Synthetic representative HCV subtypes, including a 1a and 1b genome, dubbed Bole1a and Bole1b, are provided using an inventive method of Bayesian phylogenetic tree analysis, ancestral sequence reconstruction and covariance analysis. Bole1a branches centrally among 390 full-genome sequences used in its design, a carefully curated 143 sequence full-genome dataset, and separate genomic regions including an independent set of 214 E1E2 sequences from a Baltimore cohort. Bole1a is phylogenetically representative of widely circulating strains. Full genome non-synonymous diversity comparison and 9-mer peptide coverage analysis showed that Bole1a is able to provide more coverage (94% and 78% respectively) than any other sequence in the dataset including H77, a traditional reference sequence. Bole1a also provides unsurpassed epitope coverage when compared to all known T cell epitopes.

The invention concerns a multicistronic nucleic acid, in particular an isolated multicistronic nucleic acid, comprising: A) a sequence comprising successively: A1) a sequence encoding the light chain variable domain of an antibody of interest, fused in the frame with A2) a sequence encoding the constant region of the light chain of an immunoglobulin Ig; and B) a sequence comprising successively: B1) a sequence encoding the heavy chain variable domain of said antibody of interest, fused in the frame with B2) a sequence encoding the constant regions of the heavy chain of an immunoglobulin Ig in secretory form; B3) an intronic sequence of the gene of the heavy chain of said immunoglobulin Ig, said intronic sequence comprising an internal 5 splice site enabling the splicing of said intronic sequence B3) and a secretory-specific poly(A) (p AS) signal from the 3 terminal exon of said gene; B4) a sequence, in frame with sequence B1), encoding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains M1 and M2 of the immunoglobulin Ig BCR, wherein said sequence B4) comprises, between the coding sequences of the M1 and M2 domains, an intronic sequence containing a splice site enabling the splicing of said intronic sequence between the M1 and M2 domains coding sequences; and B5) a membrane-anchored specific poly(A) signal (p AM), after the stop codon of the M2 domain, wherein the multicistronic nucleic acid enables the co-expression of the sequences A and B into separate proteins.

Disclosed are antibodies (immunoglobulins) and fragments thereof that hydrolyze or bind polypeptide antigens belonging to Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are novel methods to improve the antigen reactivity of the immunoglobulins and to treat a pathophysiological condition using the immunoglobulins as therapeutics.

The present disclosure in some aspects relates to HCV core antigen polypeptides. In some aspects, the present disclosure further relates to HCV antibodies, including camelid antibodies that specifically bind to HCV core antigen, and antibody fragments. The disclosure further relates to methods of detecting an analyte in a sample using a camelid antibody, such as a camelid VHH antibody or fragments thereof. In one aspect, provided herein is a technology platform for isolating highly specific antibodies and applying these antibodies in an immunoassay, such as a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). In some aspects, this technology is used to develop HCV core antigen specific antibodies and to produce LFIA devices for rapid and early diagnosis of HCV. In other aspects, a rapid test is provided for screening and detection of hepatitis C virus infection to improve the diagnosis rate and effectively prevent HCV infection transmission.

Provided are NK-92 cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The CAR can comprise an intracellular domain of Fc?RI?. Also described are methods for treating a patient having or suspected of having a disease that is treatable with NK-92 cells, such as cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering to the patient NK-92-CAR cells.

Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated cytotoxic B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated membrane immunoglobulin capable of binding to a first antigen and at least one endogenous secreted immunoglobulin capable of binding to a second antigen, and further capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated recombinant B cell receptor that signals for expression of cytotoxic effector molecules.

GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving an anti-GBV-C antibody or other GBV-C binding agent, or a GBV-C antigen, for inhibiting and treating HIV infections.

The present disclosure provides rapid and non-invasive methods for determining whether a patient will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Hepatitis C virus (HCV). These methods are based on detecting HCV RNA and/or anti-HCV antibodies in small-volume dried biological fluid samples that are collected using a microsampling device. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Disclosed are antibodies (immunoglobulins) and fragments thereof that hydrolyze or bind polypeptide antigens belonging to Staphyloccus aureus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are novel methods to improve the antigen reactivity of the immunoglobulins and to treat a pathophysiological condition using the immunoglobulins as therapeutics.

Provided are NK-92 cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The CAR can comprise an intracellular domain of FcRI. Also described are methods for treating a patient having or suspected of having a disease that is treatable with NK-92 cells, such as cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering to the patient NK-92-CAR cells.