Abstract: The invention provides agents that promote or inhibit neurite elongation comprising as an active ingredient an antibody that recognizes a varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein and cross-reacts with a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The invention also provides methods of utilizing such agents to prevent or treat a nervous disease or a disease with nerve hypersensitivity caused by a condition selected from the group consisting of postherpetic neuralgia, chronic pains, experience-dependent social aversion and stress.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a vaccine which as yet has not been provided for the disease HHV-6B, which is the cause of exanthema subitum in infants, and the problem of providing an effective screening method for other therapeutic drugs. The above-mentioned problems are solved by providing an epitope specific to HHV-6B, of the amino acid sequence (QALCEGGHVFYNP) represented by positions 484 to 496 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a modified sequence thereof, wherein the epitope either has a sequence comprising at least five consecutive amino acids including at least E, or a sequence that preserves the 487th C and 489th G when E is changed to Q.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: A recombinant herpesvirus, a method for producing the recombinant herpesvirus, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpesvirus, are provided with a method for producing a recombinant herpesvirus using a BAC vector sequence. In addition, a vector comprising a herpesvirus genomic gene and a BAC vector sequence, a cell comprising the vector, and a nucleic acid cassette comprising a fragment, which is capable of homologous recombination with a herpesvirus genome, and a BAC vector sequence, are provided.

Abstract: A recombinant herpesvirus, a method for producing the recombinant herpesvirus, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpesvirus, are provided with a method for producing a recombinant herpesvirus using a BAC vector sequence. In addition, a vector comprising a herpesvirus genomic gene and a BAC vector sequence, a cell comprising the vector, and a nucleic acid cassette comprising a fragment, which is capable of homologous recombination with a herpesvirus genome, and a BAC vector sequence, are provided.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: A recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a process for producing the same; a pharmacological composition containing recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a vector containing a genomic gene of varicella-zoster virus and BAC vector sequence; cells containing the above vector; a fragment capable of homologous recombination with a genome of varicella-zoster virus; and a nucleic acid cassette containing the BAC vector sequence. For these, there is provided a process for producing recombinant varicella-zoster virus, comprising use of the BAC vector sequence.

Abstract: A recombinant herpesvirus, a method for producing the recombinant herpesvirus, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpesvirus, are provided with a method for producing a recombinant herpesvirus using a BAC vector sequence. In addition, a vector comprising a herpesvirus genomic gene and a BAC vector sequence, a cell comprising the vector, and a nucleic acid cassette comprising a fragment, which is capable of homologous recombination with a herpesvirus genome, and a BAC vector sequence, are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: The problems to be solved by the present invention are to provide: a recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a process for producing the same; a pharmacological composition containing a recombinant varicella-zoster virus; a vector containing a BAC vector sequence in the specific gene of a genomic gene of varicella-zoster virus; cells containing such a vector; a fragment capable of homologous recombination with a genome of varicella-zoster virus; a nucleic acid cassette containing the BAC vector sequence; and a multivalent vaccine. The above problems were solved by developing a process for producing a recombinant varicella-zoster virus, wherein the BAC vector sequence is inserted into a specific virus gene.

Abstract: The invention provides agents that promote or inhibit neurite elongation comprising as an active ingredient an antibody that recognizes a varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein and cross-reacts with a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The invention also provides methods of utilizing such agents to prevent or treat a nervous disease or a disease with nerve hypersensitivity caused by a condition selected from the group consisting of postherpetic neuralgia, chronic pains, experience-dependent social aversion and stress.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a promoter for inducing expression selectively and strongly in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a lymphocyte. In the invention, the object was achieved by finding that HHV6 MIE promoter, HHV7 MIE promoter and HHV7 U95 promoter unexpectedly induce a specific expression in an immunocompetent cell and/or a blood cell such as a T lymphocyte. By utilizing the promoters, a selective delivery of a DNA vaccine or the like can be realized.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: A recombinant herpesvirus, a method for producing the recombinant herpesvirus, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpesvirus, are provided with a method for producing a recombinant herpesvirus using a BAC vector sequence. In addition, a vector comprising a herpesvirus genomic gene and a BAC vector sequence, a cell comprising the vector, and a nucleic acid cassette comprising a fragment, which is capable of homologous recombination with a herpesvirus genome, and a BAC vector sequence, are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quality control of an attenuated varicella live vaccine, which comprises subjecting the genomic DNA of a sample varicella vaccine virus to sequence analysis and confirming that the genomic DNA of the sample varicella vaccine virus conserves the 5,745th G, the 105,356th C, the 105,544th G, the 106,262nd C and the 107,252nd C without suffering mutation, wherein the nucleotide numbers are in accordance with the nucleotide numbering system of the nucleotide sequence of the genomic DNA of the varicella virus Dumas strain of SEQ ID NO: 1.