Abstract: The present invention provides novel genes of the viral genus leporipox that encode novel immunomodulatory proteins. The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions containing these novel polypeptides and methods for use for treating a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides methods for producing the novel immunomodulatory polypeptides in a substantially pure form. In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating individuals diagnosed with autoimmune or inflammatory disorders by gene therapy. In yet another preferred embodiment, the methods and compositions of the present invention may be used to treat cancer. Finally, the invention provides methods to identifying and isolating additional leporipox virus immunomodulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: A process for instabilizing viral quasi-species-distributions under avoidance of resistance phenomena by replication of the nucleic acids of the viruses present in the quasi-species-distribution by of a defective replication system, a) whereby the defective replication system has a rate of misincorporation for nucleotides above the rate of misincorporation of the viral wild-type-replication system and, whereby the viruses are replicated by the replication system having the higher rate of misincorporation at least as effectively as it is done by the replication system of the wild-type virus, b) and/or negative influence of the replication of the consensus-sequence (nucleic acid sequence of the wild-type virus) in relation to other replicatable nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiangiogenic polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a portion thereof which is effective to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation as determined by the capillary EC proliferation assay. Preferably, the portion has at least 50% inhibition of bFGF-stimulated EC proliferation at 5 Tg/ml, more preferably 75% inhibition, most preferably 95% inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AAV DNA having helper virus sequences which are necessary for developing AAV viral particles, a system containing such a DNA and the use of both.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed whereby inhibition of proteolytic activity causes an increase in delivery of a transferable label from a viral display package to a target cell. Assaying for the transferable label in the target cell in the presence of a test substance can identify the test substance as a protease inhibitor. Protease inhibitors so identified are used therapeutically, to treat conditions such as cancer, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, and infections, including AIDS, herpes, and hepatitis.

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: This invention relates to antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance tests to be used in identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), particularly treatment regimens including a protease inhibitor. The invention further relates to the means and methods of monitoring the clinical progression of HIV infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy using phenotypic or genotypic susceptibility assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of in vitro propagation of a viral eukaryotic gene transfer vector comprising a deleterious, i.e., a cytostatic, cytotoxic, or apoptotic, gene in a eukaryotic, e.g., a mammalian, host-production cell, comprising a blocking gene. The blocking gene inhibits the adverse effects of the deleterious gene on the eukaryotic host-production cell. Vectors and cells useful in the context of the present inventive method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment for animals having canine distemper by administering a composition comprising an attenuated canine distemper virus a sub-vaccine virus level effective to alleviate symptoms canine distemper. The invention also provides a treatment for animals having canine distemper by administering a composition comprising an attenuated canine measles virus a sub-vaccine virus level effective to alleviate symptoms canine distemper.

Abstract: Methods for promoting immunologic control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in an HIV-infected subject are provided. The methods comprise administering to the subject highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least one cycle of an intermittent dosing regimen in combination with administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or variant thereof. The combination of daily or intermittent administration of IL-2 (or variant thereof) and intermittent HAART promotes immunologic control of viral replication in the absence of HAART, thereby prolonging the length of time a patient may discontinue HAART before viral rebound necessitates further administration of HAART. Administration of IL-2 therapy in combination with an intermittent HAART dosing regimen provides an effective method for treating a subject infected with HIV.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing high titer, wild-type-free preparations of recombinant AAV (“rAAV”) virions. The compositions of the present invention include novel nucleic acids encoding AAV helper functions and AAV helper function vectors. The present invention also includes host cells transfected by the claimed nucleic acids, methods of using the claimed vectors, and rAAV virions produced by such methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a DNA coding for a peptide of a papilloma virus major capsid protein. Moreover, this invention deals with a papilloma virus genome containing such a DNA. Furthermore, this invention concerns proteins coded by the papilloma virus genome and virus-like particles as well as antibodies directed thereagainst and the use thereof for diagnosis, treatment and vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: The invention concerns DNA fragments derived from the genomic DNA of HPV-33. These fragments are selected from the group of fragments extending between the nucleotide extremities defined hereafter in relation to the nucleotide-numbering in FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively: 76-556 543-864 867-2811 2728-3808 3326-3575 3842-4079 4198-5611 5516-8091 The invention also relates to the use of these fragments as probes for the detection of HPV in tissue cultures.

Abstract: A chimeric bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) that depends on a hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention further relates to using the chimeric, infectious virus to screen for HCV NS3 inhibitor compounds in cell culture models or in animal models of viral infection.

Abstract: By transducing cells with an HIV-1-MN molecular clone deleted in the major packaging sequence, a stable HIV-1 packaging cell line, &psgr;422 was produced. &psgr;422 cells form syncytia with CD4 positive cells, correctly express HIV-1 structural proteins, and produce large amount of mature particles with normal RT activity. These particles are not infectious. When stably transfected with an HIV-based retroviral vector, the &psgr;422 cell line produces hybrid virions capable of transducing CD4 positive cells with high efficiency (e.g., 105 cells/ml). The availability of this stable, noninfectious HIV-1 packaging cell line capable of generating high titer HIV vectors enables the use of HIV-1 based nucleic acids delivery systems, for example, in gene therapy. An HIV-2 based vector is packaged by the packaging cell lines, demonstrating that HIV-2 cell transformation vectors are packaged by the packaging cell line.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of generating retroviral vector particles derived from retroviruses and capable of transducing therapeutic genes into non-dividing cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to DNA molecules encoding purified human papillomavirus type 6a and compounds derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the direct detection of biochemically functional retroviruses in biological samples. The processes of the invention are characterized by the structure-specific extraction of retrovirus particles and a subsequent analysis and detection of retrovirus-specific enzymatic reactions. The processes of the invention have broad application in the diagnosis of retroviral infection and virological research.

Abstract: A human gamma herpesviris genome known as Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is present in virtually all AIDS and non-AIDS Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions, as well as in body cavity based lymphomas (BCBL), Multiple myeloma, and in multicentric Casdeman's disease. Isolation and DNA sequencing of a 17-kb segment encompassing a HHV-8 divergent locus (DL-B) between ORF11 and ORF17 revealed the presence of nine viral ORFs with gene products related to cellular proteins. These include the complete thymidylate synthase (TS) gene and a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene, four cytokine genes (vIL6, vMIP-1A, vMIP-1B and BCK) that have not previously been found to be encoded by a virus, and a Bcl2 homologue. This region in HHV-8 also contains the T1.1 abundant lytic cycle nuclear RNA gene and encompasses two genes (or exons) encoding proteins with C4HC3 zinc finger domains of the PHD/LAP subtype.

Abstract: A high throughput virus in vitro infectivity assay method comprising growing cells in a multi-well format, infecting the cells with intact virion incubated with a test agent, and measuring expression of at least one viral nucleic acid sequence in the cells. The method also preferably comprises incubating intact virion without test agent to define a control. The cells are preferably human keratinocyte cells grown in monolayers. The viral nucleic acid sequence will generally comprise viral mRNA. In one preferred embodiment, the intact virion comprise Human Papilloma Virus, and more preferably Human Papilloma Virus-11. Measuring expression is generally carried out by releasing the viral mRNA from the cells by lysis, amplifying the mRNA as CDNA via RT-PCR, and detecting amplicons with specific probes. Cell lysis may be carried out by heating or by treatment with detergent.

Abstract: A hybrid viral vector for transfer of selected genes to cells and mammals is provided. The vector is a hybrid of human immunodeficiency-based lentivirus and murine stem cell retrovirus.

Abstract: A method of screening compounds for antiviral activity against a selected human herpesvirus by measuring inhibition of DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase and processivity factor of the selected human herpesvirus in the presence of the compound is provided.

Abstract: The use of oligodeoxynucleotides modified at the 3′-terminal internucleotide link as therapeutic agents by a method of hybridizing the modified oligonucleotide to a complementary sequence within a targeted mRNA and cleaving the mRNA within the RNA-DNA helix by the enzyme RNaseH to block the expression of the corresponding gene.

Abstract: The use of a unique terminal repeat sequence derived from Epstein-Barr virus to improve the integration frequency of heterologous expression vectors in transfected cells is described. The vectors can be used in a process for deriving high producing cell lines.