Patent ID: 6387662
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N,Y02A,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of producing an isolated non-infectious hepatitis C virus (HCV) virus-like particle (VLP) having structural epitopes found on native infectious HCV particles comprising the steps of:(a) constructing recombinant DNA encoding HCV core protein, HCV envelope 1 (E1) protein, and HCV envelope 2 (E2) protein; (b) expressing said recombinant DNA in a eukaryotic host cell for sufficient time to allow production of said HCV core protein, HCV E1 protein, and HCV E2 protein and assembly of a non-infectious HCV VLP comprising said HCV core protein, HCV E1 protein, and HCV E2 protein; and (c) isolating said non-infectious HCV VLP from said eukaryotic host cell, whereby said isolated non-infectious HCV VLP possesses structural epitopes found on native infectious HCV particles.