Hepadna virus core proteins as vaccine platforms and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to hepatitis virus core proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A composition comprising a modified rodent hepadnavirus core antigen comprising:
 a heterologous antigen, wherein said heterologous antigen is 50 or fewer amino acids in length; and   a rodent hepadnavirus core antigen;   wherein said heterologous antigen is expressed within an immunodominant loop of said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen or within an alpha-helix adjacent to said immunodominant loop.   
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said heterologous antigen is expressed within said immunodominant loop of said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said heterologous antigen is expressed within said alpha-helix adjacent to said immunodominant loop. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen is a truncated rodent hepadnavirus core antigen. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen comprises an artificial C-terminus. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen is a truncated rodent hepadnavirus core antigen comprising an artificial C-terminus. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen is a woodchuck hepadnavirus core antigen. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said rodent hepadnavirus core antigen is a ground squirrel hepadnavirus core antigen. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said heterologous antigen is 26 or fewer amino acids in length. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said heterologous antigen is or fewer amino acids in length. 
     
     
         41 . A composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding the modified rodent hepadnavirus core antigen of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         42 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 41 . 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein said nucleic acid is expressed in a bacterial cell to produce said modified rodent hepadnavirus core antigen. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein said nucleic acid is expressed in a mammalian cell to produce said modified rodent hepadnavirus core antigen.