Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing glyco-modified viral antigens that provide a shift of the glycosylation profile of recombinant produced viral antigens (e.g. glycoproteins) towards the naturally occurring viral antigens (e.g. glycoproteins). Disclosed are methods of producing a modified viral antigen comprising expressing a viral antigen in a recombinant mammalian cell line having one or more of the endogenous genes Mgat2, Mgat4A, Mgat4B, Mgat5, St3Gal3, St3Gal4, B4galt1, B4galt2, B4galt3, B4galt4, B4galt5, B3gnt2, St3Gal6, SPPL3, and/or FUT8 inactivated and/or downregulated; and optionally a gene ST6Gall inserted. Disclosed are glyco-modified viral antigens produced by the method of using a recombinant mammalian cell line. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject in need thereof comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the glyco-modified viral antigens.

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: Provided are polyphosphazenes and methods of making and using the polyphosphazenes. The polyphosphazenes can be essentially chloride free. The polyphosphazenes can be phosphazene polyacids. The polyphosphazenes can be used as surface coatings, or as adjuvants when combined with antigens.

Abstract: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: Provided are polyphosphazenes and methods of making and using the polyphosphazenes. The polyphosphazenes can be essentially chloride free. The polyphosphazenes can be phosphazene polyacids. The polyphosphazenes can be used as surface coatings, or as adjuvants when combined with antigens.

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: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: Provided are pharmaceutical agent carriers (e.g., multifunctional polyphosphazenes). Such polymers can be useful as delivery carriers for pharmaceutical agents. Specifically they can be useful for prolonging serum half-life, reducing immunogenicity, and facilitating intracellular and cytosolic delivery of pharmaceutical agents. Also provided are compositions comprising pharmaceutical agent carriers and methods of delivering pharmaceutical agents using the compositions.

Abstract: Provided are polyphosphazenes and methods of making and using the polyphosphazenes. The polyphosphazenes can be essentially chloride free. The polyphosphazenes can be phosphazene polyacids. The polyphosphazenes can be used as surface coatings, or as adjuvants when combined with antigens.

Abstract: Provided are pharmaceutical agent carriers (e.g., multifunctional polyphosphazenes). Such polymers can be useful as delivery carriers for pharmaceutical agents. Specifically they can be useful for prolonging serum half-life, reducing immunogenicity, and facilitating intracellular and cytosolic delivery of pharmaceutical agents. Also provided are compositions comprising pharmaceutical agent carriers and methods of delivering pharmaceutical agents using the compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided relating to HCV E2 protein and modifications thereto which enhance the immunogenicity of the protein for vaccine development with respect to the generation of a neutralizing immune response.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided relating to HCV E2 protein and modifications thereto which enhance the immunogenicity of the protein for vaccine development with respect to the generation of a neutralizing immune response.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, a soluble 62 kDa species of the capsid protein encoded by ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. The 62K antigen may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and forms virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: A chimeric gene directing the synthesis of hybrid recombinant fusion protein in a suitable expression vector has been constructed. The fusion protein possesses the property of selective cytotoxicity against specific virus-infected cells. A CD4(178)-PE40 hybrid fusion protein has been made for selectively killing HIV-infected cells.

Abstract: A transient expression system is disclosed that utilizes bacteriophage RNA polymerase in the presence of a DNA-based cytoplasmic virus to facilitate expression of a foreign gene in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell.A method of expressing a foreign gene in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell is also disclosed which comprises incorporating into the cytoplasm a DNA-based cytoplasmic virus, a suitable carrier comprising a gene for an RNA polymerase which gene is foreign to the carrier and to the cells, and a suitable carrier comprising a functional, cistron including a foreign gene flanked by a promotor sequence which is recognized by the RNA polymerase.

Abstract: A chimeric gene directing the synthesis of hybrid recombinant fusion protein in a suitable expression vector has been constructed. The fusion protein possesses the property of selective cytotoxicity against specific virus-infected cells. A CD4(178)-PE40 hybrid fusion protein has been made for selectively killing HIV-infected cells.