Particles of HCV envelope proteins: use for vaccination
AssigneeInnogentics N.V.
InventorsErik Depla, Geert Maertens, Alfons Bosman, Frans Van Wijnendaele
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Abstract
The present invention is based on the finding that the envelope proteins of HCV induce a beneficial immune response in chronically HCV-infected chimpanzees. The immunization can preferentially be carried out using HCV envelope proteins in the form of particles which are produced in a detergent-assisted manner. The envelope proteins when presented as such to chronic HCV carriers are highly immunogenic and stimulate both the cellular and humoral immune response.
Claims28
An oligomeric particle having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer and consisting of HCV envelope proteins, or parts thereof, wherein at least one cysteine of said HCV envelope proteins, or part thereof, is alkylated.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, wherein said envelope proteins are SEQ ID No 13 and/or SEQ ID No 14, or parts thereof.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, wherein said envelope proteins are a mixture of HCV E1, HCV E1s, HCV E2 proteins and/or SEQ ID No 13 and/or SEQ ID No 14, or parts thereof.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, wherein said envelope proteins, or parts thereof, are derived from different HCV strains or genotypes.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, wherein said envelope proteins, or parts thereof, are a mixture consisting of HCV envelope proteins from one strain or genotype of HCV and at least one other strain or genotype of HCV.
A method of inducing immunity against HCV in chronic HCV carriers comprising administering an oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer to said carrier.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer or composition containing the same for inducing immunity against HCV in chronic HCV carriers.
An oligomeric particle consisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, obtainable by a method characterized by the following steps:
- I purifying HCV envelope proteins in solution, with an alkylating agent, and optionally, at least one of a disulphide bond cleavage agent and a first detergent,
- II replacing said solution of said purified HCV envelope proteins with a second detergent or salt, resulting in oligomeric particles,
- III purifying the oligomeric particles formed after step II, and optionally further reducing the concentration of the second detergent or salt of step II.
Method to produce an oligomeric particleconsisting essentially of HCV envelope proteins and having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometer, characterized by the following steps:
- I purifying HCV envelope proteins in solution with an alkylating agent, and, optionally, at least one of a disulphide bond cleavage agent and a first detergent,
- II replacing said solution of said purified HCV envelope proteins with a second detergent or salt, resulting in oligomeric particles.
- III purifying the oligomeric particles formed after step II, and optionally further reducing the concentration of the second detergent or salt of step II.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.