New Approaches to Hepatitis A Vaccine Development

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has historically been an important cause of morbidity among U.S. soldiers in the field. Work under this contract is directed at the development of a safe, inexpensive and effective hepatitis a Vaccine for use in military personnel. Two main research approaches are under investigation. First, we are examining synthetic oligopeptides representing the suspected surface structures of HAV. Octapeptides have been synthesized on polyethelene pins and probed with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies in an effort to identify antigenic and potentially immunogenic sequences. We have also determined the ability of poliovirus-HAV chimeric viruses to elicit neutralizing antibodies to HAV. The second approach involves the construction of an infectious cDNA construct derived from a virulent but cell culture-adapted variant of HAV. Genetic manipulation of such a construct will allow alternative approaches to the development of attenuated vaccine candidates. (JES)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA225169

Entities

People

  • Stanley M. Lemon

Organizations

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Antibodies
  • Antigens
  • Biological Products
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Culture Techniques
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Epidemiology
  • Hepatitis
  • Immune Serums
  • Liver Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • Proteins
  • Rodents
  • Vaccines
  • Viral Structures

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Virology (or Medical Virology).

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology