Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens, diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens, diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens, diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant expression vectors which express segments of deoxyribonucleic acid that encode recombinant HIV and HCV antigens. These recombinant expression vectors are transformed into host cells and used in a method to express large quantities of these antigens. The invention also provides compositions containing certain of the isolated antigens, diagnostic systems containing these antigens and methods of assaying body fluids to detect the presence of antibodies against the antigens of the invention.

Abstract: A method for the sterilization of a virus infected plasma or plasma derivative comprising contacting the plasma or plasma derivative with at least one organic solvents with or without at least one detergent and simultaneously or sequentially with a lipophilic adorbent at a temperature of 30° C. to 70° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying of a nucleic acid from a biological sample. The method involves contacting a biological sample containing a nucleic acid with a hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane which contains pores having an average diameter less than about 0.45 &mgr;m and recovering the nucleic acid. The method can further include adding silica beads to the biological sample prior to the contacting step.

Abstract: Method for DNA-based immunotherapy of mammalian subjects in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection through a series of injections of DNA transcription units encoding hepatitis B surface antigen followed by booster injections of a DNA transcription unit encoding at hepatitis B surface antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purification of viral RNA from a biological sample. The method involves lysing the virus envelope to liberate the RNA and passing the lysate through a porous hydrophilic PVDF filter to capture the viral RNA. The filter with bound RNA is then washed to remove proteins, lipids and other contaminants. The RNA is released from the filter using a low ionic strength ribonuclease (RNase) free solution to form a solution containing purified viral RNA. From this solution the RNA is recovered. The invention is also compatible with purification of nucleic acids from other types of samples.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods for delivery of nucleic acids to cells, which comprise forming ternary complexes between a hydrophobic, membrane-binding anion such as hypericin; a polycation such as polylysine; and a nucleic acid such as DNA; and contacting cells with the tenary complexes. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising these ternary complexes and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The methods and compositions find use in mediating DNA uptake into cells, including gene therapy applications.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a proteinaceous mass containing particles of HBsAg in a morphological form not found in nature while inactivating any live virus contained therein. The process comprises subjecting a concentrated mass thereof free of protein diluent or a stabilizer to a heat inactivation by heating the same while in a concentration of at least 1 mg/ml at a temperature of 101.degree. to 105.degree. C. for 1 to 5 minutes and thereafter cooling the so heated particles.

Abstract: There are disclosed a process for enhancing the immunogenicity of a lipid membrane based immunogen comprising flash heating it at a membrane concentrations sufficient under the conditions of flash heating to result in melting of membranes and fusing the melted membranes into novel morphologic forms and a proteinaceous mass comprising particles of HBsAg, said particles including particles of HBsAg in morphologic form not found in nature, said HBsAg contains particles being filaments, branched filaments, closed circular or closed circular branched filaments.

Abstract: A mammalian blood plasma or plasma derivative substantially free of active hepatitis B or non-A, non-B viruses is disclosed, the plasma being characterized by the presence of factor VIII, the percent by weight of denatured factor VIII to the sum of undenatured factor VIII and denatured factor VIII being less than 50%. The plasma is sterilized by contact with a detergent, alcohol or ether, and mixtures thereof and preferably a mixture of detergent and ether, usually followed by removal of the viral sterilizing agent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new synthetic peptide which evokes an immunological response. The synthetic peptide, moreover, interacts with antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Thus, the synthetic peptide is useful as an immunizing agent in a vaccine as an active component thereof where it serves to produce antibodies in vivo which are protective against hepatitis B virus. The synthetic peptide of the invention comprises the following sequence of amino acids: Arg Trp Met Met Leu Arg Arg (I) and preferably has the following sequence: Gly Tyr Arg Trp Met Met Leu Arg Arg Phe Gly (II).

Abstract: There is disclosed a new synthetic peptide which evokes an immunological response. The synthetic peptide, moreover, interacts with antibodies to Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG). Thus, the synthetic peptide is useful as an immunizing agent in a vaccine as an active component thereof where it serves to produce antibodies in vivo which are protective against Hepatitis B virus. The synthetic peptide of the invention comprises the following sequence of amino acids: Arg Trp Met Met Leu Arg Arg(I) and preferably has the following sequence: Gly Tyr Arg Trp Met Met Leu Arg Arg Phe Gly (II).

Abstract: A mammalian blood plasma or plasma derivative substantially free of active hepatitis B or non-A, non-B viruses is disclosed, the plasma being characterized by the presence of factor VIII, the percent by weight of denatured factor VIII to the sum of undenatured factor VIII and denatured factor VIII being less than 50%. The plasma is sterilized by contact with a detergent, alcohol or ether, preferably a mixture of detergent and ether, usually followed by removal of the viral sterilizing agent.

Abstract: A vaccine against viral hepatitis comprising:A. antigenic particles having a particle size in the range of 30 to 50 nanometers, said antigenic particles containing hepatitis B surface antigens;B. said antigen having less than 10 units of free antibody to hepatitis B surface antigens per 1,000 units of hepatitis B surface antigens;C. at least 5% of the particles of said vaccine in the size range of 30 to 50 nanometers containing the hepatitis B surface antigenic specificity(s) which have been termed "e-antigen";D. said hepatitis B surface antigens, including e-antigens, being present in said vaccine in an amount sufficient to produce antibodies when introduced into a host animal, the balance being a medium which is physiologically acceptable, especially to humans and primates.

Abstract: A vaccine against viral heptitis comprising:A. antigenic particles having a particle size in the range of 30 to 50 nanometers, said antigenic particles containing heptitis B surface antigens;B. said antigen having less than 10 units of free antibody to heptitis B surface antigens per 1,000 units of hepatitis B surface antigens;C. at least 5% of the particles of said vaccine in the size range of 30 to 50 nanometers containing the hepatitis B surface antigenic specificity(s) which have been termed "e-antigen";D. said heptatis B surface antigens, including e-antigens, being present in said vaccine in an amount sufficient to produce antibodies when introduced into a host animal, the balance being a medium which is physiologically acceptable, especially to humans and primates.

Abstract: A process for preparing a vaccine containing unprecipitated filaments and hepatitis B Dane particle specific antigens by removal from a blood serum of other proteinaceous matter such that the serum contains less than 10% proteinaceous matter other than that associated with hepatitis B surface antigen or the filament or Dane particle specific antigen. Any virus present is inactivated, and the antigenous mass is diluted with a physiologically acceptable medium.

Abstract: After a polyethylene glycol purification procedure, virus particles, viral components and virus associated particles having concanavalin A binding sites are further purified by subjecting such particles or components to affinity chromatography utilizing insoluble concanavalin A as a chromatography adsorbent and an eluant capable of interacting with concanavalin A to thereby inhibit the binding of the virus particles or components to the insoluble concanavalin A. Specifically, the insoluble concanavalin A may be concanavalin A linked to agarose beads and the eluant may be methyl-.alpha.-D-mannopyranoside. Specifically, these procedures may be utilized to purify hepatitis B antigen (HB Ag) particles.

Abstract: Highly purified type B hepatitis antigen (HB Ag) is produced from fluid blood material containing such antigen by subjecting blood material containing naturally occurring HB Ag to a double precipitation with polyethylene glycol. In each precipitation, the pH of the fluid blood material is maintained at approximately 4.4 to 4.7 and a polyethylene glycol concentration of approximately 4.0 to 4.5 weight per cent is used. Particularly good results are obtained if the temperature of the material is maintained in the range of 0.degree. to 8.degree.C after the polyethylene glycol has been added. The antigen thus obtained may be further purified by absorption of impurities to hydroxy apatite, followed by isopycnic banding and zonal ultracentrifugation. Hydroxy apatite column chromatography is used to separate the purified antigen into three separate populations of particles.