Abstract: Methods to inhibit the formation of retrovirus integrase reaching dimers, to dissociate retrovirus integrase reaching dimers, and to stabilize retrovirus integrase reaching dimers in a conformation in which retrovirus DNA-to host cell DNA integration activity of the integrase is inhibited are provided. Methods for treating a retrovirus infection, which target retrovirus integrase reaching dimer formation and/or stability are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant immunogenic polypeptide. The polypeptide includes a loop peptide inserted into an immunogenic scaffold protein. The loop polypeptide has an amino acid sequence which presents the 3074 mAb- or the 2219/2557 mAb-targeted epitope of the HIV gp120 protein and not other known epitopes of the HIV gp120 protein. When used as an immunogen, the polypeptide induces an antibody response which neutralizes heterologous HIV-1 viruses in a pattern similar to that observed for the 3074 mAb- or the 2219/2557 mAb-targeted epitope, respectively. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the immunogenic polypeptide as well as methods of making and using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides vaccines for inducing an immune response and protection against filovirus infection for use as a preventative vaccine in humans. In particular, the invention provides chimpanzee adenoviral vectors expressing filovirus proteins from different strains of Ebola virus (EBOV) or Marburg virus (MARV).

Abstract: The invention relates to antibody fragments with simple heavy chain or sdAbs, characterized in that they consist of anti HIV Nef-protein fragments corresponding to all or a portion of the HHV domains of camelids, particularly llamas.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric proteins and nucleic acids encoding these which can be used to generate vaccines against selected antigens. In one aspect, a chimeric protein comprises an antigen sequence and a domain for trafficking the protein to an endosomal compartment, irrespective of whether the antigen is derived from a membrane or non-membrane protein. In one preferred aspect, the trafficking domain comprises a lumenal domain of a LAMP polypeptide. Alternatively, or additionally, the chimeric protein comprises a trafficking domain of an endocytic receptor (e.g., such as DEC-205 or gp200-MR6). The vaccines (DNA, RNA or protein) can be used to modulate or enhance an immune response against any kind of antigen. In one preferred aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a patient with cancer by providing a chimeric protein comprising a cancer-specific antigen or a nucleic acid encoding the protein to the patient.

Abstract: A method of determining sensitivity or resistance of isolates of HIV retroviruses to a molecule includes a) amplifying sequences coding for a protease of a retrovirus to be studied, with or without the or some of amino acid sequences situated upstream and downstream of a cleavage site of a precursor in which the amino acid sequences are situated, b) recombining fragments of DNA, a final product of the amplification, and an expression vector allowing expression of sequence coding for the protease of the retrovirus to be studied under control of a known inducible promoter through co-transformation of the vector and the DNA fragments with at least one yeast cell, c) culturing co-transformed yeast cell or cells to obtain a sufficient number of transformants to perform a sensitivity or resistance test, and recovering transformants issuing from the co-transformed cell, on any suitable medium, d) incubating the transformants in the presence of a molecule to be tested, e) qualitatively or quantitatively analyzing the

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides and methods for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen and for treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of infections or autoimmune diseases including infections with HCV, HIV, CMV and Flu. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and providing peptides useful for the treatment and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining whether a human immunodeficiency virus is likely to be have enhanced ability to enter a cell expressing CD4 and CXCR4 relative to a reference HIV. In certain aspects, the methods comprise detecting one or more amino acids in an envelope protein of the HIV associated with enhanced ability to enter CD4- and CXCR4-expressing cells and determining that the HIV's ability to enter such cells is enhanced relative to a reference HIV, e.g., an HIV that does not comprise such amino acid(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions and methods for anti-HIV (anti-CD4 binding site) potent VRC01-like (PVL) antibodies targeted to gp120 having an amino acid substitution in the heavy chain at a residue in the anti-CD4 binding site PVL antibody that is equivalent to Phe43 in CD4 and an amino acid substitution in the light chain, these antibodies having improved potency and breadth.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to an immunogenic composition (e.g., a vaccine) and, in particular, to a polyvalent immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent HIV vaccine, and to methods of using same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus in an immunodeficiency virus-infected cell. The methods generally involve contacting an immunodeficiency virus-infected cell with a synergistically effective amount of an inhibitor of cytosine methylation and an NF-?B activator. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reducing the reservoir of latent immunodeficiency virus in an individual, and for treating an immunodeficiency virus infection in an individual.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies may be characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitory nucleotide signal sequences or “INS” sequences in the genomes of lentiviruses. In particular the invention relates to the AGG motif present in all viral genomes. The AGG motif may have an inhibitory effect on a virus, for example by reducing the levels of, or maintaining low steady-state levels of, viral RNAs in host cells, and inducing and/or maintaining in viral latency. In one aspect, the invention provides vaccines that contain, or are produced from, viral nucleic acids in which the AGG sequences have been mutated. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for affecting the function of the AGG motif, and methods for identifying other INS sequences in viral genomes.

Abstract: The application relates to methods of treating a chronic viral infection, such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), by modulating Tim-3 activity, whereby blocking the action of Tim-3 on a T cell enhances the immunity to the virus.

Abstract: The invention provides an attenuated poliovirus which does not have a base pair mismatch in stem (a) or (b) of domain V of the 5? non-coding region of its genome, wherein at least seven of the base pairs in stems (a) and (b) are U-A or A-U base pairs.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general, to a formulation suitable for use in inducing anti-HIV-1 antibodies, and, in particular, to a formulation comprising Toll Like Receptor (TLR) agonists with HIV-1 gp41 membrane proximal external region (MPER) peptide-liposome conjugates for induction of broadly reactive anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The invention also relates to methods of inducing neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies using such formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inducing the production of anti-HIV antibodies. The method comprises administering at least one liposome-peptide conjugate, wherein the peptide comprises a membrane proximal external region (MPER) epitope.

Abstract: The present application relates broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed against HIV-1. In particular, monoclonal antibodies VRC-PG04 and VRC-PG05 are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of Dengue virus infection in a vertebrate subject are provided. In particular, human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to Dengue virus isolated from EBV immortalized B cells derived from patients who have recovered from Dengue infection are disclosed. Methods are provided for administering such antibodies to a vertebrate subject in an amount effective to reduce, eliminate, or prevent relapse from infection.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of one or more strains of Chikungunya virus, as well as other alphavirus-mediated diseases.