Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.

Abstract: There is provided an assay suitable for the typing of bacterial strains. In the assay a predetermined amount of phage is combined with a bacterial isolate of unknown strain, the mixture being located in a suitable container. The mixture of phage and bacteria is conveniently held in a liquid or semi-liquid medium facilitating interaction of the two species. The extent of bacterial growth in the presence of the phage is measured by conventional means, preferably by means of an OD reading. Desirably the phage is retained in the selected container, which is conveniently a micro-titer plate, through use of a fixant such as 5% gelatin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to increase protein expression in baculo vector virus expression systems. The invention provides a method to produce a recombinant protein in insect-cell culture which comprises selecting a recombinant baculovirus expressing said protein, growing insect cells in growth medium in a culture vessel and infecting the cells with an inoculum of at least one baculovirus at a cell density of 1×105 to 5×106 cells/ml with an m.o.i of <0.01. The invention furthermore provides a method to produce recombinant pestivirus E2 or Em9 protein or fragments thereof in insect cell culture characterized by a final concentration of said protein (fragments) in the growth medium at harvest of at least 100 &mgr;g/ml. The invention furthermore provides a method to produce recombinant follicle stimulating hormone, &agr;-units an/or &bgr;-units and complexes and fragments thereof, at a concentration in the growth medium at harvest of at least 15 &mgr;l.

Abstract: An in vitro model system for viral infection and for immune response is comprised of a tissue block from adult tonsil or lymph node supported on a matrix which is flexible and porous and wherein the supported tissue block is cultured in a medium whose surface is congruent with the tissue block/matrix interface. The histoculture system can be used to screen for antiviral drugs, to monitor the course of viral diseases, and to monitor an immune response to antigen stimulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to altered antibodies that have a heavy or light chain variable domain in which the framework regions differ from the framework regions naturally associated with the complementarity determining regions of the variable domain and in which the framework regions are derived from a source of framework regions that differs from the framework regions naturally associated with the complementarity determining regions of the variable regions.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel methods and compositions for protecting cats from infection by a broad range of FIV strains using a multi-subtype FIV vaccine. Multi-subtype FIV vaccines comprising either cell free whole virus or cell lines infected with viruses are described. Methods for vaccinating cats with the subject vaccine compositions are also described. Cats vaccinated according to the methods and compositions of the subject invention exhibit protective humoral and cellular immune responses to FIV when challenged with homologous or heterologous strains of FIV. The subject invention also pertains to novel feline cell lines that are susceptible to infection by FIV and their methods of use.

Abstract: The invention relates to the sequence of the capsid gene and a corresponding cDNA sequence, of a dominant FCV strain called FCV 431. It also relates to the sequence of the capsid gene as well as the cDNA sequence of a complementary strain called G1. The cDNA sequences may be incorporated into expression vectors for the preparation of immunogenic preparations and of recombinant or subunit vaccines allowing vaccination against feline calicivirosis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to antigen library immunization, which provides methods for obtaining antigens having improved properties for therapeutic and other uses. The methods are useful for obtaining improved antigens that can induce an immune response against pathogens, cancer, and other conditions, as well as antigens that are effective in modulating allergy, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable compacted, compressed or hard tableted vaccine composition comprising at least one freeze dried antigenic component and a dissolution aid. A method to facilitate immunizing a subject against a disease comprising the steps of first dissolving the compacted, compressed or hard tableted vaccine composition in a package with a diluent to form a vaccine solution, and administering the resulting vaccine solution in an amount effective for immunizing is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method for purifying and quantifying viral particles. More particularly, the invention concerns a method for purifying and quantifying adenovirus by ion-exchange chromatography. The invention also concerns a method for identifying different adenovirus serotypes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called Bone Marrow-Specific Protein (BMSP), and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing, treating, and/or preventing disorders related to this novel human protein.

Abstract: A composition which elicits antibodies to multiple known variants of Tat protein of HIV-1 of both the B and non-B clades contains the peptide R1-Asp-Pro-Asn-Leu-Asp-Pro-Trp-Asn-R2 SEQ ID NO: 23, and preferably an additional at least two variants of a peptide or polypeptide of the formula: R1-Asp-Pro-Y7-Leu-X9-Pro-Trp-Z12-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 8). In this composition, at least one of the two variants contains Arg at Y7 and Lys at Z12, and in at least a second of the two variants Y7 is Asn and Z12 is Asn. Vaccinal and pharmaceutical compositions can contain one or more such peptides associated with carrier proteins, associated in multiple antigenic peptides or as part of recombinant proteins. Diagnostic compositions and uses are described for assessing the immune status of vaccinated patients.

Abstract: Antibodies to two new epitopes on the HCV envelope proteins we, identified which allow routine detection of native HCV envelope antigens, in tissue or cells derived from the host. The new epitopes are: the E1 region aa 307-326 and the N-terminal hyper variable region of E2 aa 395-415. Surprisingly, we characterised an antibody that reacts with various sequences of the hypervariable domain of E2. Specific monoclonal antibodies directed against these epitopes and allowing routine detection of viral antigen are described.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) mutant comprising a heterologous gene or foreign DNA inserted into a section of the FHV genome. The invention also relates to a vector vaccine comprising a recombinant FHV mutant which expresses a heterologous polypeptide derived from a feline pathogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and induces an immune response in an inoculated host against both FHV and the feline pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating immunodeficiency virus infection in an infected animal comprising administering an effective amount of a lytic peptide.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using IL-12 to treat Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), particularly AIDS-associated KS.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one compound that inhibits HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) protease, selected from ritonavir, saquinavir or one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for the production of a medicament to modulate proteasome.

Abstract: An innovative detection system for detecting small numbers of target analytes is disclosed. This system provides a novel method for attaching multiple copies of reporter groups to a single site on an analyte of interest. This system preferably comprises a virus capsid enclosing multiple detectable reporter groups, and a linking molecule which is capable of linking the capsid to the analyte of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the removal of leucocytes from blood which comprises bringing blood that comprises infected leucocytes into contact with an adsorbent carrier that has a greater affinity for infected, activated and/or defective leucocytes than for uninfected leucocytes especially cellulose acetate. The method can be used in the apheresis treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic organisms, for example, HIV, HCV or malaria. It is especially useful for treatment of HIV.

Abstract: Recombinant expression systems for the production of proteins, and particularly a system for rapidly generating recombinant silkworm baculoviruses. Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) with an efficiency approaching 100% has been developed. In a specific example, the vector of the invention was used to generate expression of a FLAG-epitope tagged HIV tat interacting protein of 30 kDa (f-TIP30) in BmN cells and silkworm larvae.