Abstract: Plant viral vectors have great potential in rapid production of proteins, but no simple. Here a geminivirus-based system for high-yield and rapid production of oligomeric protein complexes, including virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is described. In particular, a single vector that contains two non-competing replicons for transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is described. The correct assembly of these subunit proteins into functional oligomeric structures (VLPs or full-size mAb) is also described. This system advances plant transient expression technology by eliminating the need for non-competing viruses, and thus, enhances the realistic commercial application of this technology for producing multiple-subunit protein complexes.

Abstract: Described is a method for isolating Hepatitis C Virus peptides (HPs) which have a binding capacity to a MHC/HLA molecule or a complex comprising said HCV-peptide and said MHC/HLA molecule characterized by the following steps: —providing a pool of HCV-peptide, said pool containing HCV-peptides which bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and HCV-peptides which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule, —contacting said MHC/HLA molecule with said pool of HCV-peptides whereby a HCV-peptide which has a binding capacity to said MHC/HLA molecule binds to said MHC/HLA molecule and a complex comprising said HCV-peptide and said MHC/HLA molecule is formed, —detecting and optionally separating said complex from the HCV-peptide which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and optionally isolating and characterizing the HCV-peptide from said complex.

Abstract: Peptides are used to define epitopes that stimulate HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against hepatitis B virus antigens. The peptides are derived from regions of HBV envelope, and are particularly useful in treating or preventing HBV infection, including methods for stimulating the immune response of chronically infected individuals to respond to HBV antigens.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated non-A, non-B hepatitis virus genomic cDNA covering the entire region of the virus gene nucleotide sequence from the 1st to 9416th nucleotides shown in FIG. 2(1) through FIG. 2(16) hereof, wherein the coding region is from the 333rd to 9362nd nucleotides, and the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences contain 332 nucleotides and 54 nucleotides, respectively. Part of the cDNA and an antigen polypeptide as an expression product thereof are useful as a diagnostic reagent for non-A, non-B hepatitis. The antigen polypeptide is also useful as an active ingredient for a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus vaccine.

Abstract: A hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 22 kilodaltons expressed from a hepatitis C virus structural gene region; a production method for a hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide having a molecular weight of 22 kilodaltons and/or a peptide related thereto, wherein an expression vector having inserted thereinto a cDNA fragment of a hepatitis C virus structural gene region is inserted into a cultured cell line and the transfected cell line thus obtained is cultured; and a detection method for a hepatitis C virus antibody, wherein a hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide is used as an antigen, and an antibody specific thereto is detected.

Abstract: A hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 22 kilodaltons expressed from a hepatitis C virus structural gene region; a production method for a hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide having a molecular weight of 22 kilodaltons and/or a peptide related thereto, wherein an expression vector having inserted thereinto a cDNA fragment of a hepatitis C virus structural gene region is inserted into a cultured cell line and the transfected cell line thus obtained is cultured; and a detection method for a hepatitis C virus antibody, wherein a hepatitis C virus antigen polypeptide is used as an antigen, and an antibody specific thereto is detected.

Abstract: Immunoassays for the detection of antibodies to HCV are provided which employ "C" domain antigens. Immunoassay kits comprising such antigens are also provided.

Abstract: The entire hepatitis B virus pre-S antigen gene linked in one contiguous reading frame to the hepatitus B virus surface antigen gene has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expressed protein aggregates into a particulate form which displays the major antigenic sites encoded by both domains, thereby highlighting the utility of yeast as a host for the expression of pre-S domains. This protein is useful in in vitro diagnostic systems and as a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus-induced diseases and/or infections.

Abstract: Nucleic acid of reduced size and vector containing said nucleotidic sequence of which DNA codes an immunogenic peptidic sequence capable of inducing the generation of antibodies to the virus of viral hepatitis B. It comprises totally or partly the sequence of nucleotides represented in FIG. 3A. Application to the production by cloning in a bacterium of an immunogenic protein immunizing against hepatitis B, or application to the obtention of probes for the diagnosis of the presence of Dane particles in a serum.