Chiron Corporation

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Gmbh

Xavier Paliard

Michael Houghton

Mark J Selby

This invention provides a model for the induction of immunological tolerance to antigens. The tolerance model of the invention can be used for screening candidate drugs effective in modulating tolerance. The invention also provides the use of such tolerance-modulating drugs as agents for the treatment of chronic illnesses, including chronic viral infections, such as HCV.

Tolerance and chronic hepatitis C virus

The invention provides a method of activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4and CD8T cells. HCV-specific T cells are activated using fusion proteins comprising HCV NS3, NS4, NS5and NS5polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins, or polypeptide or polynucleotide compositions containing the individual components of these fusions. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize a mammal against HCV.

Activation of HCV-specific T cells

The immune response to a DNA immunogen in a mammal can be enhanced by administration of a chemokine or a polynucleotide encoding the chemokine. This method can be used, for example, to immunize or vaccinate a mammal against an infectious disease or a tumor.

Enhancing immune responses to genetic immunization by using a chemokine

The invention provides a method of activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4 and CD8 T cells. HCV-specific T cells are activated using fusion proteins comprising HCV NS3, NS4, NS5a, and NS5b polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins, or polypeptide or polynucleotide compositions containing the individual components of these fusions. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize a mammal against HCV.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Xavier Paliard