Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for used as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing SHIV or HIV infection in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a antisense IL-4. The antisense IL-4 inhibits viral replication in the liver, lungs, spleen, and even the lymph nodes of the subject. Further, the antisense IL-4 can be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents or vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for used as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing SHIV or HIV infection in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a antisense IL-4. The antisense IL-4 inhibits viral replication in the liver, lungs, spleen, and even the lymph nodes of the subject. Further, the antisense IL-4 can be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents or vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing SHIV or HIV infection in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a antisense IL-4. The antisense IL-4 inhibits viral replication in the liver, lungs, spleen, and even the lymph nodes of the subject. Further, the antisense IL-4 can be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents or vaccines.

Abstract: A DNA vaccines or immunogenic composition for providing an immune response against HIV without exhibiting pathogenicity in the immunized individual because of the disruption of the ability of the DNA molecules to encode for viral proteins critical in producing pathogenicity. The DNA molecule is derived by passaging a SHIV in order to develop a SHIV that exhibits an increased replication efficiency and increased pathogenicity. Following passaging, the highly virulent SHIV virus is rendered safe by disrupting one or more genes, such as the rt, int, and vif genes, as well as the 3? LTR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against HIV. The vaccine has DNA sequences encoding a plurality of viral proteins, including NEF, VPU and reverse transcriptase. The vaccine is rendered nonpathogenic by the disruption of the gene(s) encoding for at least one of these proteins.

Abstract: Borna disease virus (BDV) causes a rare neurological disease in horses and sheep. A subtractive cDNA expression library was constructed with poly A-selected RNA from a BDV infected MDCK cell line. A clone (B8) was isolated that specifically hybridizes to RNA isolated from BDV-infected brain tissue and BDV-infected cell lines. This clone hybridizes to four BDV-specific positive strand RNAs and one negative strand RNA in BDV-infected rat brain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the clone suggests that it represents a full length mRNA which contains several open reading frames. The Borna Disease Virus DNA sequences as well as proteins encoded by the BDV DNA sequences are provided.

Abstract: Borna disease virus (BDV) causes a rare neurological disease in horses and sheep. A subtractive cDNA expression library was constructed with poly A-selected RNA from a BDV Infected MDCK cell line. A clone (B8) was isolated that specifically hybridizes to RNA isolated from BDV-infected brain tissue and BDV-infected cell lines. This clone hybridizes to four BDV-specific positive strand RNAs and one negative strand RNA in BDV-infected rat brain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the clone suggests that it represents a full length mRNA which contains several open reading frames. The Borna Disease Virus DNA sequences as well as proteins encoded by the BDV DNA sequences are provided.

Abstract: HIV-1 does not cause disease in any non-human species. Thus, there is no animal model system to evaluate the efficacy of strategies aimed at preventing or ameliorating disease caused by this virus. The instant invention provides an animal model for HIV-1 induced disease, virus for generating such model animals, and methods for generating pathogenic SHIV.

Abstract: Borna disease virus (BDV) causes a rare neurological disease in horses and sheep. A subtractive cDNA expression library was constructed with poly A-selected RNA from a BDV infected MDCK cell line. A clone (B8) was isolated that specifically hybridizes to RNA isolated from BDV-infected brain tissue and BDV-infected cell lines. This clone hybridizes to four BDV-specific positive strand RNAs and one negative strand RNA in BDV-infected rat brain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the clone suggests that it represents a full length mRNA which contains several open reading frames. The Borna Disease Virus DNA sequences as well as proteins encoded by the BDV DNA sequences are provided.