Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for preventing and treating human diseases including, but not limited to, pathogens such as bacteria, yeast, parasites, fungus, viruses, and cancer. More specifically, embodiments described herein concern the manufacture and use of ligand/receptor specificity exchangers, which redirect existing antibodies in a subject to receptors present on pathogens.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively killing a cell containing a viral protease are disclosed. The composition is a varient of a protein synthesis inactivating toxin wherein a viral protease cleavage site is interposed between the A and B chains. The variant of the type II ribosome-inactivating protein is activated by digestion of the viral protease cleavage site by the specific viral protease. The activated ribosome-inactivating protein then kills the cell by inactivating cellular ribosomes. A preferred embodiment of the invention is specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uses ricin as the ribosome-inactivating protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein is modified by attachment of one or more hydrophobic agents. The hydrophobic agent facilitates entry of the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein into cells and can lead to incorporation of the ribosome-inactivating protein into viral particles.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to the discovery that certain tripeptide amides and glycine amide can be used to inhibit viral infection, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. More specifically, medicaments comprising said tripeptide amides and/or glycine amide and methods of using said compounds for the prevention and treatment of viral infection, such as HIV infection, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel and modified peptides capable of inducing a HIV-1 specific immune response without antagonizing the cytotoxic T-cell activity in order to achieve an effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against HIV. The peptides are based on conserved regions of HIV gag p17 and p24 proteins. Antigens in free- or carrier-bound form comprising at least one of the said peptides, vaccine compositions containing at least one of the antigens, immunoassay kits and a method of detecting antibodies induced by HIV or HIV specific peptides using such antigens, are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immunizing a patient against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to an HLA-based immunogenic composition suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: The invention concerns the stabilization of a vaccine composition maintained in liquid state by the use of high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone, hence eliminating the use of albumen. The invention is of particular interest for vaccine compositions comprising attenuated live viruses such as oral vaccine against poliomyelitis.

Abstract: The invention features an immunogenic composition containing a frequently-recognized epitope of an HIV-1 accessory protein such as Vpr and methods of inducing an immune response using such an epitope. The epitope peptide contains the amino acid sequence ALIRILQQL of a functionally active domain or a structural domain of the accessory protein.

Abstract: A novel HIV type O immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-2901/94 and which has been deposited with the European collection of animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 950121601. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from the virus and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the partial DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for vaccine priming, using co-treatment, at a temporally similar or at a previous time, with a priming antibody capable of priming, or enhancing, or potentiating the effects of a vaccine, or vaccine composition. Also disclosed are methods of using this process to prevent or treat disease.

Abstract: Heterogeneous assays for different analytes in a single biological sample are performed simultaneously in a multiplexed assay that combines flow cytometry with the use of magnetic particles as the solid phase and yields an individual result for each analyte. The particles are distinguishable from each other by characteristics that permit them to be differentiated into groups, each group carrying an assay reagent bonded to the particle surface that is distinct from the assay reagents of particles in other groups. The magnetic particles facilitate separation of the solid and liquid phases, permitting the assays to be performed by automated equipment. Assays are also disclosed for the simultaneous detection of antibodies of different classes and a common antigen specificity or of a common class and different antigen specificities.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that a modified version of Peptide G (Asn Gly Gln Glu Glu Lys Ala Gly Val Val Ser Thr Gly Leu Ile—SEQ ID NO:2) obtained by replacing Asn with Asp to form Peptide G? (Asp Gly Gln Glu Glu Lys Ala Gly Val Val Ser Thr Gly Leu Ile—SEQ ID NO: 1) overcomes the long range stabilization problem of the peptide conjugates and, quite surprisingly, also enhances the immune response, particularly the CD4 related (cell mediated) response, of conjugated peptides (L.E.A.P.S. constructs) as previously described.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for stimulating production of cytokines of inflammation including a peptide corresponding to formula (I) below: (A)n-A1-A1-A2-A1-A3-A4-A1-(A)m in which A is any amino acid, n and m are each whole numbers from 0 to 20 whose sum n+m is between 0 and 20, A1 is a basic amino acid and more particularly lysine (Lys) or arginine (Arg), A2 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of basic amino acids, glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly) and aspartic acid (Asp), A3 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of basic amino acids, proline (Pro), glutamic acid (Glu) and glutamine (Gln), A4 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of basic amino acids, glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), serine (Ser) and valine (Val), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prophylactic and therapeutic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome vaccines. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions utilizing recombinant HIV-1, HIV-2 and/or SIV genes or gene products in safe vaccination approaches.

Abstract: Specificity exchangers and methods of making and using specificity exchangers are disclosed. Specificity exchangers are useful for preventing and treating human diseases including cancer and those resulting from pathogens such as bacteria, yeast, parasites, fungus, viruses, and the like. More specifically, specificity exchangers can redirect existing antibodies in a subject to pathogens and cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising iron phosphate as adjuvant. This iron phosphate is in the form of particles, the size of which is between 0.01 ?m and 300 ?m; it can be obtained by mixing a solution of iron salt and of phosphate salt.

Abstract: Antibodies useful for and methods of treating LFA-1 alpha subunit associated physiological conditions and diseases treatable with an antibody that binds LFA-1 alpha subunit, such as HIV, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic antibody having specific reactivity with an idiotope common to more than one type of anti-HIV-1 antibody, and having no specific reactivity with non-HIV-1 antibodies. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of HIV-related diseases through the use of this antibody or related compounds.

Abstract: This invention is the discovery of novel specific epitopes and antibodies associated with long term survival of HIV-1 infections. These epitopes and antibodies have use in preparing vaccines for preventing HIV-1 infection or for controlling progression to AIDS.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-immunodeficiency virus antibody which binds to a cellular protein and diagnostic and therapuetic methods of using the same.