IMMUNOGENIC AVIAN HBc CHIMER PARTICLES HAVING ENHANCED STABILITY

摘要

A chimeric, carboxy-terminal truncated avian hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid protein AHBc is disclosed that is engineered for both enhanced stability of self-assembled particles and the display of an immunogenic epitope. The display of the immunogenic epitope is displayed in the immunogenic loop of AHBc, whereas the enhanced stability of self­assembled particles is obtained by the presence of at least one heterologous cysteine residue near the carboxy-terminus of the chimer molecule. Methods of making and using the chimers are also disclosed.