Abstract: Heat-stable oligomeric recombinant polypeptides, presenting at least one antigenic epitope of the pre-fusion Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F protein, comprising the RSV F protein ectodomain, functionally deleted in the HRB region, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains replaced with a heterologous trimerization domain, and absent two functional multibasic furin cleavage sites, are useful as antigenic components in immunogenic compositions useful in methods of inducing an immune response and vaccinate against RSV infections.

Abstract: Marek's disease virus (MDV), the etiologic agent of Marek's disease, is a potent oncogenic herpesvirus. MDV is highly contagious and elicits a rapid onset of malignant T-cell lymphomas in chickens within weeks after infection. MDV codes for an oncoprotein, Meq, that shares resemblance with the Jun/Fos family of b-ZIP transcription factors. Earlier studies showed that Meq is responsible for development for T-cell lymphomas in chicken. In order to identify specific regions within the Meq gene, a series of recombinant MDV were generated in which a mutated gene was introduced in place of parental Meq gene. Various mutations were introduced at the phosphorylation sites, basic region, leucine zipper region and transactivation regions of the Meq gene. Several of these mutations have been shown to have an attenuated phenotype in chickens. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates exploiting these mutations to develop MDV vaccines that are able to protect against challenge with highly virulent MDV strains.

Abstract: Methods of making a protein that stimulates a protective immune response in a subject include separating a portion of a protein from a naturally occurring influenza viral hemagglutinin to form a protein portion. The protein portion includes at least a portion of a globular head, and at least a portion of at least one secondary structure having at least one ?-sheet at a bottom of the globular head that causes the globular head to essentially retain its tertiary structure. The protein portion made by the methods of the invention lacks a transmembrane domain, a cytoplasmic domain and an HA2 subunit. A nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein portion is transformed into a prokaryotic host cell.

Abstract: Provided herein are influenza hemagglutinin stem domain polypeptides, compositions comprising the same, vaccines comprising the same and methods of their use.

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: The present invention provides an adjuvant for cancer antigen peptide vaccines and virus antigen peptides, containing a pertussis vaccine as a primary ingredient. The present invention also provides a therapeutic agent for a cancer or viral infectious disease, and a prophylactic agent for metastasis or recurrence of cancer or onset of virus-induced tumor, containing a cancer antigen peptide or virus antigen peptide and a pertussis vaccine. A pertussis vaccine that can be suitably used is a whole cell body pertussis vaccine. The agents of the present invention can be safely administered in a plurality of doses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to Maraba virus and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an A35R protein or active fragment thereof of vaccinia virus or other poxvirus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: a) inactivated whole virus, and b) a stabilizing excipient which comprises: i. a buffer solution, ii. a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids, iii. a disaccharide, iv. a polyol, v. a chelating agent, vi. urea or a urea derivative, and vii. a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A recombinant transfer vector capable of expressing a foreign gene fused to a viral gene under the control of dual promoters and a recombinant baculovirus, and methods for production thereof, as well as pharmaceuticals comprising the recombinant baculovirus as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to modified influenza viruses useful for vaccine development. Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing and purifying a wild type, an attenuated and/or a recombinant Orthopoxvirus. The present invention relates to a purified wild type, attenuated and/or recombinant Orthopoxvirus obtained by the method of the invention and to a pharmaceutical composition, preferably a vaccine, comprising said purified Orthopoxvirus for the treatment and/or the prevention a cancer, an infectious disease and/or an autoimmune disorder, and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of an immortalized avian cell line obtained from an avian cell belonging to the Anatidae family, in particular Cairina moschata immortalized avian cell lines comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and optionally an E1A nucleic acid sequence, for the production of a wild type, attenuated and/or recombinant Orthopoxvirus according to the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention features live, attenuated respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) useful as vaccines against RSV infection and/or the development of severe RSV-associated illnesses. The disclosed viruses are attenuated to the extent of being nonpathogenic when administered to a subject but substantially retain the antigenic and immunogenic properties of wild-type RSV.

Abstract: A method for eliciting or inducing a protective immune response in a subject against a pandemic subtype of influenza virus comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising (i) at least one immunogen of an endemic influenza subtype, and (ii) an immunogen-free immunostimulating complex as adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting tumors, monitoring cancer therapy, and selectively inhibiting the proliferation and/or killing of cancer cells utilizing a papilloma pseudovirus or a papilloma virus-like particle (VLP).

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention describes a liquid direct fluorescence antibody assay that is rapid and sensitive to detect respiratory virus in infected cells. The assay includes centrifugation of the specimen, incubation of sample and reagents in solution, and detection of the absence or presence of respiratory virus. Sapogenin is used as a detergent to permeabilize the cells for entry of the monoclonal antibodies to react with intracellular antigens. The cells are stained with fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies against the viral antigens along with a background stain and a fluorescent nuclear stain. This counter staining decreases background and allows co-localization of antigen and nuclear structures for enhanced detection.

Abstract: The invention provides expression vectors and virus-like particles (VLPs) containing Newcastle Disease Virus Sequences in combination with sequences encoding proteins of interest. The vectors are useful in, for example, generating virus-like particles (VLPs) that contain proteins of interest. In one embodiment, the expressed VLPs elicit an immune response by an animal host against the protein. The invention's VLPs are useful as, for example, vaccines.

Abstract: Provided is a human antibody having a neutralization activity against a human influenza virus. More specifically, provided is a human antibody which recognizes a highly conserved region in a human influenza A virus subtype H3N2 or a human influenza B virus and has a neutralization activity against the virus. The human antibody is a human anti-human influenza virus antibody, which has a neutralization activity against a human influenza A virus subtype H3N2 and binds to a hemagglutinin HA1 region of the human influenza A virus subtype H3N2, or which has a neutralization activity against a human influenza B virus, and includes, as a base sequence of a DNA encoding a variable region of the antibody, a sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 5 to 12.