Core-glycosylated HCV envelope proteins

US7238356B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Innogenetics N.V. · BE

Inventors

• Fons Bosman · Opwijk, BE
• Erik Depla · Laarne, BE
• Geert Deschamps · Aalter, BE
• Erwin Sablon · Mechelen, BE
• Manfred Suckow · Mülheim an der Ruhr, DE
• Isabelle Samson · Heule, BE
• Gert Verheyden · Evergem, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 2002
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2770/24223
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The current invention relates to HCV envelope proteins or parts thereof which are the product of expression in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said HCV envelope proteins are characterized in that on average up to 80% of their N-glycosylation sites are core-glycosylated. Of these N-glycosylated sites more than 70% are glycosylated with an oligomannose having a structure defined by Man(8 to 10)-GlcNAc(2). Furthermore, the ratio of the oligomannose with structure Man(7)-GlcNAc(2) over the oligomannose with structure Man(8)-GlcNAc(2) is less than or equal to 0.45. Less than 10% of the oligomannoses is terminated with an α1,3 linked mannose. The HCV envelope proteins of the invention are particularly suited for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. A suitable eukaryotic cell for production of the HCV envelope proteins of the invention is a Hansenula cell.