Human cytomegalovirus vectors comprising heterologous antigens are disclosed. The vectors derived from the TR strain, are ganciclovir sensitive, include active US2, US3, US6, US7 and UL131A genes, and have a deleterious or inactivating mutation in the UL82 gene preventing the expression of pp71.

The present disclosure provides fusion proteins with improved signaling properties. Disclosed embodiments include fusion proteins that comprise an extracellular component comprising a target-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular component comprising a SH2 domain or a functional portion or variant thereof, and have improved signaling in response to antigen-binding, including of solid-tumor antigens with low levels of expression. Recombinant host cells expressing the fusion proteins, and polynucleotides encoding the fusion proteins, are also provided, as are compositions and methods comprising the same.

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits useful to enhance an immune response against an antigen and to improve vaccine efficacy. The disclosed methods, compositions, and kits may be utilized to improve vaccine immunogenicity and enhance immune protection following subsequent antigen challenges. In some embodiments, the methods include co-administering a blocker of the IFN-I pathway with an antigen that is used as part of a vaccine, such as a viral vaccine.

The present invention relates generally to immunization and immunotherapy for the treatment or prevention of HIV. In particular, the methods include in vivo and/or ex vivo enrichment of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells.

Methods and compositions are disclosed for inducing immune responses against one or more antigens in a mammal.

Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.

The invention relates to HIV-1 envelope polypeptides comprising the consensus envelope of SEQ ID NO: 35, compositions comprising these envelopes and methods for using same.

Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.

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Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for determining the structure of a membrane protein. An epitope from a membrane-proximal external region (MPER) from a viral envelope protein can be grafted on to a variety of diverse membrane proteins to allow for binding structurally characterized antibody fragments, which can aid structural studies. t,25

Provided herein are recombinant polynucleotides including a first nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of an amino acid catabolic pathway. The provided recombinant polynucleotides are particularly useful for inducing long-lived immune responses having improved memory characteristics. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, viral particles, and host cells including the disclosed recombinant polynucleotides, and methods for using the disclosed materials.