Abstract: Ligand-specific HVEM variants, compositions comprising such variants, and methods of treating inflammatory diseases comprising administering such variants, are provided.

Abstract: The modified HSV gD protein of the present invention is a modified protein of a herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope glycoprotein D (gD), wherein the modified HSV gD protein is derived from a wild-type HSV gD by modification of at least one of B cell epitopes having low or no neutralizing antibody-inducing activity compared to a B cell epitope present in a receptor-binding domain (RBD) (decotopes) in the ectodomain of the wild-type HSV gD, so that the modified epitope does not function as an epitope.

Abstract: Methods of determining the stoichiometry of a viral capsid and/or determining the heterogeneity of protein components in a viral capsid are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which the topical application of a toll-like receptor 7 agonist or a toll-like receptor 9 agonist at or near a subdermal vaccination site provides an enhanced response to the vaccination. The enhanced response can be an elevated antibody titer relative to an untreated but vaccinated subject, and/or development of cross-species immunity to species not present in the vaccinating composition.

Abstract: Methods of determining the stoichiometry of a viral capsid and/or determining the heterogeneity of protein components in a viral capsid are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus that contains a mutation in the 3? untranslated region (3?-UTR) comprising a ?30 mutation that removes the TL-2 homologous structure in each of the dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR that removes sequence in the 5? direction as far as the 5? boundary of the TL-3 homologous structure in each of the dengue serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, or a replacement of the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a first serotype with the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a second serotype, optionally containing the ?30 mutation and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR; and immunogenic compositions, methods of inducing an immune response, and methods of producing a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus.

Abstract: Adeno associated viral (AAV) particles are emerging as a useful vehicle for gene delivery to various organs and tissues, one of them being the retina. Provided here are variant AAV (e.g., variant serotype 2 (AAV2)) capsid proteins and variant capsid protein containing particles with enhanced ability to transduce retinal cells.

Abstract: Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY Abs) specific to the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus spike (MERS-CoV S) protein demonstrate efficacy against MERS-CoV infection. The S-specific IgY Abs (anti-S IgY) are produced by injecting chickens with purified a recombinant MERS-CoV S protein, S1 subunit, or an S1 fragment. The purified anti-S IgY specifically bind to the MERS-CoV S protein and inhibit infection. In vitro neutralization of the IgY Abs against MERS-CoV was achieved in cell lines and in a human-transgenic mouse model treated with a pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-S IgY. Viral antigen-positive cells in treated mice were reduced, compared to the adjuvant-only controls. Moreover, lung cells of anti-S IgY-treated mice showed significantly reduced inflammation, compared to the controls. Efficient neutralization of MERS-CoV infection is demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo using the anti-S IgY Abs.

Abstract: CMV vectors that lack active UL128, UL130, UL146 and UL147 proteins that may also comprise one or more microRNA regulatory elements (MRE) that restrict expression of the CMV are provided. Immunization with CMV vectors having the described features allows selection of different CD8+ T cell responses—CD8+ T cells restricted by MHC-Ia, MHC-II, or by MHC-E.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing the production of recombinant proteins by introducing ICP0 to cells capable of producing a recombinant protein are encompassed. In one method, the recombinant protein is a protein that is required for the replication of a replication defective virus, wherein the recombinant protein is provided to the replication defective virus in trans.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule, in particular, an RNA molecule containing particular substitutions. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising the same as well as virus-like particle, viral vector or virus particle containing the nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention. The virus-like particle, the viral vector or the virus particle is suitable for use as a medicament in particular for treating viral infection. Further, a pharmaceutical composition is provided in particular suitable for use as a pharmaceutical prophylactic vaccine containing the virus-like particle, viral vector or the virus particle or the nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention.

Abstract: An engineered adenovirus penton base protomer, wherein the penton base protomer comprises a first RGD-loop, a second RGD-loop, a variable loop (V loop), an Adenovirus fiber protein binding cleft, and an N-terminal domain; wherein at least one of the first RGD-loop, the second RGD-loop, and the V loop comprises at least one inserted non-adenoviral antigenic polypeptide; and wherein the engineered adenovirus penton base protomer is capable of assembling into virus-like particles (VLPs).

Abstract: Recombinant chimeric bovine/human parainfluenza virus 3 (rB/HPIV3) vectors expressing Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) G protein or a recombinant RSV G protein, as well as methods of their use and manufacture, are provided. The rB/HPIV3 vector comprises a genome comprising a heterologous gene encoding the RSV G protein or the recombinant RSV G protein. Nucleic acid molecules comprising the sequence of the genome or antigenome of the disclosed rB/HPIV3 vectors are also provided. The disclosed rB/HPIV3 vectors can be used, for example, to induce an immune response to RSV and HPIV3 in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors encoding heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions including recombinant K1E bacteriophages, methods for making the same, and uses thereof. The recombinant K1E bacteriophages disclosed herein are useful for the identification and/or antibiotic susceptibility profiling of specific bacterial strains/species present in a sample.

Abstract: The present application discloses stability-indicating potency assays for influenza vaccines.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection using polypeptides having sialidase activity are provided herein.

Abstract: Antibodies and compositions of matter useful for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of Epstein Barr Virus infection in mammals, and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same. Also disclosed are proteins, referred to as anti-gp350 antibody probes, and anti-gp350 B-cell probes, that maintain the epitope structure of the CR2-binding region of gp350, but do not bind CR2.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antigen binding proteins including, but not limited to, monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to and preferably neutralize human cytomegalovirus (CMV). The antigen binding proteins of the invention are useful as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating CMV infections in a patient in need thereof. Also encompassed by the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antigen binding proteins of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention further relates to methods of using the antigen binding proteins and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention for the prevention or treatment of CMV infection in patients in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates i.a. to a 4/91 IBV (infectious bronchitis virus) encoding for a heterologous S (spike) protein or fragment thereof. Further, the present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising said 4/91 IBV encoding for a heterologous S (spike) protein or fragment thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for immunizing a subject comprising administering to such subject the immunogenic composition of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing clinical signs caused by IBV in a subject of need, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an immunogenic composition according to the present invention.