Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods for suppressing Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in an infected cell. Exemplary methods comprise contacting the infected cell with one or more agents that induce interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation in the infected cell. In some embodiments, the one or more agents comprises pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-containing nucleic acid molecule, a small molecule agent (e.g., a benzothiazol-derivative molecule), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting the infected cell with a NRTI. The method can be an in vivo method of treating a subject with HBV infection, comprising administering therapeutically relevant amounts of one or more agents formulated in one or more therapeutically effect compositions. Exemplary compositions are formulated to treat a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a subject, comprising: a RIG-I agonist, a vehicle for intracellular delivery, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The disclosure provides method, kits, and devices for detecting and/or assessing neutralizing antibodies in a sample, e.g. a biological sample. The detection comprises contacting the sample to an antigen of a virus of interest, and detecting the binding of the one or more IgG3 antibodies to the antigen. The presence of IgG3 antibodies that specifically bind the virus antigen indicates neutralizing antibodies against the virus. The detection protocol can be implemented in a variety of configurations and formats, including ELISA-type and lateral flow formats. The method can be used to assess, e.g., a subject's relative immunity or infection status regarding a particular virus, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods for inducing tripartite motif-containing protein 16 (TRIM 16) activity in a cell. This activity can manifest in programmed cell death in cancer cells. The compositions comprise pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-containing nucleic acid molecule. The PAMP-containing molecule can comprise a 5?-arm region comprising a terminal triphosphate, a poly-uracil core comprising at least 8 contiguous uracil residues, and a 3?-arm region comprising at least 8 nucleic acid residues, wherein the 5?-most nucleic acid residue of the 3?-arm region is not a uracil and wherein the 3?-arm region is at least 30% uracil residues. The compositions can be combined with or used in combination with other cancer therapeutics, including in combination with additional immunotherapeutics.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Agents that modulate an interaction of an FBL2 protein with an NS5A or NS5B Flaviviridae protein in a mixture are identified by contacting the mixture with a candidate agent under conditions wherein but for the presence of the agent, the FBL2 protein and the Flaviviridae protein engage in a reference interaction; and detecting an agent-biased interaction. Flaviviridae replication is inhibited by contacting a Flaviviridae-infected cell with an FBL2-specific reagent; and detecting a resultant Flaviviridae replication inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for identifying antiviral agents which selectively interfere with viral proteins that override the interferon(IFN)-induced cellular defense mechanisms against viral infection. In particular, the present invention relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between viral proteins containing an interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The present invention more particularly relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural 5A protein (NS5A), which contains an ISDR, and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The interaction between the viral ISDR and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase results in the override of IFN-induced cellular defense mechanisms to combat viral infection. Therefore the agents identified using the assays of the invention may have utility as antiviral agents.