| 摘要 |
The invention relates to novel virus-like particles (VLPs), including those based on Hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as methods for their recombinant production and their use for stimulation of immunity and treatment of human and animal diseases. More specifically, the invention relates to novel synthetic constructs allowing the production of the novel recombinant non-infectious VLP ISVAC built of structural proteins of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which VLP is efficiently produced in cultured BHK21 cells using the replication machinery of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The pharmaceutical VLP preparations of the invention are highly efficient inducers of (i) endogenous Type I interferons (TYPE-I-IFN) such as interferon-q together with the general pool of interferons and (ii) general humoral immune response through stimulation of B cells (B-lymphocytes). VLPs of the invention are useful in treatment of human and animal diseases that can be treated by induction of interferons and/or B cell stimulation, including, e.g., hepatitis C, hepatitis B, FMD and certain malignancies, as well as asthmatic disorders, and allergies. VLPs of the invention are also useful as adjuvants that stimulate patient immune response to antigens and as viral diagnostic tools. |
