Other

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Merck + Co., Inc.

The General Hospital Corporation

Elliott D Kieff

Kenneth M Kaye

Mary E Ballestas

Ronald W Ellis

Edward M Scolnick

E Antonio Chiocca

Robert S Lowe

Mark Birkenbach

Paul J Durda

Fred Hochberg

Harvey Rabin

Fred Wang

Gary Richard Pearson

Marcia Delaney Sullivan

Xiaoqun Jiang

Odile Devergne

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells harbor Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) episomes and express a KSHV encoded latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA). In PEL cells, LANA and KSHV DNA co-localized in dots in interphase nuclei and along mitotic chromosomes. In the absence of KSHV DNA, LANA was diffusely distributed in the nucleus or on mitotic chromosomes. In lymphoblasts, LANA was necessary and sufficient for the persistence of episomes containing a specific KSHV DNA fragment. Furthermore, LANA co-localized with the artificial KSHV DNA episomes in nuclei and along mitotic chromosomes. The KSHV DNA segment that provides for efficient persistence in LANA positive cells has been identified as the rhodino virus cis-acting element (RVCAE). These results support a model in which LANA tethers episomes containing the KSHV RVCAE DNA to chromosomes during mitosis to enable efficient segregation to progeny cells. The products and methods of the invention are useful in identifying compounds for modulating (especially including interfering with) the persistance of rhodino virus DNA in mammalian cells, and disease states associated therewith, as well as such compounds themselves. The products and methods of the invention are also useful in modulating (especially including enabling or improving) the efficient persistence of a heterologous DNA containing RVCAE and a selected DNA in mammalian cells in which LANA is expressed for use in gene therapies and related techniques based on the selected DNA.

Assays for compounds that modulate rhadino virus LANA action in trans on a unit of rhadino virus DNA to mediate efficient episome persistence

The present invention relates to a viral vector system derived from Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), where the transgene is effectively inserted into the EBV major internal repeat region (IR1) without adverse affect on EBV latent or lytic function. The vector of the invention can target and stably transform B-lymphocyte cells, both in culture and in vivo.

Non-defective Epstein-Barr viral vector

Rhadino virus LANA acts in trans on a unit of rhadino virus DNA to mediate efficient episome persistance

A novel heterodimeric haematopoietic cytokine formed from the Epstein Barr Virus-Induced protein 3 (EBI3) and the p35 subunit of Interleukin-12 (IL12) is disclosed. Substantially pure preparations of this EBI3/p35 cytokine, and antibodies thereto, are provided. In addition, isolated nucleic acids encoding the EBI3/p35 cytokine, and recombinant host cells transformed with these nucleic acids, are also provided. Methods of treating patients, using the EBI3/p35 cytokine or nucleic acids encoding the cytokine, are disclosed. The invention also provides for diagnostic assays for detecting pregnancy or threatened spontaneous abortion using antibodies to the cytokine.

Haematopoietic cytokine Epstein Barr virus-induced protein

The present invention relates, in general, to Epstein Barr virus induced (EBI) genes. In particular, the present invention relates to DNA segments coding for EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptides; EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptides; recombinant DNA molecules; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecules; antisense EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 constructs; antibodies having binding affinity to an EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptide; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of the presence of Epstein Barr Virus; a method of detecting Epstein Barr virus in a sample; and kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies.

Methods of detection of epstein barr virus induced genes expressed in

This disclosure concerns an assay for detecting and/or quantifying a mammalian IgA antibody response to EBV-MA with an immobilized EBV-MA gp 350/220 lacking the transmembrane anchor domain.

Assay for detection and/or quantifying a mammalian IgA antibody response

A vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), tested in clinical trials, is capable of preventing chickenpox in children. This virus has been modified by the introduction into its genome of heterologous DNA which encodes an immunogenic polypeptide of another human pathogen. This heterologous polypeptide is expressed in cells infected by the recombinant virus. Such recombinant VZV is useful as a vaccine for chickenpox as well as for heterologous pathogens.

Varicella-zoster virus as a live recombinant vaccine

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Elliott D Kieff