Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting myostatin, a regulator of muscle mass, for muscle enhancement (including inducing hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia) as well as improving muscle function (including decreasing atrophy and/or increasing endurance, force and/or strength). Some of the methods involve delivering genes to cells using gene delivery or other delivery techniques known in the art in order to inhibit myostatin. Examples of genes to be delivered are genes encoding proteins such as Follistatin, Follistatin-related gene-1 (FLRG-1), growth differentiation factor associated protein-1 (GASP-1) and myostatin precursor propeptide. The genes can be delivered using, for example, a recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV), lentivirus or equine-associated virus capable of infecting the cells. Following introduction, the genes are expressed in the cell body of the infected cell and the encoded proteins are secreted systemically.

Abstract: Described herein are the clinical and laboratory characteristics of two patients bitten by ticks and infected with a unique member of the genus Phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae) with a proposed name of Heartland virus (HRTLV). Provided herein are nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Phlebovirus isolates, primers and probes that specifically hybridize with the Phlebovirus isolates, and antibodies specific for the Phlebovirus proteins. Also provided are detection assays using the Phlebovirus nucleic acid molecules, proteins, probes, primers and antibodies. Further provided are recombinant Phleboviruses and their use for eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided relating to HCV E2 protein and modifications thereto which enhance the immunogenicity of the protein for vaccine development with respect to the generation of a neutralizing immune response.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules and compositions comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode an RSV immunogen are disclosed. Nucleic acid are disclosed that comprise the sequences that encodes consensus RSV F protein or immunogenic fragment thereof, sequences that encodes an RSV G(A) protein or immunogenic fragment thereof and sequences that encodes an RSV G(B) protein or immunogenic fragment thereof. Compositions comprising one, combinations of two or all three sequences are disclosed. The coding sequences optionally include operable linked coding sequence that encode a signal peptide. Nucleic acid molecules and compositions comprising the chemokine CC20 and/or a consensus RSV M2-1 protein or immunogenic fragment thereof are also disclosed. Immunomodulatory methods and methods of inducing an immune response against RSV are disclosed. Method of preventing RSV infection and methods of treating individuals infected with RSV are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an HCV gene having higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b, an RNA replicon having this gene, a cell infected with this RNA replicon, which cell allows replication of HCV, and an HCV particle. The hepatitis C virus gene encodes an amino acid sequence wherein the 979th amino acid is threonine; the 1804th amino acid is leucine; and the 1966th amino acid is lysine. An HCV gene which can propagate in vitro and has higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b was provided.

Abstract: Presented herein is the discovery of a new human picornavirus, Cosavirus (previously termed Dekavirus), methods of detecting the Cosavirus and diagnosing Cosavirus infection, methods of treating or preventing Cosavirus infection, and methods for identifying anti-Cosavirus compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro FeLV antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against FeLV, compositions comprising said vectors and/or FeLV polypeptides, methods of vaccination against FeLV, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are directed to high-throughput phage-engineering methods and recombinant bacteriophages with tunable host ranges for controlling phage specificity.

Abstract: A menu of mutations was developed that is useful in fine-tuning the attenuation and growth characteristics of dengue virus vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Torque teno virus (“TTV”), including novel genotypes thereof, all of which are useful in the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against multiple swine TTV genotypes and isolates. Diagnostic and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention, as are infectious clones useful in the propagation of the virus and in the preparation of vaccines. Particularly important aspects of the invention include vaccines that provide TTV ORF1 protein, or peptide fragments thereof, as antigen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to HPV polyepitope construct and the use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of HPV infection.

Abstract: In some embodiments the present invention provides influenza hemagglutinin (“HA”) polypeptides, proteins, and protein complexes that comprise a stalk domain that is engineered to facilitate maintenance of its native trimeric conformation, even if the head domain of the HA protein is removed or disrupted. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising such polypeptides, proteins, and protein complexes, and methods of use of such proteins and compositions, for example as vaccine immunogens.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to isolated nucleic acids that encode a consensus DIII domain of protein E and vaccines made using same, and also methods for using the aforementioned to generate in a host an immune response against multiple serotypes of flavivirus, particularly West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immunogens based on overlapping peptides (OLPs) and peptides derived therefrom useful for the prevention and treatment of AIDS and its related opportunistic diseases. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, vectors and host cells expressing these immunogens as well as vaccines including the immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides and compositions thereof for treating or limiting respiratory syncytial virus infection, and computational methods for designing such polypeptides.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H3N2, H2N2 and B influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on H3N2, H2N2 and B influenza isolates. Provided herein are optimized H3N2, H2N2 and B influenza HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) for gene delivery and more specifically to the use of rAAV to deliver genes encoding human immunodeficiency virus entry inhibitors to target cells in mammals.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, wherein the polynucleotide molecule lacks at least one detectable antigenic epitope of North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides vaccines comprising genetically modified North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotide molecules. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules further comprising at least one nucleotide sequence that encodes a detectable heterologous antigenic epitope, and vaccines comprising North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising such isolated polynucleotide molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates nucleic acid constructs for the production of recombinant parvoviral (e.g. adeno-associated viral) vectors in insect cells, to insect cells comprising such constructs and to methods wherein the cells are used to produce recombinant parvoviral virions. The insect cells preferably comprise a first nucleotide sequence encoding the parvoviral rep proteins whereby the initiation codon for translation of the parvoviral Rep78 protein is a suboptimal initiation codon that effects partial exon skipping upon expression in insect cells. The insect cell further comprises a second nucleotide sequence comprising at least one parvoviral (AAV) inverted terminal repeat (ITR) nucleotide sequence and a third nucleotide sequence comprising a sequences coding for the parvoviral capsid proteins.

Abstract: Baboon Adenovirus (BaAdV)-2/4 and BaAdV-3 are disclosed herein. BaAdV-2/4 and BaAdV-3 polynucleotide, polypeptides and antibodies that specifically bind BaAdV-2/4 and/or BaAdV-3 are disclosed. Methods are disclosed for detecting BaAdV-2/4 and BaAdV-3. Methods are also disclosed for treating, preventing, and inducing an immune response to BaAdV-2/4 and/or BaAdV-3. Kits are also provided.

Abstract: A robust and genetically stable cell culture system for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype 3a is provided. A genotype 3a/2a (S52/JFH1) recombinant containing the structural genes (Core, E1, E2), p7 and NS2 of strain S52 was constructed and characterized in Huh7.5 cells. S52/JFH1 and J6/JFH viruses passaged in cell culture had comparable growth kinetics and yielded similar peak HCV RNA titers and infectivity titers. Direct genome sequencing of cell culture derived S52/JFH1 viruses identified putative adaptive mutations in Core, E2, p7, NS3, and NS5A; clonal analysis revealed that all genomes analyzed exhibited different combinations of these mutations. Finally, viruses resulting from transfection with RNA transcripts of five S52/JFH1 recombinants containing these combinations of putative adaptive mutations performed as efficiently as J6/JFH viruses in Huh7.5 cells and were all genetically stable after viral passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to molecular approaches to the production of nucleic acid sequences, which comprises the genome of infectious hepatitis C virus. In particular, invention provides nucleic acid sequences which comprise the genomes of infectious hepatitis C viruses of either genotype 3a (strain S52) or genotype 4a (strain ED43). The invention therefore relates to the use of the nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoded by all or part of the sequences in the development of vaccines and diagnostic assays for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV. The invention therefore also relates to the use of viral particles derived from laboratory animals infected with S52 and ED43 viruses.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F proteins, polypeptides and protein complexes that comprise one or more cross-links to stabilize the protein, polypeptide or protein complex in its pre-fusion conformation. In some embodiments the present invention provides RSV F proteins, polypeptides and protein complexes comprising one or more mutations to facilitate such cross-linking. In some embodiments the present invention provides compositions comprising such proteins, polypeptides or protein complexes, including vaccine compositions, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: This document relates to polynucleotides encoding antigenic polypeptides to induce an immune response to oncogenic viral polypeptides. Also provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding antigenic polypeptides, and methods of use. In the provided methods, the virus can be a human papilloma virus. In some embodiments, a method for killing a cell expressing a first oncogenic viral polypeptide in a subject is provided. The method includes administering to the subject a composition in an amount sufficient to initiate an immune response against the first oncogenic viral peptide, where the composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a polynucleotide provided herein and the immune response is effective to cause a cytotoxic effect in the cell. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide includes a second nucleotide sequence encoding a second antigenic polypeptide. The first oncogenic viral polypeptide can be E6 and the second oncogenic viral polypeptide can be E7.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides having a composite amino acid sequence derived from a consensus sequence representing the capsid proteins of two or more circulating strains of a non-enveloped virus. In particular, the invention provides virus-like particles comprising at least one composite polypeptide. Such virus-like particles have antigenic epitopes of two or more circulating strains of a non-enveloped virus and produce an increase in antisera cross-reactivity to one or more circulating strains of the non-enveloped virus. Methods of making composite virus-like particles and vaccine formulations comprising composite virus-like particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified expression vectors, including Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) expression vectors, methods for modifying such vectors, and uses of the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on H5N1 and H1N1 influenza isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic gene coding for the Gag protein of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1. Said gene may optionally be fused with one or more other HIV sequences. The invention may notably be used within the scope of obtaining anti-HIV vaccines.

Abstract: A variant phylogenetic group of HPIV-2, more particularly a novel variant phylogenetic sub-group of HPIV-2, and a means for diagnosing HPIV-2 which take into account this novel group and this novel sub-group.

Abstract: Novel antibodies and peptides relating to HIV are disclosed, as are vaccine compositions containing such antibodies and peptides. The compounds and compositions of the invention are of use in prevention and treatment of HIV, and in particular for inducing mucosal immunity to HIV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of functional analysis of Jatropha genes on a genomic scale. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for high-throughtput functional analysis of Jatropha curcas genes on a genomic scale using virus-induced gene silencing. The method involves use of the tobacco rattle virus (TRV).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Torque teno virus (“TTV”), including novel genotypes thereof, all of which are useful in the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against multiple swine TTV genotypes and isolates. Diagnostic and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention, as are infectious clones useful in the propagation of the virus and in the preparation of vaccines. Particularly important aspects of the invention include vaccines that provide TTV ORF1 protein, or peptide fragments thereof, as antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct comprising an adenoviral E2 late promoter or a fragment thereof and a nucleic acid. The nucleic acid is selected from the group of transgenes, genes and nucleic acids which are respectively different from adenoviral nucleic acid controlled by an E2 late promoter. The invention also relates to the uses of said nucleic acid construct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacteriophage tail proteins and the derivatives and fragments thereof that are capable of binding endotoxins in the absence of bivalent positive ions, especially Ca2+ or Mg2+. Further, the present invention relates to methods for depleting endotoxins from solutions and samples using the bacteriophage tail proteins according to the present invention and to a detection method for endotoxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions or vaccines that contain a recombinant EHV-1 that elicit an immune response in animals against equine herpesvirus, including compositions comprising said recombinant EHV-1, methods of vaccination against equine herpesvirus, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3? LTR.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acids include non-integrative chimeric retroviral genomes including the 5? and 3? long terminal repeat sequences (LTRs) of the caprine lentivirus: the Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) or of another retrovirus not integrating human cells and at least one viral gene of another retrovirus. A vector including such a nucleic acid, an immunogenic or vaccinal composition including the vector or the nucleic acid, as well as their use for treating and/or preventing an infection by a retrovirus or a disease induced by a pathogenic agent are also described.

Abstract: A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding Vif, wherein each of the amino acids corresponding to positions 127, 128, 130, 131, 132 and 142 of the amino acid sequence in FIG. 1A representing the Vif wild-type consensus sequence, are replaced with another amino acid, and wherein the nucleotide sequence does not encode the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2, representing the Vif sequence of the F12 non-producer variant of HIV-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant classical swine fever virus (CSFV). A preferred recombinant CSFV comprises a deletion of at least one amino acid in a “TAVSPTTLR” domain of the E2 protein. The invention further relates to a vaccine comprising the recombinant CSFV, a method for generating a recombinant CSFV, and use of a recombinant CSFV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic proteins and the uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to synthetic Circovirus type capsid proteins with improved properties. These proteins, or the coding nucleic acids, are useful e.g., to generate antibodies, immunogen compositions, or vaccines. The invention further relates to methods for treating and/or preventing PCV2-associated diseases in mammals using said proteins, nucleic acids or compositions. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for detecting PCV2 in a sample, using the above proteins, nucleic acids, or antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant RNA virus templates derived from and applicable to negative strand naturally non-segmented viruses, including the families Bornaviridae, Filoviridae, and Paramyxoviridae, and methods for generating such recombinant RNA virus templates, wherein the templates are generated from two or more recombinant RNA molecules. The invention relates to the use of segmented recombinant RNA virus templates for naturally non-segmented RNA viruses to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cell systems and/or to construct recombinant viruses taken from that family and that express, package, and/or present the heterologous gene product. The invention includes the expression products and recombinant and chimeric viruses thus prepared and vaccine and therapeutic formulations comprising the recombinant RNA viruses.

Abstract: The application relates to antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacteria, in particular to fusion proteins composed of an enzyme having the activity of degrading the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and a peptide stretch fused to the enzyme at the N- or C-terminus, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Moreover, it relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such a fusion protein, vectors carrying the nucleic acid molecules and host cells transformed with either the nucleic acid molecules or the vectors. In addition, it relates to such a fusion protein for use as a medicament, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, as diagnostic means or as cosmetic substance. The application also relates to the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial contamination of foodstuff, of food processing equipment, of food processing plants, of surfaces coming into contact with foodstuff, of medical devices, of surfaces in hospitals and surgeries.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides influenza hemagglutinin stem domain polypeptides comprising (a) an influenza hemagglutinin HA1 domain that comprises an HA1 N-terminal stem segment, covalently linked by a linking sequence of 0-50 amino acid residues to an HA1 C-terminal stem segment, and (b) an influenza hemagglutinin HA2 domain, wherein on or more amino acids in the HA2 domain have been mutated. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, compositions comprising the polypeptides and/or nucleic acid molecules, as well as methods of their use, in particular in the detection, prevention and/or treatment of influenza.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel RNA picornavirus that is called Seneca Valley virus (“SVV”). The invention provides isolated SVV nucleic acids and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids. Further, the invention provides antibodies that are raised against the SVV proteins. Because SVV has the ability to selectively kill some types of tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV and SVV polypeptides to treat cancer. Because SVV specifically targets certain tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV nucleic acids and proteins to detect cancer. Additionally, due to the information provided by the tumor-specific mechanisms of SVV, the invention provides methods of making new oncolytic virus derivatives and of altering viruses to have tumor-specific tropisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising CMV antigens and methods for preparing compositions that contain CMV antigens. The invention also relates to methods for inducing an immune response to CMV.

Abstract: Disclosed are HIV immunogens. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding these immunogens and methods of producing these antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro FeLV antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against FeLV, compositions comprising said vectors and/or FeLV polypeptides, methods of vaccination against FeLV, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are capsid-modified rAAV expression vectors, as well as infectious virions, compositions, and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the disclosed capsid-protein-mutated rAAV constructs in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, including, inter alia, as mammalian cell-targeting delivery agents, and as human gene therapy vectors. Also disclosed are large-scale production methods for capsid-modified rAAV expression vectors, viral particles, and infectious virions having improved transduction efficiencies over those of the corresponding, un-modified, rAAV vectors, as well as use of the disclosed compositions in the manufacture of medicaments for a variety of in vitro and/or in vivo applications.

Abstract: Improved anti-HIV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype A Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype B Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype C Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype D Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype B consensus Nef-Rev protein, and those having consensus sequences form HIV Gag protein subtypes A, B, C and D. Improved anti-HPV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; improved hTERT immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; and improved anti-Influenza immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HIV, HPV, HCV, hTERT and Influenza are disclosed.

Abstract: Replicons of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided. These replicons contains adaptive mutations giving rise to the HCV's capability to replicate in vitro. Methods of preparing genotype 4 replicons and methods of using these replicons to screen antiviral agents are also provided.