Temple University

Neovacs

Johns Hopkins University

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Health

Tulane University

Biovacs, Inc.

Jay F Rappaport

Miguel Carcagno

Flossie Wong-Staal

James R Rusche

Kamel Khalili

Jean-Francois Zagury

Salim Merali

Norman J Haughey

Jean-François Zagury

Xuebin Qin

Stephani Velasquez

Ned Sacktor

Tracy Fischer-Smith

Carlos A Barrerro

Sarah Vakili

The invention provides monocytes expressing CD16 and CD163 and experimental system for drug screening or evaluating drug candidates where the modulation of CD16 and CD163 is desired.

MonoMac-1 cells expressing CD16 and CD163

The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for regulating the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio, NAD+ level and CD16 expression for the treatment diseases.

Modulation of NAD+ metabolic pathways for treatment of disease

Provided is a method of detecting mild neurocognitive disturbance (MNCD) or HIV associated dementia (HAD) in a patient comprising detecting the level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine from a cerebrospinal fluid test sample of the patient; and comparing the level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in the test sample to the level of the acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in a cerebrospinal fluid control sample or to a control value for lack of neurocognitive impairment, MNCD or HAD; wherein an elevated level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in the test sample as compared to the level in the control sample or a control value for lack of neurocognitive impairment, or a level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine that is similar to that of a control value for MNCD or HAD, indicates that the patient suffers from MNCD or HAD. Also provided are methods for measuring the progression of an HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder, as well as methods for staging such a disorder.

Detection of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders

The invention provides a method for detecting CD163+/CD16+ cell population in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a biological sample from a subject infected with HIV-1 which comprises contacting the biological sample with an anti-CD163 antibody, so that levels of CD163+/CD16+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the biological sample can be quantified. The method of the present invention is particularly useful for monitoring the course of HIV-1 infection and/or HIV Encephalopathy

Blood monocyte CD163 expression as a biomarker in HIV-1 infection and neuroaids

This invention relates to retroviral regulatory proteins or fragments thereof, or interferon alpha protein or fragments thereof, which are carboxymethylated. This chemical modification leads to new proteins or fragments which are biologically inactive but preserve their immunogenicity (toxoids). These proteins or fragments thereof, or interferon alpha or fragments thereof, can be utilized in the treatment and prevention of retroviral infections. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one carboxymethylated protein or fragment of the invention, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to a vaccine comprising at least one of the carboxymethylated proteins or fragments of the invention, together with an immunologically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to a process for obtaining an immunogenic yet not toxic retroviral regulatory protein or fragment, or interferon alpha or fragment. The invention also relates to a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering the vaccine of the invention to a mammal in an immunologically effective amount.

Carboxymethylated retroviral regulatory proteins and interferon-&#x3b1;

The invention concerns a viral regulation protein or a viral regulation protein fragment or the alpha interferon or the alpha interferon fragment which is carboxymethylated. The invention also concerns the preparation method and the use of the resulting product in a therapeutic method for treating the human or animal body, a pharmaceutical and vaccine composition containing, as active principle, one at least of the carboxymethylated proteins or fragments.

Anti-HIV immunogens (toxoids), preparation methods and use for preventing and treating aids

A method for evaluating the inhibitory effect of a substance on tat-protein TAR RNA binding is described. A test system for determining the association of tat-protein with TAR RNA is also included within the scope of the invention.

Method for detecting inhibitors of tat protein

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Wynnewood, PA, United States of America

Jay F Rappaport