Patents by Inventor Manuel Borca

Manuel Borca has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8961996
    Abstract: E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). E2 is involved in several functions including virus attachment and entry to target cells, production of antibodies, induction of protective immune response in swine, and virulence. Seven putative glycosylation sites in E2 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E2 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all putative glycosylation sites in E2, but restored when mutation N185A reverted to wild-type asparagine produced viable virus that was attenuated in swine. Single mutations of each of the E2 glycosylation sites showed that amino acid N116 (N1v virus) was responsible for BICv attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo Risatti
  • Patent number: 8114852
    Abstract: E1, along with Erns and E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). Our previous studies indicated that glycosylation status of either E2 or Erns strongly influence viral virulence in swine. Here, we have investigated the role of E1 glycosylation of highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia during infection in the natural host. The three putative glycosylation sites in E1 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E1 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all three putative glycosylation sites in E1. Single mutations of each of the E1 glycosylation sites showed that CSFV amino acid N594 (E1.N3 virus), as well the combined mutation of N500 and N513 (E1.N1N2 virus) resulted in BICv attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo Risatti
  • Publication number: 20120014992
    Abstract: E1, along with Erns and E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). Our previous studies indicated that glycosylation status of either E2 or Erns strongly influence viral virulence in swine. Here, we have investigated the role of E1 glycosylation of highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia during infection in the natural host. The three putative glycosylation sites in E1 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E1 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all three putative glycosylation sites in E1. Single mutations of each of the E1 glycosylation sites showed that CSFV amino acid N594 (E1.N3 virus), as well the combined mutation of N500 and N513 (E1.N1N2 virus) resulted in BICv attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo Risatti
  • Publication number: 20110038886
    Abstract: E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). E2 is involved in several functions including virus attachment and entry to target cells, production of antibodies, induction of protective immune response in swine, and virulence. Seven putative glycosylation sites in E2 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E2 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all putative glycosylation sites in E2, but restored when mutation N185A reverted to wild-type asparagine produced viable virus that was attenuated in swine. Single mutations of each of the E2 glycosylation sites showed that amino acid N116 (N1v virus) was responsible for BICv attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo Risatti
  • Publication number: 20100104597
    Abstract: E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). E2 is involved in several functions including virus attachment and entry to target cells, production of antibodies, induction of protective immune response in swine, and virulence. Seven putative glycosylation sites in E2 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E2 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all putative glycosylation sites in E2, but restored when mutation N185A reverted to wild-type asparagine produced viable virus that was attenuated in swine. Single mutations of each of the E2 glycosylation sites showed that amino acid N116 (N1v virus) was responsible for BICv attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo R. Risatti
  • Publication number: 20090181051
    Abstract: E1, along with Erns and E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). Our previous studies indicated that glycosylation status of either E2 or Erns strongly influence viral virulence in swine. Here, we have investigated the role of E1 glycosylation of highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia during infection in the natural host. The three putative glycosylation sites in E1 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E1 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all three putative glycosylation sites in E1. Single mutations of each of the E1 glycosylation sites showed that CSFV amino acid N594 (E1.N3 virus), as well the combined mutation of N500 and N513 (E1.N1N2 virus) resulted in BICv attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Manuel Borca, Guillermo Risatti