Abstract: A method of reducing a symptom of radiation exposure in a subject is provided. The method includes a step of introducing mammalian cells into the subject, the mammalian cells having been treated ex vivo to insert therein a polynucleotide encoding polypeptide that is protective against radiation. The mammalian cells express in vivo in the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide thereby reducing a symptom of radiation exposure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of proteolipid protein (PLP), design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of myelin based protein (MBP), to methods of expression of a PLP epitope, to methods of expression of a MBP epitope, to methods of in vivo secretion of a PLP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial PLP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins, to methods of in vivo secretion of a MBP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial MBP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of proteolipid protein (PLP), design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of myelin based protein (MBP), to methods of expression of a PLP epitope, to methods of expression of a MBP epitope, to methods of in vivo secretion of a PLP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial PLP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins, to methods of in vivo secretion of a MBP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial MBP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of genetic engineering to provide a treatment of autoimmune disease. This is achieved preferably through the introduction of one or more recombinant genes encoding self antigens which are the target of an autoimmune response. In particular the invention provides a method of designing and constructing a gene encoding an encephalitogenic epitope of proteolipid protein, and to the in vivo expression of the gene product by a recombinant retroviral vector. The expression and secretion of the encephalitogenic epitope ameliorates the histopathological and clinical characteristics of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a DNA expression vector encoding both an immunopotentiating chemokine sequence as well as an immunogenic polypeptide sequence. Immunogenic polypeptide sequences are those of infectious agents or of cancerous cells. Also provided are methods of manufacturing various immunogenic compositions, and methods of using such compositions to treat cancer and infectious disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of genetic engineering to provide a treatment of autoimmune disease. This is achieved preferably through the introduction of one or more recombinant genes encoding self antigens which are the target of an autoimmune response. In particular the invention provides a method of designing and constructing a gene encoding an encephalitogenic epitope of proteolipid protein, and to the in vivo expression of the gene product by a recombinant retroviral vector. The expression and secretion of the encephalitogenic epitope ameliorates the histopathological and clinical characteristics of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of genetic engineering to provide a treatment of autoimmune disease. This is achieved preferably through the introduction of one or more recombinant genes encoding self antigens which are the target of an autoimmune response. In particular the invention provides a method of designing and constructing a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of proteolipid protein, and to the in vivo expression of the gene product by a recombinant retroviral vector. The expression and secretion of the encephalogenic epitope ameliorates the histopathological and clinical characteristics of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS).