Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of peptide conjugates represented by the following general formula: R1-Z-X-Z?-R2 including methods of making and using such conjugates. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind the peptide conjugates. The present invention has a wide spectrum of important applications including use in the treatment of disorders impacted by nociceptin and related opioid-like peptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to post-transfusional non-A non-B hepatitis viral polypeptide, DNA sequences encoding such viral polypeptide, expression vectors containing such DNA sequences, and hosts transformed by such expression vectors. The invention also relates to the use of such polypeptides in diagnostic assays and vaccine formulations.

Abstract: Provided are Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) variants for binding immunoglobulin (Ig), comprising a polypeptide which varies by one or more amino acids from the amino acid sequence of a natural variable heavy chain III (“VH3”) Ig-Fab binding region (“binding region”) of SpA, wherein the polypeptide exhibits a different binding specificity for Ig-Fab than does SpA or exhibits a different binding specificity for a non-Ig target molecule than does SpA. Further provided are methods of making the variants and methods of using the variants for in purification of Ig as well as diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel recombinant Sabin type 1 poliovirus vector for the immunogenicity of neutralizing antibody against polioviral infection, which comprises: (a) a genomic nucleotide sequence of a parent Sabin type 1 poliovirus; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding an additional polioviral cleavage site; and (c) a nucleotide sequence of a conformational epitope encoding a VP1 neutralizing epitope of poliovirus type 2 or 3 and linked to the nucleotide sequence of (b).

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting flavivirus nucleic acids. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as hybridization probes and amplification primers for detecting very low levels of West Nile virus nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to Hepatitis C virus epitopes which are specific in relation to CD4+ T lymphocytes, in addition to vaccinations which contain said epitopes.

Abstract: Two Hepatitis C Virus envelope proteins (E1 and E2) are expressed without sialylation. Recombinant expression of these proteins in lower eukaryotes, or in mammalian cells in which terminal glycosylation is blocked, results in recombinant proteins which are more similar to native HCV glycoproteins. When isolated by GNA lectin affinity, the E1 and E2 proteins aggregate into virus-like particles.

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: The present invention relates to the use of CD81 protein and polynucleic acid in the therapy and diagnosis of hepatitis C and pharmaceutical compositions, animal models and diagnostic kits for such purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of directing a cellular immune response against an HIV-infected cell in a mammal involving administering to the mammal an effective amount of therapeutic cells which express a membrane-bound, proteinaceous chimeric receptor comprising (a) an extracellular portion which includes a fragment of CD4 which is capable of specifically recognizing and binding the HIV-infected cell but which does not mediate HIV infection and (b) an intracellular portion which is capable of signalling the therapeutic cell to destroy the receptor-bound HIV-infected cell. Also disclosed are cells which express the chimeric receptors and DNA and vectors encoding the chimeric receptors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable immune modulation device that is useful for modulating an immune response in mammals, comprising a plurality of fibers, within a porous shell. The fiber filling is loaded with single or multiple antigens, and optionally one or more biologically active compounds such as cytokines (e.g. lymphokines, chemokines etc.), attachment factors, genes, peptides, proteins, nucleotides, carbohydrates or cells depending on the application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to detect bacteria, the method comprising the following steps: coupling of the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins to a support, incubating the support coupled with the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins with a sample, optionally removing the sample and the bacteria in the sample not bound to the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins, optionally adding substances permeabilizing or destroying the bacterial membrane, and detecting the bacteria in the sample bound to the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins, wherein the bound bacteria are not subjected to a cultivation step.

Abstract: Methods for isothermal titration calorimetry analysis of the binding affinity of protease inhibitors to plasma proteins. A method that can quantitatively calculate free drug concentrations of protease inhibitors in human plasma, as well as a method to calculate therapeutic amounts and dosage regimens. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method that can calculate the effect of plasma proteins on the antiviral activity (EC50 values) of protease inhibitors from their binding affinities to plasma proteins. The present invention provides as well a method that can evaluate the in vivo anti-HIV efficacy of PIs in human plasma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine that includes a dendritic cell loaded with a yeast vehicle and antigen. Also disclosed are methods of making the vaccine and using the vaccine to elicit cellular and humoral immune responses in a mammal. Additionally, a method to elicit an immune response by administration of a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is not complexed to the yeast vehicle is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a DNA encoding a polypeptide comprising an entire sequence of the amino acid sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO:2 of Sequence Listing or a partial sequence thereof, or a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide described above, wherein any of the polypeptides has an activity of a receptor capable of binding to a murine PBSF/SDF-1; a polypeptide encoded by the DNA described above, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of a receptor capable of binding to a murine PBSF/SDF-1; cells expressing the polypeptide described above and a human CD4 protein; and a method of screening an AIDS onset inhibitor or an HIV-1 infection inhibitor, characterized by the use of the cells described above. According to the present invention, there can be provided a novel murine CXC chemokine receptor gene, a method of screening an HIV-1 infection inhibitor, and the like, each of which is useful in studies of a therapeutic agent for AIDS and the functional mechanism of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence DLMGYIPAV (SEQ ID NO: 1), an isolated HCV core polypeptide comprising an L?A substitution at amino acid position 139, an isolated HCV core polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and a fragment of an HCV core polypeptide having fewer amino acids than the entire HCV core polypeptide and comprising the amino acid sequence of 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. Further provided are 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: The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of cDNAs encoding the envelope 1 genes and core genes of isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. The invention relates to the oligonucleotides, peptides and recombinant envelope 1 and core proteins derived from these sequences and their use in diagnostic methods and vaccines.

Abstract: Herpesviral VP22 proteins (and variants) are used to modify cell structure and cell division, by their newly found property of binding to microtubules in cells. Uses of VP22 to exploit this property include stabilisation of animal cellular microtubules in vivo and in vitro, e.g. to retard or arrest cell division or induce cell death. The microtubule binding function of VP22 can be exploited by reagent use in vitro to study microtubules or the cell cycle particularly at cell division, and pharmaceutically to retard or arrest cell division of cells such as neoplastic cells or protozoal parasite cells in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-laboratory virus strains, for example of herpes viruses such as HSV, with improved oncolytic and/or gene delivery capabilities as compared to laboratory virus strains.

Abstract: A method of inducing an immune response in a subject against a flavivirus. The method involves administering to the subject with a fusion polypeptide including a signal peptide and a part of an envelope protein of the flavivirus, or with an expression vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the fusion polypeptide. Also disclosed are a polypeptide, an expression vector, and vaccines containing the polypeptide or expression vector.