Abstract: A strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) implicated in an epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, now called hepatitis E, is disclosed. The invention relates to the expression of the whole structural region of SAR-55, designated open reading frame 2 (ORF-2), in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed protein is capable of forming HEV virus-like particles which can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies binding to epitopes common to type 1 and 2 HCV are provided, as well as conformationally conserved HCV E2 2a and 2b proteins. Compositions comprising the antibodies find use in diagnosis and therapy. The antibodies recognize conformational epitopes that are conserved across multiple genotypes of HCV. Thus the antibodies have the potential to be useful in the prevention and treatment of the majority of HCV infections. A subset of the antibodies (CBH-2, CBH-5, CBH-7, CBH-8C, CBH-8E, and CBH-11) have the ability to prevent the binding of HCV E2 proteins of multiple genotypes to human CD81, a possible co-receptor for HCV infection. A subset of the antibodies (CBH-2 and CBH-5) have been shown to inhibit the binding of HCV virions (as opposed to purified E2 protein) to human CD81. A further subset of the antibodies (CBH-4D, CBH4B, CBH-8C, and CBH-9) have been shown to prevent HCV envelope mediated fusion using an HCV psuedotype system.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising (i) at least one antigen or at least one in vivo generator of a compound comprising an amino acid sequence and (ii) at least one adjuvant comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable and water-soluble salt of an organic anion and a metal cation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell. The HCV replicon includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a subgenomic fragments of HCV of any genotype that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetyl transferase selectable marker, such as puromycin. Also provided is an HCV type 1a replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell and includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding subgenomic fragments of type 1a HCV that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a acetyl transferase selectable marker. Further provided are eukaryotic cell lines that include an HCV replicon or an HCV type 1a replicon which efficiently replicate in the eukaryotic cell. The present invention also provides screening methods for identifying candidate compounds that inhibit the propagation of HCV.

Abstract: The present invention provides 1) an isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence DLMGYIPAV, (SEQ ID NO: 1); 2) an isolated HCV core polypeptide comprising an L→A substitution at amino acid position 139; 3) an isolated HCV core polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; and 4) a fragment of an HCV core polypeptide having fewer amino acids than the entire HCV core polypeptide and comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the peptides and polypeptides of this invention, vectors comprising the nucleic acids of this invention and cells comprising the vectors and nucleic acids of this invention. The present invention further provides methods of producing an immune response in a subject and/or treating or preventing HCV infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject, or to a cell of the subject, any of the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: There is provided a method and kit for rapid clinical diagnosis of HBV in which the amplimers are transcripts of a pre-core or envelop region gene of HBV. The amplicons are hybridized to a specific oligonucleotide probe, which allows the amplicons to be detected.

Abstract: The invention provides novel macromolecules, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations thereof and their use as anti-influenza agents. The invention also provides a novel diagnostic method which can be used for detection of all types of influenza A and B virus. The macromolecular compound of the invention has attached to it one or more molecules (neuraminidase binders) which bind to the active site of influenza virus neuraminidase but which are not cleaved by the neuraminidase.

Abstract: The invention includes a chimeric virus for use in a vaccine preparation having a genome comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding at least one structural protein from one flavivirus and nucleic acid sequences encoding nonstructural protein from another flavivirus. The genome preferably includes mutations within the viral genome that reduce virus virulence and in a particularly preferred embodiment these vaccines are directed to flaviviruses such as dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. The invention also includes a baculovirus having a recombinant dengue cDNA sequence which encodes: (1) dengue virus capsid protein, pre-matrix protein, envelope glycoprotein and NS1 and NS2a nonstructural proteins or (2) dengue envelope glycoprotein or (3) dengue non-structural proteins NS1 and NS2a.

Abstract: Drug compositions combining antagonists with agonists to prevent desensitization of cellular receptors. An agonist is a substance or drug that produces a maximal or nearly maximal response, whereas an antagonist is a substance or molecule that produces no response, but can block the action of the agonist/drug. A partial agonist produces a moderate response and can also block the response of the receptor to the agonist/drug. The instant invention solves the problem of determining the optimal concentration of an antagonist or inhibitor which is necessary to prevent desensitization, without causing unnecessary and unwanted inhibition, by providing a formulative method detailing how a competitive antagonist of the receptor should be combined with an agonist in a specific proportion to maximize and maintain receptor response throughout drug therapy/administration.

Abstract: The finding that the human proteins annexin V, tubulin and apolipoprotein B bind to the hepatitis C virus envelope proteins E1 and/or E2 and the usage of these human proteins to diagnose and treat an infection with hepatitis C virus are described. The usage of the latter proteins to enrich HCV envelope proteins and molecules which inhibit binding of HCV to these human proteins, as well as vaccines employing the E1 and/or E2 binding domains are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new mumps vaccine is presented, comprising a homogeneous pure isolate derived from the Jeryl-Lynn strain of mumps virus.

Abstract: Vaccinal preparations comprising an antigen such as tumor-associated antigens and viral antigens, together with a hydrophobized polysaccharide as adjuvant, e.g., hydrophobized polysaccharides containing a saccharide unit whose primary hydroxyl group is represented by the following formula: —O—(CH2)mCONH(CH2)nNH—CO—O—R wherein R represents an alkyl group or a sterol residue; m represents 0 or 1; and n represents an arbitrary positive integer, at a ratio of one to five units per 100 saccharide units that constitute the polysaccharide, preferably comprising an antigen encapsulated in microparticles of aggregated hydrophobized polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence encoding an HCV protein and fragments thereof that contain codons optimized for expression in a vertebrate host. Uses of the polynucleotides include eliciting an immune response specifically recognizing HCV.

Abstract: Human Borna disease virus (BDV) nucleic acids and polypeptides are described from three psychiatric patients. The human BDV-derived nucleic acids and polypeptides are useful in both DNA- and protein-based assays to detect human BDV in a subject, particularly the detection of BDV nucleic acids, BDV polypeptides and BDV antibodies generated in response to BDV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new system for generating recombinant adenovirus vectors and adenovirus-based expression libraries, by positive selection of recombinants deleted for the endogenous protease gene, which gene is expressibly cloned into another region of the adenoviral genome. In a preferred embodiment, the invention allows positive selection of E1-deleted, protease-deleted recombinant adenovirus vectors comprising an exogenous gene or an expressible piece of exogenous DNA, by providing an expression cassette comprising the protease gene and the exogenous DNA inserted in place of E1 region in a shuttle vector. In vivo recombination of the shuttle vector with a protease-deleted adenoviral genome in suitable non-complementing cells generates viable recombinants only when rescuing the protease cloned in E1 region. Non-recombinant viral genomes are not able to grow due to the deletion of the protease gene, ensuring that only recombinant viral plaques are generated.

Abstract: HCV immunoassays comprising an NS3/4a conformational epitope and a multiple epitope fusion antigen are provided, as well as immunoassay solid supports for use with the immunoassays.

Abstract: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture system according to the invention consists of human hepatoma cells, which are transfected with a HCV-RNA construct, that comprises the HCV specific RNA segments 5′to NTR, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, NS5B, and 3′to NTR as well as a minimum of one marker gene for selection (selection gene).

Abstract: An HCV core antigen and NS3/4a antibody combination assay that can detect both HCV antigens and antibodies present in a sample using a single solid matrix, is provided, as well as immunoassay solid supports for use in the assay.

Abstract: Hitherto undiscovered 3′ sequence of GBV confers infectivity in tamarins on otherwise non-infective GBV genome. HCV sequences may be substituted within an infective GBV genome to provide for in vivo assays for agents able to modulate HCV activity.

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 cote 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.