Abstract: Provided are human antibodies that can neutralize a H5N1 strain of influenza A virus. Also provided are antibodies that can neutralize a strain of influenza A virus in clade 2 of the H5 subtype, that can neutralize a H5N1 strain of influenza A virus and have a lambda light chain, and that are IgG antibodies (but not with a IgG1 heavy chain) that can neutralize a H5N1 strain of influenza A virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated infectious polynucleotides, such as infectious clones, having a nucleotide sequence with identity to PRRS viruses such as VR-2332, Lelystad, or others, and optionally further including a deletion in a region of ORF1 that encodes the nsp2 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound that binds to a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell, in the preparation of a composition for modulating, in particular reducing, the immune response in an animal, in particular a human or another mammal. The composition in particular modulates the interactions between a dendritic cell and a T-cell, more specifically between a C-type lectin on the surface of a dendritic cell and an ICAM receptor on the surface of a T-cell. The compositions can be used for preventing/inhibiting immune responses to specific antigens, for inducing tolerance, for immunotherapy, for immunosuppression, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the treatment of allergy. The compound that binds to a C-type lectin is preferably chosen from mannose, fucose, plant lectins, antibiotics, sugars, proteins or antibodies against C-type lectins. The invention also relates to such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the obtaining of chimeric chains coding for proteins capable of inducing, in the recipient, a serotype-specific and protective humoral immune response against the infection by the Dengue virus, thus eliminating the effects of the serotype-nonespecific viral immunoenhancement that causes hemorrhagies and clinical complications described for this kind of pathology. These chimeric chains of nucleic acids are composed by the specific combination of fragments belonging to the gene of a mutated protein from Neisseria meningitidis with dehydrogenase activity and fragments that codify for a region of the envelope (E) protein from the Dengue virus which, when inserted to an expression vector, give rise to chimeric proteins with particular properties. The resultant chimeric molecules from this invention are applicable to the pharmaceutical industry for the obtaining of vaccine preparations and diagnostic means of high serotype-specificity to be used in humans.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric flavivirus vaccines against West Nile virus and methods of using these vaccines to prevent or treat West Nile virus infection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: An easy and efficient screening method for an agent useful for prevention and/or treatment of hepatitis C virus-related disease, and a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for hepatitis C virus-related disease obtained by the method. The screening method comprises a step of examining the inhibitory activity of an test substance on the protein-protein interaction between hepatitis C virus core protein and PA28.gamma,. The method can be carried out by using transcriptional activity of a lipid metabolism-control factor as indicator. The test substance used in the method may have an activity to inhibit expression or function of the PA28.gamma. gene. The hepatitis C virus-related diseases include fatty liver, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and insulin-resistant diseases. The method is extremely useful as a method of obtaining an agent superior in preventive and therapeutic activity particularly to diseases such as fatty liver and liver cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dengue virus tetravalent vaccine containing a common 30 nucleotide deletion (?30) in the 3?-untranslated region of the genome of dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, or antigenic chimeric dengue viruses of serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Abstract: A vaccine composition and method which is effective in preventing or ameliorating Avian Influenza Virus infection is set forth herein. The vaccine contains at least two inactivated strains of avian influenza virus, wherein the combined haemoagglutinin (HA) total is at least about 200 HA/dose of the vaccine composition, and wherein each of the strains presents at least about 128 HA/dose, and further wherein one of the strains has the same HA subtype as that of a challenge virus, and wherein at least one of the strains has a different NA subtype than the challenge virus.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a dried foam matrix. Methods provide non-boiling foam generation and penetration of preservative agents at temperatures near the phase transition temperature of the membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are antigens and/or their constituent epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions or from uterine cervix. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human anti-influenza antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza infection.

Abstract: A method to prepare viruses lacking ion channel activity is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising poxviruses and more particularly extracellular enveloped viruses. The present invention also relates to a process for producing poxviruses and poxviruses obtained thereof. Moreover, the present invention also relates to the use of said poxvirus and said composition for the preparation of a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for virus growth, particularly Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.

Abstract: We previously reported that NKG2A, a key inhibitory ligand for HLA-E, is expressed on activated TH2, but not TH1, cells. Here we measured cytokine expression in ex vivo TH2 cells and in a mouse model of asthma upon activation with antiCD3/28 and challenge with an NKG2A-specific agonist. We show that signaling through NKG2A modulates Th2 cell effector function. This new molecular pathway data provides a novel explanation and treatment for respiratory virus-associated asthma. RSV and hMPV suppress IFN-? and HLA-E expression and therefore decrease NKG2A signaling in activated TH2 cells. This results in a relatively robust Th2 response and an unfavorable shift in Th1/Th2 balance. The data presented here suggest that increasing signaling via the NKG2A receptor suppresses Th2 effector function and could positively impact Th1/Th2 balance in asthma.

Abstract: This invention provides vaccines comprising two or more recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) proteins selected from a gD protein, a gC protein and a gE protein; and methods of impeding immune evasion by HSV thereby vaccinating a subject against HSV and treating, suppressing, inhibiting, and/or reducing an incidence of an HSV infection or a symptom or manifestation thereof, comprising administration of a vaccine of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing harm resulting from pathogen infection. For example, disclosed are peptides that inhibit the processing of toxins normally cleaved by proprotein convertase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the construction of dengue virus subgenomic replicons containing large deletions in the structural region (C-preM-E) of the genome, which replicons are useful as vaccines to protect against dengue virus infection.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.