Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to HCV core antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these antibodies, methods for making and using these antibodies, including kits that include these antibodies.

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: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: Pancreatic islet cell antigens (ICA) that bind with antibodies found in the sera of patients afflicted with insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). ICA proteins are expressed by recombinant cloning vehicles comprising DNA inserts isolated from islet cells. Full sequence native ICA proteins, or protein or peptide fragments thereof, can be used in the diagnosis of IDDM and in detecting or blocking human immunoglobulin, T-cells, or B-cells involved in IDDM.

Abstract: Multipotent paramunity inducers are described which are based on combinations of poxvirus components derived from various poxviruses with paramunizing properties and which have been improved in terms of their potency and their paramunization-related activities as compared with the known paramunity inducers. The invention also relates to a method for preparing these multipotent paramunity inducers and to their use as drugs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel tricyclic antidepressant derivatives which are synthesized for the covalent attachment to antigens (proteins or polypeptides) for the preparation of antibodies or receptors to tricyclic antidepressant and tricyclic antidepressant metabolites. The resulting novel antigens may be used for the production of antibodies or receptors using standard methods. Once generated, the antibodies or receptors and the novel derivatives which are covalently attached to proteins, polypeptides or labels may be used in the immunoassay process.

Abstract: A 24 kd protein capable of binding the E2 envelope protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and functionally equivalent variants or fragments of the 24 kd protein, are disclosed. Processes for production and purification of the 24 kd protein, and functionally equivalent variants or fragments thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vaccine for treatment of foot-and-mouth disease of swine is provided. This vaccine is an antigenized antibody vaccine created from the grafting of peptide epitopes derived from FMDV into swine antibody CDR loops. FMDV peptide epitopes are cloned by PCR from VP1 gene of FMDV. The overlapping PCR method is used to insert the FMDV peptide epitopes into the CDR regions of swine immnuoglobulin heavy and light chains genes. The resulting antigenized antibody genes were cloned into mammalian expression vector. The plasmids are transfected into CHO or myeloma cells. The stable transfectant cell line was selected for high yield of the desired protein vaccine.

Abstract: Novel DNA probe sequences for detection, by polymerase chain reaction, of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) from serum samples. As a direct application, these specific DNA probes are immobilized on solid glass supports (gene chip) for detection of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) by fluorescence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine formulation for the prevention of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) infections and where the antigen is adsorbed onto aluminum phosphate. The invention also relates to a multivalent vaccines, that is a vaccine for the amelioration or treatment of more than one disease states. The present invention also relates to the production and use of such vaccines in medicine.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for screening candidate antiviral agents using cells containing subgenomic viral replication systems such as replicons and minigenomes. The methods involve the simultaneous assay of more than one subgenomic viral replication system. Compositions useful for these methods are also provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a polypeptide having at least one bioactivity of a polypeptide p10 of a Borna Disease Virus. A second aspect of the present invention is a specific binding member, such as an antibody, that binds with at least a portion of a polypeptide p10 of a Borna Disease Virus. A third aspect of the present invention is a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having at least one bioactivity of a polypeptide p10 of a Borna Disease Virus. A fourth aspect of the present invention is a test kit that includes at least one of: a polypeptide of the present invention, a specific binding member of the present invention or a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. A fifth aspect of the present invention is a vaccine and method of immunization that includes at least one of: a polypeptide of the present invention, a specific binding member of the present invention or a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention.

Abstract: Chimeric antigens derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are described which form virus-like particles when co-expressed with an excess of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). The chimeric antigens are fusion proteins containing an immunogenic peptide derived from an HCV protein coupled to the amino terminus of HBsAg. Also described are nucleic acid constructs and vectors for transfection of cells and expression of the chimeric antigens. The invention further provides methods for producing HBV/HCV virus-like particles containing the chimeric antigens, cell lines for producing the virus-like particles, combination vaccines containing the virus-like particles, and DNA vaccines that express the virus-like particles.

Abstract: A 24 kd percent capable of binding the E2 envelope protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and functionally equivalent variants or fragments of the 24 kd protein, are disclosed. Processes for production and purication of the 24 kd protein, and functionally equivalent variants or fragments thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Structural phosphoprotein (pp28) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the preparation and use thereof Expression of an SmaI fragment, which is about 1.0 kb in size, on the left-hand end of the HindIII R fragment makes it possible to synthesize, by genetic manipulation, a structural phosphoprotein of HCMV. This phosphoprotein, or immunogenic parts thereof, can be used as diagnostic aid or vaccine.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods for the simultaneous detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antigens as well as antibodies produced in response to HCV antigens. Furthermore, the subject invention allows one to detect antigens in the early, acute stage of infection, even prior to the development of antibodies, thereby allowing for early detection of infected blood and blood products, thus improving the safety of the blood supply.

Abstract: Described herein is an ELISA based assay for the detection of HCV infection. This new assay can detect HCV infection earlier than the currently used assays for the screening of blood for HCV infection by using a combination of HCV antigens and anti-core antibodies to capture HCV.

Abstract: Described is a method of removing and reducing HCV from the blood of an HCV-infected patient, which comprises carrying out, once a day for at least 5 straight days, a treatment of bringing the blood into contact with an adsorptive carrier having a higher affinity for infected, activated and/or defective leukocytes than for uninfected leukocytes. The treatment according to the present invention makes it possible to markedly reduce the blood HCV level of a patient suffering from Hepatitis C, thereby enabling antiviral therapy, for example, treatment with interferon. This brings a drastic improvement in the cure rate for Hepatitis C.

Abstract: A method for detecting broad spectrum of murine leukemia viruses belonging to any or all of the ecotropic, xenotropic, polytropic and amphotropic groups, has been described. The method utilizes a monoclonal antibody designated 83A25 which identifies almost all classes or groups of the murine leukemia virus with only a few exceptions.

Abstract: The invention relates to manipulation of equine herpes virus for use in gene therapy and in particular to modifications of the virus so that it can carry heterologous material and furthermore, preferably, be replication deficient so that the virus cannot replicate in the target tissue.