Abstract: This invention provides a therapeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein which comprises a polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In another embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +106 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject infected with a human immunodeficiency virus.

Abstract: Bioavailability of peptide active agents to be administered orally is enhanced by a pharmaceutical composition providing targeted release of the peptide to the intestine in addition to having the active peptide linked to a membrane translocator which is capable of being at least partially cleaved in vivo by an enzyme. The composition includes an acid-resistant protective vehicle which transports components of the invention through the stomach and a sufficient amount of a pH-lowering agent to lower local intestinal pH. All components are released together into the intestine with the peptide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of a virus comprise administering to a patient antibodies which react with regions of viral proteins and result in neutralization of infectivity and inactivation of functionally essential events in the life cycle of the virus. The antibodies recognize viral epitopes which fail to elicit an immune response in man when encountered through infection or naturally through the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides compositions and methods useful in the treatment and diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

Abstract: A protein is described. The protein comprises a lipid globule targeting sequence linked to a protein of interest (POI) wherein the targeting sequence comprises a hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein or fragment or homologue thereof.

Abstract: In clinical settings as well as in a drug-discovery context, the impact of an agent that may affect reverse transcriptase (RT) can be measured and even quantified by bringing a sample, which may contain an RT, into contact with an RNA template, a primer complementary to the RNA template, and appropriate oligonucleotide-specific primers, under conditions such that they react, in the presence of RT, to form a cDNA product in inverse proportion to the effect of the agent. The amount of any resultant cDNA product then can be measured. The approach is readily implemented as a real-time, quantitative kinetic assay for RT activity.

Abstract: A method for separating genes from viruses existing in hydrosphere in an intact state, a method for fractionating thus separated genes, and a method for analyzing thus fractionated genes.

Abstract: Modified Morbilliviruses having at least one mutation in the region corresponding to amino acids 112-134 of the measles virus V protein are described, wherein one or both of amino acids 113 or 114 is mutated. Such modified Morbilliviruses exhibit reduced repression of gene expression. Additional mutations or deletions in other regions of the genome may be included, including in the carboxy-terminal region.

Abstract: A process for the production of a protein by cell culture, where the cells that produce the protein are cultured in the presence of a chemical agent that enhances the production of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention features a novel combination therapy useful in the treatment of autoimmune disease that increases or maintains the number of functional cells of a predetermined type in a mammal by killing or inactivating autoimmune cells and re-educating the host immune system.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating a Th1-like response in vitro. Compositions include fusion proteins and conjugates that contain at least a portion of a heat shock protein. A Th1-like response can be elicited by contacting in vitro a cell sample containing naive lymphocytes with a fusion protein or conjugate of the invention. The Th1-like response can be detected by measuring IFN-gamma produced by the cell sample.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comprising reverse transcriptase inactivated by photoinactivation used to evoke an immune response. The immune response may protect an individual from challenges with live virus. Alternatively, the inactivated HIV particles may be used to augment the immune response to HIV in an infected individual.

Abstract: A fragment of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix protein (M protein) and M proteins of other viral species that can inhibit nucleocytoplasmic transport of RNA, proteins and RNA-protein complexes are disclosed. These polypeptide products and related polypeptides can be used to inhibit nucleocytoplasmic transport. Further disclosed are fragments of the VSV M protein that can enter into the nucleus of a cell. These fragments and the full length of the VSV M protein can be used to introduce other polypeptides into the nucleus of a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a nucleotide sequence construct with optimized codons for an HIV genetic vaccine based on a primary, early HIV isolate. Specific such nucleotide sequence construct are the synthetic envelope BX08 constructs. The invention further relates to the medical use of such constructs for the treatment and prophylaxis of HIV through DNA vaccine and for diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods of generating infectious negative-strand virus in host cells by an entirely vector-based system without the aid of a helper virus. In particular, the present invention relates methods of generating infectious recombinant negative-strand RNA viruses intracellularly in the absence of helper virus from expression vectors comprising cDNAs encoding the viral proteins necessary to form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) and expression vectors comprising cDNA for genomic viral RNA(s) (vRNAs) or the corresponding cRNA(s). The present invention also relates to methods of generating infectious recombinant negative-strand RNA viruses which have mutations in viral genes and/or which express, package and/or present peptides or polypeptides encoded by heterologous nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Amplification oligonucleotides and hybridization assay probes which distinguish Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 from other viruses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel bacterial ribonucleoprotein complex and the component parts thereof. More specifically, this invention relates to RNase P RNA isolated from Staphylococcus aureus and the use of RNase P RNA in screens for the identification of antimicrobial compounds and to the use of such compounds in therapy.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comprising reverse transcriptase inactivated by photoinactivation. The inactivated virus may be more safely handled, stored, and analyzed, used in diagnostic procedures and kits, and may be used as an immunogen to evoke an immune response. The immune response may protect an individual from challenges with live virus. Alternatively, the inactivated HIV particles may be used to augment the immune response to HIV in an infected individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-pathogen system comprising one or more fusion proteins that includes a transduction domain and a cytotoxic domain. The cytotoxic domain is specifically activated by a pathogen infection. The anti-pathogen system effectively kills or injures cells infected by one or a combination of different pathogens. Further provided are protein transduction domains that provide enhanced transduction efficiency.

Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides which can effectively penetrate into cells thereby transporting a substance of interest into the cells.