Abstract:
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical combined composition comprising as active ingredients an effective amount of the retroviral transmembrane envelope protein p15E of a gammaretrovirus, preferably FeLV, and an effective amount of the corresponding retroviral surface envelope protein, whereby said proteins are contained as single molecules, for inducing neutralizing antibodies which are directed against retroviral infections. The invention also relates to a method for inducing an antibody response and a method for passive immunization of a mammal by using neutralizing antibodies which are generated by administering said pharmaceutical composition.
Abstract:
The present invention provides antigenic polypeptides derived from the melanoma-associated endogenous retrovirus (MERV). These antigens are useful compounds for the detection of cancerous cells and melanoma-diagnosis as well as melanoma-prognosis. Furthermore these antigenic polypeptides of the present invention form the basis for anti-cancer vaccines.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding viruses; isolated polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of the virus; vectors comprising the viral nucleic acid sequences; cells comprising the vectors; antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which have binding specificity for the virus; methods of detecting or screening for the virus (e.g., in an individual); methods of identifying agents that inhibit the virus; methods of inducing an immune response to the virus; methods of treating disease associated with the presence of XMRV in an individual (e.g., cancer such as prostate cancer); methods of detecting asymptomatic cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); methods of identifying an individual at risk for developing cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); and kits for detecting the virus.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to peptides derived from the superantigen (Sag) ENV protein of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18, and to the use of the peptides in obtaining antibodies which inhibit the superantigen activity of HERV-K18 ENV. The invention also relates to vaccine compositions for treating and preventing disorders associated with the ENV gene product of HERV-K18, for example autoimmune diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). A preferred peptide consists of a portion of an N- or C-terminal segment of the HERV-K18.1 ENV protein, as illustrated in Figure 1A, said N-terminal segment extending from amino acids 22 to 62 of HERV-K18.1 ENV, and said C-terminal segment extending from amino acids 110 to 153 of HERV-K18.1 ENV, wherein the peptide has a length of 6 to 40 amino acids and is capable of giving rise to antibodies which inhibit superantigen activity associated with HERV-K18 envelope proteins.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a human T-cell line (PNG-1) persistently infected with a Papua New Guinea (PNG) HTLV-I variant and to the infecting virus (PNG-1 variant). Cells of the present invention express viral antigens, type C particles and have a low level of reverse transcriptase activity. The establishment of this cell line, the first of its kind from an individual from Papua New Guinea, makes possible the screening of Melanesian populations using a local virus strain. The present invention also relates to vaccines for use in humans against infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-I and related viruses. The invention further relates to a variety of bioassays and kits for the detection and diagnosis of infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-I and related viruses.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a human T-cell line (PNG-1) persistently infected with a Papua New Guinea (PNG) HTLV-I variant and to the infecting virus (PNG-1 variant). Cells of the present invention express viral antigens, type C particles and have a low level of reverse transcriptase activity. The establishment of this cell line, the first of its kind from an individual from Papua New Guinea, makes possible the screening of Melanesian polulations using a local virus strain. The present invention also relates to vaccines for use in humans against infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-I and related viruses. The invention further relates to a variety of bioassays and kits for the detection and diagnosis of infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-I and related viruses.
Abstract:
The method comprises the fixing at the bottom of wells of ELISA plates a monoclonal antibody directed against a single site (epitope) of major protein (p24) of BLV; the incubation of the anti-p24 monoclonal antibody with the non-purified proteins of BLV, thus leading to an elective fixing of the p24; reaction of the bovine serum to be tested and the numerous epitopes of the p24 which are not bond to the monoclonal antibody; reacting marked bovine anti-gamma-globulines followed by the coloured reaction with an appropriate reagent.
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.