Chimeric genes, compositions of chimeric genes, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include chimeric genes encoding hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) protein in combination with one or more self-cleavage 2A polypeptides and a preS1 polypeptide. In certain embodiments the self-cleavage polypeptide is P2A.

The invention provides a composition comprising an inhibitor of Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and a active ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nucleoside analogue such as lamivudine, telbivudine, or entecavir, a nucleotide analogue such as tenofovir, adefovir and an immunomodulator such as interferon alpha. The NTCP inhibitor inhibits HBV/HDV entry into a cell and is preferably derived from an HBV pre-S1 peptide. Also provided are methods of treating HBV and HDV infection, hepatitis B and D, or chronic hepatitis B and D.

Chimeric genes, compositions of chimeric genes, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include chimeric genes encoding hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) protein in combination with one or more self-cleavage 2A polypeptides and a preS1 polypeptide. In certain embodiments the self-cleavage polypeptide is P2A.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide for use in a method of detecting the presence of hepatitis D vims (HDV) and/or of diagnosing an HDV infection and/or of monitoring the treatment of an HDV infection. The present invention further relates to an in vitro method, an immunographic test device as well as a kit. In particular, the present invention relates to a point of care diagnostic for HDV infections.

An inhibitor of Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) for use in a method of treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, or an NRLP3 inflammasome-associated disease in a subject.

An inhibitor of Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) for use in a method of treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, or an NRLP3 inflammasome-associated disease in a subject.

Disclosed herein are chimeric genes, compositions of chimeric genes, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include chimeric genes encoding hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) protein in combination with one or more self-cleavage 2A polypeptides and a preS 1 polypeptide. In certain embodiments the self-cleavage polypeptide is P2A.

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.

Disclosed herein are chimeric genes, compositions of chimeric genes, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include chimeric genes encoding hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) protein in combination with one or more self-cleavage 2A polypeptides and a preS 1 polypeptide. In certain embodiments the self-cleavage polypeptide is P2A.

Described are methods of inducing a protective immune response against Lassa virus comprising administering a prophylactically effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Lassa virus glycoprotein precursor (LASV GPC) to a subject in need thereof.