Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to modified hepatitis virus C (HCV) E2 glycoprotein antigens and their use for treating, preventing or reducing the severity or likelihood of HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell line capable producing infectious hepatitis C virus 1a (HCV 1a) particles in culture. Disclosed are compositions and methods for an HCV 1a (clone H77) transfected immortal human hepatocyte (IHH) capable of generating infectious HCV 1a virus particles in culture. Also disclosed are methods of using the cell line, or HCV 1a virus particles derived from said cell line, to screen for potential therapeutic agents which interfere with HCV 1a virus propagation to treat hepatic disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell line capable producing infectious hepatitis C virus 1a (HCV 1a) particles in culture. Disclosed are compositions and methods for an HCV 1a (clone H77) transfected immortal human hepatocyte (IHH) capable of generating infectious HCV 1a virus particles in culture. Also disclosed are methods of using the cell line, or HCV 1a virus particles derived from said cell line, to screen for potential therapeutic agents which interfere with HCV 1a virus propagation to treat hepatic disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell line capable producing infectious hepatitis C virus 1a (HCV 1a) particles in culture. Disclosed are compositions and methods for an HCV 1a (clone H77) transfected immortal human hepatocyte (IHH) capable of generating infectious HCV 1a virus particles in culture. Also disclosed are methods of using the cell line, or HCV 1a virus particles derived from said cell line, to screen for potential therapeutic agents which interfere with HCV 1a virus propagation to treat hepatic disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with an 80 kDa protein, which is associated with a fetuin peptide sequence and an albumin peptide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with the peptide sequence of the actin depolymerizing molecule gelsolin and or fragments thereof. The apoptotic activity is increased upon incubation of immunoglobulins with the stellate death factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with an 80 kDa protein, which is associated with a fetuin peptide sequence and an albumin peptide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon correlation of two attenuating lesions of the cp45 strain to specific genetic defects in the viral genome of cp45. Specifically, it is now understood that a significant level of attenuation of cp45 giving rise to its temperature-sensitive and cold-adapted phenotypes is directly associated with mutation of the large, or L, gene of cp45 relative to the corresponding gene in the wild-type JS strain. Moreover, it is further understood that a second attenuating lesion exits independent of the temperature-sensitive lesion, and is directly associated with mutation of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene, or HN gene, of cp45 relative to the corresponding gene in the wild-type HPIV-3 (JS) strain. The correlation of these two attenuating lesions of cp45 to specific genes enables several practical applications.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the observation that the temperature sensitive phenotype of the cp45 strain of HPIV-3 correlates to a mutation in the large, or L, gene of cp45 relative to the corresponding gene in the wild-type strain. This correlation enables new vaccines directed at viruses other than HPIV-3 by combining, through genetic engineering methods, the region of the cp45 viral genome which encodes proteins responsible for replication and internal structure with the region of the genome of the target virus which encodes proteins responsible for attachment, penetration and release of the virus and virus progeny, respectfully. Moreover, it is possible to determine whether HPIV-3 or a cp45-hybrid virus is attenuated by confirming the presence or absence of mutations in its L gene.

Abstract: Method for immunizing against viral infection by administering intranasally an immunogenically effective amount of a viral envelope subunit vaccine comprising a glycoprotein complexed with a lipid.

Abstract: Method for immunizing against respiratory vital infection by administering intranasally an immunogenically effective amount of a vital envelope subunit vaccine, preferably comprising a mixture of the vital envelope glycoproteins complexed with a lipid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition useful in preparation of virus-caused disease comprising as its active agent at least one immunogenically effective amount of immunogenic viral envelope glycoprotein complexed with a lipid.