Abstract: A recombinant baculovirus displaying on its envelop a fusion protein is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises a heterologous antigen, and a C-terminal region of baculovirus envelope GP64 protein, which has at least 100 amino acid residues in length and lacks a B12D5 binding epitope located within the central basic region of the GP64 protein. The genome of the recombinant baculovirus comprises a transgene encoding a fusion protein that comprises a signal peptide, the heterologous antigen, and the C-terminal region of the baculovirus envelope GP64 protein, in which the antigen is located between the signal peptide and the C-terminal region of the GP64 protein. Methods for eliciting an antigen-specific immunogenic response in a subject in need thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, a translocation peptide, a fusion antigen, an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, and optionally a nuclear export signal is disclosed. The fusion antigen comprises a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) ORF7 antigen, a PRRSV ORF1b antigen, a PRRSV ORF6 antigen, and a PRRSV ORF5 antigen. The fusion protein is useful for inducing antigen-specific cell-mediated and humoral responses.

Abstract: A vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein for inducing enhanced pathogen antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; (b) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 2, 3, or 6, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, located at the C-terminus of the translocation peptide; (d) a nuclear export signal, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and (e) an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A fusion protein for use as an immunogen enhancer for enhancing antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain; (b) a protein transduction domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, wherein the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the antigen of the pathogen is located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain. The protein transduction domain is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fusion polypeptide, comprising a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide; (ii) a T cell-sensitizing signal-transducing peptide; and (iii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length.

Abstract: A fusion protein for use as an immunogen enhancer for enhancing antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain; (b) a protein transduction domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, wherein the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the antigen of the pathogen is located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain. The protein transduction domain is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fusion polypeptide, comprising a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide; (ii) a T cell-sensitizing signal-transducing peptide; and (iii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, a translocation peptide, a fusion antigen, an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, and optionally a nuclear export signal is disclosed. The fusion antigen comprises a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) ORF7 antigen, a PRRSV ORF1b antigen, a PRRSV ORF6 antigen, and a PRRSV ORF5 antigen. The fusion protein is useful for inducing antigen-specific cell-mediated and humoral responses.

Abstract: A recombinant baculovirus displaying on its envelop a fusion protein is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises a heterologous antigen, and a C-terminal region of baculovirus envelope GP64 protein, which has at least 100 amino acid residues in length and lacks a B12D5 binding epitope located within the central basic region of the GP64 protein. The genome of the recombinant baculovirus comprises a transgene encoding a fusion protein that comprises a signal peptide, the heterologous antigen, and the C-terminal region of the baculovirus envelope GP64 protein, in which the antigen is located between the signal peptide and the C-terminal region of the GP64 protein. Methods for eliciting an antigen-specific immunogenic response in a subject in need thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein for use as an immunogen enhancer for enhancing antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain; (b) a protein transduction domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, wherein the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the antigen of the pathogen is located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain. The protein transduction domain is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fusion polypeptide, comprising a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide; (ii) a T cell-sensitizing signal-transducing peptide; and (iii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length.

Abstract: A vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein for inducing enhanced pathogen antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; (b) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 2, 3, or 6, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, located at the C-terminus of the translocation peptide; (d) a nuclear export signal, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and (e) an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein for inducing enhanced pathogen antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; (b) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 2, 3, or 6, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, located at the C-terminus of the translocation peptide; (d) a nuclear export signal, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and (e) an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A method for cryopreserving an umbilical cord tissue strip includes the steps of: (a) applying tension to a segment of an umbilical cord to expand spaces between umbilical cord vessels; (b) cutting the segment of the umbilical cord, at the spaces between the umbilical cord vessels in a longitudinal direction that parallels a length of the umbilical cord vessels, to obtain the umbilical cord tissue strip, wherein the umbilical cord tissue strip contains Wharton's jelly from a perivascular region, a intervascular region, and a subamnion region; (c) incubating the umbilical cord tissue strip with a cryogenic composition; and (d) cryopreserving the umbilical cord tissue strip containing the Wharton's jelly and the cryogenic composition.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of stem cells comprising a transgene encoding at least one oncogenic protein, wherein the stem cells are immortal and show no signs of neoplastic transformation; and administering to the mammal a vaccine composition comprising an effective amount of at least one immunogenic protein capable of eliciting at least one antibody specific against the at least one oncogenic protein, and thereby inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in the mammal. A therapeutic kit for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein for use as an immunogen enhancer for enhancing antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain; (b) a protein transduction domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, wherein the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the antigen of the pathogen is located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain. The protein transduction domain is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fusion polypeptide, comprising a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide; (ii) a T cell-sensitizing signal-transducing peptide; and (iii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length.

Abstract: A vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein for inducing enhanced pathogen antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; (b) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 2, 3, or 6, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, located at the C-terminus of the translocation peptide; (d) a nuclear export signal, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and (e) an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A method of preserving an umbilical cord is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a segment of an umbilical cord; mincing the segment of the umbilical cord into cord tissue pieces; admixing the cord tissue pieces with a cryogenic composition comprising a cryoprotectant and a protein to form a mixture; shaking the mixture for a duration of no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes; and cryopreserving the mixture.

Abstract: A method of preserving an umbilical cord is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a segment of an umbilical cord; mincing the segment of the umbilical cord into cord tissue pieces; admixing the cord tissue pieces with a cryogenic composition comprising a cryoprotectant and a protein to form a mixture; shaking the mixture for a duration of no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes; and cryopreserving the mixture.

Abstract: A method for inducing HIV antigen-specific immune responses is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a chimeric fusion protein comprising: (a) a first polypeptidyl region comprising a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) binding domain and a PE translocation domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; and (b) a second polypeptidyl region with a fusion peptide of HIV gp120-C1-C5-gp41 with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. A method for inducing neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating HIV infection is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a fusion protein comprising: a) a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) peptide comprising a binding domain and a PE translocation domain, the PE peptide being devoid of cytotoxic domain III; b) optionally gag24, being fused to the PE peptide; c) a fragment of gp120 C1 domain, being fused to the PE peptide or fused to the gag24 if the gag24 is present; d) a fragment of gp 120 C5 domain, being fused to the fragment of gp120 C1 domain; e) a fragment of gp41 amino acid sequence, being fused to the fragment of gp 120 C5 domain, and f) optionally an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, being fused to the C-terminus of the fragment of gp41.

Abstract: Fusion antigen used as vaccine and method of making them. The method includes: (1) selecting a segment of a virus protein sequence that contains a least one epitope; (2) engineering a DNA fragment encoding the selected segment of the virus protein; (3) inserting the DNA fragment into a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) vector to obtain a chimeric gene plasmid, and expressing the chimeric gene plasmid in a host cell to obtain the chimeric vaccinal virus antigen. The PE vector contains a PE fragment, which has a binding domain and a translocating domain, and a carboxyl terminal moiety, which includes an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence. The DNA fragment encoding the selected segment of the virus protein is inserted between the PE fragment and the carboxyl terminal moiety.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of stem cells comprising a transgene encoding at least one oncogenic protein, wherein the stem cells are immortal and show no signs of neoplastic transformation, and administering to the mammal a vaccine composition comprising an effective amount of at least one immunogenic protein capable of eliciting at least one antibody specific against the at least one oncogenic protein, and thereby inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in the mammal. A therapeutic kit for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is also disclosed.