Abstract: The present invention relates to hemagglutinin-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and uses thereof. More specifically, these antibodies and fragments thereof are able to recognize antigen from multiple influenza strains.

Abstract: An inhibitor for use for preventing and/or treating an infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and an in vitro screening method for the identification of a candidate compound suitable for preventing and/or treating an infection with hepatitis B virus is provided.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino acid residues forming a full or partial ?-helical domain, the hinge domain, the ?-triple spiral domain and a full or partial globular head domain of an avian reovirus sigma C protein, and lacking the amino acid sequence that is N-terminal to said ?-helical domain is provided. Furthermore, a vaccine comprising, or a viral vector expressing, at least one of the isolated polypeptides of the present invention is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a hepatitis B treatment vaccine based on an inactivated whole recombinant Hansenula polymorpha cell which expresses HBsAg and HBcAg. An HBsAgVLP and an HBcAgVLP expressed in the recombinant Hansenula polymorpha cell are used as antigens, the amino acid sequence of the HBsAg expressed by the recombinant Hansenula polymorpha contains a total of 19 CTL epitopes, the amino acid sequence of the HBcAg expressed by the recombinant Hansenula polymorpha contains a total of 19 CTL epitopes, and the inactivated whole recombinant Hansenula polymorpha cell is used as an adjuvant.

Abstract: A composition for treating and/or preventing Hepatitis B virus infection and Hepatitis B virus infection mediated diseases and the method thereof are provided. In some embodiments, the composition includes a polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid (PIC), at least one antibiotic or polyamide compound, at least one positive ion, and Hepatitis B virus surface antigen. In some embodiments, the composition includes PIC, at least one antibiotic or polyamide compound, at least one positive ion, Hepatitis B virus surface antigen and Hepatitis B virus core antigen. The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating and/or preventing Hepatitis B virus infection, particularly for treating chronic HBV infection.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multi-epitope fusion protein as well as to its use as calibrator and/or control in an in vitro diagnostics immunoassay for detecting HCV core antigen. The multi-epitope fusion protein has two to six different non-overlapping linear peptides present in the amino acid sequence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, wherein each of the peptides is separated from the other peptides by a spacer consisting of a non-HCV amino acid sequence and having a chaperone amino acid sequence. No further HCV specific amino acid sequences are present in the polypeptide. A further aspect relates to a reagent kit for detecting HCV core antigen containing said multi-epitope fusion protein as calibrator or control or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel recombinant nanocage and use thereof wherein the nanocage is formed by self-assembly of a fusion protein including a phagocytosis enhancing protein and a self-assembling protein, and to a protein nanocage complex in which an immunogenic cell death inducer is loaded in the nanocage as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Residence devices as well as their related methods of manufacture and use are generally provided. In some embodiments, a residence device includes a plurality of self-assembling structures that assemble in vivo to form an aggregate structure. Each structure of the plurality of structures includes a first side and a first attachment point that attaches to a second attachment point on another structure of the plurality of structures. The aggregate structure may be sized and shaped to maintain an in vivo position relative to an internal orifice of a subject. The attachment between the first and second attachment points may degrade after a period of time.

Abstract: Provided is a recombinant Hansenula polymorpha-based high dosage hepatitis B vaccine, an HBsAg pure stock solution yield of a recombinant Hansenula polymorpha fermentation broth used for producing the hepatitis B vaccine being 300 mg/L-400 mg/L.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions including a probiotic including at least one strain of live bacteria and a Marek's Disease vaccine. Compositions including a probiotic or a probiotic and a Marek's Disease vaccine may be administered to subjects, including poultry. The compositions may be administered in ovo to increase early lactic acid bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, to decrease the gram negative bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, to reduce the level of Salmonella in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject and to increase the body weight gain of the subject. Also provided are kits including a probiotic and a Marek's Disease vaccine.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequences of HBV core protein, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines that express said protein sequences. Also provided herein are methods for generating an immune response against HBV using the nucleic acid sequences that are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hepadnavirus core antigens in which one or more endogenous b cell epitopes have been effectively removed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to rodent hepadnavirus cores modified to diminish the antibody response to the core so as to enhance the antibody response to heterologous polypeptides included therein.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequences of HBV core protein, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines that express said protein sequences. Also provided herein are methods for generating an immune response against HBV using the nucleic acid sequences that are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent comprising an antibody-recognition epitope (ARE) covalently bound to a tumor cell, wherein the ARE is bound to an antibody that is specific for the ARE, to form a tumor cell:ARE:antibody complex, and kits and methods of using these tumor cell:ARE:antibody complexes.

Abstract: There is provided at least one isolated cell comprising at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor and/or fragment thereof, and methods for producing them. In particular, there is provided polynucleotides, constructs and vectors encoding at least one HBV epitope-reactive exogenous T cell receptor for use in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The invention further provides kits and methods of detection of HBV and HCC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are DNA-based vaccines against amyloid ? peptide for use in treating and alleviating Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions. A DNA construct comprising DNA encoding one or more amyloid ? peptides, such as amino acids 1-11 of A?, and DNA encoding a hepatitis B antigens, is administered with an adjuvant or by electroporation. The vaccine can also be formulated using a fusion protein expressed by the disclosed DNA, in combination with an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophobic modified preS-derived peptides of hepatitis B virus (HBV) which are versatile vehicles for the specific delivery of compounds to the liver, preferably to hepatocytes, in vitro as well as in vivo. Any kind of compound, but in particular drugs, such as interferons, viral reverse transcriptase inhibitors or core assembly inhibitors, and/or labels can be specifically targeted to the liver and so be enriched in the liver. This liver targeting can further be used for the targeted diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of liver diseases or disorders, such as hepatitis, malaria, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as for the prevention of HAV, HBV, HCV and/or HDV infection. The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said hydrophobic modified preS-derived peptide(s) and the compound(s) to be specifically delivered to the liver.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to viral particles and nucleic acids encoding an HCV envelope glycoprotein 2 containing a mutation. Viral particles can be created and administered to a subject to illicit an immune response.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for the purification of saccharide antigen-carrier protein conjugates. In particular, the invention provides a method for purifying saccharide antigen-carrier protein conjugates from free carrier protein, such as CRM1 97, using hydroxyapatite. The invention further relates to methods of preparing vaccines, using this method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are DNA-based vaccines against amyloid ? peptide for use in treating and alleviating Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions. A DNA construct comprising DNA encoding one or more amyloid ? peptides, such as amino acids 1-11 of A?, and DNA encoding a hepatitis B antigens, is administered with an adjuvant or by electroporation. The vaccine can also be formulated using a fusion protein expressed by the disclosed DNA, in combination with an adjuvant.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequence of HBV core protein, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines that express said protein sequences. Also provided herein are methods for generating an immune response against HBV using the nucleic acid sequences that are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1a, including for example, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable to accurately quantify HBs antigen in the samples for which measured values are low or false-negative results by the conventional assaying method of HBs antigen. In the method of assaying HBs antigen according to the present invention, at least one inner capture probe that binds to a first inner region peptide consisting of 26th to 80th amino acid residues of HBs antigen and at least one outer capture probe that binds to a second outer region peptide consisting of 98th to 156th amino acid residues of HBs antigen are used as capture probes; and at least one inner detection probe which binds to the first inner region and at least one outer detection probe which binds to the second outer region are used as detection probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid for vaccine that has undergone codon optimization for expression in Bombyx mori, a vector comprising the nucleic acid, Bombyx mori comprising the vector, and a method for producing a vaccine in which they are used.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isolated immunogens including variant hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAgs). In an example, a variant HBsAg includes a HBsAg with one or more transmembrane domains of the HBsAg replaced with a gp41 antigenic insert. The antigenic insert can include an antigenic polypeptide fragment of gp41 including the membrane proximal region of gp41 and a transmembrane membrane region of gp41. The replacement of a membrane spanning domain of HBsAg with a membrane spanning domain of gp41 anchors gp41 into HBsAg in virtually the identical orientation as on HIV virions and correctly orients the nearby MPR on the lipid layer. Thus, the disclosed variant HBsAgs display the neutralization-sensitive MPR in association with a lipid layer, while presenting it at the most immunogenic site on HBsAg. Also disclosed are uses of these variant HBsAgs, and nucleic acids encoding variant HBsAgs, such as to induce an immune response to HIV-1.

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: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving GBV-C E2 polypeptides and peptides for use in modulating immune responses, including inhibition inflammation related to pathogenic T-cell activation.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1a/1b NS3 and NS4A. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving an anti-GBV-C antibody or other GBV-C binding agent, or a GBV-C antigen, for inhibiting and treating HIV infections.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the differential diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia or chronic alcoholism, by imaging the brain of a subject to detect any or all of the markers phosphocreatine (PCr), N-acetyl aspartate divided by the total creatine signal (NA/Crt), and synaptic phosphodiester (sPDE), and determining any increase or decrease in the presence of such markers compared to normal levels in specified anatomic areas of the brain. The output of such a method, resulting from such imaging, is presented to be viewed by a diagnostician in order to support the differential diagnosis based on the data output.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. Vaccines and diagnostic assays are also contemplated herein.

Abstract: A subgenomic replicon RNA (nucleic acid) having an excellent autonomously replicating ability and a fullgenomic replicon RNA (nucleic acid) having an excellent autonomously replicating ability and infectious HCV particle-producing ability, each derived from a novel HCV of genotype 1b, are provided. Particularly, a subgenomic replicon RNA (nucleic acid) and a fullgenomic replicon RNA (nucleic acid), each derived from an HCV genome of the NC1 strain which is a novel HCV genotype 1b isolated from a patient with acute severe hepatitis C, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions relating to DNA launched suicidal flaviviruses and methods of administering the same are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor immunotherapy, in particular to tumor vaccination, using chimeric proteins comprising all or a portion of a hepatitis B virus core antigen protein and an amino acid sequence comprising an epitope derived from the extracellular portion of a tumor-associated antigen. In particular, the present invention provides virus-like particles comprising said chimeric proteins, which are useful for eliciting a humoral immune response in a subject against the tumor-associated antigen, in particular against cells carrying said tumor-associated antigen on their surface, wherein the tumor-associated antigen is a self-protein in said subject.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine composition containing an antigen for inducing cellular immunity, comprising at least one first cellular immunity induction promoter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are DNA-based vaccines against amyloid ? peptide for use in treating and alleviating Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions. A DNA construct comprising DNA encoding one or more amyloid ? peptides, such as amino acids 1-11 of A?, and DNA encoding a hepatitis B antigens, is administered with an adjuvant or by electroporation. The vaccine can also be formulated using a fusion protein expressed by the disclosed DNA, in combination with an adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunotherapeutic compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, including yeast-based HDV immunotherapeutic compositions and methods of use of such compositions to prevent and/or treat HDV infection and symptoms and sequela thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising at least three peptide fragments consisting of 10 to 50 consecutive amino acid residues of at least one wild-type allergen fused to the N- and C-terminus of a surface polypeptide of a virus of the hepadnaviridae family or at least one fragment of said surface polypeptide.

Abstract: Hepatitis C reporter viruses containing Core through NS2 of prototype isolates of all major HCV genotypes and the remaining genes of isolate JFH1, by insertion of reporter genes in domain III of HCV NS5A were developed. A deletion upstream of the inserted reporter gene sequence conferred favorable growth kinetics in Huh7.5 cells to these viruses. These reporter viruses can be used for high throughput analysis of drug and vaccine candidates as well as patient samples. JFH1-based intergenotypic recombinants with genotype specific homotypic 5?UTR, or heterotypic 5?UTR (either of genotype 1a (strain H77) or of genotype 3a (strain S52)) were also developed. The present inventors additionally developed J6/JFH1 recombinants with the 5?UTR of genotypes 1-6. These recombinants with different 5?UTRs are a useful to study the function of the 5?UTR in a genotype specific manner.

Abstract: An immunogenic fusion protein includes at least, on the C-terminal side, a first peptide composed of the S protein deleted of the transmembrane domain thereof located at the N-terminal end thereof, of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolate, and on the N-terminal side, a second peptide composed of the transmembrane domain and of the ectodomain of at least one envelope protein of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. A hybrid nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein, and a vector including the hybrid nucleic acid molecule, a subviral particle including the fusion protein, an immunogenic composition including at least the fusion protein, or at least the hybrid nucleic acid molecule, or at least the subviral particle, and a cell line for the production of the fusion protein, or of the hybrid nucleic acid molecule, or of the subviral particle are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide(s) comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1 of hepatitis E virus ORF 2 or its fragment, which is in the form of n-polymeric polypeptide, wherein n is an integer from 1-180; to a chimeric protein consisting of a polypeptide of the present invention and a conserved fragment of hemagglutin antigen from influenza virus; to a polypeptide of the present invention bound to a polypeptide containing epitope from hepatitis E virus ORF3 or an immunogenic fragment thereof; to a recombinant expression vector comprising the DNA molecule encoding the above polypeptides and the host cell transformed with said recombinant expression vector which is able to express polypeptide of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are an epitope specific to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and use thereof. The disclosed epitope is a conservative position on which mutagenesis does not occur and, therefore, a composition including an antibody to the foregoing epitope or a vaccine composition including the epitope has very low possibility of causing degradation of curing efficacy due to HBV mutation, thus being very useful for HBV treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic or improving agent for a lifestyle-related disease, containing an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of the lifestyle-related disease-related factor, wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.