Abstract:
Serum and immunoglobulin preparations obtained from sharks are used to prepare compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, for inhibiting retrovirus replication in susceptible cells. Thus, the serum preparations are useful for inhibiting diseases associated with retroviral infection, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The serum concentrates and immunoglobulins therefrom are also used to inhibit growth of tumor cells, especially sarcomas and leukemias.
Abstract:
Transdominant repressors of viral gene phenotypic expression derived from the rev gene product of HIV-1 or the rex gene product of HTLV-1 and corresponding mutated genes are described', having the capability of repressing the Rev function in HIV-1 and/or the Rex function in HTLV-I and HTLV-II. Transient gene expression analysis of a series of missense and deletion mutants has been used. Some of the mutants found repress both the Rev and the Rex function and are thus active in more than one viral species. Transdominant viral mutants represent a promising new class of anti-viral agents. Cellular expression of these transdominant inhibitors may be used in such therapeutic approaches as intracellular immunization in order to protect cells against the deleterious effects of viral, e.g. HIV-1 infection.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a genetically transformed or transfected bacterial cell of a gut symbiont of an insect belonging to the Order Thysanoptera wherein said cell is transformed to express double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) active against at least one selected insect gene; a vector for transforming or transfecting said bacterial cell; an insect including said transformed bacterial cell and a method of pest control employing the use of said bacterial cell and/or said insect.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for cancer diagnostics and therapy are provided. More particular, methods and compositions for detecting, preventing, and treating HERV-K+ cancers are provided. One example of a method may involve a method for preventing or inhibiting cancer cell proliferation by administering to a subject a cancer cell proliferation blocking or reducing amount of a HERV-K env protein binding antibody.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and compositions for the generation of antibody-producing B cells in vitro. Some embodiments are related to an in vitro system for generating antibody-producing B cells from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).
Abstract:
Novel recombinant pseudotyped lentiviral or retroviral vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding hemagglutinin, a nucleic acidneuraminidase and a nucleic acid a protease capable of cleaving a plurality of HA subtypes to their fusion-active form are useful in a variety of methods including methods for determining the effectiveness of vaccine-mediated immune response, methods for detecting the potency of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, methods for detecting a compound that affects HA-mediated viral entry into a cell, methods for determining receptor specificity, methods for detecting an influenza infection. In addition, recombinant pseudotyped lentiviral or retroviral vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding hemagglutinin without a nucleic acid encoding a protease and associated methods are also contemplated.
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.