Abstract: The present application is directed to stabilized HIV envelope glycoprotein trimers. The trimers are stabilized by introducing trimeric motifs, preferably the GCN4 coiled coil or the fibritin trimeric domain at certain sites, for example in the gp41 ectodomain. These stabilized trimers or DNA molecules encoding such trimers can be used to generate an immunogenic reaction. The trimers can also be used in assays to screen for molecules that interact with them—and to identify molecules that interact with specific sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can inter-act with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occupancy of a co-receptor present on the cell. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CD4 D1D2 and CD4M9 sequences.

Abstract: Human heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP-1 and HspBP-2) and fragments thereof are disclosed with the polynucleotides which identify and encode them. Genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP) are also disclosed and a method for producing HspBP polypeptides.

Abstract: Human heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP-1 and HspBP-2) are disclosed with the polynucleotides which identify and encode them. Genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP) are also disclosed, as well as methods for producing HspBP polypeptides and for detecting polynucleotide sequences that encode HspBP polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods are provided for screening natural and synthetic anti-HIV agents using recombinant cells that are rendered susceptible to productive infection of various strains, subtypes or clades of HIV from both laboratory and clinical isolates.

Abstract: The invention provides gp38 polypeptides, which play a role in immunomodulation, nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods employing these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activities of gp38 nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and therapeutic methods employing these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells for the production of helper dependent adenoviral vectors, including at least the following genic units: a first genic unit comprising an adenovirus defective genome having the inverted terminal repeats in head-to-tail configuration, the encapsidation signal inactivated, and at least one of the non-structural regions inactivated; a second genic unit comprising at least one inducible promoter and at least one of the regions inactivated in the first genic unit, said regions being under the control of said inducible promoter; whereby following the activation of the inducible promoter of the second genic unit and the infection of the cells with said helper dependent adenoviral vectors, the first genic unit and the second genic unit enable the production of said helper dependent adenoviral vectors in said cells in absence of helper vector.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a presence of HIV virus in a sample comprising: taking a culture of recombinant cells which (a) are capable of cell division, (b) express CD4 receptor and one or more additional cell surface receptors necessary to allow the HIV virus to infect, (c) enable the HIV virus to replicate and infect the noninfected cells in the cell culture, and (d) comprise a reporter sequence introduced into the recombinant cells comprising a reporter gene whose expression is regulated by a protein specific to HIV viruses which is expressed from a genome of an HIV virus upon infection of the recombinant cell by the HIV virus; contacting the cell culture with a sample to be analyzed for the presence of HIV virus in the sample; and detecting a change in a level of expression of the reporter gene in cells in the recombinant cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial and fungal ABC transporter proteins, immunogenic fragments thereof, neutralising agents specific thereto and binding agents specific thereto for therapeutic and diagnostic use, together with diagnostic test methods, methods of same and kits for performing same. Also provided are immunodominant conserved antigens from gram positive staphylococci, together with neutralising and binding agents specific thereto for use in therapy and diagnosis, and methods of same. Also provided are Staphylococcal holomogues of IstA and IstB and immunogenic fragments thereof, and their uses in methods of treatment and diagnosis of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated BAL nucleic acid molecules, which are differentially expressed in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing BAL nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a BAL gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated BAL proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-BAL antibodies. Diagnostic methods using compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a recently described flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. Although associated with acute post-transfusion hepatitis, it is not clear if GBV-C is pathogenic for humans. A full-length cDNA was constructed from the plasma of a person with chronic GBV-C viremia. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transfected with full-length RNA transcripts from this GBV-C clone resulted in viral replication, demonstrating an isolated infectious GBV-C nucleic acid molecule. In addition to composition involving an isolated infectious GBV-C nucleic acid molecule, the present invention concerns methods of inhibiting and treating HIV infections.

Abstract: This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.

Abstract: Novel antiviral combinations for the treatment or prevention of viral infections, in particular, HIV, are disclosed. This new antiviral therapy employs either DP-178 or DP-107, viral fusion inhibitors, in combination with at least one other antiviral therapeutic agent. The combinations of the invention are better than single therapies alone, and in certain cases are synergistic. The use of DP-178 or DP-107 is an ideal therapy to combine with another antiviral, given both the novel mechanism which this therapeutic blocks HIV transmission and the non-toxicity of the therapeutic.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel CD4-independent HIV Envelope proteins and uses therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified bovine adenoviruses comprising a modification in a capsid protein wherein said protein is associated with adenovirus tropism and wherein said modification is associated with altered tropism. The present invention provides adenovirus vectors and host cells comprising such vectors. The present invention also provides methods of making and using such adenoviruses.

Abstract: A reverse transcriptase (RT) assay kit for analysis of RT activity in biological samples is described. The kit comprises solid phase bound prA and/or pdA template(s) obtainable by contacting a polystyrene-based solid phase with a 1-methylimidazole-containing coupling solution, and RT-type adapted assay components selected from a buffer, divalent metal ion, chelator, polyamine, RNase inhibitor, reducing agent, salt, stabilizing agent, and detergent, and deoxynucleotide triphosphate, primer, protective agent and concentrated washing buffer, and optionally lyophilized reference enzyme(s), and further optionally lyophilized alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody, alkaline phosphatase substrate buffer and alkaline phosphatase substrate, and written instructions for use of the assay kit.

Abstract: A novel mammalian dihydroouabain-like factor is disclosed which substantially fails to cross-react with mammalian ouabain-like factor (OLF) for binding to anti-OLF antibody, but cross-reacts with plant-related dihydroouabain (dho) for binding to anti-dho antibody, has maximal u.v. absorbance at 196 nm, has a non-peptidic, non-lipidic chemical structure and a fully hydrogenated lactone ring, has a concentration-dependent Na+,K+-ATPase (sodium pump) catalytic inhibitory activity which is 10-fold lower than OLF and 3-fold higher than plant-related dihydroouabain, and a high pressure liquid chromatography elution time about the same as dho. This factor is useful for therapy for congestive heart failure. An antibody and antibody fragments having affinity for mammalian Dh-OLF but not for OLF, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods comprise the antibody and means for quantifying the antibody and are useful for treating a condition caused by high level of OLF or Dh-OLF.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression systems, and methods relating to the regulation of gene expression. The invention may be applied to regulate the expression of any coding sequence of interest, including those coding for viral components necessary for the packaging of viral particles.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to Nap was prepared by using a crude membrane fraction from a cell line which has a high affinity to Nef as an antigen. A cDNA clone which encodes Nap was obtained by screening a cDNA library of said cell line utilizing the specific antibody. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA was elucidated whereupon the full amino acid sequences of human Nap was identified. Since the anti-Nap monoclonal antibody inhibits the binding of Nef to Nap, it can be used as a new therapeutic agent for AIDS. In addition, it can be applied for the diagnosis of AIDS by clarifying the relation between the expression of Nap and the development of AIDS. Nap can be utilized for binding experiments to Nef.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of for mutation analysis of the HIV pol gene of HIV-1 virions comprising amplifying viral RNA or DNA via nested PCR using outer primers as represented in SEQ ID No: 1 and 2, amplifying said PCR product via nested PCR using a 5′ and 3′ primer chosen from the inner primers SEQ ID No: 3, 4, 5, and 6, and sequencing this secondary obtained PCR product using at least one sequencing primer chosen from any of SEQ ID No: 7 to 12 or variants thereof. In the alternative, at least one secondary sequencing primer may be used chosen from any of SEQ ID No: 13 to 24. The present invention also relates to kits for performing such a method as well as primers for performing the same.