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 concerns a process for the production of metal chelate-labelled peptide antigens, peptides obtainable by this process and their use in an immunological method of detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new RNA polymerase isolated from a Nervous Necrosis Virus.

Abstract: Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of the novel I-1 and I-2 polypeptides, which are associated with human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods of diagnosing and treating inflammatory bowel disease using the IBD-associated I-1 and I-2 antigens also are provided.

Abstract: Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding an allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p III, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p III activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 24,985 daltons is also described. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p III nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having an activity of Der p III. Peptides having an activity of Der p III can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mites.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims vaccines containing, as an active ingredient, a secreted recombinantly produced dimeric form of truncated flaviviral envelope protein. The vaccines are capable of eliciting the production of neutralizing antibodies against flaviviruses. The dimeric forms of truncated flaviviral envelope protein are formed 1) by directly linking two tandem copies of 80% E in a head to tail fashion via a flexible tether; 2) via the formation of a leucine zipper domain through the homodimeric association of two leucine zipper helices each fused to the carboxy terminus of an 80% E molecule; or 3) via the formation of a non-covalently associated four-helix bundle domain formed upon association of two helix-turn-helix moieties each attached to the carboxy terminus of an 80% E molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-retroviral activity. The peptides of the invention comprise DP178 (SEQ ID:1) peptide corresponding to amino acids 638 to 673 of the HIV-1LAI gp41 protein, and fragments, analogs and homologs of DP178. The invention further relates to the uses of such peptides as inhibitory of human and non-human retroviral, especially HIV, transmission to uninfected cells.

Abstract: Recombinant adenoviruses comprising the following sequences in the genome: (1) a left inverted terminal repeat: (2) a packaging signal: (3) a recombinase recognition sequence located at a region in between said left inverted terminal repeat and said packaging signal: and (4) at least one more recombinase recognition sequence which is located downstream of said packaging signal and which is recognized by the recombinase that recognizes the above recombinase recognition sequence are useful as a material for constructing highly safe vectors for gene therapy in the field of gene therapy.

Abstract: Polypeptides of adeno-associated virus (AAV) that bind to AAV antibodies or block binding of AAV to mammalian cells are described. Derivatives of peptides can be less immunogenic, enhance binding to cells, render a virus tissue specific and so on. The nucleic acid sequence encoding those derivatives can be incorporated into a capsid encoding sequence to enable a virus to express such a derivative and be less immunogenic, have enhanced transduction efficiency or be tissue specific.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules which encode bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) virus proteins, to BRS virus proteins, and peptides and to recombinant BRS virus vaccines produced therefrom. It is based, in part, on the cloning of substantially full length cDNAs which encode the entire BRS virus G, F, and N proteins. According to particular embodiments of the invention, DNA encoding a BRS virus protein or peptide may be used to diagnose BRS virus infection, or, alternatively, may be inserted into an expression vector, including, but not limited to, vaccinia virus as well as bacterial, yeast, insect, or other vertebrate vectors. These expression vectors may be utilized to produce the BRS virus protein or peptide in quantity; the resulting substantially pure viral peptide or protein may be incorporated into subunit vaccine formulations or may be used to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies which may be utilized in diagnosis of BRS virus infection or passive immunization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant rabies virus mutants comprising a mutation in the viral genome, whereby said mutation comprises at least a substitution of the Arg333 codon in the gene encoding the G protein with a codon that differs by three nucleotides from said Arg333 codon. These rabies virus mutants have a glycoprotein G that comprises an amino acid at position 333 which is encoded by a codon that differs by all three nucleotides from the Arg codon in amino acid position 333 in the glycoprotein of the parental virus. Said recombinant rabies virus mutants are stable and non-pathogenic in immune competent animals and are suitable for use in a live, attenuated anti-rabis vaccine.

Abstract: Biochemical and structural studies of fragments of the ectodomain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein have demonstrated that the molecular contacts between alpha helices allow the formation of a trimeric coiled coil. By introducing cysteine residues into specific locations along these alpha helices, the normally labile HIV-1 gp160 envelope glycoprotein was converted into a stable disulfide-linked oligomer. Although proteolytic cleavage into gp120 and gp41 glycoproteins was largely blocked, the disulfide-linked oligomer was efficiently transported to the cell surface and was recognized by a series of conformationally dependent antibodies. The pattern of hetero-oligomer formation between this construct and an analogous construct lacking portions of the gp120 variable loops and of the gp41 cytoplasmic tail demonstrates that these oligomers are trimers.

Abstract: There is a substantial degree of structural similarity (although not sequence similarity) between the carboxy-terminal one-third of Filovirus glycoprotein and the transmembrane proteins of the very distantly related retroviruses, especially those of avian sarcoma viruses. The high degree of structural similarity implies functional homology as well. A number of compounds that are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of African hemorrhagic fever (“AHF”) are disclosed. AHF infections (e.g., Ebola, Marburg) may be inhibited with low concentrations of peptides or antibodies of low toxicity. For example, analogs of a portion of the natural fusion glycoprotein of a Filovirus may be used to inhibit the normal fusion process of the virus in vivo, thus preventing or limiting infection.

Abstract: A method of screening potential therapeutic substances that may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis is provided herein utilizing primary osteoblast precursor cell cultures to determine the mitogenic effect of the tested agents. This method comprises preparation of the primary cultures from osteoporotic patients for the expression of several intracellular proteins in early and late osteoblast differentiation phases, expression of other proteins involved in matrix synthesis, and quantitative analysis of the cellular proliferation rate. The expression of such intracellular proteins and cell proliferation in the cultures derived from osteoporotic patients are quantitatively compared to primary osteoblast cell cultures from non-osteoporotic patients that are standardized for the same approximate age and sex.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which comprises a nucleotide segment having a sequence encoding a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention also provides a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention further provides methods of treating HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a peptide corresponding to an immunologically important viral epitope. Specifically, the peptide corresponds to an immunodominant epitope identified in the envelope region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This peptide has the following amino acid sequence: NH2-Asn-Asn-Thr-Arg-Arg-Gly-Ile-His-Met-Gly-Trp-Gly-Arg-Thr-Phe-Tyr-Ala-Thr-Gly-Glu-Ile-Ile-Gly-CO2H (SEQ ID NO:17). The invention also relates to the use of this peptide, particularly when biotinylated in the form of complexes of streptavidin-biotinylated peptides or of avidin-biotinylated peptides, for the in vitro determination of HIV-1-specific antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus. This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.