage of a precursor glycoprotein. Despite these similarities, a number of differences exist as evidenced by the different migratory properties of the envelope glycoproteins. The present invention discloses novel SIV peptides, obtained from the transmembrane envelope glycoprotein, that display immunological cross-reactivity with HIV-2-specific antisera. Epitope mapping studies revealed that the amino acid sequence --CAFRQVC--, which corresponds to amino acid residues 614-620, is a sine qua non for the retention of this immunological cross-reactivity. These peptides are useful in diagnostic methods for the detection of HIV-2-specific antibodies in infected patients.

Abstract: The ability to monitor the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients is paramount to the study of HIV transmission, in predicting the onset and advancement of disease, and evaluating the clinical efficacy of therapeutics. Present methods available to the clinician for the study of HIV pathogenesis employ surrogate markers. Surrogate markers are biological indicators that tend to reflect, to varying extent, the gradual progression of the asymptomatic state to the development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The most commonly used markers are CD4.sup.+ lymphocyte counts and HIV p24 antigen production. The use of markers to evaluate disease progression suffers from a number of limitations. No known marker consistently reflects disease progression in all patients and stages of disease. Moreover, an effective marker must rapidly reflect the changes associated with antiviral therapy.

Abstract: Vaccines effective in the inhibition of infection caused by the family of retroviruses, HTLV-III, Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus, LAV, Lymphadenopathy-associated virus, ARV-2, AIDS-Related Virus, (AIDS and AIDS-Related Complex) have been developed from an antisera prepared against thymosin .alpha..sub.1 (T.alpha..sub.1), a thymic hormone, as well as from antisera to synthetic peptide fragments of T.alpha..sub.1 and antisera to synthetic peptide fragments inclusive of amino acid positions 92-109 of the p17 gag core protein of HTLV-III, LAV and ARV-2. In this 18 amino acid primary sequence there is a 44 to 50% homology between the gag protein and T.alpha..sub.1. Immunoglobulin (IgG)-enriched preparations of the T.alpha..sub.1 antisera have enhanced activity in blocking vital replication. A diagnostic test capable of directly detecting the presence of HTLV-III, LAV, ARV-2 and related retroviruses associated with AIDS and ARC is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides assays for the presence or absence of CD4+ T cell subpopulations carrying particular V.beta. components of the T cell receptor (TCR-V.beta.) in persons infected with HIV, including amplification of mRNA from T cells with primers specific to each TCR-V.beta. to detect the presence or absence of each TCR-V.beta. in a sample and primers for use in such amplification assays are disclosed. The invention also provides assays of antibody-containing fluids of a person infected with HIV to determine the immunodeficiency where the fluid is suspected to contain an antibody having a paratope specific to an epitope on a TCR-V.beta.. The invention also provides a binding agent specific to a paratope where the paratope is specific to an epitope on a TCR-V.beta.. The invention also provides a method of assay of the fluids of a person infected with HIV to determine the immunodeficiency of the person which utilizes a binding agent specific to complexes containing anti-TCR-V.beta. antibody bound to TCR-V.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing analytes with antibodies and antibody fragments comprises dissolving the analyte in a liquid to form a solution, adding analyte-specific antibodies, fragments of such antibodies, or both to the solution, heating the solution, and then cooling and filtering the solution. The filtered solution may be diluted in a suitable matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of insoluble cytoskeletal proteins, or fragments thereof, which are characteristic of the origin of the tissue. The invention relates as well to the method for detecting such proteins by breaking down and solubilizing the protein for immunological detection and quantitation. The method allows detection of tissue lesions or other pathological foci and metastases.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention are protein-containing interference-reducing agents for immunoassays consisting of protein aggregates that are acylated with --CO--R groups, wherein R is a branched or non-branched C1-C4 alkyl residue which can be substituted with hydroxy, carboxy, SO.sub.3 H or PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 groups. These interference-reducing substances can be used together with a buffer as an interference-reducing agent or together with an immunological binding partner as a binding reagent to reduce non-specific interactions in immunoassays. Another subject matter of the invention is an immunological testing method wherein said interference-reducing substances are used.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for replicating viruses of the HIV type which cause immune deficiency, in which process lymphocytes are employed which have been transformed with herpesvirus saimiri.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a Feline herpesvirus (FHV) mutant comprising a heterologous gene introduced into an insertion-region of the FHV genome.The invention also relates to a vector vaccine comprising such an FHV mutant which expresses a heterologous polypeptide derived from a feline pathogen and induces an adequate immune response in an inoculated host against both FHV and the feline pathogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of collagen as solid binding substrate for a sensor called ligand or refining agent, capable of reacting specifically with an element to be detected in a biological medium, to form a specific complex.Preferably, the solid substrate comprises atelocollagen or a mixture of atelocollagen and of polyholoside.The invention thus makes it possible to provide a biological reactant of high specificity and of which the constituents are of natural origin. It can be used easily and quickly.

Abstract: Specific peptide fragment from the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and its use as a diagnostic reagent.The said peptide fragment, derived from the Env protein of the Wo strain of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) (peptide P253), corresponds to positions 693-709 of the said Env protein and exhibits the following sequence:Leu-Gly-X-Asn-Gln-Asn-Gln-Phe-Phe-X-Lys-Val-Pro-Ser-Ala-, in which X represents a cysteine or a serine, as follows:Leu-Gly-Cys-Asn-Gln-Asn-Gln-Phe-Phe-Cys-Lys-Val-Pro-Ser-Ala (SEQ ID NO: 1),Leu-Gly-Ser-Asn-Gln-Asn-Gln-Phe-Phe-Ser-Lys-Val-Pro-Ser-Ala (SEQ ID NO: 2),Leu-Gly-Cys-Asn-Gln-Asn-Gln-Phe-Phe-Ser-Lys-Val-Pro-Ser-Ala (SEQ ID NO: 3),Leu-Gly-Ser-Asn-Gln-Asn-Gln-Phe-Phe-Cys-Lys-Val-Pro-Ser-Ala (SEQ ID NO: 4).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for screening agents for potential anti-viral effects by assessing the ability of the agents to suppress viral replication and/or pathology in thymic cells grown in thymic organ culture in vitro. Also provided are methods to study viral pathology and infectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acylation of proteins. More particularly, the invention relates to a one-step process for selectively acylating the free .epsilon.-amino group of insulin, insulin analog, or proinsulin in the presence of a free .alpha.-amino group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and a diagnostic agent for identifying HIV-infected individuals. The diagnostic agent, termed C-8.2, whose concentration is altered within about 1-3 days of HIV infection is used in assays not dependent on HIV antigens or antibodies. C-8.2 is present in the serum of all mammals and is a phospholipid or a mixture of related phospholipids.

Abstract: A method for controlling infectious diseases in fish and other aquatic lifeforms, regardless of their developmental stage. The method of controlling pathogenic organisms detrimental to aquatic lifeforms includes steps of adding fish which are pre-immunized against one or more organisms pathogenic to fish to the same aquatic medium and with normal fish. The pre-immunized fish continuously and increasingly release antibodies against the pathogenic organisms into the same aquatic medium and can protect or prevent naive (normal, non-infected) fish or naive aquatic lifeforms from infection and are able to enhance the recovery of infected fish or any aquatic lifeforms infected with the same diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the amount of HIV-1 p24 antigen or anti-HIV-1 p24 antibody present in a suitable bodily fluid sample from an HIV-1-infected subject. This invention also provides a kit for determining the amount of HIV-1 p24 antigen or anti-HIV-1 p24 antibody present in an HIV-1-infected subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a product or a composition containing amylin or amylin with insulin for treating diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and kit for the detection of antibodies directed against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in whole blood obtained from individuals who are HIV-seronegative as determined by conventional assay techniques. Whole blood is isolated from these individuals and cultured directly with mitogen to stimulate the proliferation of B-lymphocytes producing immunoglobulin specific for HIV. This method provides a rapid, simple, and inexpensive means for screening large numbers of blood samples for HIV infection while minimizing exposure of the technician to infectious blood components.

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: This invention is directed to a method useful in the diagnosis of HIV. The method involves reacting monoclonal antibodies to particular prosomal proteins with certain blood cell types obtained from a sample, and observing an increase or decrease in the levels of the prosomal proteins on the cell's surface.