FLAVIVIRUS ENVELOPE PROTEINS WITH INCREASED IMMUNOGENICITY FOR USE IN IMMUNIZATION AGAINST VIRUS INFECTION

摘要

The present invention relates to C-terminally truncated flavivirus envelope proteins 80-81 % in size, which are more immunogenic than their counterpart full-length proteins. The present invention further relates to recombinant viruses which encode the truncated protein and to host cells infected therewith. Host cells express the truncated protein on their outer membrane and secrete it into the medium. The present invention further relates to vaccines for use against flavivirus infection. The vaccines include either a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the truncated envelope protein of the present invention, and the truncated envelope protein produced by a recombinant baculovirus.