The invention is related to chimeric Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) containing and displaying epitopes and antigen from Zika Virus (ZIKV); and to methods for creation and production of such chimeric VLPs to their applications, including but not limited to vaccines, diagnostics, clinical studies, assay development and antibody discovery.

The present invention provides a virus-like particle comprising several or more types of HBs-L antigen proteins or a virus-like particle composition comprising a combination of the virus-like particles, for the purpose of provision of an antigen that triggers an immune reaction against HBV of various genotypes.

The present invention relates to a superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body for magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic thermotherapy. According to the present invention, a superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body which has target directionality and a high density of ultrafine gold nanoparticles uniformly coupled to the surface of protein nanoparticles can be fabricated with neither a separate surface stabilization process nor a separate target directionality conferring process. Hence, the superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body according to the present invention is superior to conventional gold nanoparticles in terms of biocompatibility and has excellent target directionality as well as being identified to have a temperature elevation potential in an alternating magnetic field and a functionality as a T2-MRI contrast medium thanks to the superparamagnetism property of the ultrafine gold nanoparticles. Therefore, the superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body according to the present invention can be utilized as a core technology in the fields of magnetic thermotherapy and magnetic resonance imaging contrast media.

The present invention provides a vaccine containing virus-like particles derived from virus particles having an envelope, in which a lipid-component content of the virus-like particles is reduced relative to a lipid-component content of the virus particles.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the stabilization of viral and bacterial vaccines. Vaccines of the invention are contained in VLPs with stabilizing agents such as, for example, sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol) and degraded gelatins. Preferably the gelatin has an average molecular weight of 10,000 kilodaltons or less. These vaccines have a substantially improved thermostability as well as long term stability. The invention is also directed to the manufacture of a vaccine or the invention and methods for the administration of a vaccine of the invention to patients.

As disclosed herein, the preS antigen on infectious hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles can provide B and T ceil epitopes that promote the humoral and cellular responses and enhance the seroprotection rate by overcoming non-responsiveness to the S antigen-only vaccines. Therefore, compositions and methods are disclosed using the preS antigen to develop vaccines and immune therapies for treating or preventing hepatitis B infection, in particular, virus-like particles (VLPs) are disclosed that contain the preS antigen on its surface. These VLPs can be used alone or in combination with vaccines containing the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to vaccinate subjects against HBV as well as to activate T ceils for adoptive T cell therapy to eradicate HBV infected hapatocytes.

The invention relates to a polypeptide carrier for presenting a target polypeptide, and use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule, comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide carrier, and being used for insertion of a nucleotide sequence encoding a target polypeptide. In addition, the invention further relates to a recombinant protein comprising the polypeptide carrier and a target polypeptide. Furthermore, the invention further relates to use of the nucleic acid molecule and the recombinant protein. In addition, the invention further relates to a vaccine or a pharmaceutical composition useful for preventing, alleviating or treating HBV infection or a disease associated with HBV infection (e.g., hepatitis B), comprising a recombinant protein comprising the polypeptide carrier of the invention and an epitope from HBV.

The present invention relates to tumor immunotherapy, in particular to tumor vaccination, using chimeric proteins comprising all or a portion of a hepatitis B virus core antigen protein and an amino acid sequence comprising an epitope derived from the extracellular portion of a tumor-associated antigen. In particular, the present invention provides virus-like particles comprising said chimeric proteins, which are useful for eliciting a humoral immune response in a subject against the tumor-associated antigen, in particular against cells carrying said tumor-associated antigen on their surface, wherein the tumor-associated antigen is a self-protein in said subject.

The present invention provides a vaccine containing virus-like particles derived from virus particles having an envelope, in which a lipid-component content of the virus-like particles is reduced relative to a lipid-component content of the virus particles.

The present invention relates to virus-like particles (VLPs) having a high affinity protein attachment system which allows interchangeable decoration with any functional molecule of choice. The present invention further relates to processes of producing the VLPs, including a rapid single cell process, and uses of the VLPs in research, diagnosis and as vaccines for use in prevention/treatment of diseases.