Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel immune potentiators, novel vaccine adjuvants, novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, novel methods for treating viral infections, including HCV, by administering the compounds, and novel methods for modulating an immune response by administering the compounds.

Abstract: The hypervariable region (E2HV) of the putative hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein E2/NS1, between about amino acid 384 to about amino acid 414, is a rapidly evolving region of HCV, and is likely to be under positive immune selection. A newly discovered motif within this hypervariable region is immunogenic and conserved with respect to the character of the amino acids. In many isolates, this motif falls between amino acids 401 to 406 or 407. The discovery of this motif allows for additional materials and methods to treat and diagnose HCV.

Abstract: Genetic constructs that comprise a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. Compositions that comprise at least two nucleic acid molecules in which at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. In such genetic constructs and compositions comprising nucleic acid molecules, the coding sequence for the desired protein comprises at least a portion of coding sequence for an HIV structural protein that includes an RRE and at least one CTE. Methods of inducing an immune response against an immunogen in an individual, methods of delivering proteins to an individual and methods of producing proteins are also disclosed.