Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of modulating T cell responses by UL18 of human cytomegalovirus. The disclosure also relates to methods of generating MHC-Ia, MHC-II, and/or MHC-E restricted CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide for use of the ?-herpesvirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV: e.g., RhCMV and HCMV) as a uniquely evolved “vector” for safely initiating and indefinitely maintaining high level cellular and humoral immune responses (against, e.g., HIV, SIV, TB, etc.). Particular aspects provide a method for treatment or prevention of, e.g., HIV, SIV or TB, comprising infection of a subject in need thereof with at least one recombinant CMV-based vector (e.g., HCMV or RhCMV) comprising an expressible HIV/SIV/TB antigen or a variant or fusion protein thereof. In particular embodiments of the method, infection is of an to immunocompetent, HCMV or RhCMV seropositive subject. Additional aspects provide for RhCMV- and HCMV-based vaccine vectors, and versions thereof with suicide or safety means. Further aspects provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive CMV-based vaccine vectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods to generate an immune response for the treatment or prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. This disclosure also relates to methods to generate MHC-E and/or MHC-II restricted CD8+ T cells for the treatment or prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antigens and methods of generating an immune response for the treatment of cancer. The disclosure also relates to methods of generating MHC-Ia, MHC-II, and/or MHC-E restricted CD8+ T cells for the treatment or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide for use of the ?-herpesvirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV: e.g., RhCMV and HCMV) as a uniquely evolved “vector” for safely initiating and indefinitely maintaining high level cellular and humoral immune responses (against, e.g., HIV, SIV, TB, etc.). Particular aspects provide a method for treatment or prevention of, e.g., HIV, SIV or TB, comprising infection of a subject in need thereof with at least one recombinant CMV-based vector (e.g., HCMV or RhCMV) comprising an expressible HIV/SIV/TB antigen or a variant or fusion protein thereof. In particular embodiments of the method, infection is of an immunocompetent, HCMV or RhCMV seropositive subject. Additional aspects provide for RhCMV- and HCMV-based vaccine vectors, and versions thereof with suicide or safety means. Further aspects provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive CMV-based vaccine vectors.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide for use of the ?-herpesvirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV: e.g., RhCMV and HCMV) as a uniquely evolved “vector” for safely initiating and indefinitely maintaining high level cellular and humoral immune responses (against, e.g., HIV, SIV, TB, etc.). Particular aspects provide a method for treatment or prevention of, e.g., HIV, SIV or TB, comprising infection of a subject in need thereof with at least one recombinant CMV-based vector (e.g., HCMV or RhCMV) comprising an expressible HIV/SIV/TB antigen or a variant or fusion protein thereof. In particular embodiments of the method, infection is of an immunocompetent, HCMV or RhCMV seropositive subject. Additional aspects provide for RhCMV- and HCMV-based vaccine vectors, and versions thereof with suicide or safety means. Further aspects provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive CMV-based vaccine vectors.

Abstract: This invention comprises a novel approach to the assessment of antigen-specific T cells that quantitates and characterizes these cells with unprecedented clarity, and importantly, because it is performed in whole blood, is amenable to routine use in the clinical immunology laboratory. The methodology offers an improved flow cytometric intracellular cytokine assay in whole blood that can simultaneously measure multiple T cell subsets expressing multiple cytokines from a single whole blood culture. Evaluation of whole blood antigen specific cytokine responses has the important advantage of assessing T cell activation in the presence of ALL types of MHC autologous antigen presenting cells present in the native sample. It also has the advantage of enabling a culture system (whole blood) which can reflect effects of systemic environments (i.e.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide for use of the ?-herpesvirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV: e.g., RhCMV and HCMV) as a uniquely evolved “vector” for safely initiating and indefinitely maintaining high level cellular and humoral immune responses (against, e.g., HIV, SIV, TB, etc.). Particular aspects provide a method for treatment or prevention of, e.g., HIV, SIV or TB, comprising infection of a subject in need thereof with at least one recombinant CMV-based vector (e.g., HCMV or RhCMV) comprising an expressible HIV/SIV/TB antigen or a variant or fusion protein thereof. In particular embodiments of the method, infection is of an immunocompetent, HCMV or RhCMV seropositive subject. Additional aspects provide for RhCMV- and HCMV-based vaccine vectors, and versions thereof with suicide or safety means. Further aspects provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive CMV-based vaccine vectors.

Abstract: A population of T lymphocyte precursor cells is disclosed. In bone marrow, the earliest identifiable T lymphocyte precursor is CD34.sup.+, CD7.sup.+ and Leu 8.sup.+++. Methods of isolation and methods of therapeutic use of such cells also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the identification and characterization of tumor cell types present within malignant populations, and novel methods of cancer treatment. Tumor cells in cell cycle arrest have been identified, purified and characterized according to their size, altered morphology, surface phenotype and expression of oncogenes. Tumor cell cycle arrest can be induced in mice lacking an immune system solely upon administration of anti-idiotype antibodies. Methods of manipulating specific signals from the cell surface to alter the malignant phenotype of transformed cells are disclosed, as are methods for either eliminating or specifically maintaining tumor cells in cell cycle arrest.

Abstract: A population of T lymphocyte precursor cells is disclosed. In bone marrow, the earliest identifiable T lymphocyte precursor is CD34.sup.+, CD7.sup.+ and Leu 8.sup.+++. Methods of isolation and methods of therapeutic use of such cells also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for determining neutrophil activation in a mammalian host by detecting the presence of shed LECAM-1 in the blood. By employing a monoclonal antibody which binds to a common epitope of lymphocyte and neutrophil LECAM-1 and a monoclonal antibody which binds to a sialylated Lewis X epitope which distinguishes between neutrophil and lymphocyte LECAM-1, the level of neutrophil activation can be determined. Various immunoassay protocols may be employed which detect the binding of the two antibodies to a common antigen.