Abstract: Mycobacterium strains that have an enhanced ability to elicit a Histocompatibility-Class I-restricted CD8+ T cell immune response are provided. The Mycobacterium strains are genetically engineered to express a endosomalytic protein that is active at neutral pH (e.g. Perfringolysin O), permitting escape of the Mycobacterium from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the cell. The invention also provides vaccine preparations containing the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said the animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce ? chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1?, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF?, IL-1? and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: LPS preparations, isolated from gram negative bacterial strains that contain at least one mutation in at least one of the htrB and msbB genes, and methods and therapeutics related thereto. The LPS preparations display both LPS antagonist and adjuvant activities.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce &bgr; chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1&bgr;, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF&agr;, IL-1&bgr; and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting the animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein the bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding the gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, a therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or an anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein said bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce &bgr; chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1&bgr;, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF&agr;, IL-1&bgr; and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides gram-negative bacterial strains that produce substantially pure non-pyrogenic lipopolysaccharide or lipid A. The present invention also relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic DNA and use of the same for introducing endogenous or foreign genes into animal cells or animal tissue. Further, the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic recombinant mammalian, protozoan and viral proteins. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic bacterial vaccines and vaccine vectors. Yet a further use of the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic bacterial proteins and polysaccharides antigens for use as vaccines.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for introducing RNA molecules into eukaryotic cells, wherein the RNA molecules are capable of being translated in the eukaryotic cells or is an antisense RNA or a catalytic RNA, as well as to such bacteria, compositions comprising such bacteria, and nucleic acids which can be introduced into bacteria for practicing the method of the invention. Examples of products the RNA molecule may encode include vaccine antigens, therapeutic agents, immunoregulatory agents or anti-sense RNA molecules or catalytic RNA molecules.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce &bgr; chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1&bgr;, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF&agr;, IL-1&bgr; and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein said bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides gram-negative bacterial strains that produce substantially pure non-pyrogenic lipopolysaccharide or lipid A. The present invention also relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic DNA and use of the same for introducing endogenous or foreign genes into animal cells or animal tissue. Further, the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic recombinant mammalian, protozoan and viral proteins. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic bacterial vaccines and vaccine vectors. Yet a further use of the present invention relates to a use of said strains for the preparation of non-pyrogenic bacterial proteins and polysaccharide antigens for use as vaccines.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein said bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.