A hepatitis B vims (HBV) vaccine particle is described, including a recombinant HBV surface antigen including L surface protein; optionally M surface protein; and optionally S surface protein; wherein the molar percentage of L surface protein to the sum of L, M, and S surface proteins is at least about 1 mole %, 8 mole %, 10 mole %, 20 mole %, 30 mole %, 40 mole %, or 50 mole %. Methods of making the same and methods of treating or preventing HBV infection in a subject using the same are also described.

The present invention relates to a novel Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or Hepatitis D virus (HDV) receptor and its use for the development of cells, cell lines and non-human animals that are susceptible to HBV and/or HDV infection and can be used for immunological studies and/or for the screening of drugs, post-entry restriction factors and host dependency factors. It further relates to the use of the receptor for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment of HBV and/or HDV infection.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for use in vaccines, comprising polynucleotides encoding one or more viral antigen proteins and an enhancer protein, wherein the enhancer protein is a picornavirus leader (L) or a functional variant thereof. The compositions and methods provided herein may improve the production of functional viral-like particles (VLP).

Vaccine combinations which comprise at least two or more of the following antigens: DTap-HEV-HepB-HPV suitable for administration in humans. A number of variations in the combination of these antigens have been disclosed that is suitable for concomitant administration. The methods of preparing the vaccine combinations are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the antigens, as well as methods for their production and use are provided.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions relating to in vitro cultures of human hepatocyte cell lines which exhibit a primary human hepatocyte phenotype. Such cell lines are susceptible to infection by a hepatotrophic virus, such as HCV or HBV, and support both viral replication and high levels of viral particle production. Such in vitro cultures find use in production and study of hepatotrophic virus, as well as methods of screening (e.g., for antiviral drugs, assessing drug metabolism), and study of primary human hepatocytes.