Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation

The Scripps Research Institute

Max-planck-gesellschaft Zur F&#xf6;rderung Der Wissenschaften E. V.

Virginia Commonwealth University

David R Milich

Ann M Moriarty

George B Thornton

Alan McLachlan

Frank V Chisari

Toshiyuki Maruyama

Darrel Peterson

Florian Schodel

Human antibodies that bind to woodchuck hepatitis virus core antigen are elevated in chronic hepatitis B patients in comparison to acute hepatitis B patients. Immunoassays for detection of the level of anti-WHV core antigen antibodies is used to distinguish chronic from acute hepatitis B patients.

Method for diagnosing chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Polypeptides corresponding in amino acid residue sequence to T cell stimulating regions of the HBV nucleocapsid protein are disclosed. A method of enhancing the immunogenicity of a polypeptide immunogen comprising operatively linking the polypeptide through an amino acid residue side chain to core protein particles is also disclosed.

T cell epitopes of the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid protein

A single polypeptide antigen that includes the amino acid residue sequence and epitope of a conformation-independent antigenic determinant and the amino acid residue sequence but lacks the epitope of a conformation-dependent antigenic determinant is disclosed as are methods of its manufacture and use and articles of manufacture using the same. The uses of the pre-S(2) region polypeptide encoded by the hepatitis B virus genome as a T cell proliferating agent and as a potentiator for enhancing the humoral immune response of animals that exhibit a low humoral response to an S region-containing immunogen are also disclosed.

Proteinaceous antigens with conformation-independent and

Chemically synthesized polypeptides include amino acid residue sequences that substantially correspond to the amino acid residue sequences of T cell and B cell determinant portions of a natural, pathogen-related protein, in particular, a hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). When administered to a host alone, as polymers or as carrier-bound conjugates, the polypeptides induce the proliferation of thymus-derived cells in hosts primed against hepatitis B virus.

Synthetic hepatitis B virus vaccine including both T cell and B cell

Chemically synthesized polypeptides include amino acid residue sequences that substantially correspond to the amino acid residue sequences of T Cell and B cell determinant portions of a natural, pathogen-related protein, in particular, a hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAG). When administered to a host alone, as polymers or as carrier-bound conjugates, the polypeptides induce the proliferation of thymus-derived cells in hosts primed against hepatitis B virus.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

David R Milich