Abstract: Inhibitors that block the DC-SIGN mediated transmission of the HIV-virus from mucosal infection sites to T-lymphocytes. In one embodiment, the inhibitors include at least one oligosaccharide chain attached to a scaffolding framework in which the number of the oligosaccharide chains attached to the scaffold can be 2, 3, 4 or more. In another embodiment, HIV-I viral infection is treated by administration of a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of an oligosaccharide cluster and/or oligosaccharide/protein cluster binding DC-SIGN, to inhibit DC-SIGN from binding to HIV envelope glycoprotein.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can inter-act with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occupancy of a co-receptor present on the cell. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CD4 D1D2 and CD4M9 sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to co-expression DNA vaccines and methods for vaccinating animals against viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. In particular, the present invention relates to DNA vaccines that co-express antigens in combination with biologically-active components, such as adjuvants, immunoregulatory agents, antisense RNAs, and/or catalytic RNAs.