Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided herein for improved dual immunization strategies that induce in a subject a robust immune response. The methods described are therefore useful for treating and/or preventing (i.e., reducing the likelihood or risk of occurrence) different diseases, disorders, and conditions such as cancers and infectious diseases for which induction of a humoral immune response and/or cellular immune response is desired and beneficial.
Abstract:
The present invention provides pseudoinfectious alphavirus particles and methods of making them and using them to produce an immune response to an alphavirus in a subject.
Abstract:
Described herein are i-DNATM vectors and vaccines and methods for using the same. The i-DNATM generates live attenuated vaccines in eukaryotic cells in vitro or in vivo for pathogenic RNA viruses, particularly chikungunya virus (CHIKV). When iDNA is injected into the vaccine recipient, RNA of live attenuated virus is generated by in vivo transcription in the recipient's tissues. This initiates production of progeny attenuated viruses in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, as well as elicitation of an effective immune response protecting against wild-type, non-attenuated virus.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an alphaviral replicase, especially Semliki Forest Virus replicase, or an expression vector encoding an alphaviral replicase, said alphaviral replicase comprising RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity, for use as an immune system modulating adjuvant. The alphaviral replicase may be used in the combination with a vaccine providing an adjuvant function therein, which when present therein will generate an additional boost to the immune response in the subject to whom this combination is administered as compared to when the vaccine alone is administered to a subject in need thereof. The aim of the present invention is to provide an efficient and easy to administer, species-independent adjuvant which will provide advantages to the adjuvants used together with vaccines today.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to vaccine formulation capable of eliciting protective immune response against Chikungunya virus infection in humans and other mammalian hosts. The immunogenic formulation comprises purified inactivated Chikungunya virus in a stable formulation. Methods of propagation and purification of the virus are discussed. The inactivated virus formulation is non-infectious, immunogenic and elicits protective immune response in mammalian host. The immunogenic composition is formulated for in vivo administration to humans. The invention also discusses the strategy of developing a subunit vaccine using the recombinant viral proteins as antigens for immunization. The recombinant virus antigens that are potentially immunogenic can be used in diagnosing for the presence of the virus.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are new defective Sindbis viral vectors made from wild type Ar-339 Sindbis virus, with differences in replicase and envelope proteins between JT vectors and consensus Sindbis virus sequences, and also between JT and Ar-339 vectors. Also disclosed are plasmids used for the production of the vectors, methods for producing the vectors, methods for treating mammals suffering from tumors and pharmaceutical formulations for use in the treatment methods.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to viruses that are engineered to contain a surface ligand molecule which targets the virus to a cell of interest. In particular non-limiting embodiments, the cell of interest is desirably ablated and may be a cancer cell, an infected cell, a cell exhibiting a non-malignant proliferative disorder, or a cell of the immune system. Alternatively, the cell of interest is a target for gene therapy.
Abstract:
A Semiliki Forest Virus based vector system for delivery to the central nervous system is described, as is its use as an expression system for delivery to the central nervous system and pharmaceutical compositions for use in drug delivery to the CNS.