The invention concerns a multicistronic nucleic acid, in particular an isolated multicistronic nucleic acid, comprising: A) a sequence comprising successively: A1) a sequence encoding the light chain variable domain of an antibody of interest, fused in the frame with A2) a sequence encoding the constant region of the light chain of an immunoglobulin Ig; and B) a sequence comprising successively: B1) a sequence encoding the heavy chain variable domain of said antibody of interest, fused in the frame with B2) a sequence encoding the constant regions of the heavy chain of an immunoglobulin Ig′ in secretory form; B3) an intronic sequence of the gene of the heavy chain of said immunoglobulin Ig′, said intronic sequence comprising an internal 5′ splice site enabling the splicing of said intronic sequence B3) and a secretory-specific poly(A) (p AS) signal from the 3′ terminal exon of said gene; B4) a sequence, in frame with sequence B1), encoding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains M1 and M2 of the immunoglobulin Ig′ BCR, wherein said sequence B4) comprises, between the coding sequences of the M1 and M2 domains, an intronic sequence containing a splice site enabling the splicing of said intronic sequence between the M1 and M2 domains coding sequences; and B5) a membrane-anchored specific poly(A) signal (p AM), after the stop codon of the M2 domain, wherein the multicistronic nucleic acid enables the co-expression of the sequences A and B into separate proteins.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising: i) a herpes gE protein, an active fragment of the protein, a variant of the protein, or a mixture of at least two of them; ii) an immunostimulatory composition comprising a saponin and a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, or consisting of an adjuvant comprising a saponin and a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide. Use of the pharmaceutical composition in the preparation of a medicament for preventing and/or treating a varicella-zoster virus infection and/or a varicella-zoster virus mediated disease. The pharmaceutical composition achieves an unexpected technical effect and can mediate a stronger immune response.

Self-replicating RNA molecules encoding hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines are described. Methods of inducing an immune response against HBV or treating an HBV-induced disease, particularly in individuals having chronic HBV infection, using the disclosed self-replicating RNA molecules are also described. Kits comprising the disclosed self-replicating RNA molecules are also described.

The present disclosure provides Multimeric Antigen Presenting Polypeptides (MAPPs) for the presentation of antigens in the context of a class I MHC receptor. The present disclosure provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding those MAPPs, as well as cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids. MAPPs of the present disclosure are useful for selectively modulating activity of T cells having T cell receptors that recognize the antigens. Thus, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for modulating the activity of T cells, as well as compositions and methods for treating persons who have diseases and/or disorders including cancers, autoimmune diseases and/or allergies.

The present disclosure provides methods for preparing vesicles. In some embodiments, the methods involve providing a molten mixture of vesicle forming lipids and then adding the molten mixture to an aqueous solution comprising an antigen such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed. In other embodiments, the methods involve providing a lyophilized lipid product and rehydrating the lyophilized lipid product with an aqueous solution comprising an antigen such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed. The lyophilized lipid product is prepared by melting vesicle-forming lipids to produce a molten lipid mixture and then lyophilizing the molten lipid mixture. The present disclosure also provides antigen-containing vesicle formulations prepared using these methods. The present disclosure also provides kits that include a lyophilized lipid product in a first container and an aqueous solution comprising an antigen in a second container.

The present disclosure provides methods for preparing vesicles. In some embodiments, the methods involve providing a molten mixture of vesicle forming lipids and then adding the molten mixture to an aqueous solution comprising an antigen such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed. In other embodiments, the methods involve providing a lyophilized lipid product and rehydrating the lyophilized lipid product with an aqueous solution comprising an antigen such that antigen-containing vesicles are formed. The lyophilized lipid product is prepared by melting vesicle-forming lipids to produce a molten lipid mixture and then lyophilizing the molten lipid mixture. The present disclosure also provides antigen-containing vesicle formulations prepared using these methods. The present disclosure also provides kits that include a lyophilized lipid product in a first container and an aqueous solution comprising an antigen in a second container.

The invention relates to the discovery of an HEV strain from a chronically infected patient. The virus grow unusually well in numerous cell cultures. Thus, the invention provides cell cultures, vectors, and vaccine compositions based on the virus.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising at least three peptide fragments consisting of 10 to 50 consecutive amino acid residues of at least one wild-type allergen fused to the N- and C-terminus of a surface polypeptide of a virus of the hepadnaviridae family or at least one fragment of said surface polypeptide.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a variable domain deleted E2 polypeptide of HCV (e.g., E2Delta123). The composition is suitable for use, for use, or when used, in the treatment or prevention of HCV infection. The nucleic acid molecule may be DNA or RNA or a modified or synthetic form, or contained within a plasmid, a viral or non-viral vector for vaccination, a polynucleotide expression cassette, or a cell for vector propagation. Methods of administration as prime and boost vaccinations are also provided.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a variable domain deleted E2 polypeptide of HCV (e.g., E2Delta123). The composition is suitable for use, for use, or when used, in the treatment or prevention of HCV infection. The nucleic acid molecule may be DNA or RNA or a modified or synthetic form, or contained within a plasmid, a viral or non-viral vector for vaccination, a polynucleotide expression cassette, or a cell for vector propagation. Methods of administration as prime and boost vaccinations are also provided.