Prevention or Treatment of Viral Infections by Inhibition of the Histone Methyltransferases EZH1/2

Herpes simplex viral infections, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), are exceptionally common worldwide. These viruses establish lifelong persistent infections with cycles of lytic reactivation to produce recurrent diseases including oral and genital lesions, herpetic keratitis/blindness, congenital-developmental syndromes, and viral encephalitis. Infection with HSV-2 increases the rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in coinfected individuals. DNA replication inhibitors are typically used to treat herpesvirus infections.

Broadly Neutralizing Human Anti-HIV Monoclonal Antibody 10E8 and Related Antibodies Capable of Neutralizing Most HIV-1 Strains

The uses for human anti-HIV monoclonal antibody 10E8 and its variants include passive immunization, therapeutic vaccination, and the development of vaccine immunogens. 10E8 is one of the most potent HIV-neutralizing antibodies isolated and it neutralizes up to 98% of diverse HIV-1 strains. 10E8 is specific to the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV envelope protein gp41 and 10E8 is orthogonal to other anti-HIV antibodies. In combination with other antibodies 10E8 may provide an antibody response that neutralizes nearly all strains of HIV-1.

Recombinant Sulfated HIV Envelope Protein and Methods for Making Protein

This technology comprises sulfated recombinant gp120 proteins and peptides. Also included are methods for producing sulfated recombinant gp120 proteins. The focus of this technology is on sulfation of two tyrosines in the V2 loop of the HIV major envelope glycoprotein, gp120, which increase the stability of gp120 and promote the synthesis of gp120 protein in its native "closed" conformation. Gp120 in its native form is highly sulfated; however, recombinant gp120 produced for vaccines or structural analyses typically display low levels of V2 tyrosine sulfation.

Dual-Germline Antibody Engager Chimeric HIV–1 Immunogens

Despite four decades of intensive research, a safe and effective HIV-1 vaccine remains elusive due to the extreme difficulty in eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), which recognize and block HIV-1 from entering healthy cells. Only rare natural HIV-1 envelopes (Envs) promote the activation and expansion of naive B cells expressing unmutated germline antibodies of various bNAb lineages, but they typically do so for a single lineage for the same neutralization site.

Enhanced Stability and Efficacy of Pfs48/45 Domain III Protein Variants for Malaria Vaccine Development Using SPEEDesign Technology

The technology includes modifying the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs48/45 Domain III protein sequence to enhance its stability and efficacy to aid in malaria vaccine development. This approach successfully overcomes previous production challenges by increasing the thermostability of the antigen and eliminating the need for additional modifications that could impair vaccine effectiveness. Crucially, the technology maintains the essential neutralizing epitope of Pfs48/45, ensuring its effectiveness in preventing malaria transmission as a transmission-blocking vaccine.

Compositions and Methods for Reducing Serum Triglycerides

This technology includes a vaccine for lowering plasma triglycerides by inducing the formation of autoantibodies against either ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4, which are inhibitors of Lipoprotein Lipase. This was done by conjugating synthetic peptides based on ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4 to virus- like particles (VLPS). Injection of the vaccine in animal models was shown to induce the autoantibody against the target and to lower plasma triglycerides.

Alpha-galactosidase-A Knockout Mouse Model for Studying Fabry Disease

This technology includes an alpha-galactosidase-A knockout mouse model that can be used to study Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. Alpha-galactosidase-A is a crucial enzyme responsible for the breakdown of glycolipids, particularly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), within lysosomes. In Fabry disease, a rare and inherited lysosomal storage disorder, mutations in the GLA gene lead to deficient or non-functional alpha-galactosidase-A enzyme activity.