Abstract: Novel nucleic acid vectors comprising sequences encoding (a) an antigen, (b) a signal peptide, and (c) a heat shock protein, are disclosed, as are methods for using such vectors to induce antigen-specific immune responses and to treat tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methodology for the generation of infectious ribonucleoparticles (RNPs) of negative-strand RNA viruses, and in particular of non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses in yeast, especially in budding yeast. Accordingly, the patent application relates to a recombinant yeast strain suitable for the rescue of infectious non-segmented negative-strand RNA virus particles or infectious virus-like particles. The invention also relates to the use of the recombinant yeast to prepare vaccine seed and to the use of the produced RNPs or RNPs-like to prepare vaccine formulations. It also concerns the use of the recombinant yeast for the screening of libraries of DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide of a protective antigenic determinant (PAD polypeptide) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide. The PAD polypeptide and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide are useful in the development of antibodies directed to PAD, vaccines effective in providing protection against PRRSV infection, and diagnostic assays detecting the presence of PAD antibodies generated by a PAD-specific vaccine. The invention also discloses methods of generating antibodies to PAD, for vaccinating a pig to provide protection from PRRSV infections, a method of preparing the vaccine, a method of treating PRRSV infections in a pig, and a method of detecting antibodies to PAD of PRRSV.

Abstract: There are disclosed compounds that modulate or inhibit the enzymatic activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds and methods of treating proliferative disorders, such as cancer, viral infections and/or inflammatory disorders utilizing the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions that may be administered to a subject via the buccal and/or sublingual mucosa are provided. Methods for administration and preparation of such vaccine compositions are also provided.

Abstract: H5N1 influenza viruses isolated from animals and humans since 2003 separate into distinct clades based on hemagglutinin amino acid sequences. According to the invention, multiple clades are used in influenza immunization. Thus there is a prime-boost immunization schedule where a subject receives a priming dose of a first clade of H5 influenza A virus and a boosting dose of a second clade of H5 influenza A virus. There is also an immunogenic composition comprising hemagglutinin antigens from more than one clade of H5 influenza A virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition that comprises a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen for treatment of several clinical manifestations (diseases). Preferably, the clinical manifestations are associated with a PCV2 infection. Preferably, they include lymphadenopathy, lymphoid depletion and/or multinucleated/giant histiocytes. Moreover, the clinical symptoms include lymphadenopathy in combination with one or a multiple of the following symptoms in pigs: (1) interstitial pneumonia with interlobular edema, (2) cutaneous pallor or icterus, (3) mottled atrophic livers, (4) gastric ulcers, (5) nephritis and (6) reproductive disorders, e.g. abortion, stillbirths, mummies, etc. Furthermore the clinical symptoms include Pia like lesions, normally known to be associated with Lawsonia intracellularis infections.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a new method for preparing IDO inhibitor epacadostat. The whole reaction route is simple, easy to control and has high yield.

Abstract: The present provide vaccine and adjuvant formulation comprising an immunostimulant and a metal salt. The immunostimulant is adsorbed on to a particle of metal salt and the resulting particle is essentially devoid of antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing the virucidal activity of a composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as antigenic preparations and immunogenic compositions comprising a PCV-2 antigen, wherein the virucidal activity has been reduced. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method of increasing the immunogenicity of an immunogenic composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as immunogenic composition with an increased immunogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and compositions for treating, preventing, and diagnosing amyloid-associated diseases and conditions, as well as methods and compositions for making antigens that elicit antibodies which selectively or specifically bind amyloid prefibrillar oligomers or protofibrillar aggregates over monomers or fibrils of the same amyloid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition comprising a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen for the prevention and treatment, including a reduction in the severity of, duration of, and manifestations of, porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) in animals, preferably in pigs.

Abstract: A method involves screening a candidate compound for activity in the treatment of a condition associated with formation of amyloid protein fibrils in a mammal, such as Alzheimer's disease. It is determined whether the trimer/monomer ratio of a chaperone protein is decreased in the presence of the candidate compound. The chaperone protein is or has a high identity to the Brichos domains of Bri2, Bri3 or proSP-C from human. Monomers of the chaperone proteins and/or compounds that promote formation of these monomers are useful for medical treatment of the condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a PCV2 infection or for reduction of clinical symptoms caused by or associated with a PCV2 infection in animals a) having anti-PCV2 antibodies and/or b) being young piglets of 1 to 22 days of age, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a PCV2 antigen to that animal in need of such treatment. Preferably, those animals are pigs or young piglets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating or preventing Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infection in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant fusion antigen gene, a recombinant fusion antigen protein and a subunit vaccine composition having the same against infection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). A recombinant fusion antigen gene, which encodes glycoprotein GP5 with truncated N?-terminal decoy epitope, a linker sequence and membrane protein M, followed by codon optimization, is expressed by a baculovirus expression system in vitro, thereby enhancing a yield of the recombinant fusion antigen protein. The recombinant fusion antigen protein can be applied in a subunit vaccine composition, for providing vaccinated animals with better protection ability without the risks of virulent spread and virulent recovery.

Abstract: Novel vaccines are provided that elicit broadly neutralizing anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display hemagglutinin trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles comprise fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit of ferritin joined to at least a portion of an influenza hemagglutinin protein. Some portions comprise the ectodomain while some portions are limited to the stem region. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the hemagglutinin-displaying nanoparticles. Some vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza hemagglutinin protein joined to a trimerization domain. Such vaccines can be used to vaccinate an individual against infection by heterologous influenza viruses and influenza virus that are antigenically divergent from the virus from which the nanoparticle hemagglutinin protein was obtained. Also provided are fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins.

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: Provided are an N-terminal truncated L1 protein of the Human Papillomavirus Type 58, a coding sequence and preparation method thereof, and a virus-like particle comprising the protein. Uses of the protein and the virus-like particle in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition or a vaccine are further provided. The pharmaceutical composition or vaccine is used for prevention of HPV infection and a disease caused by HPV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant yeast system for expressing the glycoprotein E2 of classical swine fever virus (CSFV), in which the expression level of yE2 is improved by codon optimization and shortening coding region of E2 gene. The truncated E2 subunits are used as major active ingredient in anti-CSFV vaccines and useful diagnostic blocking ELISA kits for CSFV infection with easy manipulation and low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recombinant viral construct and its uses thereof. The recombinant viral construct is capable of simultaneously expressing three exogenous proteins, including a classical swine fever virus (CSFV) antigen, a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen, and an immunomodulatory protein. The recombinant viral construct is hence useful as a bio-tool for simultaneously producing multiple antigens of a bi-subunit vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides cancer peptides related to rapid replication and shared among different histological cancer types. The peptides are provided in compositions for interfering with replication in cancer, in preventive and therapeutic vaccines, and in diagnostic applications. The compositions for interfering with replication in cancer are useful for preventing and treating different histological types of cancer including ectodermic, endodermic, and mesodermic cancers as well as cancers arising in association with HIV.

Abstract: The invention relates to a marker vaccine for prophylactic treatment of classical swine fever comprising modified live attenuated classical swine fever virus. The viral amino acid sequence of the TAV-epitope of the E2 protein comprises a different sequence from that of a wild-type classical swine fever virus. The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the marker vaccine. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing marker vaccines for prevention of classical swine fever using selective antibody pressure.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and relates to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone useful for studying Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and in the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS.

Abstract: A lipid particle can include a cationic lipid. Synthesis of the cationic lipid can include a ylide-based reaction, such as a Wittig reaction or sulfur ylide reaction. In some cases, the synthesis can also include a Michael addition or a related addition reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed are fusion proteins, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, and therapeutic compositions, including yeast-based immunotherapy compositions, for use in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) infection and sequela thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection of the presence of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample, for the detection of replication of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample, to Torque Teno virus (RT)-PCR primers and probes, and to diagnostic test kits for the detection of the presence and replication of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample.

Abstract: Multi-ligand capture agents comprising two or more ligands are described, and related compositions, methods and systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the percentage of concomitant infections in pigs or a herd of pigs caused by pathogens other than PCV2 comprising the step administering to said pig(s) an effective amount of PCV2 antigen or an immunogenic composition comprising PCV2 antigen. It also refers to a method for improving the resistance of pigs against concomitant infections with pathogens other than PCV2, comprising the step administering to said pig(s) an effective amount of PCV2 antigen or an immunogenic composition comprising PCV2 antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into an intergenic region (IGR) of a vaccinia virus genome, where the IGR is located between or is flanked by two adjacent open reading frames (ORFs) of the vaccinia virus genome, and where the ORFs correspond to conserved genes, and to related plasmid vectors useful to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of a vaccinia virus, and further to recombinant vaccinia viruses comprising an exogenous sequence inserted into said new insertion site as a medicine or vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the isolation of DNA on a microfluidic device and the subsequent analysis of the DNA on the microfluidic device. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the isolation of DNA from patient samples on a microfluidic device and use of the DNA for performing amplification reactions, such as PCR, and detection, such as thermal melt analysis, on the microfluidic device.

Abstract: In the present invention, CD8+ conventional dendritic cells (CD8+ cDCs) and equivalents thereof (eCD8+ cDCs) in mouse and human have been established as major source of IFN-lambda (IFN-?) in response to double-stranded (ds) nucleic acids. The invention relates to therapeutic applications of ds nucleic acids or analogs thereof targeting CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases, preferably viral infections, or cancer. Furthermore, the invention relates to an in vitro method for producing IFN-? and/or generating or obtaining a population of IFN-? producing CD8+ or eCD8+ cDCs as well as in vitro method for detecting or screening for CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs. In addition, the invention relates to a Flt3-ligand or a M-CSF receptor ligand for use in increasing the level of CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in a subject suffering from an infectious disease or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated infectious polynucleotides, such as infectious clones, having a nucleotide sequence with identity to PRRS viruses such as VR-2332, Lelystad, or others, and optionally further including a deletion in a region of ORF1 that encodes the nsp2 polypeptide.

Abstract: Novel dendrimeric peptide compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following formula I: The compounds demonstrate antimicrobial activity and may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions and used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans where microbial invasion is involved. The present peptides are particularly valuable as their effect is rapid, broad in spectrum and mostly indifferent to resistance provoked by standard antibiotics.

Abstract: Expression of a transgene is driven in a host cell using a pol I promoter which is not endogenous to an organism from the same taxonomic order from which the host cell is derived.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions with coupled adjuvant compositions as well as related methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a coronavirus infection. A method embodiment comprises administering a polypeptide (preferably in a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier) to a subject suffering from a coronavirus infection. The polypeptide comprises or consists of at least a portion of the fusion initiation region (FIR) of a coronavirus fusion protein. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises or consists of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2, 22, 23, 24, and 25 or an 8 to 40 contiguous amino acid residue portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides self replicating infectious recombinant paramyxoviruses. The recombinant paramyxovirus preferably have one or more attenuating mutations. In some embodiments, the recombinant paramyxovirus has a separate variant polynucleotide encoding a P protein and a separate monocistronic polynucleotide encoding a V protein. In some embodiments, recombinant paramyxovirus have at least one temperature sensitive mutation and one non-temperature sensitive mutation. Also provided are compositions and methods for using the recombinant paramyxoviruses as described herein.

Abstract: Described is an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleic acid molecule (ODN) having the structure according to formula (I), wherein any NMP is a 2? deoxynucleoside monophosphate or monothiophosphate, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, -6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine-monophosphate or -monothiophosphate, NUC is a 2? deoxynucleoside, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, 6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine, any X is O or S, a and b are integers from 0 to 100 with the proviso that a+b is between 4 and 150,

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine antigen capable of inducing a cross-reacting and neutralizing antibody directed against a high-risk-type human papillomavirus. Specifically disclosed are: a chimeric protein comprising an L2-epitope of a human papillomavirus (HPV) type-16 inserted in a loop region of a human papillomavirus type-16 L1 protein; and a capsid which is a particle formed by the chimeric protein. The loop region to which the L2-epitope is to be inserted is located between an amino acid residue at position-430 and an amino acid residue at position-433. The L2-epitope has an amino acid sequence represented by any one of the following formulae: LYKTCKQAGTCPPDIIPKVEG (SEQ ID NO: 2) (18-38 L2-epitope); GGLGIGTGSGTGGRTGYIPL (SEQ ID NO: 3) (56-75 L2-epitope); and DPVGPLDPSIVSLVEESSFI (SEQ ID NO: 4) (96-115 L2-epitope).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition including (e.g. for use as an adjuvant) a polymeric carrier cargo complex, comprising as a carrier a polymeric carrier formed by disulfide-crosslinked cationic components; and as a cargo at least one nucleic acid molecule, and at least one antigen that is selected from an antigen from a pathogen associated with infectious disease; an antigen associated with allergy or allergic disease; an antigen associated with autoimmune disease; or an antigen associated with a cancer or tumour disease, or in each case a fragment, variant and/or derivative of said antigen. The pharmaceutical composition allows for efficient induction of an adaptive immune response directed against said antigen. The present invention furthermore provides kits, as well as the use of the pharmaceutical composition or the kit as a vaccine, particularly in the treatment of infectious diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases and tumour or cancer diseases.

Abstract: Isolated, latently infected T cell lines are provided that can be utilized in high throughput screening to discover compounds capable of activating HIV-I. The T cell lines harbor a latent HIV-I derived vector pro virus, which upon activation expresses a marker for late viral gene expression due to the insertion of the marker gene in the position of HIV-I envelope.

Abstract: The invention is related to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding a modified filovirus glycoprotein (GP) having at least one amino acid change located in a relatively conserved region of said GP that decreases in vitro cytotoxicity and retains immunogenicity when compared to in vitro cytotoxicity and immunogenicity of a wild type filovirus GP, and related modified filovirus GPs, plasmid DNAs, recombinant viruses, adenoviruses, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccine compositions, antibodies that are specifically reactive with the modified filovirus GPs, and related methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. The method generally involves the steps of transfecting recombinant virus containing open reading frame 2 coding sequences into cells contained in growth media, causing the virus to express open reading frame 2, and recovering the expressed protein in the supernate. This recovery should take place beginning approximately 5 days after infection of the cells in order to permit sufficient quantities of recombinant protein to be expressed and secreted from the cell into the growth media. Such methods avoid costly and time-consuming extraction procedures required to separate and recover the recombinant protein from within the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition that comprises a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen for treatment of several clinical manifestations (diseases). Preferably, the clinical manifestations are associated with a PCV2 infection. Preferably, they include lymphadenopathy, lymphoid depletion and/or multinucleated/giant histiocytes. Moreover, the clinical symptoms include lymphadenopathy in combination with one or a multiple of the following symptoms in pigs: (1) interstitial pneumonia with interlobular edema, (2) cutaneous pallor or icterus, (3) mottled atrophic livers, (4) gastric ulcers, (5) nephritis and (6) reproductive disorders, e.g. abortion, stillbirths, mummies, etc. Furthermore the clinical symptoms include Pia like lesions, normally known to be associated with Lawsonia intracellularis infections.

Abstract: A method of inducing a specific immune response in a mammal, comprising: providing a first composition comprising isolated ubiquitinylated proteins in solution in the absence of membrane bound organelles, the isolated ubiquitinylated proteins comprising one or more specific antigens, and further comprising a threshold quantity of polyubiquitinylated short-lived proteins and polyubiquitinylated defective ribosomal products. The isolated ubiquitinylated proteins are affinity-purified from tumor-derived cells grown in culture, the tumor-derived cells being inhibited from degrading ubiquitinylated proteins via the proteasome while being grown in culture. In this way, highly immunogenic short-lived proteins and defective ribosomal products may be loaded onto dendritic cells for cross-presentation and priming of antigen-specific T cells restricted by either classical or non-classical MHC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating or preventing Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infection in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Orthopoxviruses. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining B5 or A33 binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to vectors comprising two or more homologous nucleotide sequences and methods for generating them. The invention concerns substituting bases in the homologous nucleotide sequences with different bases that do not alter the encoded amino acid sequence. The invention allows for the reduction of intramolecular recombination between homologous nucleotide sequences, in particular in mammalian cells. The invention further relates to nucleotide sequences containing substituted bases.

Abstract: The present invention provides lipids that are advantageously used in lipid particles for the in vivo delivery of therapeutic agents to cells.