Abstract: The present invention is based on the surprising finding that H5 protein of clade 1 H5N1 induces, in particular by a single-shot vaccination, a cross-clade protective immune response to influenza viruses with H5N1 HA. In one aspect, the invention is thus directed to H5 protein of clade 1 H5N1 virus for use in a method of treating or preventing infections with H5N1 virus of a different clade, namely of a clade different from clade 1 or from any clade with the exception of clade 1, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunostimulator containing virus-like particles, in which the virus-like particles contain an outer coat protein containing an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 26, SEQ ID No. 33, SEQ ID No. 35, SEQ ID No. 37, SEQ ID No. 39, SEQ ID No. 41, SEQ ID No. 43 and SEQ ID No. 45; the outer coat protein constitutes an outer coat of the virus-like particles; and the virus-like particles do not substantially contain a genome DNA of SV40.

Abstract: A group of mosquito-borne flaviviruses that cause fatal encephalitis in humans is among the most important of all emerging human pathogens of global significance. This group includes Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In the present disclosure, the first reverse genetics system has been developed for SA14-14-2, a live JE vaccine that is most commonly used in most JE-endemic areas, by constructing an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome that contains the full-length SA14-14-2 cDNA. Using this infectious SA 14-14-2 cDNA, combined with a mouse model for JEV infection, a key viral neurovirulence factor has been discovered that is a conserved single amino acid in the ij hairpin adjacent to the fusion loop of the viral E glycoprotein, which regulates viral infectivity into neurons within the central nervous system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purification of monoclonal antibodies or of a fusion protein between the Fc segment of an antibody and a second polypeptide, including a) an affinity chromatography step on a resin having as a matrix a crosslinked methacrylate polymer gel, on which the protein A is grafted, b) a viral inactivation step, c) a chromatography step exchanging cations on a resin having a crosslinked agarose gel matrix, on which sulfonate groups (—SO3—) are grafted using dextran-based spacer arms, d) a chromatography step exchanging anions on a hydrophilic membrane of polyethersulfone coated with a crosslinked polymer on which quaternary amine groups (Q) are grafted, and e) a nanofiltration step using a filter having an asymmetric polyethersulfone double membrane with a porosity of approximately 20 nm.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions useful for neutralization of influenza virus, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, compositions comprising antibodies that are cross-reactive with multiple influenza strains are provided, as well as methods of treatment and prevention of influenza infection therewith.

Abstract: A method of producing a virus like particle (VLP) in a plant comprising modified hemagglutinin is provided. The method comprises introducing a nucleic acid comprising a regulatory region active in the plant and operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a modified influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein into the plant, or portion of the plant, the modified HA protein comprises a modified proteolytic loop. Followed by incubating the plant or portion of the plant under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleic acids, thereby producing the VLP. The modified proteolytic loop may comprise one or more protease cleavage sites exhibiting reduced or abolished cleavage by a protease. The nucleotide sequence encoding the HA may be selected from the group consisting of B HA, C, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, H11, H12, H13, H14, H15, and H16. Also described is a virus like particle (VLP) produced by the method, and plants expressing the VLP.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polypeptide comprising hemagglutinin stem domain fragments that can elicit broadly cross-reactive anti-influenza antibodies and confer protection against influenza virus. The disclosure also provides a method of preparing the polypeptide with biochemical and biophysical properties that enhance its immunogenic properties. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, as well as uses of the polypeptide, particularly in the prevention, and detection of influenza.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing or treating arenavirus related diseases and disorders through the administration to a subject in need thereof a live-attenuated virus (LAV), wherein the LAV is a codon deoptimized (CD) arenavirus.

Abstract: A method for testing for target Mycobacteria in a reaction mixture comprising the steps of: providing a reaction mixture; admixing a bacteriophage with the reaction mixture under conditions suitable to allow the bacteriophage to infect any target Mycobacteria present in the reaction mixture; allowing time for the bacteriophage to lyse infected live target Mycobacteria; and analysing in said reaction mixture DNA from the lysed Mycobacteria to identify a signature DNA sequence that occurs in the target Mycobacteriumspedes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are phage-displayed single-chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries, which comprised a plurality of scFvs with a specific sequence in each CDR. The present scFv libraries could be used to efficiently produce different antibodies with high binding affinity to H1 hemagglutinin of influenza virus. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a potential means to generate different antigen-specific antibodies promptly in accordance with the need in experimental researches and/or clinical applications.

Abstract: Chimeric protein constructs including a herpesvirus glycoprotein D (gD) and a heterologous polypeptide that interact with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and enhance and enhance an immune response against the heterologous polypeptide and methods for their use are provided.

Abstract: A disposable, virus-trapping membrane, and a corresponding method to remove viruses from solution are described. The membrane includes a disposable, micro-porous filter membrane and a ligand immobilized on the membrane. The ligand irreversibly and selectively binds viruses. The ligand also has a pKa sufficiently high to repel antibodies via electrostatic charge repulsion.

Abstract: A peptide-based marker vaccine against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and a set of immunodiagnostic tests for the prevention, monitoring and control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) are disclosed. Vaccine formulations according to various embodiments of the invention contain a mixture of peptides derived from PRRSV GP2, GP3, GP4, or GP5 proteins; each peptide individually contains a B cell PRRSV neutralizing/receptor binding epitope which is individually linked to an artificial T helper epitope for enhancement of the respective peptide's immunogenicity; and which can be supplemented with a mixture of peptides representing the T helper epitopes derived from the PRRSV GP4, GP5, M and Nucleocapsid proteins to provide cell mediated immunity. Such viral peptide compositions are prepared in an acceptable delivery system as vaccine formulations and can provide cross protection of PRRSV antibody free pigs from infection upon PRRSV challenge.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for modulation of the immune system. Specifically, the present disclosure provides methods and compositions for increasing T cell mediated immune response useful in the treatment of cancer and chronic infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel compositions and methods for treating infection by a viral pathogen, e.g., a BK or JC polyomavirus, using agents having sialidase activity. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods that entail administering agents having an anchoring domain that anchors the compound to the surface of a target cell, and a sialidase domain that can act extracellularly to inhibit infection of a target cell by a pathogen.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.

Abstract: Methods for providing novel compositions useful as influenza immunogens are provided. The compositions enable a host response to immunogen sites normally not recognized by a host. The novel immunogens can be used as vaccines or to develop antibodies.

Abstract: Described is a reproducible, effective and scalable process for parvovirus production including characterization strategies, preferably production of H-1PV.

Abstract: This application pertains to methods of isolating virus particles and producing virus vaccine composition comprising subject a biological sample to an anion exchange chromatography and a hydroxyapatite chromatography. The application also pertains to rabies virus vaccine compositions and methods of assessing suitability of a virus vaccine composition or releasing a commercial batch of virus vaccine composition for clinical use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions including recombinant K or 812 bacteriophages, methods for making the same, and uses thereof. The recombinant K or 812 bacteriophages disclosed herein are useful for the identification and/or antibiotic susceptibility profiling of specific bacterial strains/species present in a sample.