Abstract: Polyvalent, primary isolate nucleic acid compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV is disclosed. The compositions and methods described herein are for the use of a DNA composition that encodes one or more different HIV envelope glycoproteins. The DNA composition can encode an HIV Gag protein. The DNAs encoding one or more HIV proteins are a combination of different nucleic acids, such as DNA plasmids, generated from primary isolate DNA of different HIV major group genetic clades and/or different proteins. HIV protein compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are disclosed. Methods for using the protein compositions as boosts following administration of the DNA compositions are provided.

Abstract: Polyvalent, primary isolate nucleic acid compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV is disclosed. The composition and methods described herein are for the use of a DNA composition that encodes one or more different HIV envelope glycoproteins. The DNA composition can encode an HIV Gag protein. The DNAs encoding one or more HIV proteins are a combination of different nucleic acids, such as DNA plasmids, generated from primary isolate DNA of different HIV major group genetic clades and/or different proteins. HIV protein compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are disclosed. Methods fro using the protein compositions as boosts following administration of the DNA compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nucleic acid comprising a deletion mutant of a PTAP (SEQ ID NO:1) motif and/or PPXY (SEQ ID NO:2) and/or YXXL (SEQ ID NO:3) motif in the late or L domain of a viral protein, where the L domain mediates the budding process. Examples of such viral proteins containing L domains are the retroviral gag proteins and the matrix proteins of rhabdoviruses and filoviruses. In addition, the present invention is directed to a vector containing (a) this nucleic acid or (b) this nucleic acid and one or more nucleic acids encoding other structural and regulatory viral proteins. The present invention is further directed to vaccines containing the nucleic acid or vector for the purpose of augmenting a cellular immune response.

Abstract: Polyvalent, primary isolate nucleic acid compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV is disclosed. The compositions and methods described herein are for the use of a DNA composition that encodes one or more different HIV envelope glycoproteins. The DNA composition can encode an HIV Gag protein. The DNAs encoding one or more HIV proteins are a combination of different nucleic acids, such as DNA plasmids, generated from primary isolate DNA of different HIV major group genetic clades and/or different proteins. HIV protein compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are disclosed. Methods for using the protein compositions as boosts following administration of the DNA compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vaccine and method of neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to a fragment of CD4 or a CD4 equivalent molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of antibodies that will react to proteins or nucleic acids bound to particular crosslinkers, but not to the free crosslinkers or free proteins or nucleic acids. Monoclonal antibodies with such binding specificity have widespread applications in receptor-ligand binding, immunodiagnostic and nucleic acid diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions of macrophage derived chemokine (MDC) and methods for treating and preventing infection by a lentivirus, particularly an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV, using MDC proteins, nucleic acids and/or derivatives or analogues thereof. The present invention further relates to methods for detection and prognosis of lenivirus infection, particularly HIV infection using MDC as a prognostic indicator. The present invention further provides MDC proteins, nucleic acids encoding such proteins, that have amino-terminal sequences that differ from other MDC isolates. Recombinant host cells and methods of production are also provided.

Abstract: A vaccine and a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or to succinyl concanavalin A. Also disclosed are immunological tests using the complex or antibody thereto for detection of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of antibodies that will react to proteins or nucleic acids bound to particular crosslinkers, but not to the free crosslinkers or free proteins or nucleic acids. Monoclonal antibodies with such binding specificity have widespread applications in receptor-ligand binding, immunodiagnostic and nucleic acid diagnostics.

Abstract: A vaccine and a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or to succinyl concanavalin A. Also disclosed are immunological tests using the complex or antibody thereto for detection of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV using a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to succinyl concanavalin A.

Abstract: An isothermal transcription based amplification assay for MDC RNA uses primer combinations for sequences within the MDC gene. A quantitative control uses a mutant RNA for comparison.

Abstract: Neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection are provided. The antibodies are reactive with cryptic epitopes on gp120 and/or CD4 induced by the formation of immunogenic complexes comprising gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or to succinyl concanvalin A.

Abstract: A vaccine and a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to CD4 or to succinyl concanvalin A. Also disclosed are immunological tests using the complex or antibody thereto for detection of HIV infection.

Abstract: A method for determining virus replication in human cells by human retrovirus using RNA amplification comprising detecting the hybridization of an RNA probe which specifically hybridizes with spliced RNA and not with genomic RNA. This method permits early detection of RNA replication resulting from primary infection without detecting non-replicating virus.

Abstract: A vaccine and a method of raising neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 bonded covalently to CD4 or to succinyl concanavalin A.