Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-viral vector system, in particular, but not exclusively, to a hybrid-viral vector system that can be used as a vaccine vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-viral vector system, in particular, but not exclusively, to a hybrid-viral vector system that can be used as a vaccine vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-viral vector system, in particular, but not exclusively, to a hybrid-viral vector system that can be used as a vaccine vector.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant replicable vesiculoviruses. The invention provides a method which, for the first time, successfully allows the production and recovery of replicable vesiculoviruses, as well as recombinant replicable vesiculoviruses, from cloned DNA, by a method comprising expression of the full-length positive-strand vesiculovirus antigenomic RNA in host cells. The recombinant vesiculoviruses do not cause serious pathology in humans, can be obtained in high titers, and have use as vaccines. The recombinant vesiculoviruses can also be inactivated for use as killed vaccines.

Abstract: Replication-competent recombinant rhabdoviruses that lack a functional glycoprotein gene and express at least one foreign polypeptide such as a celluar receptor for another virus in their viral envelopes are useful in the treatment of pathogenic viruses. In one embodiment, a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) lacking its glycoprotein (G) gene and expressing instead the HIV receptor and a coreceptor is employed in a method for treating persons infected with HIV. The recombinant virus is defective for entry into normal cells but is able to control HIV infection in a T cell line by replicating in, and killing, HIV-infected cells.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant replicable vesiculoviruses. The invention provides a method which, for the first time, successfully allows the production and recovery of replicable vesiculoviruses, as well as recombinant replicable vesiculoviruses, from cloned DNA, by a method comprising expression of the full-length positive-strand vesiculovirus antigenomic RNA in host cells. The recombinant vesiculoviruses do not cause serious pathology in humans, can be obtained in high titers, and have use as vaccines. The recombinant vesiculoviruses can also be inactivated for use as killed vaccines.

Abstract: A reagent for introducing a nucleic acid into an animal cell.

Abstract: Synthetic vaccines for both the Indiana and New Jersey serotypes of vesicular stomatitis virus are provided. Recombinant vaccinia viruses are created with DNA sequences which encode antigenically active VSV proteins. Vaccinia virus sequences are inserted in plasmids and DNA sequences corresponding to encoding portions of the VSV genome are inserted into the plasmids with flanking vaccinia virus sequences. In cells transformed with such plasmids and also infected with vaccinia virus, homologous recombination occurs, producing the modified vaccinia viruses which act as vaccines encoding VSV proteins and inducing anti-VSV immune responses in inoculated animals.