Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved method to manufacture virus for use in vaccine by culturing infected cells that have been modified to overexpress miR-144. The invention is also directed to manipulating the activity or level of miR-144 in subjects in order to modulate the antiviral and immune response systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel MDCK-derived adherent non-tumorigenic cell lines that can be grown in the presence or absence of serum. The cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of vaccine material (e.g., viruses). More specifically, the cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of influenza viruses in general and ca/ts influenza viruses in particular. The invention further provides methods and media formulations for the adaptation and cultivation of MDCK cells such that they remain non-tumorigenic. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for the production of vaccine material (e.g., influenza virus) in the novel cell lines of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a TRIM-cyclophilin A fusion sequence encoding a TRIMcyp fusion protein which is active as an anti-viral agent, and in particular an anti-HIV-1 agent. The invention provides for a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having both TRIM activity and cyclophilin activity. The invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide encoding a TRIM-cyclophilin fusion protein, or variants thereof retaining the TRIM and cyclophilin activities. The invention provides for compositions thereof, antibodies that specifically bind thereto, and vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid or polypeptide. In addition, the invention provides for methods for treating or preventing viral infection, or reducing viral load in a subject comprising administering the nucleic acid, polypeptide, vector, or composition to the subject in an amount effective to treat or prevent the viral infection.

Abstract: Provided are antibodies comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of binding an MHC molecule being complexed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) peptide, wherein the antibody does not bind the MHC molecule in an absence of the complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind the peptide in an absence of the MHC molecule. Also provided are methods of using same for diagnosing HIV infection and treating AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.

Abstract: The invention relates to in vitro method for quantitating the antibodies specific for High mobility group box I (HMGB1) contained in a sample, in particular a serum sample or a cerebrospinal fluid sample obtained from a patient, and the use of this method in the prognostic and/or diagnosis of neurological disorders. These methods are in particular applicable to the monitoring of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of a subject who is known to be infected with HIV and in the prognostic and/or diagnostic of the state of progression of Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or the state of progression toward AIDS, in particular the state of progression or the state of progression toward neurological disorders associated with AIDS. Finally, the invention is also about method to determine the immune deficiency or level of immune activation of a patient, in particular a HIV-infected patient.

Abstract: An embryo that is transferred into the uterus of a recipient female is protected from toxic effects of prostaglandin F2? by exposing the embryo, or an oocyte from which the embryo is produced, to a prostaglandin antagonist.

Abstract: This invention discloses a group of 298 peptides from which several peptides are independently selected and synthesized in their stereoisomer and chemically modified forms, and conjugated to a polymer via linkers creating novel anti-HIV-1 multi-peptide-polymer conjugate compounds for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection. The peptides mimic the domains of major HIV-1 proteins, and therefore, they function as inhibitors of the targeted HIV-1 proteins. The polymer is a useful delivery system for the stereoisomer peptides, and certain peptides are peptide-ligands for targeted delivery into the HIV infected cells.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and compositions for protecting feline animals from infection by FIV using immunogens derived from primate immunodeficiency viruses, including HIV and SIV. Methods for vaccinating feline animals with the subject vaccine compositions are described. Feline animals vaccinated according to the methods and compositions of the subject invention exhibit protective humoral and cellular immune responses to FIV when challenged with FIV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to production of proteins in insect cells whereby repeated coding sequences are used in baculoviral vectors. In particular the invention relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.

Abstract: There is provided a T cell-based universal influenza vaccine including internal genes capable of preparing against infection by broad hetero-subtypic influenza viruses, and thereby preparing for unpredictable epidemic influenza. The present invention selected internal genes of the consensus sequence obtained from bird, pig, and human influenza isolates in order to develop the T cell-based universal flu vaccine. The T cell-based universal flu vaccine according to the present invention is characterized by including at least one CTL epitope, by containing a plurality of internal genes and using the entire sequence of the internal gene itself. The T cell-based universal flu vaccine can achieve broad defense in infection with hetero-subtypic influenza viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating a spore with one or more therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to a coated spore obtained by the method of the present invention and the use of the coated spore as a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the treatment of Flaviviridae infection that includes the administration of a 2?-branched nucleoside, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug and/or salt thereof, to a human in need of therapy in combination or alternation with a drug that directly or indirectly induces a mutation in the viral genome at a location other than a mutation of a nucleotide that results in a change from serine to a different amino acid in the highly conserved consensus sequence, XRXSGXXXT (SEQ ID NO: 63), of domain B of the RNA polymerase region, or is associated with such a mutation. The invention also includes a method to detect a mutant strain of Flaviviridae and a method for its treatment.

Abstract: The present invention describes the plant-based production of a therapeutic antibody against West Nile Virus.

Abstract: The present inventors developed hepatitis C virus 2b/2a intergenotypic recombinants in which the JFH1 structural genes (Core, E1 and E2), p7 and the complete NS2 were replaced by the corresponding genes of the genotype 2b reference strain J8. Sequence analysis of recovered 2b/2a recombinants from 2 transfection experiments revealed that 2b/2a was genetically stable. Conclusion: The developed 2b/2a viruses provide a robust in vitro tool for research in HCV genotype 2b, including vaccine studies and functional analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand/receptor and antigen/antibody specificity exchangers comprising a saccharide or glycoconjugate. Methods of making these specificity exchangers and methods of using said specificity exchangers to treat or prevent human disease are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a polynucleotide comprising the cis-acting central initiation region (cPPT) and the cis-acting termination region (CTS), these regions being of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, said vector comprising in addition a defined nucleotide sequence (transgene or sequence of interest) and regulatory signals of retrotranscription, expression and encapsidation of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, wherein the composition is capable of inducing or of stimulating a cell-mediated response for instance a CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes) response or a CD4 response, against one or several epitopes encoded by the transgene sequence present in the vector.

Abstract: The invention provides novel adjuvants and pharmaceutical composition comprising of an adjuvant alone. The invention also provides novel vaccine compositions comprising of an antigen and a novel adjuvant. The novel adjuvant as per present invention is farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist. The invention also relates to an adjuvant for variety of antigens. The adjuvant improves antibody production specific to incorporated antigen. The adjuvant also induces cell mediated immune response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant protein comprising one or several polypeptides bearing one or several epitopes of one or several HPV antigens, said polypeptides being inserted in the same or different permissive sites of an adenylate cyclase (CyaA) protein or of a fragment thereof, wherein said CyaA fragment retains the property of said adenylate cyclase protein to target Antigen Presenting Cells. It also concerns polynucleotides encoding the same. The recombinant protein or the polynucleotide can be used for the design of therapeutic means against HPV infection or against its malignant effects.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for determining altered susceptibility of a human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) to the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“NNRTIs”) efavirenz (“EFV”), nevirapine (“NVP”), and delavirdine (“DLV”), the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT, and the integrase strand transfer inhibitors diketo acid 1, diketo acid 2, and L-870,810 by detecting the presence of a mutation or combinations of mutations in the gene encoding HIV reverse transcriptase that are associated with altered susceptibility to the anti-HIV drugs.