Abstract:
A strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) implicated in an epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, now called hepatitis E, is disclosed. The invention relates to the expression of the whole structural region of SAR-55, designated open reading frame 2 (ORF-2), in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed protein is capable of forming HEV virus-like particles which can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to dimeric fusion proteins and virus-like particles comprising such dimeric fusion proteins. These dimeric fusion proteins comprise an antigen or antigenic fragment carried between two viral structural proteins or fragments thereof, with or without linkers, in a manner that, relative to traditional monomeric platforms, minimizes steric hindrance among the antigen or antigenic fragment and the viral structural proteins or fragments thereof. This novel design provides for multivalent vaccines and enhanced immunogenicity. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such dimeric fusion proteins and host cells comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dimeric fusion proteins and/or virus-like particles of the invention, and methods of prevention or treatment using such compositions.
Abstract:
Modified capsid proteins containing at least a portion of hepatitis E virus (HEV) open reading frame 2 (ORF2) having one or more cysteine residues in a surface variable loop or the C-terminus of HEV ORF2, or a portion thereof, are provided. The modified capsid proteins can be used to form hepatitis E virus (HEV) virus like particles (VLPs) having cysteine functional groups exposed on the outer-surface. The exposed cysteine functional groups can be modified via their thiol reactive group. For example, a bioactive agent, such as a cell-targeting ligand, can be conjugated to the one or more cysteines for targeted delivery of chemically activated nanocapsids.
Abstract:
Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.
Abstract:
A strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) implicated in an epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, now called hepatitis E, is disclosed. The invention relates to the expression of the whole structural region of SAR-55, designated open reading frame 2 (ORF-2), in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed protein is capable of forming HEV virus-like particles which can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.
Abstract:
Dimeric fusion proteins and virus-like particles comprising such dimeric fusion proteins are provided. These dimeric fusion proteins comprise an antigen or antigenic fragment carried between two viral structural proteins or fragements thereof, with or without linkers, in a manner that, relative to traditional monomeric platforms, minimizes steric hindrance among the antigen or antigenic fragment and the viral structural proteins or fragments thereof. This novel design provides for multivalent vaccines and enhanced immunogenicity. Nucleic acids encoding such dimeric fusion proteins and host cells comprising such nucleic acids are also provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dimeric fusion proteins and/or virus-like particles and methods of prevention or treatment using such compositions are further provided.
Abstract:
Modified capsid proteins containing at least a portion of hepatitis E virus (HEV) open reading frame 2 (ORF2) having one or more cysteine residues in a surface variable loop or the C-terminus of HEV ORF2, or a portion thereof, are provided. The modified capsid proteins can be used to form hepatitis E virus (HEV) virus like particles (VLPs) having cysteine functional groups exposed on the outer-surface. The exposed cysteine functional groups can be modified via their thiol reactive group. For example, a bioactive agent, such as a cell-targeting ligand, can be conjugated to the one or more cysteines for targeted delivery of chemically activated nanocapsids.
Abstract:
A strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) implicated in an epidemic of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, now called hepatitis E, is disclosed. The invention relates to the expression of the whole structural region of SAR-55, designated open reading frame 2 (ORF-2), in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed protein is capable of forming HEV virus-like particles which can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.
Abstract:
Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.