Parvovirus capsids
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsNeal S. Young, Sachiko Kajigaya, Shimada Takashi
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of producing non-infections parvovirus capsids and to diagnostic assays and vaccines utilizing same. The invention further relates to recombinant baculoviruses encoding parvovirus structural proteins and host cells infected therewith. The invention also relates to a method of packaging and delivering genetic information utilizing the noninfectious capsids.
Claims8
An isolated B19 parvovirus antigen, comprising a parvovirus capsid of VP2 proteins, free of VP1 proteins.
An isolated empty B19 parvovirus capsid consisting of VP2 major structural protein.
A method of producing isolated empty B19 parvovirus capsids consisting of VP2 major structural protein, comprising the steps of:
- i) infecting insect cells with a recombinant baculovirus encoding the B19 VP2 major structural protein;
- ii) culturing the cells under conditions such that the VP2 major structural proteins are produced and self assemble to form the capsids;
- and
- iii) isolating the capsids.
An assay for detecting antibodies to B19 parvovirus comprising:
- i) contacting a biological sample containing antibodies with B19 parvovirus with isolated empty B19 parvovirus capsids consisting of VP2 major structural protein, and
- ii) detecting the formation of a complex between anti-B19 antibodies present in said sample and said capsids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.