Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting thyroid hormone blocking immunoglobulin (TBI). The invention's methods are sensitive and specific for TBI, and may be used for the dual detection of both TBI and TSI. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the presence of TBI and/or TSI, for monitoring the progress of disease and/or treatment regimens, therapeutics, vaccines, etc., and for assisting clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting thyroid hormone blocking immunoglobulin (TBI). The invention's methods are sensitive and specific for TBI, and may be used for the dual detection of both TBI and TSI. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the presence of TBI and/or TSI, for monitoring the progress of disease and/or treatment regimens, therapeutics, vaccines, etc., and for assisting clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting thyroid hormone blocking immunoglobulin (TBI). The invention's methods are sensitive and specific for TBI, and may be used for the dual detection of both TBI and TSI. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the presence of TBI and/or TSI, for monitoring the progress of disease and/or treatment regimens, therapeutics, vaccines, etc., and for assisting clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting thyroid hormone blocking immunoglobulin (TBI). The invention's methods are sensitive and specific for TBI, and may be used for the dual detection of both TBI and TSI. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the presence of TBI and/or TSI, for monitoring the progress of disease and/or treatment regimens, therapeutics, vaccines, etc., and for assisting clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting thyroid hormone blocking immunoglobulin (TBI). The invention's methods are sensitive and specific for TBI, and may be used for the dual detection of both TBI and TSI. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the presence of TBI and/or TSI, for monitoring the progress of disease and/or treatment regimens, therapeutics, vaccines, etc., and for assisting clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of the presence, absence, or quantity of a segmented negative strand RNA virus such as an influenza virus. A genetically engineered vertebrate cell comprising an artificial segment comprising a 5? UTR and a 3? UTR of a segmented negative strand RNA virus and an open reading frame of a reporter gene, preferably in an anti-sense orientation, is contacted with a biological specimen suspected of comprising a segmented negative strand virus. Infection of the cell with a segmented negative strand RNA virus results in expression of a polypeptide encoded by the reporter gene. A genetically engineered cell of the invention can also comprise a recombinant DNA encoding the artificial segment. The recombinant DNA can comprise a promoter for RNA Polymerase I for directing transcription of the artificial segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-cytopathic negative-strand RNA virus replicons, and methods of making and using the replicons and replicon systems.

Abstract: This invention is directed to aminoquinoline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of such compounds, kits comprising such compounds, and uses of such compounds for preparing medicaments and treating virus-related conditions in animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of the presence, absence, or quantity of a segmented negative strand RNA virus such as an influenza virus. A genetically engineered vertebrate cell comprising an artificial segment comprising a 5? UTR and a 3? UTR of a segmented negative strand RNA virus and an open reading frame of a reporter gene, preferably in an anti-sense orientation, is contacted with a biological specimen suspected of comprising a segmented negative strand virus. Infection of the cell with a segmented negative strand RNA virus results in expression of a polypeptide encoded by the reporter gene. A genetically engineered cell of the invention can also comprise a recombinant DNA encoding the artificial segment. The recombinant DNA can comprise a promoter for RNA Polymerase I for directing transcription of the artificial segment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for screening candidate antiviral agents using cells containing subgenomic viral replication systems such as replicons and minigenomes. The methods involve the simultaneous assay of more than one subgenomic viral replication system. Compositions useful for these methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for screening candidate antiviral agents using cells containing subgenomic viral replication systems such as replicons and minigenomes. The methods involve the simultaneous assay of more than one subgenomic viral replication system. Compositions useful for these methods are also provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting a negative-strand RNA virus in a sample and a genetically engineered cell for use in the assay are disclosed. The cell expresses a heterologous DNA-dependent RNA polymerase that synthesizes a minigenome or miniantigenome of the RNA virus from a cDNA template present in the cell. The cell also expresses the nucleocapsid proteins of the negative-strand virus that are necessary for replication of the minigenome or miniantigenome. Infection of the cell by the negative-strand virus results in expression of a reporter gene product encoded by the miniantigenome.

Abstract: A recombinant cell stably transformed with a cDNA of a silent, inducible replicon encoding a recombinant protein is disclosed. Transcription of the replicon cDNA is under the control of a silent promoter inducible by a DNA virus and expression of the recombinant protein is dependent upon the presence of the DNA virus in the cell. The cell can be engineered to package the replicon upon infection by the DNA virus, leading to intercellular amplification of expression of the recombinant protein. Where the recombinant protein is a reporter gene product, the recombinant cell may be used in an assay for detecting DNA viruses. A kit for performing such an assay is also provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting the presence of an infectious herpesvirus in a specimen and a genetically engineered cell line for use in such assay are disclosed. The cell line used in the assay expresses a reporter gene only if infectious herpesvirus is present in the specimen. The assay involves inoculating a DNA-transfected cell line with a specimen suspected of containing a herpesvirus, allowing a sufficient period of time for the herpesvirus infectious cycle to proceed, and detecting and quantifying the number of herpesvirus-infected cells to determine the number of infectious herpesvirus virions in the specimen. The cell line is a DNA-transfected cell line susceptible to infection by a herpesvirus which is stably transformed with a chimeric gene comprising a herpesvirus inducible promoter and a gene coding for an enzyme, the expression of the enzyme being dependent upon and quantitatively proportional to the presence of herpesvirus. A kit for such assay is also provided.

Abstract: Cell lines and methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of RNA viruses in a specimen. The cell lines are stably transformed with a DNA molecule that includes a promoter capable of being recognized by the DNA dependent RNA polymerase of the cell capable of directing the transcription of a cDNA of a structurally defective RNA virus genome operably coupled to the promoter. The cDNA contains a structural coding sequence encoding a selected reporter gene product. The RNA molecules transcribed by the DNA dependent RNA polymerase are not capable of causing the translation of the reporter gene in the cell except when an active related virus that provides the necessary trans-acting enzymes to cause the increased replication of the RNA containing the reporter gene which is then translated into the reporter gene product is provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting the presence of an infectious herpesvirus in a specimen and a genetically engineered cell line for use in such assay are disclosed. The cell line used in the assay expresses a reporter gene only if infectious herpesvirus is present in the specimen. The assay involves inoculating a DNA-transfected cell line with a specimen suspected of containing a herpesvirus, allowing a sufficient period of time for the herpesvirus infectious cycle to proceed, and detecting and quantifying the number of herpesvirus-infected cells to determine the number of infectious herpesvirus virions in the specimen. The cell line is a DNA-transfected cell line susceptible to infection by a herpesvirus which is stably transformed with a chimeric gene comprising a herpesvirus inducible promoter and a gene coding for an enzyme, the expression of the enzyme being dependent upon and quantitatively proportional to the presence of herpesvirus. A kit for such assay is also provided.

Abstract: Cell lines and methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of RNA viruses in a specimen. The cell lines are stably transformed with a DNA molecule that includes a promoter capable of being recognized by the DNA dependent RNA polymerase of the cell capable of directing the transcription of a cDNA of a structurally defective RNA virus genome operably coupled to the promoter. The cDNA contains a structural coding sequence encoding a selected reporter gene product. The RNA molecules transcribed by the DNA dependent RNA polymerase are not capable of causing the translation of the reporter gene in the cell except when an active related virus that provides the necessary trans-acting enzymes to cause the increased replication of the RNA containing the reporter gene which is then translated into the reporter gene product is provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting the presence of an infectious herpes virus in a specimen and a genetically engineered cell line for use in such assay are disclosed. The cell line used in the assay expresses a reporter gene only if infectious herpes virus is present in the specimen. The assay involves inoculating a DNA-transfected cell line with a specimen suspected of containing a herpes virus, allowing a sufficient period of time for the herpes virus infectious cycle to proceed, and detecting and quantifying the number of herpes virus-infected cells to determine the number of infectious herpes virus virions in the specimen. The cell line is a DNA-transfected cell line susceptible to infection by a herpes virus which is stably transformed with a chimeric gene comprising a herpes virus inducible promoter and a gene coding for an enzyme, the expression of the enzyme being dependent upon and quantitatively proportional to the presence of herpes virus. A kit for such assay is also provided.