Abstract: Acellular pertussis vaccines comprise purified toxin or toxoid thereof, filamentous haemagglutinin, pertactin and fimbrial agglutinogens formulated to confer protection to at least 70% of members of an at-risk population. The fimbrial agglutinogens may be prepared from a Bordetella strain, particularly a B. pertussis strain, by a multiple step procedure involving extraction of the fimbrial agglutinogens from cell paste and concentrating and purifying the extracted material.

Abstract: A multi-valent immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by both Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Such composition comprises at least four antigens comprising at least one antigen from Haemophilus influenzae, and at least one antigen from Moraxella catarrhalis. Three of the antigens are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus and a 200 kDa outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The multi-valent immunogenic composition may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may also include non-virulent poliovirus and PRP-T, to provide a component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: A virus neutralizing level of antibodies to a primary HIV isolate is generated in a host by a prime-boost administration of antigens. The primary antigen is a DNA molecule encoding an envelop glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1 while the boosting antigen is either a non-infectious, non-replicating HIV-like particle having the envelope glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1 or an attenuated viral vector expressing an envelope glycoprotein of a primary isolate of HIV-1.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbpl or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith.

Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least three different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, two of which are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may contain inactivated poliovirus, including type 1, type 2 and/or type 3, and/or a conjugate of a capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae and tetanus or diphtheria toxoid, including PRP-T, to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has a molecular mass of about 200 kDa. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Recombinant production of Hia protein, in full-length and N-terminally truncated forms, of non-typeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae, is described. The nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of Hia genes of various strains of non-typeable and type c Haemophilus influenzae also are described.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody responses.

Abstract: The fusion (F) protein, attachment (G) protein and matrix (M) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are isolated and purified from respiratory syncytial virus by mild detergent extraction of the proteins from concentrated virus, loading the protein onto a hydroxyapatite or other ion-exchange matrix column and eluting the protein using mild salt treatment. The F, G and M proteins, formulated as immunogenic compositions, are safe and highly immunogenic and protect relevant animal models against decreased caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured transferrin receptor protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has an apparent molecular mass of about 80 to about 90 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The transferrin receptor protein or a fragment analog thereof is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a strain of Moraxella.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody responses.

Abstract: A method of generating an HIV-specific cytotoxic T-cell response in a host involves an initial administration of a T-helper molecule to the host to prime T-helper cells of the immune system of the host and a subsequent administration to the host of a mixture of the T-helper molecule and a T-cell inducing HIV-derived molecule to generate an HIV-specific T-cell response in the host.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, having a molecular mass of about 200 kDa, is provided. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.