Materials and methods useful for generating highly mannosylated pseudotyped lentiviral vector particles comprising a Vpx protein are provided.

The invention relates to vectors based on a virus from the order Mononegavirales, and in particular a rabies virus. More specifically, it relates to a rabies virus vector which, having transfected a target cell, is switchable between replication-competent and replication-incompetent forms. Amongst other applications, the invention avoids the cytotoxicity associated with current vectors based on rabies virus.

Materials and methods useful for generating highly mannosylated pseudotyped lentiviral vector particles comprising a Vpx protein are provided.

The present invention provides antibodies that neutralize MERS-CoV and methods of use thereof. The invented antibody is used to treat MERS-CoV infections and symptoms thereof.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a retroviral vector (FIG. 1A). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for producing siRNA encoding lentivirus where the siRNA activity may interfere with the lentiviral life cycle. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides methods for expression of a small RNA molecule within a cell, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, wherein expression of the small RNA molecule is relatively non-cytotoxic to the cell. The invention also includes small RNA molecules, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, that are relatively non-cytotoxic to cells.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a retroviral vector (FIG. 1A). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for producing siRNA encoding lentivirus where the siRNA activity may interfere with the lentiviral life cycle. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides methods for expression of a small RNA molecule within a cell, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, wherein expression of the small RNA molecule is relatively non-cytotoxic to the cell. The invention also includes small RNA molecules, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, that are relatively non-cytotoxic to cells.