Immunoassays for anti-HCV antibodies
View Patent ↗HCV immunoassays comprising an NS3/4a conformational epitope and a multiple epitope fusion antigen are provided, as well as immunoassay solid supports for use with the immunoassays.
1. A polynucleotide comprising a coding sequence for a multiple epitope fusion antigen, wherein said multiple epitope fusion antigen the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity thereto which binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual, wherein said antibodies specifically bind with SEQ ID NO: 4.
2. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises a coding sequence for a multiple epitope fusion antigen that comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 which binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual, wherein said antibodies specifically bind with SEQ ID NO: 4.
3. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises a coding sequence for a multiple epitope fusion antigen that comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 98% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, which binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual, wherein said antibodies specifically bind with SEQ ID NO: 4.
4. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises a coding sequence for a multiple epitope fusion antigen that consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.
5. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity thereto which encodes a polypeptide that binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual.
6. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity thereto which encodes a polypeptide that binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual.
7. The polynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 98% sequence identity thereto which encodes a polypeptide that binds specifically with anti-HCV antibodies present in a biological sample from an HCV-infected individual.
8. A recombinant vector comprising:
(a) a polynucleotide according to claim 1 ;
(b) and control elements operably linked to said polynucleotide whereby the coding sequence can be transcribed and translated in a host cell.
9. A recombinant vector comprising:
(a) a polynucleotide according to claim 4 ;
(b) and control elements operably linked to said polynucleotide whereby the coding sequence can be transcribed and translated in a host cell.
10. A recombinant vector comprising:
(a) a polynucleotide according to claim 5 ;
(b) and control elements operably linked to said polynucleotide whereby the coding sequence can be transcribed and translated in a host cell.
11. A recombinant vector comprising:
(a) a polynucleotide according to claim 7 ;
(b) and control elements operably linked to said polynucleotide whereby the coding sequence can be transcribed and translated in a host cell.
12. A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of claim 8 .
13. A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of claim 9 .
14. A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of claim 10 .
15. A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of claim 11 .
16. A method of producing a recombinant multiple epitope fusion antigen comprising:
(a) providing a population of host cells according to claim 12 ; and
(b) culturing said population of cells under conditions whereby the multiple epitope fusion antigen encoded by the coding sequence present in said recombinant vector is expressed.
17. A method of producing a recombinant multiple epitope fusion antigen comprising:
(a) providing a population of host cells according to claim 13 ; and
(b) culturing said population of cells under conditions whereby the multiple epitope fusion antigen encoded by the coding sequence present in said recombinant vector is expressed.
18. A method of producing a recombinant multiple epitope fusion antigen comprising:
(a) providing a population of host cells according to claim 14 ; and
(b) culturing said population of cells under conditions whereby the multiple epitope fusion antigen encoded by the coding sequence present in said recombinant vector is expressed.
19. A method of producing a recombinant multiple epitope fusion antigen comprising:
(a) providing a population of host cells according to claim 15 ; and
(b) culturing said population of cells under conditions whereby the multiple epitope fusion antigen encoded by the coding sequence present in said recombinant vector is expressed.