Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide or fragment thereof which is immunochemically reactive with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibodies. A new monoclonal antibody directed to said peptide or fragment thereof is also part of the invention. The invention also relates to a method for the detection of EBV or anti-EBV antibodies in a test fluid and also to an immunochemical reagent comprising a peptide, a fragment or a polypeptide according to the invention and a test kit to be used when applying the said detection methods. Detection of EBV in a test fluid or tissue specimen using antibodies, monoclonal and polyclonal; directed to the said peptide, which have the characteristics of detecting both native and denatured intact, functional EBNA-1 protein is also part of said invention.

Abstract: A highly efficient method for generating human antibodies in particular which are specific to be RSV fusion protein which combines in vitro priming of human spleen cells and antigen boosting in SCID mice is taught. This method provides for very high human antibody titers which are predominantly of the IgG isotype which contain antibodies of high specificity and affinity to desired antigens. This method is well suited for generating human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications as well as for rescue of human cells for generation of combinational human antibody gene libraries. Two human monoclonal antibodies, RF-1 and RF-2 which each possess an affinity for RSV F-protein .ltoreq.2.times.10.sup.-9 Molar are taught as well as their corresponding amino acid and DNA sequences. These antibodies are to be used therapeutically and prophylactically for treating or preventing RSV infection, as well as for diagnosis of RSV in analytes.

Abstract: This invention relates to human or murine monoclonal antibodies specific for a peptide sequence of HCV E1, fragments of said monoclonal antibodies, hybridomas producing said monoclonal antibodies, in vitro diagnostic methods for detecting HCV E1-specific antigens in a biological sample, and diagnostic kits for detecting HCV E1-specific antigens in a biological sample.

Abstract: There are produced recombinant gene pairs which endow mononuclear cells, mainly various lymphocyte type cells, with antibody-type specificity. In specific gene pairs the rearranged gene pairs code for a binding site of an antibody molecule from the same species, of the T-cell receptor gene, or another species. Gene pairs of the invention code, for example, for antibodies specific towards tumor-specific antigens, viral antigens, modified self antigens, bacterial or fungal antigens, autoimmune type disease antigens and the like. The invention further relates to expression vectors for the effective transfection of such cell types comprising such a recombinant gene pair, to methods for producing same and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising as active ingredient an effective quantity of lymphocytes transfected with such gene pairs.

Abstract: There are produced recombinant gene pairs which endow mononuclear cells, mainly various lymphocyte type cells, with antibody-type specificity. In specific gene pairs the rearranged gene pairs code for a binding site of an antibody molecule from the same species, of the T-cell receptor gene, or another species. Gene pairs of the invention code, for example, for antibodies specific towards tumor-specific antigens, viral antigens, modified self antigens, bacterial or fungal antigens, autoimmune type disease antigens and the like. The invention further relates to expression vectors for the effective transfection of such cell types comprising such a recombinant gene pair, to methods for producing same and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising as active ingredient an effective quantity of lymphocytes transfected with such gene pairs.

Abstract: A method of making a genetically-engineered cell line which is susceptible to infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus and allows the virus to replicate is disclosed. The method involves fusing the DNA encoding ICAM-1 with the DNA encoding an antibody specific for foot-and-mouth disease virus and expressing the resulting chimeric cell surface receptor protein. The chimeric cell surface receptor protein allows foot-and-mouth disease virus to bind, leading to subsequent infection and replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus. A genetically-engineered cell which expresses the chimeric cell surface receptor protein is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine against Lyme disease, wherein it contains one or more monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the 31 kD antigen (OspA) or the 34 kD antigen (OspB) of Borrelia burgdorferi.The present invention also provides a process for obtaining this vaccine, as well as new monoclonal antibodies, hybridomas and antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method by which one can target an undesired target molecule or target antigen, preferably a protein. The method comprises the intracellular expression of an antibody capable of binding to the target. A DNA sequence is delivered to a cell, the DNA sequence contains a sufficient number of nucleotides coding for the portion of an antibody capable of binding to the target operably linked to a promoter that will permit expression of the antibody in the cell(s) of interest. The antibody is then expressed intracellularly and binds to the target, thereby disrupting the target from its normal actions.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are described which specifically bind to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), and more particularly to HEV orf-2 antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these monoclonal antibodies, methods for using these monoclonal antibodies, and assay kits which contain these monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies, and hybridomas that express the antibodies, which are immunospecific for a novel human .beta..sub.2 integrin alpha subunit polypeptide are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gene encoding an envelope glycoprotein of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), the glycoprotein D (gD) gene, its gene product and antibodies directed against gD polypeptides. The envelope glycoproteins of herpesvirus are major targets of the inmune response to herpesviral infection. Hence, an important aspect of this invention is directed towards a vaccine against EHV-1 and treatment of EHV-1 infection by anti-EHV-gD antibodies or antisera.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to either Hepatitis C Virus C-100 protein, Hepatitis C Virus 33C protein and Hepatitis C Virus CORE protein, and hybridomas which produce these monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are methods for using these monoclonal antibodies and assay kits containing these antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the human monoclonal antibody designated SDZ MSL 109 produced by the hybridoma cell line designated EV 2-7 having NCACC Accession No. 85 100 803. The human monoclonal antibody is specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and is useful as a therapeutic agent for treating CMV infections.

Abstract: An isolated DNA is provided coding for the variable region of an anti-human influenza A type virus antibody having the following characteristics: (a) specifically binds to the stem region of haemaggulutinin molecule of H1N1 and H2N2 subtypes of human influenza A type virus but does not specifically bind to the stem region of haemaggulutinin molecule of H3N2 subtype; and (b) has a neutralization activity for the H1N1 and H2N2 subtypes of human influenza A type virus but no neutralization activity for the H3N2 subtype.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are described which specifically bind to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), and more particularly to HEV orf-3 antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these monoclonal antibodies, methods for using these monoclonal antibodies, and assay kits which contain these monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies specific to Bluetongue virus are described. The antibodies are useful in rapid, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (cELISAs) for the determination of Bluetongue virus antibodies in serum.

Abstract: Live, attenuated Delaware infectious bursal disease viruses are screened for effectiveness by a monoclonal antibody specific for said Delaware strain. Those which are not bound by the antibody are not or may not be as effective in conferring protection against homologous wild type infectious bursal disease infection. Currently available live, attenuated vaccines do not include a virus having the binding site specified. A monoclonal antibody specific for the Delaware strain also provides a vaccine for passive immunization.