Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to compositions and methods for treating vascular disease, including core NOX1 promoters and variants thereof for regulating expression of transgenes in response to vascular pathology and allowing for increased transgene loading capacity. Also provided are variant FOXP polypeptides having a zinc finger and leucine zipper region of a different FOXP polypeptide. Further provided are vectors comprising the core NOX1 promoters and/or a coding sequence for variant FOXP polypeptides described herein and optionally coding sequence(s) for one or more additional therapeutic polypeptide(s), such as IL10, for treating inflammation-associated diseases, such as vascular disease. Also provided is a screening model for testing therapeutic agents capable of treating established and ongoing atherosclerotic pathology.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to compositions and methods for treating vascular disease, including core NOX1 promoters and variants thereof for regulating expression of transgenes in response to vascular pathology and allowing for increased transgene loading capacity. Also provided are variant FOXP polypeptides having a zinc finger and leucine zipper region of a different FOXP polypeptide. Further provided are vectors comprising the core NOX1 promoters and/or a coding sequence for variant FOXP polypeptides described herein and optionally coding sequence(s) for one or more additional therapeutic polypeptide(s), such as IL10, for treating inflammation-associated diseases, such as vascular disease. Also provided is a screening model for testing therapeutic agents capable of treating established and ongoing atherosclerotic pathology.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to compositions and methods for treating vascular disease, including core NOX1 promoters and variants thereof for regulating expression of transgenes in response to vascular pathology and allowing for increased transgene loading capacity. Also provided are variant FOXP polypeptides having a zinc finger and leucine zipper region of a different FOXP polypeptide. Further provided are vectors comprising the core NOX1 promoters and/or a coding sequence for variant FOXP polypeptides described herein and optionally coding sequence(s) for one or more additional therapeutic polypeptide(s), such as IL10, for treating inflammation-associated diseases, such as vascular disease. Also provided is a screening model for testing therapeutic agents capable of treating established and ongoing atherosclerotic pathology.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to compositions and methods for treating vascular disease, including core NOX1 promoters and variants thereof for regulating expression of transgenes in response to vascular pathology and allowing for increased transgene loading capacity. Also provided are variant FOXP polypeptides having a zinc finger and leucine zipper region of a different FOXP polypeptide. Further provided are vectors comprising the core NOX1 promoters and/or a coding sequence for variant FOXP polypeptides described herein and optionally coding sequence(s) for one or more additional therapeutic polypeptide(s), such as IL10, for treating inflammation-associated diseases, such as vascular disease. Also provided is a screening model for testing therapeutic agents capable of treating established and ongoing atherosclerotic pathology.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to compositions and methods for treating vascular disease, including core NOX1 promoters and variants thereof for regulating expression of transgenes in response to vascular pathology and allowing for increased transgene loading capacity. Also provided are variant FOXP polypeptides having a zinc finger and leucine zipper region of a different FOXP polypeptide. Further provided are vectors comprising the core NOX1 promoters and/or a coding sequence for variant FOXP polypeptides described herein and optionally coding sequence(s) for one or more additional therapeutic polypeptide(s), such as IL10, for treating inflammation-associated diseases, such as vascular disease. Also provided is a screening model for testing therapeutic agents capable of treating established and ongoing atherosclerotic pathology.

Abstract: A novel gene “X” of adeno-associated virus is presented, which is found to be an oncogene and to promote efficient production of recombinant AAV virus particles that may be used for human gene therapy. Since the AAV X gene appears to be an oncogene, it is desirable that it not be included in active form in recombinant AAV virus particles. Therefore A therapeutic composition comprising: a plurality of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virus particles comprising native AAV DNA and recombinant therapeutic DNA, wherein none of the AAV virus particles has an active AAV X gene is presented. Also provided are methods of expressing the X gene to improve production of recombinant AAV virus particles.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a composition for regulating smooth muscle cells. In particular, the invention encompasses a vector comprising a smooth muscle promoter operably-linked to a nucleic acid encoding a calcium-activated potassium channel.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a composition for regulating smooth muscle cells. In particular, the invention encompasses a vector comprising a smooth muscle promoter operably-linked to a nucleic acid encoding a calcium-activated potassium channel.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a composition for regulating smooth muscle cells. In particular, the invention encompasses a vector comprising a smooth muscle promoter operably-linked to a nucleic acid encoding a calcium-activated potassium channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating a cardiovascular condition. In particular, provided is a method comprising administering to a subject an agent that increases the level and/or activity of angiotensin II type 2 receptors.

Abstract: AAV Rep78 mutants comprising a modified AAV Rep78 protein that possesses different biochemical and biological functions as compared to the wild-type AAV Rep78 protein are disclosed. Particularly, the AAV Rep78 mutants that bind to at least one of a papillomavirus DNA or an AAV DNA or an oncogene or HIV DNA differently as compared to the wild-type AAV Rep78 protein, assays to select such mutants, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the AAV Rep78 mutants are disclosed. The present invention further discloses DNA sequences encoding at least one AAV Rep78 mutant that possesses different biochemical and biological functions as compared to the wild-type AAV Rep78 protein and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the DNA sequences. The present invention additionally is directed to a method of inhibiting papillomavirus associated diseases comprising administering pharmaceutical compositions containing AAV Rep78 mutants or the DNA sequences encoding the mutants.

Abstract: Methods for screening a patient for a cancer wherein the methods comprise detecting an HPV in a biopsy from a patient are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions and products for screening and for treating cancer in a patient, as well as methods of treating a patient afflicted with a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is discloses an improved method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, with a method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast and does not comprise an organotypic raft culture or a dermal equivalent. The present invention also discloses a papillomavirus infected non-keratinocyte epithelial cell produced by the methods of the present invention. Further, uses of the disclosed method includes detection methods, methods for screening anti-papillomavirus drugs, methods of making recombinant papillomavirus for vaccines and studying the life cycle. Additionally, a method of reducing and assessing the risk of spontaneous abortion is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes AAV as a vector to transfect epithelial cells with an AAV/heterologous gene containing/Neo vector, to form a heterologous protein secreting culture of epithelial cells. This culture is useful for preparing recombinant skin using the organotypic epithelial raft culture system. The sheets of epithelial cells is composed of a stratified sqaumous epithelium composed of a lower layer of immature basal cells and an upper layer of mature keratinized epithelium. The rAAV virus stock prepared without wild type AAV is useful in expressing heterologous protein, however, the maximum production of the heterologous protein was achieved; when the rAAV virus stock contained wild type AAV. This invention discloses that AAV is appropriate for genetically altering skin to secrete new proteins to treat diseases and skin disorders or conditions.

Abstract: Methods for screening a patient for a cancer wherein the methods comprise detecting an HPV in a biopsy from a patient are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions and products for screening and for treating cancer in a patient, as well as methods of treating a patient afflicted with a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes AAV as a vector to transfect epithelial cells with an AAV/heterologous gene containing/Neo vector, to form a heterologous protein secreting culture of epithelial cells. This culture is useful for preparing recombinant skin using the organotypic epithelial raft culture system. The sheets of epithelial cells is composed of a stratified sqaumous epithelium composed of a lower layer of immature basal cells and an upper layer of mature keratinized epithelium. The rAAV virus stock prepared without wild type AAV is useful in expressing heterologous protein, however, the maximum production of the heterologous protein was achieved; when the rAAV virus stock contained wild type AAV. This invention discloses that AAV is appropriate for genetically altering skin to secrete new proteins to treat diseases and skin disorders or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is discloses an improved method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, with a method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast and does not comprise an organotypic raft culture or a dermal equivalent. The present invention also discloses a papillomavirus infected non-keratinocyte epithelial cell produced by the methods of the present invention. Further, uses of the disclosed method includes detection methods, methods for screening anti-papillomavirus drugs, methods of making recombinant papillomavirus for vaccines and studying the life cycle. Additionally, a method of reducing and assessing the risk of spontaneous abortion is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes AAV as a vector to transfect epithelial cells with an AAV/heterologous gene containing/Neo vector, to form a heterologous protein secreting culture of epithelial cells. This culture is useful for preparing recombinant skin using the organotypic epithelial raft culture system. The sheets of epithelial cells is composed of a stratified sqaumous epithelium composed of a lower layer of immature basal cells and an upper layer of mature keratinized epithelium. The rAAV virus stock prepared without wild type AAV is useful in expressing heterologous protein, however, the maximum production of the heterologous protein was achieved; when the rAAV virus stock contained wild type AAV. This invention discloses that AAV is appropriate for genetically altering skin to secrete new proteins to treat diseases and skin disorders or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human gene therapy using AAV vectors with essentially wildtype phenotype. Genes of 900 bases or less can be inserted into wildtype AAV and still allow the resulting vector to have a largely wildtype phenotype. For example, several antisense genes could be inserted and still allow packaging. Such wildtype vectors have several advantages. First, high titers of such vectors is easy to accomplish. Second, the vectors, since they include the Rep78 gene, integrate specifically into human chromosome 19. Third, such vectors, being wildtype, spread after their initial introduction. Another method for use of large wildtype AAV genomes is as complementors for fully defective AAV vectors. Such complementors can be delivered by virus infection and, be introduced easily into 100% of the cells used to produce virus. Viral infection is superior to synthetic techniques for introducing DNA into tissue culture producer cells.

Abstract: A hybrid gene vector suitable for introducing foreign DNA into a mammalian cell comprising the foreign DNA ligated to an AAV genome; a method of constructing the hybrid gene vector; a method of transducing foreign DNA into mammalian cells comprising infecting the cells with the above hybrid gene vector and a method of rescuing foreign DNA from mammalian cells utilizing helper virus.