Abstract: A method of preventing or treating HIV in a subject includes selecting two or more HIV CTL epitopes from an HIV proteome that have a network score that meets a threshold value. The network score for a given epitope can be determined by generating at least one network representing protein structure, calculating a set of network parameters, combining the network parameters to determine a network score for each amino acid residue in the protein structure, generating a network score for each of a plurality of epitopes as a weighted linear combination of the amino acid residues of the epitopes, and selecting two or more epitopes according to their network score. An effective amount of a T cell immunogen composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to the subject. The T cell immunogen composition includes the two or more selected HIV CTL epitopes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject having or at risk of having an HIV infection. Disclosed herein are peptide immunogens and nucleic acids that have epitopes in which mutations are most likely to have deleterious effects on the HIV virus. An algorithm is disclosed for the selection of the epitopes based on the HIV fitness landscape, and it accounts for the effect of coupling mutations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject having or at risk of having an HIV infection. Disclosed herein are peptide immunogens and nucleic acids that have epitopes in which mutations are most likely to have deleterious effects on the HIV virus. An algorithm is disclosed for the selection of the epitopes based on the HIV fitness landscape, and it accounts for the effect of coupling mutations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering an agent to virally infected tissues and/or cells of a subject by conjugating agent-loaded nanoparticles to virus-specific T cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The agent may be a latency-reversing drug (LRD), an antiviral agent and/or an agent that enhances cytotoxic efficacy of T lymphocytes.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering an agent to virally infected tissues and/or cells of a subject by conjugating agent-loaded nanoparticles to virus-specific T cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The agent may be a latency-reversing drug (LRD), an antiviral agent and/or an agent that enhances cytotoxic efficacy of T lymphocytes.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified peroxiredoxin that are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified serpin that are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient or treating HIV infection by introducing into a cell susceptible to HIV infection a DNA molecule encoding a serpin. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the detection, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions containing HCV epitopes, which are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Such polypeptides are used in prophylactic vaccines, immunotherapies, and assays to monitor the progress or success of immune interventions. The compositions are optimized to elicit an immune response in a genetically-diverse population of individuals.

Abstract: The invention features an immunogenic composition containing a frequently-recognized epitope of an HIV-1 accessory protein such as Vpr and methods of inducing an immune response using such an epitope. The epitope peptide contains the amino acid sequence ALIRILQQL of a functionally active domain or a structural domain of the accessory protein.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions containing HCV epitopes, which are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Such polypeptides are used in prophylactic vaccines, immunotherapies, and assays to monitor the progress or success of immune interventions. The compositions are optimized to elicit an immune response in a genetically-diverse population of individuals.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument on a user in which the apparatus comprises a harness that attaches to a single anchor point on the instrument and further cradles the body of the instrument along a length of the harness. The harness includes a tab for engaging the anchor point on the instrument and an adjustable strap forming a single closed loop that further engages the front, back and side surfaces of the instrument during use.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions containing HIV epitopes, which are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Such polypeptides are used in vaccines and immunotherapies. HIV-1 epitopes represent early targets in a naturally-occurring response against HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The invention features an immunogenic composition containing a frequently-recognized epitope of an HIV-1 accessory protein and methods of inducing an immune response using such an epitope. The epitope peptide contains an amino acid sequence of a functionally active domain or a structural domain of the accessory protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic compounds, antibodies that recognize and bind to these compounds, polynucleotides that encode these compounds, and immune effect or cells raised in response to presentation of these epitopes. The invention further provides methods for inducing an immune response and administering immunotherapy to a subject by delivering the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic compounds, antibodies that recognize and bind to these compounds, polynucleotides that encode these compounds, and immune effector cells raised in response to presentation of these epitopes. The invention further provides methods for inducing an immune response and administering immunotherapy to a subject by delivering the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified peroxiredoxin that are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified serpin that are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient or treating HIV infection by introducing into a cell susceptible to HIV infection a DNA molecule encoding a serpin. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the detection, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: A method of producing an HIV-specific helper T cell response in an animal by (1) providing a polypeptide 8 to 50 amino acid residues in length and having a helper T cell epitope of a HIV-1 p24 peptide; and (2) administering to the animal an amount of the polypeptide sufficient to produce an HIV-specific helper T cell response.