Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine that includes a dendritic cell loaded with a yeast vehicle and antigen. Also disclosed are methods of making the vaccine and using the vaccine to elicit cellular and humoral immune responses in a mammal. Additionally, a method to elicit an immune response by administration of a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is not complexed to the yeast vehicle is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel method for propagation of viral vectors encoding proteins that induce apoptosis. The invention also discloses viral vectors produced by such methods and cells transfected with such vectors. Also disclosed are methods for suppressing T-lymphocyte-mediated graft rejection, for suppressing T-lymphocyte-mediated disease and for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, including those directed against autologous and/or heterologous tissues, e.g., by a recipient mammal of a transplanted tissue, said method comprising providing the recipient mammal with Fas ligand. The Fas ligand may be provided to the recipient mammal by a variety of means, including by pump implantation or by transplantation of transgenic tissue expressing Fas ligand. Also provided is a method for diagnostic use of Fas ligand expression in improving transplantation success.

Abstract: The present invention includes yeast vehicles and their use as delivery vehicles. Yeast vehicles include a yeast portion and a heterologous compound. Such yeast vehicles can be used to protect animals from disease and to otherwise carry compounds to given cell types. Examples of yeast vehicles include gene delivery vehicles, drug delivery vehicles, and immunomodulatory vehicles. Immunomodulatory vehicles are capable of modulating an immune response. When stimulating an immune response, such yeast vehicles effect cell-mediated as well as humoral immunity.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, including those directed against autologous and/or heterologous tissues, e.g., by a recipient mammal of a transplanted tissue, said method comprising providing the recipient mammal with Fas ligand. The Fas ligand may be provided to the recipient mammal by a variety of means, including by pump implantation or by transplantation of transgenic tissue expressing Fas ligand. Also provided is a method for diagnostic use of Fas ligand expression in improving transplantation success.