Vsv vector-encoded hcv envelope proteins e1/e2 as vaccines against hepatitis c virus

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of vaccination, in particular, of vaccination against hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present invention provides a composition comprising at least parts of the HCV core protein, and HCV E1 and HCV E2 protein of a specific HCV strain, as well as VSV-G protein. The proteins may be assembled in rVSV-HCV particles. This has been identified to induce particularly advantageous broadly neutralizing antibodies. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding said HCV proteins and VSV proteins but not encoding VSV-G protein. Vaccines comprising the particles, compositions or nucleic acids are disclosed as useful, in particular, for prophylactic vaccination against HCV. Methods of producing the rVSV-HCV particles or compositions of the invention and the produced particles and compositions are also subject-matter of the invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.