Abstract: Disclosed are modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 glycoproteins. Disclosed are Disclosed are modified HCV E1E2 glycoproteins comprising a HCV E1 polypeptide; a first scaffold element; a HCV E2 polypeptide; and a second scaffold element, wherein the HCV E1 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain, and wherein the HCV E2 polypeptide does not comprise a transmembrane domain.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins. Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprising an antigenic domain D, wherein the modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprise one or more amino acid alterations in the antigenic domain D, wherein at least one amino acid alteration is a proline substitution. In some aspects, the proline substitution occurs at position 445 based on the amino acid numbering of HCV strain H77. Disclosed are modified HCV E2 glycoproteins comprising an antigenic domain A, wherein the antigenic domain A comprises an N-glycan sequon substitution. In some aspects, the N-glycan sequon substitution results in an Asn-Xaa-Ser or Asn-Xaa-Thr substitution, wherein Xaa is any amino acid except proline. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed modified HCV E2 glycoproteins, such as methods of inducing an immune response in a subject, methods of treating a subject, and methods of increasing antigenicity of HCV E2 glycoprotein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides non-human primate-derived binding molecules, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that can bind to orthologous epitopes found on two or more filovirus species or strains.

Abstract: The disclosure provides non-human primate-derived binding molecules, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that can bind to orthologous epitopes found on two or more filovirus species or strains.

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope proteins E1 and E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conserved conformational and linear epitopes of the HCV protein E1 or E2 have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E1 or E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope proteins E1 and E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conserved conformational and linear epitopes of the HCV protein E1 or E2 have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E1 or E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope protein E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conformational epitopes have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies binding to epitopes common to type 1 and 2 HCV are provided, as well as conformationally conserved HCV E2 2a and 2b proteins. Compositions comprising the antibodies find use in diagnosis and therapy. The antibodies recognize conformational epitopes that are conserved across multiple genotypes of HCV. Thus the antibodies have the potential to be useful in the prevention and treatment of the majority of HCV infections. A subset of the antibodies (CBH-2, CBH-5, CBH-7, CBH-8C, CBH-8E, and CBH-11) have the ability to prevent the binding of HCV E2 proteins of multiple genotypes to human CD81, a possible co-receptor for HCV infection. A subset of the antibodies (CBH-2 and CBH-5) have been shown to inhibit the binding of HCV virions (as opposed to purified E2 protein) to human CD81. A further subset of the antibodies (CBH-4D, CBH4B, CBH-8C, and CBH-9) have been shown to prevent HCV envelope mediated fusion using an HCV psuedotype system.

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope proteins E1 and E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conserved conformational and linear epitopes of the HCV protein E1 or E2 have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E1 or E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: Method and assay kit for positively identifying HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection from human serum samples. The kit includes peptide antigens from the C-terminal regions of HLTV-I p19 and HTLV-II p21 gag proteins, and peptide antigens from the HLTV-I and HTLV-II env proteins immobilized on a solid support. After reaction of the serum sample with the solid support, an antibody-detection reagent in the kit is added to the support, to detect binding of human serum antibodies to each of the peptide antigens separately. The test allows positive identification of HTLV-I or HTLV-II when antibody binding to each HTLV-I or HTLV-II gag and env peptide antigen, respectively, is observed. Also disclosed is a kit for screening human sera for evidence of HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptides are disclosed for use in diagnostic assays for detecting and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection in human sera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp21 envelope protein, and are diagnostic of HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection. The invention also includes an assay kit and method for detecting, and discriminating between, HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection in humans.

Abstract: A stable trioma cell line capable of secreting a non-human primate monoclonal antibody specific against a selected antigen. An exemplary cell line secretes chimpanzee monoclonal antibody specific against an antigen associated with hepatitis nonA/nonB infection. The cell line is produced, in the method of the invention, by isolating lymphocytes from a primate immunized with the selected antigen, and immortalizing the lymphocytes by fusion with a stable, non-antibody-secreting murine myeloma/human hybridoma cell line having selected-for human characteristics. The trioma fusion products are selected for secretion of the desired antibody, which has a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic uses.

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody that directly agglutinates type A human red blood cells is described. The exemplified antibody is an IgM and is produced by hybrid cells lines S-H22 and HHA1. The antibody is useful as an ABO typing reagent.

Abstract: By careful screening and mutation, a human-murine hybridoma suitable as a fusion partner for immortalizing an antibody-secreting B cell has been generated. The trioma fusion products of this immortalizing partner are stable producers of human monoclonal antibodies. A trioma which produces monoclonal human anti-varicella zoster is disclosed.