Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for producing an antigen-specific immune response to human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) in a subject by administering mRNA vaccines.

Abstract: Virus vectors, virus particles, and methods and uses of screening for, detecting, analyzing and determining amounts of virus antibody, or neutralizing antibody activity of samples are provided. Such virus vectors, virus particles, and methods and uses are applicable to a broad range of virus types, such as lentiviruses, adenovirus, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes. Methods and uses include virus antibody screening, such as anti-virus immunoglobulins screened for, detected, analyzed and amounts determined.

Abstract: Recombinant adenovirus genomes that include an exogenous open reading frame (ORF) and a self-cleaving peptide coding sequence are described. Optimal placement of the exogenous genes for minimal impact on viral kinetics is further disclosed. Therapeutic applications of the recombinant adenoviruses are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibodies or immunogenic fragments thereof that specifically bind to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein 350 (gp350) or 220 or one or more epitopes of EBV gp350 and neutralize EBV infection. Also disclosed are immunogenic peptides comprising one or more gp350 epitopes, EBV antibody-small molecule conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibody or an immunogenic fragment thereof, one or more epitopes of EBV gp350, one or more immunogenic peptides, or the EBV antibody-small molecule conjugate. The antibodies, epitopes, immunogenic peptides, conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat or prevent EBV infections and EBV-associated conditions and diseases.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules and compositions comprising one or more nucleotide sequences that encode a consensus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigen. Immunomodulatory methods and methods of inducing an immune response against EBV are disclosed. Method of treating infection by EBV and methods of treating or preventing a disease or disorder associated with EBV are disclosed. Modified consensus EBV antigens are disclosed.

Abstract: An expression system for expressing a herpesvirus glycoprotein complex including a vector inserted with two or more nucleic acid sequences that encode two or more subunits of a herpesvirus glycoprotein complex linked by one or more linking sequences such that the subunits are co-expressed simultaneously and self-processed to assemble into a glycoprotein complex. The expression system or the vector can be included in a vaccine composition. The vaccine composition can be used for preventing or treating herpesvirus infections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to Herpes simplex-2 viruses that may be used in vaccines to immunize patients against genital herpes.

Abstract: Genome editing systems and genetic constructs that target a herpes simplex virus (HSV) viral gene, where the systems comprise one Cas9 molecule, and a gRNA molecule, compositions and cells comprising such genome editing systems and genetic constructs as well as methods for using the genome editing systems, genetic constructs, compositions and cells for genome engineering, and for preventing, treating or reducing HSV infection.

Abstract: Flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs) are provided that display on their surfaces antigenic flavivirus proteins. The VLPs include at least one flavivirus structural protein and at least one non-structural flavivirus protein. A DNA construct that includes sequences encoding flavivirus viral proteins used to assemble the flavivirus VLP is also provided. A method of producing flavivirus VLPs by introducing one or more the DNA constructs into a host cell is also provided. An immunogenic composition that includes the flavivirus VLP is also provided.

Abstract: Vaccine-derived neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for CMV infections and small peptides which define precise recognition elements of the antigens by the NAbs. The vaccine-derived NAbs may be produced by immunizing a subject with a gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A pentameric glycoprotein complex (gH/gLPC). The vaccine-derived NAbs may have properties similar or identical to those of NAbs induced in a subject naturally infected with CMV. Native and non-native small peptides from UL128 and gH have been defined by mapping epitopes and deriving artificial sequences which are minimal recognition elements of vaccine-derived NAbs. These small peptides can be used to elicit vaccine-derived NAbs that prevent CMV entry into susceptible cell types and protect humans from infection and disease. Multivalent vaccines comprising these small peptides and/or epitopes as well as methods of using the vaccine-derived NAbs and small peptides for treating or preventing CMV infection in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing undesired anti-AAV antibodies from a blood-derived composition.

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

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 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: 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.