Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is directed towards DNA plasmid vaccines capable of generating in a mammal an immune response against a plurality of influenza virus subtypes, comprising a DNA plasmid and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The DNA plasmid is capable of expressing a consensus influenza antigen in a cell of the mammal in a quantity effective to elicit an immune response in the mammal, wherein the consensus influenza antigen comprises consensus hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix protein, nucleoprotein, M2 ectodomain-nucleo-protein (M2e-NP), or a combination thereof. Preferably the consensus influenza antigen comprises HA, NA, M2e-NP, or a combination thereof. The DNA plasmid comprises a promoter operably linked to a coding sequence that encodes the consensus influenza antigen. Additionally, an aspect of the present invention includes methods of eliciting an immune response against a plurality of influenza virus subtypes in a mammal using the DNA plasmid vaccines provided.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) vaccine vectors, virions thereof, compositions and vaccines comprising such, and methods of use thereof are each provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for efficiently manufacturing a non-enveloped virus with high purity without laborious operation by cultivating cells having the ability to produce a non-enveloped virus and bringing the cells and an acidic solution into contact with each other. A non-enveloped virus vector manufactured by the method of the present invention and a composition having the non-enveloped viral vector as an active ingredient are very useful as gene transfer methods in the fields of basic research and clinical application gene therapy.

Abstract: Isolated monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind neuraminidase (NA) of an N1 subtype influenza virus are disclosed herein. These antibodies and antigen binding fragments can be used for the detection of an N1 subtype influenza virus and for determining the immunogenicity of vaccines. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments also can be used for the treatment of a subject to prevent or ameliorate an influenza infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising attenuated strain of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) for protecting tilapia fish against infection by (TiLV). The invention also relates to methods for using the vaccines to protect tilapines from TiLV-induced disease.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of diagnosing and/or treating a mood disorder, the method being superior to the conventional technologies. The present invention attains the object by providing a method of diagnosing and/or treating a mood disorder by use of an anti-SITH-1 antibody level and an anti-HHV-6 antibody level each serving as an index.

Abstract: The disclosure describes HCMV ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccines, as well as methods of using the vaccines and compositions comprising the vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention also provides infectious DNA clones, biologically functional plasmid or viral vector containing the infectious nucleic acid genome molecule of Torque teno sus virus (TTsuV). The present invention also provides methods for diagnosing TTsuV infection via immunological methods, e.g., enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot using PTTV specific antigens for detecting serum PTTV specific antibodies which indicate infections TTsuV1, TTsuV2, and individual TTsuV1 genotypes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant peptides of the E protein of the West Nile virus and other flaviviruses useful for discriminating flaviviral infections, as well as kits, methods and uses related thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating melanoma using a herpes simplex virus in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: A mutant HSV-1 (referred to herein as KOS-NA) was generated. KOS-NA contains novel mutations in the UL39 gene, which encodes for a protein that is a large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (i.e., ICP6). These UL39 mutations were found to alter two amino acids in ICP6 (R950H and L393P) and are responsible for attenuation of KOS-NA in vivo, and resulted in diminished ICP6 protein levels. These novel UL39 mutations regulate the expression and/or stability of ICP6 and severely impact HSV-1 pathogenesis. Mutant HSV viruses containing these mutations appear to protect against HSV infection and can serve as therapeutic vaccines to help combat preexisting HSV infection in infected individuals.

Abstract: Generation of optimized H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H1N1 influenza virus isolates are described. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on selected H1N1 viruses isolated from 1918-2012. Optimized H1N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides are described, as are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides and methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising a replication-competent herpesvirus vector system and/or a herpesvirus vector particle comprising a heterologous recombinant transgene of interest encoding an antigen of interest (e.g., a tumor-associated antigen, a microbial antigen, etc.), wherein the recombinant transgene has been modified to comprise a codon usage signature of a herpesvirus late gene operably linked to an active promoter. Such compositions find use in a variety of methods including, for example, methods of generating an immune response against an antigen of interest in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods for treating or preventing cancer or a microbial infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides heavy chain immunoglobulins of the VHH type or fragment thereof having affinity for a target antigen of interest, including glycoprotein D2 (gD2) of HSV-2 or antigen thereof, and for envelope proteins of HIV-1 or an antigen thereof linked to Pseudomonas exotoxin A or functional fragments thereof. Also included are multimeric forms of the immunoglobulins and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of HSV2 and/or HIV-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to compositions and methods for enhancement of an immune response by partial mTOR inhibition, for example, with low, immune enhancing, doses of an mTOR inhibitor, such as RAD001.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting presence of an influenza virus in a sample, such as a biological sample obtained from a subject or an environmental sample, are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods can be used to quickly identify particular subtypes of influenza virus (such as seasonal or variant influenza subtype H3, influenza subtype H5, Eurasian influenza subtype H7, North American influenza subtype H7, and/or influenza subtype H9) present in a sample. Probes and primers are provided herein that permit the rapid detection and/or discrimination of influenza virus subtype nucleic acids in a sample. Devices (such as arrays) and kits for detection and/or discrimination of influenza virus subtype nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite antigens comprising a peptide with contiguous amino acid sequence derived from a plurality of antigenic epitopes of one or more pathogens that induces an immune response in a mammal that is protective against infection by the one or more pathogens. In addition, the invention relates to vaccines comprising composite antigens and to method for treating and preventing an infection.

Abstract: Recombinant herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) vaccine vectors, virions thereof, compositions and vaccines comprising such, and methods of use thereof are each provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequences of herpes virus antigens, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines expressing the sequences. Also provide herein are methods for generating an immune response against herpes virus using the vaccines that are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to the fusion (F) protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Also provided are methods for of prevention, treatment and diagnosis of viral infection and/or the treatment of one more symptoms of RSV-mediated disease. Methods of generating antibodies that immunospecifically bind RSV F protein also are provided.