Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: Use of a replication incompetent herpes virus capable of delivering a gene to multiple connected sites within the nervous system, which virus comprises: (a) a mutation which prevents or reduces the expression of at least two immediate early genes; and (b) a heterologous gene operably linked to a promoter active during herpes virus latency; in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a central nervous system disorder, a method of determining whether a gene has an effect on a phenotype associated with a central nervous system disorder and in a method of treatment of a disorder of the central nervous system are described.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles are described that are useful for enhancing the contrast of x-rays or other radiation sources. A method is disclosed whereby the agents are administered intravenously or intra-arterially to detect coronary senses and other vascular features. It is also disclosed how directing moieties attached to the metal particles are used to detect specific targets.

Abstract: A single chain variable fragment (ScFv) antibody from a monoclonal antibody (Mab) against Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus, is generated by cloning linked variable regions of the heavy (VH) and the light (VL) chain antibody genes. Mab clone 1A4A1 in E. coli strain TG-1 was successfully cloned as ScFv. Results were reproduced in E. coli strain HB2151, expressing the same clone, A116, though displaying weak binding specificity to VEE due to a frame shift in the N-terminal region of the VL domain, upstream to the complementarity-determining region 1. A PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis approach was adopted to re-introduce the three single-base deletions in the 5 prime region of the VL gene of A116, corresponding to framework-1 region, producing mutant MA116, correcting a localized frame-shift in framework-1 region to consensus framework-1 amino acid sequence. A MA116 clone, MA116-15, shows comparable reactivity to the parental Mab in recognizing VEE antigen.

Abstract: A method for judging a resistance to the onset of bovine leukemia caused by bovine leukemia virus BLV, wherein a bovine individual, in which amino acids specified by the amino acid numbers 74, 77 and 78 of &bgr;1 domain of bovine MHC Class II DR&bgr; chain are Glu, Arg and Val, respectively, is judged to have a resistance to the onset of the leukemia.

Abstract: The invention features a protein which includes a gp120 V1/V2 domain of an HIV-1 strain and not a gp120 V3 domain of an HIV-1 strain, which protein does not substantially bind CD4. The gp120 V1/V2 domain of the protein displays an epitope which is recognized by an antibody which neutralizes at least one HIV-1 primary isolate with a ND90 of less than 100 &mgr;g/ml.

Abstract: Binding of two members of a binding couple reveal epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG-10 directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the detection of an infection with influenza A and/or influenza B virus comprising the steps: i) obtaining a saliva sample, ii) preparing the saliva sample for a detection reaction and iii) detecting the influenza A and/or influenza B virus in the saliva sample. The invention in addition concerns a test kit for the detection of an infection by the influenza A and/or influenza B virus containing: i) a device for the collection of a saliva sample and ii) reagents and auxiliary agents for the detection of influenza A and/or influenza B viruses. Furthermore the invention concerns the use of saliva as a sample material for the detection of an infection with the influenza A and/or influenza B virus.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides a method of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of molecules that inhibit viral infection and promote a host immune response to a pathogen. More specifically, the invention disclosed herein concerns molecules that interact with a FPR class receptor, inhibit HIV infection, and stimulate an inflammatory response in a subject. Embodiments of the invention include biotechnological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics, and methods of use of the foregoing, for the study, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection and the induction of an inflammatory response in a subject.

Abstract: A method for the identification and characterization of a receptor in target tissue for which a selected vector has affinity, wherein a transfected cell line expressing the receptor is added to a suspension of encapsulated microbubbles to which the selected vector is coupled and allowing the microbubbles and cells coupled thereto to float to the surface of the suspension. Upon isolating the microbubble-bound cells at the surface, these may be cultured to study the receptor, or cells may be lysed, amplifying the receptor-encoding cDNA and sequencing the cDNA.

Abstract: Methods are provided for amplifying regions of the HIV pol gene amplifying double-stranded nucleic acid template derived from HIV tube RT-PCR with novel PCR primers to produce amplified target sequences. Methods are also provided for analyzing the nucleotide sequence of these amplified targets using novel sequencing primers and the data is analyzed. The determined nucleotide sequence can be compared to the sequence of known drug resistance mutations in the HIV pol gene to determine the viral genotype.

Abstract: A method for the rational design and preparation of vaccines based on HIV envelope polypeptides is described. In one embodiment, the method for making an HIV gp120 subunit vaccine for a geographic region comprises determining neutralizing epitopes in the V2 and/or C4 domains of gp120 of HIV isolates from the geographic region and selecting an HIV strain having gp120 a neutralizing epitope in the V2 or C4 domain which is common among isolates in the geographic region. In a preferred embodiment of the method, neutralizing epitopes for the V2, V3, and C4 domains of gp120 are determined. At least two HIV isolates having different neutralizing epitopes in the V2, V3, or C4 domain are selected and used.to make the vaccine. The invention also provides a multivalent HIV gp120 subunit vaccine.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include full-length infectious cDNA clones of Langat tick-borne flavivirus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroviral gene delivery system that resists complement inactivation through the incorporation of a complement regulatory protein into retroviral particles. In particular, the present invention provides a lentiviral packaging system comprising at least two vectors: a first vector which comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising a gag, a pol, or gag and pol genes; and a second vector which comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising a gene that encodes a complement regulatory protein (CRP) and, optionally, a gene that encodes a heterologous or functionally modified envelope protein. The genes encoding a heterologous or functionally modified envelope protein and a CRP are provided either together in a second nucleotide sequence, or separately in second and third nucleotide sequences. Producer cells comprising the packaging constructs of the present invention and a transgene can be used to produce recombinant retroviral particles for transgene delivery.

Abstract: The present invention comprises spumavirus isolated from humans. More specifically, the spumavirus of the present invention was isolated from humans who had exposure to nonhuman primates. Importantly, the spumavirus of the present invention or antibodies to the spumavirus can be used to detect the presence of spumavirus or antibodies in body fluids, for pathogenicity studies of related viruses, and as a vector for gene therapies. The spumavirus of the invention can also be used for treatment of conditions in humans due to the presence of rapidly dividing cells and for recombinant live virus vaccination.

Abstract: An adenoviral vector is described which carries a codon-optimized gag gene, along with a heterologous promoter and transcription terminator. This viral vaccine can effectively prevent HIV infection when administered to humans either alone or as part of a prime and boost regime also with a vaccine plasmid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising a population of alphavirus replicon particles comprising two or more isolated nucleic acids selected from 1) an isolated nucleic acid encoding an env gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, 2) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a g&agr;g gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the g&agr;g gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit formation of virus-like particles containing the g&agr;g gene product or the immunogenic fragment thereof and their release from a cell, and 3) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a pol gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the pol gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit protease, integrase, RNase H and/or reverse transcriptase activity, and wherein the nucleic acids are each contained within a separate alphavirus replicon

Abstract: A viral vector production system is provided which system comprises: (i) a viral genome comprising at least one first nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product capable of binding to and effecting the cleavage, directly or indirectly, of a second nucleotide sequence, or transcription product thereof, encoding a viral polypeptide required for the assembly of viral particles, (ii) a third nucleotide sequence encoding said viral polypeptide required for the assembly of the viral genome into viral particles, which third nucleotide sequence has a different nucleotide sequence to the second nucleotide sequence such that said third nucleotide sequence, or transcription product thereof, is resistant to cleavage directed by said gene product; wherein at least one of the gene products is an external guide sequence capable of binding to and effecting the cleavage by RNase P of the second nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of subjects for decreasing cell mediated autoimmunity or humoral autoimmunity by administering an R′-Glu-Trp-R″ pharmaceutical preparation useful in subjects having autoimmune diseases.