Abstract: A novel adjuvant composition comprising a sterol (e.g., cholesterol, ?-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, and ergocalciferol) and saponin fraction (e.g., QS21, also known as QA21) in the form of an immunostimulating complex, or ISCOM, is disclosed. QS21 is an immunologically active saponin fraction having adjuvant activity derived from the bark of Quillaja Saponaria Molina. Previous attempts in the prior art to prepare ISCOMs comprising QS21 were unsuccessful. Thus, the instant application discloses the first successful attempt to prepare ISCOMs comprising purified QS21. Small unilamelar liposomes containing cholesterol, in the absence of any detergent, were prepared, followed by the addition of an aqueous solution of QS21. The claimed compositions will prove useful in the preparation of highly immunogenic vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of use of recombinant vaccinia virus from which the region encoding the N-terminal 83 or 54 amino acids of the E3L gene product has been deleted, or amino acids at positions 44 and 66 have been mutated. Compositions comprising the recombinant vaccinia virus are also provided.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting rejection by a recipient animal of a transplanted tissue, said method comprising modifying, eliminating, or masking an antigen which, when present on the surface of a cell of said tissue, is capable of causing a T-lymphocyte-mediated response in said animal, to inhibit antigen-mediated interaction between said cell and a T-lymphocyte of said animal without causing lysis of said cell.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce ? chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1?, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF?, IL-1? and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cell line capable of supporting replication of a growth-defective Herpes Simplex Virus strain; specifically a replication-defective HSV-2 double mutant. Particularly disclosed is a cell line that expresses the ICP8 protein and the UL5 protein of Herpes Simplex Virus. This cell line is useful to propagate a replication-defective HSV-2 vaccine strain that contains mutations and/or deletions in the ICP8 and UL5 genes.

Abstract: Stable water soluble polypeptides which are potent inhibitors of endothelial cell proliferation and of angiogenesis. Polypeptide inhibitors of endothelial cell growth may have important uses in the elucidation of the mechanism of angiogenesis, disease diagnosis and prognostication, and drug therapies for use in animals and humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutated CMVpp65, a viral structural protein which activates cell mediated immunity in humans infected with CMV. The mutations remove undesirable protein kinase activity naturally present in the protein and make it suitable for the production of both DNA and protein vaccines. Therefore, the invention provides proteins and DNAs, as well as vaccines comprising the proteins and DNAs, including cellular vaccines and vectors. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of enhancing immune response and vaccinating against CMV, including gene therapy methods and vectors.

Abstract: One of the major peanut allergens, Ara h I, was selected from cDNA expression library clones using Ara h I specific oligo-nucleotides and polymerase chain reaction technology. The Ara h I clone identified a 2.3 kb mRNA species on a Northern blot containing peanut poly A+RNA. DNA sequence analysis of the cloned inserts revealed that the Ara h I allergen has significant homology with the vicilin seed storage protein family found in most higher plants. The isolation of the Ara h I clones allowed the synthesis of this protein in E. coli cells and subsequent recognition of this. recombinant protein in immunoblot analysis using serum IgE from patients with peanut hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune reponse against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reagent for diagnosing an infection caused by a virus, characterized in that it comprises essentially a mixture consisting of (1) an immunodominant fragment of a protein of said virus comprising not more than 60 aminoacids, preferably between 20 and 30 aminoacids and (2) a mixture (called mixotope) of convergent combining peptides, derived from said immunodominant fragment, which peptides are obtained by total or partial artificial degeneration of said immunodominant fragment by systematic or partial replacement of each aminoacid by another according to an appropriate substitution matrix. The invention concerns a reagent for detecting and monitoring infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus of EBV, which is, in particular, the causal agent of infectious mononucleose and its applications for detecting an EBV infection at any stage of the infection (primo-infection, healthy carriers and induced tumors).

Abstract: Isolated peptides, peptidomimetics, and antibodies which bind to the viral fusion protein binding domain of the RhoA protein or the RhoA binding domain of a viral fusion protein are useful for inhibiting infection in susceptible cells, in vitro and in vivo. Among these viruses are the Paramyxovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the Lentivirus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: Construction and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies against western equine encephalitis virus (WEE) for potential use in detection, diagnosis, and immunotherapy are disclosed. Antibodies were prepared from hybridoma cells and further characterized by ELISAs, Western blotting, isotyping, and immunoprecipitation. The antibodies were also tested for cross-reactivity to other alphaviruses, such as Sindbis virus (SIN), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). All antibodies bound to WEE antigen in ELISAs, whereas only a subgroup of antibodies was found to be active in Western blotting and immunoprecipitations. A subset of antibodies was found to cross-react with other alphaviruses, such as SIN, VEE, and EEE.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylatic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides the genes encoding the following BRV proteins: for group A, the VP4 and VP7 proteins of the Indiana (IND) strain, and the VP7 protein of the 2292B strain; for group B, the VP7 protein of the WD653 strain; for group C, the VP4 and VP7 proteins of the Shintoku strain. The genes are useful for producing nucleic acid probes which are complementary to the VP7 and VP4 genes. Such probes are useful for detecting the presence of group A,B, and C BRV in fecal samples from diarrheic calves and for determining the serotype of the BRV field isolates. The genes are also useful for producing partial length nucleic acid probes which are complementary to hypervariable regions of the VP4 and VP7 genes. The present invention also relates to partially purified VP2, VP4, VP6 and VP7 proteins of the IND strain and VP4 and VP7 of the 2292B strain, the partially purified VP7 protein of the WD653 strain, and partially purified VP2, VP4 and VP7 proteins of the Shintoku strain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and pharmaceuticals for treating HIV and secondary infection. One aspect of this invention involves the use of one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV, MEHFRWG, HFRWGKPV, or SYSMEHFRWGKPV for treatment of HIV. HIV is accompanied by infections, inflammation or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are used for treatment of HIV itself via medication taken orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment is for secondary infections arising from Staphylococcus aureus and Candidia albicans and can be taken either orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, treatment is carried out by local application of the polypeptides through a carrier onto the site of S. aureus or C. albicans infection.

Abstract: RNA synthesis by the paramyxovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a ubiquitous human pathogen, was found to be more complex than previously appreciated for the nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses. Intracellular RNA replication of a plasmid-encoded “minigenome” analog of viral genomic RNA was directed by coexpression of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (P), and the large polymerase (L) protein. But, under these conditions, it appeared that the greater part of mRNA synthesis terminated prematurely. However, coexpression of the M2 (ORF1) gene resulted in the efficient production of full-length mRNA. Thus, these results demonstrate that expression of the upstream ORF1, which encoded the previously described 22-kDa M2 protein, was associated with transcription elongation.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is A&bgr; peptide or an antibody thereto.