Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens as well as to method of making and using these immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified, functional 5? amplification sequences that are defective packaging signals. Also provided are compositions and methods comprising these modified 5? amplification sequences.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens as well as to method of making and using these immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Mucosal delivery of antigens using, for example, a replication-defective gene delivery vehicle, particularly replication-defective alphavirus vectors and particles, is described. Also described are compositions comprising a mucosal adjuvant and one or more antigens derived from HIV. Also provided is the use of these gene delivery vehicles in inducing mucosal, local, and/or systemic immune responses following mucosal immunization regimes.

Abstract: Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided, including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens, as well as to methods of making and using the immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for Eukaryotic Layered Vector Initiation Systems and Alphavirus replicon particles for introducing heterologous sequences into cells for generating immune responses.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating immune responses utilizing alphavirus-based vector systems.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens as well as to method of making and using these immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating immune responses utilizing alphavirus-based vector systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified, functional 5? amplification sequences that are defective packaging signals. Also provided are compositions and methods comprising these modified 5? amplification sequences.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. Also provided are microparticles in the form of submicron emulsions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb polypeptides, such as antigens, and nucleic acids, such as ELVIS vectors and other vector constructs, containing heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active macromolecules, such as polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and uses of the microparticle compositions for vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed.

Abstract: An outbreak of a virulent respiratory virus, now known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), was identified in Hong Kong, China and a growing number of countries around the world in 2003. The invention relates to nucleic acids and proteins from the SARS coronavirus. These nucleic acids and proteins can be used in the preparation and manufacture of vaccine formulations, diagnostic reagents, kits, etc. The invention also provides methods for treating SARS by administering small molecule antiviral compounds, as well as methods of identifying potent small molecules for the treatment of SARS.

Abstract: Methods of production and purification for viruses and virus-derived vectors, including those related to alphaviruses, are disclosed. In one aspect, methods of purification that subject alphavirus replicon particle preparations to one or more steps of chromatographic purification, such as using an ion exchange resin, are provided. Also disclosed are methods of characterizing alphavirus replicon particles and utilizing these materials for vaccines and gene-based therapeutics.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(&agr;-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nomonic detergents. Also provided are microparticles in the form of submicron emulsions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb polypeptides, such as antigens, and nucleic acids, such as ELVIS vectors and other vector constructs, containing heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active macromolecules, such as polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and uses of the microparticle compositions for vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: Mucosal delivery of antigens using, for example, a replication-defective gene delivery vehicle, particularly replication-defective alphavirus vectors and particles, is described. Also described are compositions comprising a mucosal adjuvant and one or more antigens derived from HIV. Also provided is the use of these gene delivery vehicles in inducing mucosal, local and/or systemic immune responses following mucosal immunization regimes.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecule are provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes, in order, an alphavirus capsid, a signal peptide, and an alphavirus E1 or E2 glycoprotein. Also provided are vectors encoding such nucleic acid molecules, and use of such vectors or expression cassettes to generate recombinant alphavirus particles and alphavirus packaging cell lines. In addition, modified alphavirus vector constructs are provided that permit reduced transgene expression during vector packaging, as well as methods of using such vector constructs for the production of alphavirus vector particles.