Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for preparing vesicles. In one aspect, the methods involve providing a molten mixture of vesicle-forming lipids and adding the molten mixture of vesicle-forming lipids to an aqueous solution comprising an antigen such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed, wherein in the step of adding the molten mixture of vesicle forming lipids is at a temperature of less than 120° C. In another aspect, the methods involve providing a molten mixture of vesicle-forming lipids and adding an aqueous solution comprising an antigen to the molten mixture of vesicle-forming lipids such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed, wherein the resulting mixture is placed under temperature-controlled conditions of less than 60° C. In yet another aspect, the methods involve providing a solution of vesicle forming lipids and adding the solution of vesicle-forming lipids to an aqueous solution comprising an antigen by injection such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to chimeric flavivirus vectors that can be used, for example, in the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infection, compositions including such viral vectors, and methods employing the vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting immune enhancement of virus infectivity, a method of determining neutralization and immune enhancement of virus infectivity, a method of identifying a virus epitope that displays immune enhancement, a method of identifying a compound that modulates activity of an Fc receptor, and a method of identifying a compound that modulates intracellular signaling of an Fc receptor. DNA constructs, cells, and kits relating to these assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to vaccines and in particular to the combination of non-integrating, replication-incompetent retroviral vectors (NIV) with virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines to induce an immune response in an animal host following administration to the host. This combination results in a novel vaccine strategy for delivering priming and boost doses, wherein an effective amount of an NIV is administered to the host, followed by an effective amount of a VLP. The concept can be broadly applied to infectious disease vaccines and also to cancer vaccines.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods useful for treating viral infections. As described herein, the compositions and methods are based on the development of immunogenic compositions that include an attenuated or inactivated virus in combination with a non-ionic surfactant vesicle (NISV).

Abstract: The application relates to a pestivirus, designated PMC virus, that is associated with porcine myocarditis syndrome, and the gene and protein sequences derived therefrom. The application further relates to detection methods, vaccine therapeutics, and diagnostic methods using the PMC virus or gene/protein sequences derived therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates peptide entry inhibitors and methods of determining such inhibitors that are bindable to regions of viruses having class II E proteins, such as the dengue virus E protein, as candidates for in vivo anti-viral compounds.

Abstract: An immunogenic or vaccine composition to induce an immune response or protective immune response against West Nile virus (WNV) in an animal susceptible to WNV. The composition includes a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable vehicle or excipient, and a vector. The vector contains heterologous nucleic acid molecule(s), expresses in vivo in the animal WNV antigen, immunogen or epitope thereof, e.g., WNV E; WNV prM and E; WNV M and E; WNV prM, WNV M and E, WNV polyprotein prM-E, WNV polyprotein M-E, or WNV polyprotein prM-M-E. The composition can contain an adjuvant, such as carbomer. Methods for making and using such a composition, including prime-boost regimes and including as to differential diagnosis, are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides dengue virus vaccines and immunogenic compositions for administration to human subjects. The vaccine compositions of the present invention comprise recombinantly produced monomeric and/or dimeric forms of truncated dengue virus envelope glycoprotein that, when formulated together with an adjuvant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, induce balanced tetravalent immune responses. In preferred embodiments of the compositions described herein, the DEN4 protein component is a dimeric form of DEN4. The compositions are designed to be acceptable for use in the general population, including immunosuppressed, immunocompromised, and immunosenescent individuals. Also provided herein are methods of inducing a protective immune response in a human patient population by administering the compositions described herein to the patients.

Abstract: A CDR grafted humanized recombinant antibody against infection from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) comprises a human Ig framework having CDRs from murine mAb 1A4A1 VH and VL. DNA sequences, expression vectors incorporating such sequences and transformed host cells are also provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of prophylaxis and treatment against VEEV infection using the humanized recombinant antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to BVD virus and to its uses, to vaccines and combination vaccines comprising such a virus, their use as a medicament, their use in the treatment of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea and to methods for the preparation of such vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides flavivirus vaccines and methods of making and using these vaccines.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attenuated flavivirus live vaccine comprising a flavivirus mutant, characterized in that the flavivirus mutant has a deletion in the capsid protein of at least more than 4 successive amino acids, wherein the carboxy-terminal hydrophobic region is not affected by the deletion.

Abstract: This invention relates to bicistronic flavivirus vectors, methods of using such vectors in the prevention and treatment of disease, and methods of making such vectors.

Abstract: Recombinant production of immunogenic West Nile Virus (WNV) proteins is described. These proteins, heterodimers comprising the proteins, fusions thereof, polynucleotides encoding the proteins, and combinations thereof, as well as antibodies produced therefrom, can be used in immunogenic compositions for preventing, treating and diagnosing WNV infection. Also described are highly sensitive ELISA and strip immunoassay methods for detecting the presence of WNV in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising a nucleic acid encoded by an equine arterivirus virus (EAV) open reading frame (ORF) 2 nucleic acid, and a nucleic vector comprising said EAV ORF 2. The invention further relates to the methods and kits encompassing the use of EAV ORF 2 containing vaccine compositions and nucleic acid vectors for the prevention and/or treatment of EAV infections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention report compositions and methods for vaccinating a subject against all dengue virus serotypes. In some embodiments, multiple vaccine compositions may be administered to a subject in different anatomical locations in order to induce a rapid response to all dengue virus serotypes. In certain embodiments, administration of two or more vaccine compositions to a subject against all dengue virus serotypes may include two or more routes of administration.

Abstract: A chimeric viral particle that comprises a RV fusion gene is disclosed. The RV fusion gene comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a RV that is devoid of RV E1 protein, and a second nucleotide sequence that linked in translation frame to the first nucleotide sequence and encodes a humoral immunogenic viral protein. The chimeric viral particle is free of RV E1 protein-encoding gene. A virus packaging cell that generates the chimeric viral particle comprising a RV fusion gene and an isolated expression vector comprising a RV fusion gene linked in translation frame to a promoter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cellular receptors are identified that induce plasma leakage and other negative effects when infected with flaviviruses, such as dengue virus or Japanese encephamyelitis virus. Using fusion proteins disclosed herein, the receptors to which a pathogen, such as flavivirus, binds via glycan binding are determined. Once the receptors are determined, the effect of binding to a particular receptor may be determined, wherein targeting of the receptors causing a particular symptom may be targeted by agents that interrupt binding of the pathogen to the receptor. Accordingly, in the case of dengue virus and Japanese encephamyelitis virus, TNF-? is released when the pathogen binds to the DLVR1/CLEC5A receptor. Interrupting the DLVR1/CLEC5A receptor with monoclonal antibodies reduced TNF-? secretion without affecting secretion of cytokines responsible for viral clearance thereby increasing survival rates in infected mice from nil to around 50%.

Abstract: The present invention provides targeted lentiviral vectors that are psuedotyped with mutated Sindbis envelopes. For example, mutations in the Sindbis E2 protein are used to alter viral titer, specificity, specificity index, tropism, and susceptibility to host immune response. Typically, one or more of the E1, E2, or E3 proteins can be mutated at one or more amino acid positions. The psuedotyped, targeted lentiviral vectors of the invention are used to transduce heterologous genes into a cell and can be used for in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications, as well as for diagnostic and research tool applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the induction of an immune response to dengue virus. The method of inducing an immune response against dengue virus comprises administration of a non-replicating immunogen followed by a boost with a tetravalent live attenuated viral vaccine. Another aspect of the inventive subject matter is a method of inducing an immune response against dengue virus using a heterologous prime-boost regimen with the priming immunogen comprising a DNA expression system, an adenovirus expression vector or a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon system and the boosting immunogen comprising the same without the DNA expression system. Each expression system contains DNA sequences encoding dengue viral proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of wound healing or tissue regeneration due to disease (i.e., for example, cardiovascular diseases, osetoarthritic diseases, or diabetes). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising molecules with linked ?-gal epitopes for induction of an inflammatory response localized within or surrounding damaged tissue. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for tissue repair in normal subjects and in subjects having impaired healing capabilities, such as diabetic and aged subjects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide adjuvant (PICKCa) composition and methods of use in eliciting an immune response, in particular a mucosal immune response. The polynucleotide adjuvant comprises of a polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (PIC), at least one antibiotic and at least one positive ion. The present invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising the polynucleotide adjuvant composition together with other immunogenic compositions such as an antigen (e.g., as in a vaccine) selected from viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and/or cancer antigens. The present invention further contemplates methods of use of such adjuvant compositions, particularly in eliciting an immune response, in particular a mucosal immune response to an antigenic compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of BVDV are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an attenuated recombinant alphavirus that is incapable of replicating in mosquito cells and of transmission by mosquito vectors. These attenuated alphavirus may include but is not limited to Western Equine Encephalitis virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus or Chikungunya virus. The present invention also discloses the method of generating such alphaviruses and their use as immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides tetravalent Dengue vaccines, and methods of using these vaccines to prevent or to treat Dengue infection.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for blocking the infection of cells by dengue virus, based on interfering the direct interaction of the viral envelope protein with a cellular receptor or its indirect interaction with said cellular receptor through a carrier protein, as well as related uses; wherein said cellular receptor is the alpha-2 macroglobulin receptor, also known as the low density receptor-related protein or as CD91, and said carrier protein is human alpha-2 macroglobulin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of production of a purified enveloped virus antigen. In particular, it provides purified Ross River Virus (RRV) antigens, and vaccines comprising purified, inactivated Ross River Virus (RRV) antigen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-component genome flavivirus and a method for propagating such virus. Since the genetic material of this flavivirus is distributed between two genomes, the flavivirus is deficient in replication, incapable of causing disease but capable of inducing an immune response. Nevertheless, the design of the replication deficient flavivirus discussed herein allows propagation of these flaviviruses at industrial level.

Abstract: Described herein are i-DNA™ vectors and vaccines and methods for using the same. The i-DNA™ generates live attenuated vaccines in eukaryotic cells in vitro or in vivo for pathogenic RNA viruses, particularly chikungunya virus (CHIKV). When iDNA is injected into the vaccine recipient, RNA of live attenuated virus is generated by in vivo transcription in the recipient's tissues. This initiates production of progeny attenuated viruses in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, as well as elicitation of an effective immune response protecting against wild-type, non-attenuated virus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and related compositions for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection, and compounds that can modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells, including compounds that can activate the RIG-I pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and related compositions for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection, and compounds that can modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells, including compounds that can activate the RIG-I pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and related compositions for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection, and compounds that can modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells, including compounds that can activate the RIG-I pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides which specifically targets and binds to dendritic cells. Also provided are fusion compositions comprising these peptides and a non-dendritic protein of fragments thereof. Further provided are DNA sequences encoding these peptides and fusion compositions. Methods of using the peptides or fusion compositions to promote an immune responses in an individual via administration also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stabilizers for compositions, including immunogenic compositions, such as vaccine compositions, comprising one or more live attenuated flaviviruses, to bulk vaccine compositions stabilized with these stabilizers, particularly dry vaccine compositions prepared from these bulk vaccine compositions, and to methods for stabilizing one or more live attenuated flaviviruses.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a mammalian immune response to a virus is disclosed. The method comprises administering a composition comprising an effective amount of epinecidin (Epi)-1 and the virus to a mammal, wherein the virus has envelope protein and is infectious to the mammal. A vaccine kit and a method for preventing Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine formulation capable of eliciting protective immune response against Chikun-gunya virus infection in humans and other mammalian hosts. The immunogenic formulation comprises purified inactivated Chikun-gunya virus in a stable formulation. Methods of propagation and purification of the virus are discussed. The inactivated virus formulation is non-infectious, immunogenic and elicits protective immune response in mammalian host. The immunogenic composition is formulated for in vivo administration to humans. The invention also discusses the strategy of developing a subunit vaccine using the recombinant viral proteins as antigens for immunization. The recombinant virus antigens that are potentially immunogenic can be used in diagnosing for the presence of the virus.

Abstract: Method for the diagnosis or the screening of an arbovirus infection and preferably a flaviviridae infection and more preferably a flavivirus infection, reagents useful in said method and their applications. Said method comprises: (i) contacting a sample from the subject or animal with a solid support sensitized with an Ig binding protein which is directed against a specific class of Ig molecules of the subject or animal species under consideration and (ii) incubating the immunocomplex formed in (i) with a detector molecule consisting of a hybrid protein comprising at least an arboviral ED3 domain and an alkaline phosphatase (PhoA), the detection of said immunocomplex being the sign of the presence of an arbovirus in said sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a chimeric Chikungunya virus comprising a heterologous alphavirus cDNA fragment and a Chikungunya virus cDNA fragment. The heterologous alphavirus may include but is not limited to Sindbis virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The present invention also discloses the use of this chimeric Chikungunya virus as vaccines and in serological and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant of a parent polypeptide comprising an Fc region, which variant binds an Fc gamma receptor (Fc?R) with lower affinity than the parent polypeptide and comprises a deletion of at least one amino acid in about position 100 to about position 150 in the Fc region and related nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and methods of producing the variant and methods for preventing or treating a disorder in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus that contains a mutation in the 3? untranslated region (3?-UTR) comprising a ?30 mutation that removes the TL-2 homologous structure in each of the dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR that removes sequence in the 5? direction as far as the 5? boundary of the TL-3 homologous structure in each of the dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, or a replacement of the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a first serotype with the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a second serotype, optionally containing the ?30 mutation and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR; and immunogenic compositions, methods of inducing an immune response, and methods of producing a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to building a chimeric polypeptide used for preventing or treating a Flaviviridae infection. The use of the inventive chimeric polypeptide for producing recombinant viral vectors such as a measles living viral vector is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccines of DNA that code for specific viral sequences. The DNA vaccines against yellow fever according to the invention are based on the sequence that codes for the yellow fever virus envelope protein (p/YFE). Besides the wild p/YFE construct, sequence E was also fused with the sequence that codes for the human lysosome-associated membrane protein (h-LAMP), generating the construct (pL/YFE). The results of the invention are considered to be very promising, since both constructs can induce T-cell response against the same epitopes induced by the 17DD vaccine, and the pL/YFE construct can also induce a satisfactory concentration of neutralising antibodies. The pL/YFE vector was inoculated in mice, before intracerebral challenge with the virus of yellow fever. Surprisingly, 100% of the mice immunised with pL/YFE survived the challenge.

Abstract: The invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions in liquid form comprising a peptide with the amino acid sequence KLKL5KLK and an oligodeoxynucleotide with the nucleic acid sequence (dIdC)13 and wherein the peptide and the oligodeoxynucleotide are present as sterile-filterable nanoparticles in the composition, thereby forming a suspension, characterized in that the mean particle size of the solid particles is less than 1 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attenuated dengue virus vaccine. In present invention, target mutagenesis at Glu345Lys was constructed in two infectious cDNA clones of a recombinant version of wild type virus DEN-4 2A and its derived 3? NCR deletion mutant vaccine candidate virus DEN-4 2A?30. Using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis method, the infectious cDNA clone-derived Glu345-Lys mutants of DEN-4 2A and DEN-4 2A?30 were passaged in Vero cells and MRC-5 cells for five consecutive times. The results shows that single point mutation E-Glu345Lys of DEN-4 2A and DEN-4 2A?30 were found stably existed when passaged in MRC-5 cells, which means mutagenesis at Glu345Lys of DEN-4 2A and DEN-4 2A?30 are both suitable to be probagated in MRC-5 cell for producing virulence attenuated dengue virus vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic composition, fusion proteins, and related methods for inducing immune response to dengue virus infection.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of formulating an anti-inflammatory composition for treating inflammatory conditions in a specific organ or tissue. The method involves selecting at least one pathogen that is pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue; producing an antigenic composition comprising antigenic determinants that together are specific for the pathogen; and formulating the antigenic composition for administration as an anti-inflammatory composition capable of eliciting an anti-inflammatory response in the specific organ or tissue. In embodiments of the invention the pathogen may be an endogenous pathogen, such as an endogenous bacterial pathogen. The pathogen may be an exogenous pathogen, such as a bacterial pathogen, viral pathogen, a fungal pathogen, or a helminth pathogen.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a mammalian immune response to a virus is disclosed. The method comprises administering a composition comprising an effective amount of epinecidin (Epi)-1 and the virus to a mammal, wherein the virus has envelope protein and is infectious to the mammal. A vaccine kit and a method for preventing Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection are also disclosed.