摘要:
The protease necessary for polyprotein processing in Hepatitis C virus is identified, cloned, and expressed. Proteases, truncated protease, and altered proteases are disclosed which are useful for cleavage of specific polypeptides, and for assay and design of antiviral agents specific for HCV.
摘要:
The entire genome of the hepatitis D virus has been shown to be a circular single-stranded RNA of 1679 bases. Several open reading frames in both the genomic and complementary strands indicate possible protein products. The products encoded in one open reading frame, ORF5, are identified as viral polypeptides p24.sup..delta. and p27.sup..delta., of which the nuclear .delta. antigens in HDV infected liver is comprised. These products, as well as others encoded in ORFs 1, 2, 6, and 7 are produced in recombinant expression systems. The ORF5 products, in particular, are useful for HDV diagnosis and vaccines.
摘要:
Implant devices and cutting clamp apparatuses and methods for creating the implants for insertion into a patient's joint to restore anatomic length and assist in final positioning of the bones following removal of cartilage and/or bone in preparation for fusion. A first implant is a biplanar implant having a shape to mimic the normal anatomical shape of the bones the implant is configured to mate with. The first implant may be cut using a cutting clamp and jig having the anatomical shape of the bones the implant will be inserted within or between. A second implant is a cylindrical piece of bone having a convex end and a concave end for mating with bones reamed to have the opposite mating surfaces. The second implant is created using cup and cone reamers having dimensions corresponding to the size of the patient's bones. Surgical methods for inserting the implants within a patient.
摘要:
The invention provides HCV fusion polypeptides including truncated or full-length HCV NS5 polypeptides, and a portion of the HCV NS2 polypeptide, fused to at least one other HCV epitope derived from another region of the HCV polyprotein. The fusions can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV, for example a cellular immune response to HCV, such as activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize against HCV.
摘要:
Immunogenic compositions that elicit immune responses against Norovirus and Sapovirus antigens are described. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding one or more capsid proteins or other immunogenic viral polypeptides from one or more strains of Norovirus and/or Sapovirus, coexpression of such immunogenic viral polypeptides with adjuvants, and methods of using the polynucleotides in applications including immunization and production of immunogenic viral polypeptides and viral-like particles (VLPs). Methods for producing Norovirus- or Sapovirus-derived multiple epitope fusion antigens or polyproteins and immunogenic compositions comprising one or more immunogenic polypeptides, polynucleotides, VLPs, and/or adjuvants are also described. The immunogenic compositions of the invention may also contain antigens other than Norovirus or Sapovirus antigens, including antigens that can be used in immunization against pathogens that cause diarrheal diseases, such as antigens derived from rotavirus.
摘要:
The invention provides truncated HCV NS5 polypeptides and fusion proteins comprising the truncated NS5 polypeptides, fused to at least one other HCV epitope derived from another region of the HCV polyprotein. The fusions can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV, for example a cellular immune response to HCV, such as activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize a mammal against HCV.
摘要:
The invention provides HCV fusion polypeptides including truncated or full-length HCV NS5 polypeptides, and a portion of the HCV NS2 polypeptide, fused to at least one other HCV epitope derived from another region of the HCV polyprotein. The fusions can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV, for example a cellular immune response to HCV, such as activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize against HCV.
摘要:
The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic complex comprising a charged organic carrier and a charged antigen and, more particularly, a negatively charged organic carrier and a positively charged antigen, wherein the charged antigen is a polyprotein of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), particularly the core protein of HCV, or a fragment thereof, or a fusion protein comprising the polyprotein or a fragment thereof. The complexes of the present invention are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents for facilitating the induction of immune responses, and in particular a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, in the treatment of a disease condition which results from an HCV infection.
摘要:
The hypervariable region (E2HV) of the putative hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein E2/NS1, between about amino acid 384 to about amino acid 414, is a rapidly evolving region of HCV, and is likely to be under positive immune selection. A newly discovered motif within this hypervariable region is immunogenic and conserved with respect to the character of the amino acids. In many isolates, this motif falls between amino acids 401 to 406 or 407. The discovery of this motif allows for additional materials and methods to treat and diagnose HCV.