Abstract: A method for detecting HIV infection in a mammal is disclosed. The method contains the steps of isolating exosomes from a urine sample of a mammal and detecting the presence of HIV-specific biomarker in said isolated exosomes. A method for diagnosing a mammal with an HIV-associated disease, in particular, HIV-associated nephropathy is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated immunogenic peptide chimera comprising a first peptide moiety comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or at least a contiguous 5 amino acid fragment thereof, a second peptide moiety comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or at least a contiguous 5 amino acid fragment thereof, and a linker joining the first and second peptide moieties, wherein the first peptide moiety is at the immunogenic peptide chimera's N-terminus and the second peptide moiety is at the immunogenic peptide chimera's C-terminus. Also disclosed is an immunogenic peptide including the amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 6, or at least a contiguous 5 amino acid fragment thereof, having a length sufficient to form ?-hairpin structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition of HIV-1 Env proteins that contain structurally and immunologically distinct VI/V2 domains. Methods of isolating such proteins, and methods of using such proteins as immunogens, therapeutic agents, vaccines, and test compounds for use in identifying a HIV antiviral are also provided.

Abstract: This invention features polypeptides, variants thereof, and fragments thereof useful in eliciting an immune response (e.g., neutralizing antibodies) against a broad spectrum of HIV-1 isolates. The polypeptides, variants, and fragments include a portion of the gp120 V2 domain of HIV-1. The polypeptides, variants, and fragments display an epitope that is recognized by at least one antibody which neutralizes at least one HIV-1 primary isolate. This invention also features nucleic acid sequences encoding those polypeptides. In addition, the invention provides methods of screening for inhibitors of HIV-1 entry into cells, as well as methods of treatment using the inhibitors.

Abstract: Neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp120 and antigen binding fragments of these antibodies are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV infection is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides broadly neutralizing antibodies directed to epitopes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. The invention further provides compositions containing HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, and methods for diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies may be characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods for the production of antibody producing cells and antibodies in protooncogene expressing animals. The invention also relates to methods for the efficient production of antibodies specific for antigens that are normally subject to immunological constraints such as self tolerance. The invention further relates to the production of antibody producing cells and antibodies without the need for the conventional fusing of antibody producing B cells with a myeloma fusion partner.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ chimeric polypeptides having at least one heterologous epitope for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody. These chimeric polypeptides behave as molecular scaffolds which are capable of presenting the various heterologous HIV-1 epitopes. The invention demonstrates that a heterologous epitope recognized by the HIV-1 neutralizing antibody can be more fully exposed to neutralizing antibodies when presented within the backbone of the chimeric polypeptide than when the epitope is presented within the context of an HIV-1 backbone. Polynucleotides encoding these chimeric polypeptides are also provided. Immunogenic compositions are provided which comprise a chimeric polypeptide having at least one heterologous epitope that interacts with an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. Immuno genie compositions comprising chimeric polynucleotides encoding the chimeric polypeptides of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the use of an envelope polypeptide or a functional variant thereof from a lentivirus that is not HIV-1 as a molecular scaffold for HIV-1 epitopes. The HIV-1 epitopes can be recognized by HIV-1 binding antibodies, HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and/or CD4-induced antibodies. Thus, methods are provided for detecting HIV-1 binding antibodies in a subject infected with HTV-1. Further provided are methods to determine an epitope for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to assay for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to identify a soluble CD4 mimic; methods to neutralize an non-HIV-1 virus; diagnostic assays to monitor HIV disease in a subject or to monitor the subject's response to immunization by a HIV vaccine; and methods to alter the neutralization potential of an HIV-1 derived CD4-induced antibody. Chimeric polypeptides, chimeric polynucleotides, kits, cells and viruses are also provided.

Abstract: Novel peptides that inhibit the release of microparticles from cells are disclosed. The peptide contains at least one VGFPV motif at the N-terminal and has a length of 10-100 amino acids. Also disclosed is polynucleotide encoding the peptide, expression vectors carrying the polynucleotide, and methods for treating AIDS and tumors using the novel peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies, or fragments thereof, for isolating and/or identifying epitopes of an endogenous retrovirus, preferably of a melanoma associated endogenous retrovirus, and hybridoma cells producing said antibodies. The antibodies are useful especially for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Further, the present application covers diagnostic kits for the detection of cancer cells, especially of melanoma cells and methods for cancer diagnosis using said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies which may be used in the detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These antibodies exhibit an unusually high degree of sensitivity, a remarkably broad range of specificity, and bind to novel shared, non-cross-reactive epitopes. In particular, the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect HIV-1 antigen and HIV-2 core antigen in a patient sample.

Abstract: Novel peptides that inhibit the release of microparticles from cells are disclosed. The peptide contains at least one VGFPV motif at the N-terminal and has a length of 10-100 amino acids. Also disclosed is polynucleotide encoding the peptide, expression vectors carrying the polynucleotide, and methods for treating AIDS and tumors using the novel peptides.

Abstract: Anti-HIV p17 monoclonal antibodies are described, which are capable of neutralizing the binding between multiple HIV-1 p17 protein variants and the p17R receptor are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment utilizing these antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and uses of these antibodies, are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

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 occn-panty of co-receptor present on the cell, for example. 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, CCR5 and CXCR4 sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies which may be used in the detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These antibodies exhibit an unusually high degree of sensitivity, a remarkably broad range of specificity, and bind to novel shared, non-cross-reactive epitopes. In particular, the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect HIV-1 antigen and HIV-2 core antigen in a patient sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that neutralize HIV-1 infection. The invention also relates to nucleic acids that encode, immortalized B cells and cultured plasma cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the V3 loop of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of AIDS virus, which is any one selected from the following antibodies: (a) an antibody having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 as the amino acid sequence of a H chain variable region (VH), and having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 as the amino acid sequence of a L chain variable region (VL); and (b) an antibody having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 as the amino acid sequence of a H chain variable region (VH), and having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 as the amino acid sequence of a L chain variable region (VL).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reagents (antigenic and/or immunogenic reagents) and kits that are useful in a variety of in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo methods including, e.g., methods for inducing an immune response, or for generating an antibody, in a subject. The reagents described herein can be used in the treatment or prevention of HIV-1 infections. In addition, the disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for designing (or identifying) an agent that binds to an membrane proximal external region (MPER) of an HIV-1 gp160 polypeptide or an agent that inhibits the fusion of an HIV-1 particle to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a high affinity anti-HIV antibody. According to the present invention, there are provided an antibody or a fragment thereof that binds to the gp12 glycoprotein of HIV and has a dissociation constant (KD) value of 1.0×10?9 (M) or less; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or fragment thereof; and a method of producing an anti-HIV antibody or a fragment thereof, comprising immunizing a GANP transgenic non-human mammal or a progeny thereof with a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6 as an antigen and collecting the antibody from the resultant mammal or progeny.

Abstract: The invention relates to Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibodies and fragments thereof which mimic HVI-1 epitopes that are otherwise cryptic to the immune system and which antibodies or fragments thereof are directed against potently neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The invention further relates to a hybridoma cell line 3H6 expressing the anti-idiotypic antibody and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibody or fragment thereof. The invention also relates to HIV-1 neutralizing Ab3-type antibodies elicited upon administration of the Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibody or fragment thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The invention also relates to the use of the present antibodies or fragments thereof as screening tools or as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies, particularly to mAb 4E10-IgG1, which has an HIV-1 neutralizing potency comparable to the one of mAb 2F5 and 2G12. 4E10-IgG1 binds to a novel conserved epitope (NWFDIT) C-terminal of the ELDKWA epitope recognized by 2F5.1 appears that both epitopes are cryptic epitopes within a region that may be accessible in a virus-cell fusion intermediate state only. 4E10-IgG1 potently neutralizes tissue culture adapted strains but also primary isolates of different clades, including A, B, C, D, and E, inclusing viruses that were found to be resistant to 2F5. None of the tested isolates was resistant to both anti-gp41-antibodies.

Abstract: A method for detecting the expression of a polypeptide in cells and for detecting the interaction between a polypeptide and cells, ex vivo or in vitro, wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: a peptide comprising the cyt domain of the envelope protein of the human endogenous retrovirus, HERV-W; a peptide comprising amino acids 448-538 of SEQ ID NO: 1; and a peptide comprising a sequence having, for any series of 20 amino acids, at least 80% identity with amino acids 448-538 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Detection is established by the fusogenic power of the polypeptide, which is demonstrated by syncytia formation.

Abstract: The present invention features antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind a CD4-inducible HIV gp120 epitope that is enhanced by binding a co-receptor for HIV, such as CCR5 or CXCR4, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or antibody fragments. The invention also features nucleic acids encoding the antibodies or antibody fragments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleic acids encoding the antibodies or antibody fragments, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, and cells comprising the vectors. The invention further features methods of identifying antibodies or antibody fragments with broadly neutralizing activity against HIV. The invention also features methods of inhibiting HIV entry into cells and methods of inhibiting replication of HIV in mammals, using the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hydridoma cell lines producing monoclonal human natural IgM antibodies and methods of use thereof. The antibodies are the monoclonal equivalents of circulating human natural antibodies. Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical formulations and methods for treating HIV-1 infected individuals using the monoclonal human natural antibodies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies specific for HIV env, including monoclonal antibodies and related hybridomas. The antibodies block CD4/g120 binding and reduce reverse transcriptase activity in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying anti-HIV compound by contacting human Vpr Interacting Protein (hVIP), or a fragment thereof known to interact with Vpr, with Vpr, or a fragment thereof known to interact with hVIP in the presence of a test compound, and comparing the affinity of the hVIP or fragment thereof to the Vpr or fragment thereof in the presence of the test compound with the affinity of the hVIP or fragment thereof to the Vpr or fragment thereof in the absence of the test compound. The present invention also provides transgenic non-human mammals comprising a recombinant expression vector that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that encodes hVIP.

Abstract: A preparation of U binding protein (Ubp) and a gene sequence encoding Ubp and an anti-Ubp antibody are disclosed. An assay to identify modulators of Ubp/Vpu interaction and Gag/Ubp interaction is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound comprising the structure: ??YDINYYTSE?? wherein each T represents a threonine, each S represents a serine, each E represents a glutamic acid, each Y represents a tyrosine; each D represents an aspartic acid, each I represents an isoleucine; and each N represents an asparagine; wherein ? represents from 0 to 9 amino acids, with the proviso that if there are more than 2 amino acids, they are joined by peptide bonds in consecutive order and have a sequence identical to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 beginning with the I at position 9 and extending therefrom in the amino terminal direction; wherein ? represents from 0 to 13 amino acids, with the proviso that if there are more than 2 amino acids, they are joined by peptide bonds in consecutive order and have a sequence identical to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 beginning with the P at position 19 and extending therefrom in the carboxy terminal direction; wherein ? represents an amino group or an acetylated amino

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating infection with a pathogen. The method involves administration of: (1) a substance which induces active pathogen replication in a cell latently infected with HIV and (2) an anti-pathogen drug. Also disclosed are methods for expanding CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from human subjects in the presence of an antiretroviral drug and for treating HIV infection by infusing the expanded CD4+ cells into HIV-infected patients.

Abstract: A method for quantifying an HIV protease inhibitor in a sample includes combining HIV protease, a conjugate comprising an HIV protease inhibitor analog, and a sample suspected of containing an HIV protease inhibitor. The HIV protease and the conjugate are capable of forming a detectable complex. The method also includes measuring the amount of the detectable complex, and relating the amount of the detectable complex to a concentration of the HIV protease inhibitor in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel polypeptide antigens that can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic immunization against HIV-related infections. The polypeptide of the invention mimics the intermediate state of gp41 and is capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize primary isolates of HIV. The invention also comprises compositions comprising the polypeptide and methods of using it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies which may be used in the detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These antibodies exhibit an unusually high degree of sensitivity, a remarkably broad range of specificity, and bind to novel shared, non-cross-reactive epitopes. In particular, the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be utilized to detect HIV-1 antigen and HIV-2 core antigen in a patient sample.

Abstract: The invention features a protein which includes a gp120 V1/V2 domain of an HIV-1 strain and not a gp120 V3 domain of an HIV-1 strain, which protein does not substantially bind CD4. The gp120 V1/V2 domain of the protein displays an epitope which is recognized by an antibody which neutralizes at least one HIV-1 primary isolate with a ND90 of less than 100 &mgr;g/ml.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides a method of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: Binding of two members of a binding couple reveal epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG-10 directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising a population of alphavirus replicon particles comprising two or more isolated nucleic acids selected from 1) an isolated nucleic acid encoding an env gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, 2) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a g&agr;g gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the g&agr;g gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit formation of virus-like particles containing the g&agr;g gene product or the immunogenic fragment thereof and their release from a cell, and 3) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a pol gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the pol gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit protease, integrase, RNase H and/or reverse transcriptase activity, and wherein the nucleic acids are each contained within a separate alphavirus replicon

Abstract: This invention is directed to deimmunized antibodies that are useful as immunotherapeutic drugs against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and CD4-mediated autoimmune disorders. More specifically, antibodies expressed by clones, Clone 7 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1CHO#7, Clone 16 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1#16, and clone 21 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1#21, are derived from mouse monoclonal B4 antibody (mAb B4). The antibodies were produced by removing particular murine determinants recognized as foreign by the human immune system. These recombinant antibodies were generated by the chimerization and deimmunization of the Fv region of mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) B4. For improved safety, the coding sequence may further be mutated to express an aglycosylated IgG1 antibody that is unable to bind complement.

Abstract: The application relates to antibodies and fragments capable of binding HIV-1 gp120 protein, nucleic acids encoding such proteins, to the use of such proteins to identify active compounds, and to the use of the compounds as vaccines.

Abstract: First generation adenoviral vectors and associated recombinant adenovirus-based HIV vaccines which show enhanced stability and growth properties and greater cellular-mediated immunity are described within this specification. These adenoviral vectors are utilized to generate and produce through cell culture various adenoviral-based HIV-1 vaccines which contain HIV-1 gag, HIV-1 pol and/or HIV-1 nef polynucleotide pharmaceutical products, and biologically relevant modifications thereof. These adenovirus vaccines, when directly introduced into living vertebrate tissue, preferably a mammalian host such as a human or a non-human mammal of commercial or domestic veterinary importance, express the HIV1-Gag, Pol and/or Nef protein or biologically modification thereof, inducing a cellular immune response which specifically recognizes HIV-1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vaccine and method of neutralizing antibodies against HIV infection. The vaccine comprises a complex of gp120 covalently bonded to a fragment of CD4 or a CD4 equivalent molecule.

Abstract: A method for detecting broad spectrum of murine leukemia viruses belonging to any or all of the ecotropic, xenotropic, polytropic and amphotropic groups, has been described. The method utilizes a monoclonal antibody designated 83A25 which identifies almost all classes or groups of the murine leukemia virus with only a few exceptions.