Abstract: As described herein, anti-fibrin antibodies can reduce and treat the symptoms of Coronavirus infection, including CoV-ID-19 infection. Compositions and methods are described herein that include active agents such as anti-fibrin antibodies that can inhibit inflammation in the lung and other tissues. These methods and compositions can inhibit the binding of SARS-COV-2 or SARS-COV-1 spike protein to fibrin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus using a glycogen synthase kinase 3? inhibitor, such as a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) or a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) inhibitor. In some embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a glycogen synthase kinase antagonist, e.g., Tideglusib (4-benzyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. In other embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a maleimide-based glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, e.g., SB-216763 (3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus using a glycogen synthase kinase 3? inhibitor, such as a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) or a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) inhibitor. In some embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a glycogen synthase kinase antagonist, e.g., Tideglusib (4-benzyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. In other embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a maleimide-based glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, e.g., SB-216763 (3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of a patient having an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS. More specifically this invention provides treatment of an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS using small molecule compounds, such as inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1. Inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1 also prevent the cell death of CD4 T-cells in a population of CD4 T-cells comprising HIV-1 infected CD4 T-cells and uninfected CD4 T-cells, In addition, caspase-1 inhibitors inhibit inflammation, and pyroptosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of a patient having an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS. More specifically this invention provides treatment of an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS using small molecule compounds, such as inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1. Inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1 also prevent the cell death of CD4 T-cells in a population of CD4 T-cells comprising HIV-1 infected CD4 T-cells and uninfected CD4 T-cells. In addition, caspase-1 inhibitors inhibit inflammation, and pyroptosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of a patient having an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS. More specifically this invention provides treatment of an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS using small molecule compounds, such as inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1. Inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1 also prevent the cell death of CD4 T-cells in a population of CD4 T-cells comprising HIV-1 infected CD4 T-cells and uninfected CD4 T-cells. In addition, caspase-1 inhibitors inhibit inflammation, and pyroptosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of a patient having an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS. More specifically this invention provides treatment of an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS using small molecule compounds, such as inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1. Inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1 also prevent the cell death of CD4 T-cells in a population of CD4 T-cells comprising HIV-1 infected CD4 T-cells and uninfected CD4 T-cells. In addition, caspase-1 inhibitors inhibit inflammation, and pyroptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that inhibits an activity of a lentiviral Vif protein. The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that increases the level of active APOBEC3G in a cell. The present invention provides agents identified by a subject screening method; and further provides methods for treating lentivirus infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the elimination of latent HIV reservoirs that persist despite HAART. The methods and compositions overcome this latent barrier by inducing the replication of HIV in latently infected T cells while preventing the spread of the newly produced virions to uninfected cells by providing HAART simultaneously. Compositions of the invention comprise an activator of latent HIV expression, such as prostratin, and an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, such as TSA. A surprising finding of this invention is that the inhibitor of the histone deacetylase synergizes the effect of prostratin thus, allowing administering to a patient a lower, non-toxic dose of prostratin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the elimination of latent HIV reservoirs that persist despite HAART. The methods and compositions overcome this latent barrier by inducing the replication of HIV in latently infected T cells while preventing the spread of the newly produced virions to uninfected cells by providing HAART simultaneously. Compositions of the invention comprise an activator of latent HIV expression, such as prostratin, and an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, such as TSA. A surprising finding of this invention is that the inhibitor of the histone deacetylase synergizes the effect of prostratin thus, allowing administering to a patient a lower, non-toxic dose of prostratin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that inhibits an activity of a lentiviral Vif protein. The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that increases the level of active APOBEC3G in a cell. The present invention provides agents identified by a subject screening method; and further provides methods for treating lentivirus infections.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions relating to a virion-based fusion assay for detection of infection of a target cell by an enveloped retroviral virion such as HIV. The assay uses virions containing a chimeric viral protein comprising a viral accessory polypeptide (such as Vpr) fused to a reporter polypeptide (such as beta-lactamase). Fusion of the virion with a target cell membrane results in intracellular delivery of the chimeric protein to the target cell, which in turn provides for detection of a detectable signal mediated by the reporter polypeptide portion of the chimeric polypeptide. Significant detectable signal is only detected following intracellular delivery of the chimeric viral protein, thus providing for detection of productive viral entry to the exclusion of non-productive, endocytic entry of virions into the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identification of agents that modulate NF-?B activity through modulation of the acetylation and deacetylation of the RelA subunit of NF-?B.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions relating to a virion-based fusion assay for detection of infection of a target cell by an enveloped retroviral virion such as HIV. The assay uses virions containing a chimeric viral protein comprising a viral accessory polypeptide (such as Vpr) fused to a reporter polypeptide (such as beta-lactamase). Fusion of the virion with a target cell membrane results in intracellular delivery of the chimeric protein to the target cell, which in turn provides for detection of a detectable signal mediated by the reporter polypeptide portion of the chimeric polypeptide. Significant detectable signal is only detected following intracellular delivery of the chimeric viral protein, thus providing for detection of productive viral entry to the exclusion of non-productive, endocytic entry of virions into the cell.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to a therapeutic molecule. Preferably, the Vpr comprises synthetic Vpr. The therapeutic molecule can comprise any molecule capable of being conjugated to Vpr or a fragment thereof, including a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, and/or a toxin. The invention additionally provides a method for delivering a molecule into a cell. The method comprises contacting the cell with a conjugate comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to the molecule. The invention further provides a method for modulating the expression of a transgene in a cell, a method for killing a target cell population in a subject, a method for increasing the sensitivity of cells to radiation therapy, and a method for inhibiting cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides the molecular basis for cytokine induction of NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune and inflammatory responses, emphasizing a role for both NIK-NIK and NIK-IKK protein—protein interactions. A relatively small region of NIK selectively impairs the NIK-IKK interaction. The present invention provides a novel and highly specific method for modulating NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic responses, based on interruption of the critical protein—protein interaction of NIK and IKK. The present invention provides methods for inhibiting NF-&kgr;B-dependent gene expression, using mutant NIK proteins. One embodiment of the present invention provides kinase-deficient NIK mutant proteins that inhibit activation of IKK. Another embodiment of the invention provides N-terminus NIK mutant proteins that bind IKK, thus inhibiting NIK/IKK interaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identification of agents that modulate NF-&kgr;B activity through modulation of the acetylation and deacetylation of the RelA subunit of NF-&kgr;B.

Abstract: The present invention provides the molecular basis for cytokine induction of NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune and inflammatory responses, emphasizing a role for both NIK-NIK and NIK-IKK protein-protein interactions. A relatively small region of NIK selectively impairs the NIK-IKK interaction. The present invention provides a novel and highly specific method for modulating NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic responses, based on interruption of the critical protein-protein interaction of NIK and IKK. The present invention provides methods for inhibiting NF-&kgr;B-dependent gene expression, using mutant NIK proteins. One embodiment of the present invention provides kinase-deficient NIK mutant proteins that inhibit activation of IKK. Another embodiment of the invention provides N-terminus NIK mutant proteins that bind IKK, thus inhibiting NIK/IKK interaction.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to a therapeutic molecule. Preferably, the Vpr comprises synthetic Vpr. The therapeutic molecule can comprise any molecule capable of being conjugated to Vpr or a fragment thereof, including a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, and/or a toxin. The invention additionally provides a method for delivering a molecule into a cell. The method comprises contacting the cell with a conjugate comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to the molecule. The invention further provides a method for modulating the expression of a transgene in a cell, a method for killing a target cell population in a subject, a method for increasing the sensitivity of cells to radiation therapy, and a method for inhibiting cell proliferation.

Abstract: Transdominant repressors of viral gene phenotypic expression derived from the rev gene product of HIV-1 or the rex gene product of HTLV-1 and corresponding mutated genes, having the capability of repressing the Rev function in HIV-1 and/or the Rex function in HTLV-I and HTLV-II and, in some cases, both the Rev and the Rex function and are, therefore, active in more than one viral species. Such transdominant viral mutants are useful as anti-viral agents to, for example protect cells against the deleterious effects of viral, e.g. HIV-1, infection.