Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjuvant compositions which are suitable to be used in vaccines. In particular, the adjuvant compositions of the present invention comprises a saponin and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, optionally with a carrier. Also provided by the present invention are vaccines comprising the adjuvants of the present invention and an antigen. Further provided are methods of manufacture of the adjuvants and vaccines of the present invention and their use as medicaments. Methods of treating an individual susceptible to or suffering from a disease by the administration of the vaccines of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virus capable of specifically infecting and growing within a member of algae Heterocapsa sp. A method for isolating the above virus comprises a process of: filtrating with a filter a liquid sample containing a member of algae Heterocapsa sp. infected with a virus capable of specifically infecting and growing within said Heterocapsa sp.; inoculating the obtained filtrate into a culture solution of a member of algae Heterocapsa sp. and culturing; and cloning the above virus by performing a limiting dilution for a culture solution wherein said Heterocapsa sp. is observed to be lysed. The present invention provides an agent for preventing red tide, which comprises, as an active ingredient, the above virus. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for preventing red tide, which comprises dispersing the above virus in red tide fouled-waters.

Abstract: A live attenuated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) whose replication is not constitutive but is instead conditionally regulated (such that rounds of reverse transcription with accompanying potential for error are strictly limited) might yield a paradigm that minimizes evolution to virulence and facilitate vaccine development. We have broached the concept of conditional control of HIV-1 through gain-of-function. Here, we describe the design of constitutively inactive HIV-1 genomes (HIV-DoxT and HIV-DoxSp) which can be conditionally resuscitated to an active state by tetracycline or related analogues. The HIV-DoxT construct comprises an inactivating mutation engineered into TAR, thereby rendering the virus non-responsive to Tat, a 302-bp DNA fragment (TetopT) which contains the tet-operator ligated into a position upstream of the HIV TATAA box, in both the 5′ and 3′ LTRs, and a reverse tetracycline-controlled activator (RTTA) coding sequence in place of the nef coding region.

Abstract: The HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat significantly increases astrocytic expression and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is expressed in the brains of patients with HIV-1-associated dementia, and is present in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with this condition. This present invention employs compounds, such as MCP-1 antagonists and partial agonists, as well as HIV-1 Tat-inhibitors in methods for treating and/or preventing HIV-1 associated dementia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing genes encoding unique HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope proteins and their fragments, thereby allowing overexpression of these proteins in E. coli. The HIV envelope proteins and their fragments have been expressed at high levels as individual proteins or in fusion with other proteins. The HIV envelope proteins thus expressed in E. coli can be effectively used for the detection of exposure to HIV as well as the discrimination of HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions of attenuated dengue-4 virus. More specifically, the attenuated virus is produced by serial passage in PDK cells. The invention also provides methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to induce protection against dengue-4 virus by administration of attenuated dengue-4 virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, and arterial inflammation. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular disease states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in cardiovascular disease. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Metal chelate-labelled peptide which has a maximum length of 50 amino acids and is coupled to at least one luminescent metal chelate at the amino terminus or/and at amino side groups, wherein the at least one luminescent metal chelate is present on the peptide at a predetermined position on the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive molecule, herein referred to as the CD8+ suppressor molecule, that is produced by the CD8+ subset of human T-lymphocytes and suppresses type-1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication through inhibition of viral transcription. The invention relates to isolation of CD8+ cell lines and cell clones that produce that antiviral activity and to the development of assay systems for detection of the antiviral activity. The cell lines, cell clones and assay systems, described herein, may be utilized, e.g., to purify, characterize and clone the CD8+ suppressor molecule. The CD8+ suppressor molecule may have therapeutic applications for treatment of diseases associated with HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions of attenuated dengue-1 virus. More specifically, the attenuated virus is produced by serial passage in PDK cells. The invention also provides methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to induce protection against dengue-1 virus by administration of attenuated dengue-1 virus.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting viral infection using a monovalent antigen binding protein comprising a single domain binding unit capable of binding to a virus is described. Preferably the protein is a heavy chain variable domain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains. Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products comprising such proteins are also described together with a method for selecting inhibiting proteins from a large population of mainly containing non-inhibiting, but infectious agent binding fragments.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated PGC-1 nucleic acid molecules, which encode proteins which can modulate various adipocyte-associated activities including, for example, thermogenesis in adipocytes, e.g., brown adipocytes, and adipogenesis. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PGC-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a PGC-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated PGC-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PGC-1 antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A composition which elicits antibodies to greater than 95%, and even greater than 99%, of the known variants of HIV-1 Tat protein contains at least one peptide or polypeptide of the formula of Epitope I (based on amino acids 2-10 of HIV-1 Tat consensus sequence) and optionally one or more of a peptide or polypeptide of Epitope II (based on amino acids 41 to 51 of that sequence), of Epitope III (based on amino acids 52-62 of that sequence), or of Epitope IV (based on amino acids 62 through 72 of that sequence with a C-termninal Pro). Vaccinal and pharmaceutical compositions can contain one or more such peptides associated with carrier proteins, in multiple antigenic peptides or as part of recombinant proteins. Various combinations of the Epitope I through IV peptides can provide other compositions useful in eliciting anti-Tat antibodies which cross-react with multiple strains and variants of HIV-1 Tat protein.

Abstract: Fusion of the viral envelope, or infected cell membranes with uninfected cell membranes, is an essential step in the viral life cycle. Recent studies involving the human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) demonstrated that synthetic peptides (designated DP-107 and DP-178) derived from potential helical regions of the transmembrane (TM) protein, gp41, were potent inhibitors of viral fusion and infection. A computerized antiviral searching technology (C.A.S.T.) that detects related structural motifs (e.g., ALLMOTI 5, 107×178×4, and PLZIP) in other viral proteins was employed to identify similar regions in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Several conserved heptad repeat domains that are predicted to form coiled-coil structures with antiviral activity were identified in the EBV genome. Synthetic peptides of 16 to 39 amino acids derived from these regions were prepared and their antiviral activities assessed in a suitable in vitro screening assay.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: A novel feline cytokine protein having the activity to enhance the cytotoxic activity of feline cytotoxic T lymphocytes, a DNA sequence coding for said protein, a recombinant DNA for expressing said protein, an expression vector comprising said recombinant DNA, a transformant which is transformed with said expression vector, a process for preparing said protein by culturing said transformant, and an antibody against said protein are provided. The novel feline cytokine protein of the present invention is a heterologous dimer comprising FLAF p35 and FLAF p40 and can be used for treating feline infectious diseases such as feline herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV).

Abstract: This invention is directed toward the isolation of a novel retrovirus, the human immune deficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2, previously named LAV-2), from patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) originating from West Africa. This virus is related to HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS, both by its morphology and by its tropism and in vitro cytopathic effect on CD4 (T4) positive cell lines and lymphocytes. However, preliminary hybridization experiments indicated that there are substantiated differences between the sequences of the two genomes. Furthermore, the proteins of HIV-1 and HIV-2 have different sizes and their serological cross-reactivity is restricted to the major core protein, as the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-2 are not immunoprecipitated by HIV-1 positive sera. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gag and env genes was ascertained.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for the anchorage-dependent and suspension-culture propagation of coronaviruses, including bovine coronavirus. In one embodiment, bovine coronavirus VR874 is cultured in CHO-K1 cells under conditions in which the virus proliferates.

Abstract: Human hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as the aetiological agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). HCV viruses display considerable genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Thus, there is considerable need in the art for more sensitive reagents that facilitate the detection of HCV variants. The genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of seven functional regions: the core, E1, E2/NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions. An attempt was made to improve the sensitivity of anti-HCV assays by developing multiple copy epitope fusion antigens (MEFAs) which incorporate the major immunodominant epitopes from the functional regions of the HCV genome. These MEFAs are encompassed by the following generic structural formula: (A)x—(B)y—(C)z. This formula represents a linear amino acid sequence comprising multiple copies of one HCV epitope (A) linked to multiple copies of another HCV epitope (B) which in turn is linked to multiple copies of yet another HCV epitope (C).