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 present invention relates, in general, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and, in particular, to a vaccine for HIV-1, comprising synthetic V3 glycopeptides, and to methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A method for determining HIV-1 co-receptor tropism in an HIV-infected patient includes preparing an HIV-1 envelope protein coding sequence from a sample, introducing the HIV-1 envelope protein coding sequence into a first expression construct by providing a plasmid expression vector including a near-full length HIV-1 genome having a yeast uracil biosynthesis gene in place of a HIV-1 env coding sequencing and replacing the yeast uracil biosynthesis gene with the HIV-1 envelope protein coding sequence prepared from the patient sample, and using the first expression construct in a cell to cell fusion assay to determine HIV-1 co-receptor tropism.

Abstract: Instead of generating immune responses to several HIV proteins and risk over activating more CD4+ T cells (easy targets for HIV-1 infection) as current candidate vaccines try to do, a lower magnitude, narrowly focused, well maintained virus specific CD8+ T cell response to multiple subtypes should destroy and eliminate a few founder viruses without inducing inflammatory responses that may activate more CD4+ T cells and provide more targets for HIV-1 virus infection. Specifically, described herein is a method that focuses the immune response to the 12 protease cleavage sites.

Abstract: Provided herein are HIV-1-specific transforming antibodies (tAbs) and antigens that are recognized by HIV-1-specific tAbs. Also provided herein are methods for screening and/or generating HIV-1-specific tAbs and uses of tAbs for prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Antibody VRC01 represents a human immunoglobulin that neutralizes—˜90% of diverse HIV-1 isolates. To understand how such broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies develop and recognize the viral envelope, we used X-ray crystallography and 454 pyrosequencing to characterize additional antibodies from HIV-1-infected individuals. Crystal structures revealed a convergent mode of binding of different antibodies to the same CD4-binding-site epitope. Antibody recognition was achieved through the evolution of complementary contact domains that were generated in diverse ways. Phylogenetic analysis of expressed heavy and light chains determined by deep sequencing revealed a common pathway of antibody heavy chain maturation confined to IGHV1-2*02 lineage that could pair with different light chains.

Abstract: The invention provides structurally constrained viral peptides for use as therapeutic and vaccination agents, and for the production of antibodies for use in a number of applications including as therapeutic agents. The invention further provides methods and kits for use of the structurally constrained peptides and antibodies of the instant invention. The invention is based, at least in part, on the result provided herein demonstrating the viral hydrocarbon stapled helical peptides display excellent proteolytic, acid, and thermal stability, restore the native helical structure of the peptide, are highly effective in interfering with the viral fusogenic process, and possess superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to the corresponding unmodified peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treatment of HIV related diseases comprising targeting complexes between on the one hand the C5 domain of gp120 and on the other hand gp41 or the C2 domain of gp120. The complexes may be stabilised by administering compounds, such as antibodies, capable of directly interacting with and stabilising the complex, or by immunizing with C5 and gp41/C2 derived material so as to induce antibodies that bind to and stabilise the complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting and/or quantifying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) specific antibodies in a sample of a subject comprising the step of determining the presence and/or amount of antibodies binding to a) a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence AIVCTRPNNNTRKSIRIGPGQVFYT (SEQ ID No. 1), or b) a homolog having at least 70% identity with a peptide of a), or c) a fragment of a peptide of a) or b) consisting of 15 to 24 amino acid residues in said sample.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods to treat a condition or disease without the use of exogenous targeting sequences or chemical compositions. The present invention relates to single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), proteins and polypeptides comprising the sdAbs that are directed against targets that cause a condition or disease. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides, and compositions comprising the sdAbs. The invention includes the use of the compositions, sdAbs, and nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The invention features stabilized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope (Env) trimers. The invention also features vaccines, nucleic acids, and vectors to deliver and/or facilitate production of the stabilized HIV Env trimers. In addition, the invention features methods of making and using the stabilized HIV Env trimers of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel use of the HIV NC protein, and more particularly, it is relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating AIDS having a polypeptide comprising HIV NC protein as an active component and the method of inhibiting HIV proliferation by using the polypeptide. The polypeptide comprising HIV NC protein of the present invention, when it is overexpressed, has the effect on inhibiting HIV proliferation. Accordingly, the present invention provides not only the novel means of inhibition of HIV proliferation, but also the novel method for preventing and treating AIDS.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating viral infection in a mammal by administering a therapeutic dose of a pharmaceutical composition that inhibits AXL, MER or Tyro3 protein activity, for example by inhibition of the binding interaction between AXL, MER or Tyro3 and its ligand GAS6.

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 present invention provides compositions and methods of use comprising a chimeric dengue virus E glycoprotein comprising a dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone, which comprises amino acid substitutions that introduce a dengue virus E glycoprotein domain I and domain II hinge region from a dengue virus serotype that is different from the dengue virus serotype of the dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for recombinant nucleic acids, and cells and virions comprising the recombinant nucleic acids, that can be used to identify, isolate, and/or purify cells latently infected with immunodeficiency virus. A subject recombinant nucleic acid includes (a) a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first reporter polypeptide that produces a first detectable signal, where the first nucleotide sequence is operably linked to an immunodeficiency virus promoter and is translated as an early gene; and (b) a second nucleotide sequence encoding a second reporter polypeptide that produces a second detectable signal that is distinguishable from the first detectable signal, where the second nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a non-immunodeficiency virus promoter. In some aspects, the first and second nucleotide sequences are both positioned between a shared 5? long terminal repeat (LTR) and a shared 3? LTR. Also provided are related methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel fusion proteins that bind to the HIV-1 gp120 antigen. The present disclosure also relates to nucleic acids, plasmids and host cells that comprise a sequence that encodes the fusion proteins of the disclosure. The fusion proteins of the disclosure can be used in applications to detect the presence of HIV-1 gp120 protein, to detect an HIV-1 infection and to monitor treatment of an HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exceptionally broad and potent neutralizing antibody which may comprise cross-clade neutralizing coverage of 83% at a median IC50 of 0.003 ?g/ml, compositions containing the same and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods of producing exosomes. The application also provides a method for preparing a protein composition comprising culturing an exosome-producing cell expressing a Nef-fusion protein comprising a Nef-derived peptide fused to a protein of interest; isolating exosomes from the exosome-producing cell culture; and purifying the protein of interest from the isolated exosomes. The application further discloses compositions that comprise exosomes containing the Nef-fusion protein, as well as methods of using the Nef-fusion protein and exosomes containing the Nef-fusion protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleotides encoding therapeutic polypeptides and fragments thereof isolated from beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (?-hCG) found in human early pregnancy urine, now synthetically produced and designated Maternin. The therapeutic polypeptides and their functional equivalents are useful in treating and/or preventing various medical conditions. Examples of therapeutic effects of the therapeutic polypeptides include anti-HIV, anti-cancer, anti-wasting, prohematopoietic (e.g., anemias, radiation-mediated bone marrow damage, and trauma-mediated blood loss), and anti-angiogenic effects. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutic polypeptides, as well as methods for using the therapeutic polypeptides, functional equivalents and/or pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and/or prevention of such medical conditions.