Abstract: Described herein are methods of generating a protein binding domain that specifically binds to gp120 in a specific conformational state, comprising contacting gp120 with a CD4-mimetic compound, thereby forming gp120 in the specific conformational state; and generating antibodies to gp120 in the specific conformation state. Relatedly, the disclosure also describes methods of neutralizing HIV-1, comprising contacting HIV-1 with an effective amount of a CD4-mimetic compound, thereby forming HIV-1 having gp120 in a specific conformational state; and contacting the HIV-1 in the specific conformational state with an antibody.

Abstract: Described herein are small-molecule mimics of CD4, which both enter the Phe43 cavity and target Asp368 of gp120, the HIV-1 envelope protein. Also described herein are methods of using these compounds to inhibit the transmission or progression of HIV infection. These compounds exhibit antiviral potency greater than that of a known antiviral, NBD-556, with 100% breadth against clade B and C viruses. Importantly, the compounds do not activate HIV infection of CD4-negative, CCR5-positive cells, in contrast to NBD-556.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that inhibit retroviruses are presented herein. More particularly, this disclosure provides small molecule compounds that inhibit infection with, or treat infection caused by, human immunodeficiency viruses.

Abstract: Disclosed are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) antigens including a recombinant RSV F protein stabilized in a prefusion conformation. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the antigens and methods of producing the antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antigen to the subject.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: Neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp120 and antigen binding fragments of these antibodies are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV infection is disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that inhibit retroviruses are presented herein. More particularly, this disclosure provides small molecule compounds that inhibit infection with, or treat infection caused by, human immunodeficiency viruses.

Abstract: Described herein are small-molecule mimics of CD4, which both enter the Phe43 cavity and target Asp368 of gp120, the HIV-1 envelope protein. Also described herein are methods of using these compounds to inhibit the transmission or progression of HIV infection. These compounds exhibit antiviral potency greater than that of a known antiviral, NBD-556, with 100% breadth against clade B and C viruses. Importantly, the compounds do not activate HIV infection of CD4-negative, CCR5-positive cells, in contrast to NBD-556.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp120 and antigen binding fragments of these antibodies are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV infection is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ chimeric polypeptides having at least one heterologous epitope for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody. These chimeric polypeptides behave as molecular scaffolds which are capable of presenting the various heterologous HIV-1 epitopes. The invention demonstrates that a heterologous epitope recognized by the HIV-1 neutralizing antibody can be more fully exposed to neutralizing antibodies when presented within the backbone of the chimeric polypeptide than when the epitope is presented within the context of an HIV-1 backbone. Polynucleotides encoding these chimeric polypeptides are also provided. Immunogenic compositions are provided which comprise a chimeric polypeptide having at least one heterologous epitope that interacts with an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. Immuno genie compositions comprising chimeric polynucleotides encoding the chimeric polypeptides of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the use of an envelope polypeptide or a functional variant thereof from a lentivirus that is not HIV-1 as a molecular scaffold for HIV-1 epitopes. The HIV-1 epitopes can be recognized by HIV-1 binding antibodies, HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and/or CD4-induced antibodies. Thus, methods are provided for detecting HIV-1 binding antibodies in a subject infected with HTV-1. Further provided are methods to determine an epitope for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to assay for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to identify a soluble CD4 mimic; methods to neutralize an non-HIV-1 virus; diagnostic assays to monitor HIV disease in a subject or to monitor the subject's response to immunization by a HIV vaccine; and methods to alter the neutralization potential of an HIV-1 derived CD4-induced antibody. Chimeric polypeptides, chimeric polynucleotides, kits, cells and viruses are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogens that protect against RSV infection. The present invention also provides antibody proteins that protect against RSV infection. Such immunogens and antibody proteins are produced based on three-dimensional models also included in the invention. One model is of a complex between motavizumab and its antibody-binding domain on RSV fusion (F) protein. A second model is of a complex between 10 IF antibody and its antibody-binding domain on RSV F protein. The immunogens disclosed herein have been modified to elicit a humoral response against RSV F protein without eliciting a significant cell-mediated response against RSV. Such immunogens can comprise a scaffold into which RSV contact residues are embedded. The present invention also includes methods that utilize the disclosed three-dimensional models to produce immunogens and antibody proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and uses of these antibodies, are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptide immunogens that generate an immune response in mammals against HIV gp41, to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such immunogens, and to methods of treating Immunodeficiency disease, especially HIV infection and AIDS, that employ such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are antigens that include a target epitope that is defined by atomic coordinates of those amino acids of the antigen that contact an antibody of interest that specifically binds the antigen. The disclosed antigens have between about 10% and about 90% of surface exposed amino acid residues located exterior of the target epitope substituted as compared to a wild-type antigen and less than about 10% of the non-surface exposed amino acid residues substituted as compared to a wild-type antigen. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding these antigens and methods of producing these antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection in a subject.

Abstract: Computational protocols for the design of epitope-protein scaffolds which elicit selected neutralizing antibodies are disclosed, and related compositions and uses.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptide immunogens that generate an immune response in mammals against HIV gp41, to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such immunogens, and to methods of treating Immunodeficiency disease, especially HIV infection and AIDS, that employ such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ chimeric polypeptides having at least one heterologous epitope for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody. These chimeric polypeptides behave as molecular scaffolds which are capable of presenting the various heterologous HIV-1 epitopes. The invention demonstrates that a heterologous epitope recognized by the HIV-1 neutralizing antibody can be more fully exposed to neutralizing antibodies when presented within the backbone of the chimeric polypeptide than when the epitope is presented within the context of an HIV-1 backbone. Polynucleotides encoding these chimeric polypeptides are also provided. Immunogenic compositions are provided which comprise a chimeric polypeptide having at least one heterologous epitope that interacts with an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. Immuno genie compositions comprising chimeric polynucleotides encoding the chimeric polypeptides of the invention are also provided.