Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recombinantly producing, via rescue of mumps virus, a nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and immunogenic compositions formed therefrom. Additional embodiments relate to methods of producing the mumps virus as an attenuated and/or infectious virus. The recombinant viruses are prepared from cDNA clones, and, accordingly, viruses having defined changes, including nucleotidelpoly/nucleotide deletions, insertions, substitutions and re-arrangements, in the place of the genome are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recombinantly producing, via rescue of mumps virus, a nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and immunogenic compositions formed therefrom. Additional embodiments relate to methods of producing the mumps virus as an attenuated and/or infectious virus. The recombinant viruses are prepared from cDNA clones, and, accordingly, viruses having defined changes, including nucleotide/polynucleotide deletions, insertions, substitutions and re-arrangements, in the place of the genome are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to the synergistic attenuation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). More particularly, the invention relates to the identification of combined mutation classes which synergistically attenuate the pathogenicity of VSV vectors in mammals and immunogenic compositions thereof.

Abstract: A method of inducing an antigen-specific immune response in a mammalian subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an effective amount of a first composition comprising a DNA plasmid comprising a DNA sequence encoding an antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in a mammalian or vertebrate cell. The method also includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a second composition comprising a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in the mammalian or vertebrate cell. The rVSV is in one embodiment replication competent. Kits for use in immunizations and therapeutic treatments of disease include the components and instructions for practice of this method.

Abstract: Self-propagating, fusogenic blebs are produced from cells infected with a population of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP). The self-propagating, fusogenic nature of the blebs is derived from expression of heterologous genes encoding viral fusion proteins that are incorporated into the replication defective replicon particles. The resulting blebs can be harvested from supernatants of cells displaying severe cytopathic effects. The blebs are used to make immunogenic compositions and devise methods of immunizing mammals against paramyxoviruses such as parainfluenza virus type 3.

Abstract: Methods for producing infectious, non-segmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses of the Order Mononegavirales are provided that involve coexpression of a viral cDNA along with essential viral proteins, N, P, and L in a host cell transiently transfected with an expression vector encoding an RNA polymerase. In alternate methods, after the host cell is transfected with a viral cDNA expression vector and one or more vectors encoding the RNA polymerase, N protein, P protein, and L protein, the host cell is exposed to an effective heat shock under conditions sufficient to increase recovery of the recombinant virus. In other alternate embodiments, the host cells are transferred after viral rescue begins into co-culture with a plaque expansion cell, typically a monolayer of expansion cells, and the assembled infectious, non-segmented, negative-stranded RNA virus is recovered from the co-culture.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a gene segment from a rhesus rotavirus (RRV) or from one of three rhesus: human reassortant viruses are disclosed, including isolated nucleic acid molecules having a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1-14, inclusive, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a protein having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 15-28, inclusive, as well as variants of the isolated nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recombinantly producing via rescue canine distemper virus, a nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and immunogenic compositions formed therefrom. Additional embodiments relate to methods of producing the canine distemper virus as an attenuated and/or infectious viruses. The recombinant viruses can be prepared from cDNA clones, and, accordingly, viruses having defined changes, including nucleotide/polynucleotide deletions, insertions, substitutions and rearrangements, in the genome can be obtained.