FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hepatitis B. and more specifically to hepatitis B vaccines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to 2017 WHO global hepatitis report, world-wide there are 257 million people carrying hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV infection has been known to cause a series of liver disease, including liver inflammation, liver cirrhosis, and hcpatocclllular carcinoma (HCC), etc., in which HBV X protein (HBx) plays an important role.

HBx when expressed in bacteria is insoluble. Dong Liu et al. developed a method for obtaining soluble HBx by using maltose binding protein lag (MBP-tag), eliminating the need for denaturation and renaturatkm (Blotechmi. Appl. Biochem. 2009, 54: 141-147). The disadvantage of their method is its complexity. It requires amy lose resin and Q-Sepharose chromatography for purification, and Factor Xa enzyme digestion for 48 hrs to remove the MBP-tag. These steps add to the complexity of the purification process, increasing cost and time and limiting its use in large-scale productions. Others have prepared HBx protein by denaturing and renaturing inclusion bodies, then metal affinity chromatography (with Ni* scpharosc column). This method has problems of Nickel toxicity (Forgacs Z et ah (2012). J Environ Sci Health A Tax Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 47(9): 1249-60). thus limiting its use in drug manufacturing processes.

US Patent No. 9.481,714 B2 discloses a fusion protein which had a similar problem with aggregate formation. A high concentration of urea was needed during the process of making the destroying hydrogen bonds within the protein to denature and soiubflize the recombinant protein inside the inclusion bodies. However, a final removal of urea to refold the could easily cause formation of aggregates and thus precipitation, leading to a poor yield.

There is therefore a need to develop a novel therapeutic HBV vaccine and new method of preparing h.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was discovered that without affecting the protein structure and function, a deletion of a fragment ranging from the amino acid residue 21 to the amino acid residue 50 of HBx by DNA engineering technique could solve the problems of easy aggregation and precipitation during protein refolding, and increase final protein production yield. In one aspect, (he invention relates to a fusion protein comprising:

(a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein;

(b) a protein traasduction domain, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain, wherein the protein transduction domain is a fusion polypeptide comprising:

( 1 ) a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide consisting of 28-53 amino acid

residues in length, comprising the amino acid sequence of SKQ ID NO: 28. in which Xaa ^s is I or L; Xaa ¹⁰ is V, F or A, Xaa ¹¹ is M or L, Xaa ¹⁷ is L or J, being located at the N-terminus of the fusion polypeptide;

(2) a translocation peptide consisting of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 20 or 30; and

(3) a linker linking the T cell sensitizing si gnal- transduc ing peptide and the translocation peptide; and

(c) an antigen comprising a hepatitis B virus X protein deletion mutant (ΔΪ ΙΒχ) mat lacks residues at least from amino acid residue 21 to amino acid residue SO, located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: (a) a therapeutically effective amount of the fusion protein according to the invention; and (b) an adjuvant. The adjuvant may comprise CpG oligodeoxynucleotide.

Further in another aspect, the invention relates to use of a fusion protein according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for inducing a hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx)- specific T cell response, treating infection caused by hepatitis B virus, minimizing symptoms caused by hepatitis B virus infection, inhibiting proliferation of hepatitis B virus in liver cells, and/or suppressing hepatitis B virus infection in a subject in need thereof.

Further in another aspect, the invention relates to a fusion protein according to the invention for use in inducing a hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx)-specific T cell response, treating infection caused by hepatitis B virus, minimizing symptoms caused by hepatitis B virus infection, inhibiting proliferation of hepatitis B virus in liver cells, and/or suppressing hepatitis B virus infection in a subject in need thereof.

Alternatively, the invention also relates to a method for inducing a hepatitis B virus X protein (HBxHpecific T cell response, treating infection caused by hepatitis B virus, minimizing symptoms caused by hepatitis B virus infection, inhibiting proliferation of hepatitis B virus in liver cells, and/or suppressing hepatitis B virus infection in a subject in need thereof. The method comprises administering a therapeutica!Jy effective amount of the fusion protein of the invention to the subject in need thereof..

Yet in another aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparation of a hepatitis B virus X protein deletion mutant fusion protein, comprising: (a) generating a piasmid for expressing the fusion protein of the invention; (b) causing the piasmid to express the fusion protein within a host cell: and (c) collecting the fusion protein from the host cell.

In one embodiment of the invention, the A PC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: S, 9, 6, 7, and 8.

In another embodiment the fusion protein may further comprises an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence located at the C -terminus of the fusion protein. In another embodiment, the fusion protein is free of an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence at C-terminus thereof if the antigen contains 10 or more epitopes. In another embodiment, the protein transduction domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. The protein transduction domain may comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22. (n another embodiment, the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: S, 9, 6, 7, and 8. In another embodiment, the T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2. In another embodiment, the translocation peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In another embodiment, the antigen comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23. In another embodiment, the deletion mutant ΔH ΒΧ has a deletion of amino acids (aa) 1 to 50, or aa 5 to 50, or aa 10 to 50. oraa IS to SO, or aa 18 to 50. In another embodiment, the deletion mutant ΔΗΒΧ has a deletion of amino acids from aa 1. aa 2, aa 3, aa 4. aa 5, aa 6, aa 7. aa 8, aa 9, aa 10, aa l l, aa 12, aa 13, aa 14, aa 15, aa 16, aa 17, aa 18, aa 19, aa 20, or aa 21 to aa 50. In another embodiment, the antigen comprises a hepatitis B virus X protein deletion mutant (ΔΗΒχ) with a deletion from the 21 " amino acid to 50* amino acid.

These and other aspects will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout (he drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vector map showing the plasmid p

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the results of gel electrophoresis.

FIG. 3 shows immunization and sample collection schedules.

PIG.4 is a chart showing the results of FLISA analysis of an antigen-specific humoral immune response elicited by the vaccine in C57BL/6 mice. Purified recombinant HBx protein was used to capture serum HBx-specific antibody, and colors were displayed for comparing the absorbance of light penetration at a wavelength of 450 nm.

FIG. 5 shows a specific Thl cell immune response induced by the vaccine

in C57BL/6 mice as analyzed by ELISPOT. The numbers of spleen immune cells that secreted IL-2 (top), IFNy (middle), and TNFu (bottom) after stimulation by different HBx-specific peptide libraries (ροοΐ· I , poot-2) were compared.

FIG. 6 shows establishment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier mouse model, sampling process, and a dosing schedule.

FIG. 7. shows body weight changes in the HBV carrier mice after vaccination.

FIG. 8 shows total bilirubin changes in the HBV carrier mice after vaccination.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing changes in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values in the HBV carrier mice after vaccination.

FIG. 10 shows liver (top) and spleen (bottom) weight ratios in the HBV carrier mice on Day -82 after the first vaccination.

FIG. 11 shows changes of the serum viral DNA load (xl 000 copies/ml) (top ) DNA and the positive rate (> 1000 copies / ml) (bottom ) in the HBV carrier mice after vaccination. A statistically significant difference (P <0.05) between the adjuvant and vaccine group is indicated by*. The number of mice in each group was as follows: control group (n~7), adjuvant group (n-10), vaccine group (n* 10).

FIG. 12 shows the changes of the scrum surface antigen number (xlOO lU/ml) (top) and the positive rate (> 0.05 1U / ml) (bottom) in the HBV carrier mice after vaccination. A statistically significant difference (P <0.05) between the adjuvant and vaccine group is indicated by *.

FIG. 13 are photographs showing the results of western blot analysis of liver core antigen expression in the HBV carrier mice 82 days after the first vaccination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DEFINITIONS The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting lias no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context _* whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor Ls any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.

As used herein, "around", "about" or "approximately" shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within J 0 percent, and more preferably within S percent of a given value or range.

Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term "around", "about" or "approximately" can be inferred if not expressly stated.

Immunogenic proteins such as fusion proteins for use as immunogenic enhancers for inducing antigen-specific T cell responses arc disclosed in the U.S. Patent No.9,481,714 B2.9,339,536 B2 and 20160250324 A1 , each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The term "an antigen-presenting cell (APC)- binding domain" refers to a domain (which is a polypeptide) that can bind to an antigen-presenting cell (APC). In an embodiment, the A PC-binding domain is selected from the group consisting of receptor-associated protein- 1 (RAPl) domain ΤΠ, alpha-2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein (A2M), HI V-Tat, and heat shock proteins (HSPs). and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) binding domain I. In another embodiment, the APC -binding domain may be a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Cluster of differentiation 91 (CD91) is a protein that forms a receptor found in the plasma membrane of cells and is involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis. In another embodiment of the invention, the A PC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain exhibits a characteristics of recognizing and binding to a receptor on an antigen-presenting cell (APC) selected from the group consisting of dendritic cells, monocytes, B-cells and

lymphocytes.

Receptor-associated protein (RAP I ) with a molecular weight of 39 kDa is an ER resident protein and molecular chapercme for LDL receptor-related protein, it has a high binding affinity to CD91 (Kd~ 3 nM) and is composed by three functional-similar domain.

The term "a protein transduction domain' ^* is a polypeptide whose function is to sensitize T-cells and thus enhance antigen-specific 1' cell response, and/or to guide or direct an antigen toward (i.e., to target to) class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) pathway (i.e., a cytotoxic T cell pathway) of antigen presentation.

The term "to sensitize T cells" generally means that CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are sensitized and as a result, CD8+ (CTL) and CD4+ T cell responses to an antigen challenge are enhanced. An antigen-specific cytotoxic cell (CTL) response is measured by quantifying the production of antigen- specific induced γ- interferon in response to an antigen. For example, without a sensitization signal, an antigen alone may induce weak or no CTL response at all, i.e., weak or no production of antigen- specific γ-interferon, while in the presence of a sensitization signal, the antigen may induce an enhanced CTL response. Thus, the function of a sensitization signal is to sensitize CD8+ T cells in a host so that when the host is later challenged by an antigen, the antigen can induce an enhanced antigen-specific CTL response due to prior CD8 +· T cell sensitization.

In addition, CD4+ T cell response is also enhanced by prior T cell sensitization. An antigen- specific CD4+ T cell response is indirectly measured by antibody (IgG) titer production from B cells.

A protein transduction domain may be a peptide and/or fusion polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a T cell-sensitizing signal- transducing peptide of 28-53 amino acid residues in length, comprising the amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: I;

(ii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising the amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3; and

(Hi) a fusion polypeptide, comprising the T cell sensitizing signal -transducing peptide and the translocation peptide, wherein the T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide is located at the N- terminus of the fusion polypeptide

In another embodiment of the invention, the protein transduction domain may be ^** a fusion polypeptide' ^* , in which the fusion polypeptide comprises a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide. For example, the fusion polypeptide may be the polypeptide which comprises a linker between the " and the

The term refers to a CD28 conserved region, which is a"T cell sensitizing signal- transducing peptide'". It's an epitope for inducing CD28 agonist antibody.

The term "PEt" or "PEfCorc" refers to a PE translocation domain core with 34 amino acid residues in length.

The orientation or arrangement of the fusion polypeptide is important in that (or the T cell sensitizing signal-tnmsducing peptide) must be at the upstream to the Pl¾ ( or the translocation peptide), i.e., PE _t must be at the C -terminus of the "CD28 coev" to obtain enhanced T-cell responses. The can raise much higher lgG titer (called CD28-specific agonist antibody) specific to than the reversed orientation fusion peptide The CD28-specifk agonist antibody can sensitize both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The correct orientation fusion polypeptide contains a linker between C and PE, domains. The linker contains an antigen presenting cell (APd>specific protease (cathepsin L) cutting site Lys-Arg (KR). Therefore, the fusion protein can be digested into the two fragments: and PE,-Antigen-K3. The fragment can be further digested in the !ysosome and the epitope of is men presented to the A PC cell

surface via MHC II pathway, which in turn elicits a humoral immune response producing CD28 agonist antibody. Thus, CD28 agonist antibody is produced by B cells. This CD28 agonist antibody can bind to CD28 on the T cell surface and pre-activate the T cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells).

A "T cell-sensitizing signd-transducing peptide' ^* has 28-53 amino acid residues in length and comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28, in which X* is 1 or is

The T cell-sensitizing signal -transducing peptide comprises the critical region

(SEQ ID NO: 29) , wherein X ² is is M or L.

A T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide

ID NO: 28, wherein X is L) specific for mice was illustrated in the U.S. Patent No. 9,481,714 B2.

A PE translocation peptide may comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 20 or 30. For example, the amino acid sequence of a PE translocation peptide may be a.a. 280 - a.& 313 (SEQ ID NO: 3 ), a.a. 268 - a.a. 313 (SEQ ID NO: 20), a.a. 253 - a.a. 313 (SEQ ID NO: 30), or a.a. 253 - a.a. 364 (SEQ ID NO: 4) of fall length PE (SEQ ID NO: 10). That is, the amino acid sequence of a PE translocation peptide may contain any region of the PE domain ΙΓ (a.a. 253 to a.a.364; SEQ ID NO: 4) as long as it comprises a.a. 280-a.a. 313 (SEQ ID NO: 3) essential fragment.

The function of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention sequence is to assist translocation of an antigen from an endocytic compartment into BR and retains it in the lumen. It comprises the sequence Lys Asp Glu Leu (KDEL) or RDEL. For example, an ER retention sequence may comprise the sequence of K.KDLRDELKDEL (SEQ ID NO: 16). KKDELRDELKDEL (SEQ ID NO: 17), KKDELRVELKDEL (SEQ ID NO: 18) or KDELKDELKDEL (SEQ ID NO: 19).

Two fusion protein with deletion HBx mutants were generated, one with a deletion of l ^st -50 ^th amino acids, the other with a deletion of 21 * -50* amino acids. The fusion protein RAP1 - C according to the invention was equally effective as the fusion protein RAP 1 - (with the full-length HBx), but the former exhibited a much better stability than the latter. After being storaged for a certain time period such as one year, the fusion protein in a liquid form showed 100% aggregation, while the fusion protein 3 exhibited less aggregation.

Oligou^oxynbonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODNs) are widely used for activation of immune cells.

The term ^** subjecf refers to a human or a non-human animal.

l ^" he term "treating" or "treatment" refers to administration of an effective amount of the fusion protein to a subject in need thereof, who has cancer or infection, or a symptom or predisposition toward such a disease, with die purpose of cure, alleviate, relieve, remedy, ameliorate, or prevent the disease, the symptoms of it, or the predisposition towards it Such a subject can be identified by a health care professional based on results from any suitable diagnostic method.

The term "an effective amount" refers to the amount of an active compound that is required to confer a therapeutic effect on the treated subject. Effective doses will vary, as recognized by those skilled in the art, depending on rout of administration, excipient usage, and the possibility of co- usage with other therapeutic treatment.

Abbreviations: CD 28, Cluster of Differentiation 28.

EXAMPLES

Without intent to limit the scope of the invention, exemplary instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodimenis of the present invention are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain theories are proposed and disclosed herein; however, in no way they, whether they are right or wrong, should limit the scope of the invention so long as the invention is practiced according (o the invention without regard for any particular theory or scheme of action.

Methods

Preparation of the fusion protein ∞

1. Constructk)n ofthe plasmid p

The following primers were used:

NO: 34).

Using the fusion protein disclosed in the US Patent Application NO. 9.481.714 B2 as a DNA template (See FIGs. 10 and 11. No. 8). the primers SEQ ID NOs. 31-34 were used to synthesize o and fragments by polymerase chain reaction. respectively. The primers HBV20.51-S and HBV20.51-A were designed to have a portion of sequences forming overlapping complementary sequences, and thus and fragments

could overlap and complement each other to form a template in a polymerase chain reaction and the primers HBVl-F-EcoRJ and HBV154-R'-Xhol were used to multiply in the chain reaction, and finally produced ΛΗΒχ ( 1-20. JMM , fragment containing EcoRI, Xhol restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. The EcoRI and Xhol cutting sites on the ΔΗΒχ (1.20.51-154>) fragment allowed insertion of the ΔΗΒχ (1.20.51-154) fragment into the RAPl-K3-pTac plasmid (see US Pat No.9,481 ,714 B2, FIG. 10) to obtain the construct The fragments m

containing Mfel and EcoRI cutting sites were obtained by using gene synthesis.

Utilizing Mfel and licoRI cutting sites, the fragments m were separately inserted into the EcoRI site of the p plasmid to generate the constructs RAP1 - , respectively.

2. comprises RAPI, CD28conv. PEt, ΔΗΒΧ, etc. components. Table 1 shows sequences of various components that may be used to prepare a fusion protein according to the invention.

Table 1

3. Production of fusion proteins:

Briefly, Escherichia coli BL21 cells containing the plasmid of interest from Master Cell Bank were thawed, and diluted 100 folds with a culture medium, and cultured at 30°C with agitation at 250 rpm for 15 hrs. Afterwards, the BL21 cells were placed in a fermentation tank containing the culture medium, diluted to continued to culture under the condition of 37*C, pH 7.0, 40 % dissolved oxygen for 4 hrs, and fed with 70 ¾ glucose solution. When the OD«oo reached 20, 0.2 M isopropyI-β-D-thiogalactopyranos»de (IPTG) was added to induce protein expression for 4 hrs. The induced E. coli was subjected to ccntrifugation at 4°C, 7000 rpm for 15 minutes, and a cell pellet was collected and stored at -80"C ·

To recover the fusion protein, the ceil pellet was re-suspended, sonicated to break the cells, and centrifuged at 9500 rpm, 4ºC for 15 minutes to separate and precipitate the inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were washed several times, added with a buffer solution containing 8M urea and 10 mM DTI', and then placed at 4°C for overnight to solubilize the recombinant protein within the inclusion bodies. The buffer solution containing the solubilized protein was centrifuged at 9500 rpm, 4*C for 2 minutes, the supernatant was filtered through a 0.2 urn filter and the filtrate collected. The filtrate was purified by ion-exchange chromatography, in which a DEAE scpharose was used as a solid phase and the elution buffer contained 8M urea, < mM DTT. 30-200 mM NaCl (pH 8.8).

The cluate purified from the ion exchange chromatography was collected, followed by dialysis (using 8-fold volume of buffer solution without urea, pH 5.0) to remove urea to allow renaturation (refolding) of the recombinant protein. The liquid was centrifuged at 9500 rpm, 4 °C for 15 minutes to form a supernatant and a precipitate (pellet), the supernatant was collected to thereby obtain a soluble fusion protein of interest.

ΔΗΒχ Anion protein Comparative efficacy data and verification: The existing technology in the process of preparation of recombinant protein in the inclusion body has employed urea to disrupt protein hydrogen bonds, and the denatured recombinant protein is then renatured. During rcnaturation, inappropriate sequence may facilitate the misfolding of fusion protein and lead to irreversible aggregate and precipitate. Using recombinant DNA techniques to remove amino acid region of HBx. it was discovered mat the fusion protein solved the problem of easy aggregation and sedimentation during protein refolding and thus, improved the final protein recovery yield.

The protein rcnaturation condition was tested on the dialyzed and purified fusion proteins RAPl- It was found that after protein rcnaturation, more amount of (with deletion of HBX amino acid residues from a.a.21* to a.a. 50*) retained soluble in the supernatant (FfQ.2, lanes 5 and 6) than

(without deletion of HBx a.a. 21* to a.a. 50 ^th ) (FIG. 2, lanes 1

and 2).

Image analysis software was used to quantify the protein bands at 40 kDa (FIG. 2. lanes 1 to 8). The proportion of remaining in the supernatant after refolding [computing lane 1 /(lane 1 + ]ane3) ] was calculated as about 2.31%. After refolding, the RAP1 - retained in the supernatant was calculated as about 12.93 % [computing the ratio of lane S / ( lane S + lane 7)J. This indicates that removal of HBx 21 "•SO* amino acids can reduce aggregation and precipitation of the target protein during the refolding process, and improve the post-refolding recovery rate for more than 10%.

FIG. 2 shows a protein refolding comparison between and Protein refolding was performed under the same protein concentration and dialysis conditions. After protein refolding, the supernatant and precipitate were respectively treated with or without a reducing agent (DTT). and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). M: protein marker ladder. Lane 1 : after refolding. refolding in the supernatant was treated with a reducing agent. Lane 2: After R refolding, the supernatant was not treated with a reducing agent; Lane 3: After RAPl- refolding, the precipitate was treated with a reducing agent. l.-ane 4: After refolding, the precipitate was not treated with a reducing agent. Lane 5: After R

refolding, the supernatant was treated with a reducing agent Lane 6: After RAP 1 -mCD28 _1¾nv PEt- ΔΗΒΧ-Κ3 refolding, the supernatant was not treated with a reducing agent. Lane 7: After RAP1- refolding, the precipitate was treated with a reducing agent. Lane 8: After refolding, the precipitate was not treated with a reducing agent Table 2 shows the results of quantitative analyses of (he protein bands on the electrophoresis images of RAPI-mCD28c«ivPEt-HBxM5*-K3 and RAPl-mCD28 _<onv Plil-AHBx-K3 after protein refolding.

Table 2

Protein refolding comparisons were also made between and Similar to the the post-refolding recovery rate of the also increased by 10% as compared with RAP1- (data not shown). The result confirms mat removal ofHBx 21**-50* amino acids can reduce aggregation and improve recovery rate of the target protein.

Effectiveness of ΔHBx fusion protein as a vaccine:

(1) Vaccine Immunogeniciry Test:

Dosing schedule, methods, and animal groups:

C57BL/6 female mice (4-5 weeks old) were immunized once a week for 3 times via

subcutaneous injections on Day 0. 7, 14, blood samples were collected on Day 0.7, 14, 21 , and serum anti-HBx specific antibodies were analyzed with ELISA. Mice were sacrificed and spleen collected. The immune cells in the spleen were stimulated with two HBx-specific peptide libraries (HBx small peptide pool-1, HBx small poo 1-2). The number of Th 1 -specific immune cells and secretion of cytokines species were analyzed with ELISpot.

FIG. 3 shows schedules for three vaccinations given to C57BL/6 mice, and collections of blood and spleen samples. The animals were divided into two groups with 5 mice in each group. The control group was administered a PBS buffer, and the vaccine group was administered RAP1- mCD28co _ftv PEt-&HBx-K3 + CpG ODN 1826. Table 3 shows dosage given to each group and the animal numbers.

Table 3

Results:

The C57BL/6 mice were immunized with RAPI -mCD28 _Conv -PEt-AHBx-K3 + CpG ODN 1826. Serum samples collected on Day 0, 7, 14, 21 were analyzed for HBx-specific antibodies by ELISA (FIG.4). The serum HBx-specific antibody levels on day 7 and day 14 in the vaccine group showed no significant changes, although showing a slight increase on Day 21, which was not statistically significant as compared with the control group. The results indicated that 3 times of immunizations with RAP I -mCD28 _rtWV -PEt-AHBx-K3 + CpG ODN 1826 did not induce a significant antigen- specific humoral immune response.

The mice were sacrificed after 21 days. Their spleen immune cells were stimulated by two pools of different HBx-specific short peptides (HBx small peptide pool-1, HBx small peptide pool-2). A specific cell-mediated immunogenic response was analyzed by BUSPOT (ELISpot). There was a significant increase in the number of the mouse spleen immune cells that secreted IL-2 (top), IFNy (middle) and TNFa (bottom) in the vaccine group (FIG. 5). in contrast, there was no increase in the number of the specific spleen immune cells that secreted IL-2, IFNy, and TNFa in the mouse control group after stimulation with two different HBx-specific peptides.

In summary, FlGs.4 and 5 indicate that vaccination with RAP 1 -mCD28 _C0αv -PEt-Δ HBx-K3+CpG ODN1826 subcutaneously once a week for three times could effectively elicit HBx-specific Thl cell- mediated immune response, although it could not induce HBx-specific humoral immune response in the vaccinated CS7BL/6 mice.

(2) Vaccine therapeutic efficacy test

Animal experimental model :

Male mice of a CBA line (5-6weeks old) were used to establish an animal model carrying a long- term hepatitis B virus (HBV carrier mice). A mixture of pAAV/1 IBV 1.2 plasmid and saline (in the amount of about 8% of the equivalent weight of mice) was intravenously injected into the tail vein of mice at a high pressure (hydrodvnamtc injection. HDI) in a fast mode (5-10 seconds), which forced the plasmid to penetrate the cell membrane and enter liver cells. The liver cells carrying the plasmid express hepatitis B virus proteins. Virus can assemble inside the liver cells and release therefrom. A surface antigen (HBsAg) is also released into blood. This animal model emulates a human patient afflicted with chronic hepatitis B symptoms.

Dosing schedule, methods, and animal groups:

Twenty eight days after the high-pressure injection, the CBA mice were treated with the therapeutic vaccine on Day 0, Day 7, Day 14, via subcutaneous injections once a week for three times (F1C. 6). The body weights were measured on the same day of high-pressure injection, Day 0, Day 7. Day 14, Day 21, Day 32. and Day 42. Blood was collected for analyses of alanine

aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, viral DNA, and surface antigen (HBsAg). Mice were sacrificed 82 days after the first vaccination, and liver core antigen (HBc Ag) quantity was analyzed by western blotting.

Mice were divided into 3 experimental groups as follows: The control group was administered with PBS buffer, the adjuvant group was administered with and the vaccine group was administered with Table 4 shows the animal groups, dosage, and the number of animals in each group.

Table 4

Results:

The body weight (FIG. 7) and total bilirubin (FIG. 8) did not show abnormal changes in the vaccine group, and showed no significant difference from the control and adjuvant groups. "I¾s indicates that the vaccine exhibited a high tolerance in the HBV carrier mice. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was slightly higher, and showed significant fluctuations over time in the vaccine group (FIG.9). Eight out of 10 mice in the vaccine group had the serum ALT levels above the normal range (40 U/L or less), but their serum ALT levels returned to the normal value on the subsequent blood sampling points.

As to the adjuvant group, the serum ALT level also increased slightly, and showed slight fluctuations. However, the average value did not exceeded the normal range. The serum ALT level in the control group was normal, and had no significant fluctuations. The results indicate that the vaccine and adjuvant, when used in the HBV carrier mice, are likely to induce a specific immune response, clear infected liver cells lead to mild liver inflammation, and result in an increase and fluctuations in the serum ALT level.

Mice were sacrificed 82 days after the first dosing. The weight ratios of liver and spleen versus body weight were measured (PIG. 10 top and bottom, respectively). There was no difference in the liver weight ratio among the three groups, indicating that the adjuvant and vaccine had no obvious effects on the liver. However, the spleen weight ratio in the adjuvant group was slightly higher than the control group, and the spleen weight ratio in the vaccine group was further slightly higher than the adjuvant group. Although the differences were not statistically significant, but this might indicate that an immune response was elicited by the adjuvant and vaccine and resulted in a slight increase in the spleen weight ratio.

lite changes in the viral markers (i.e. HBV DNA and IfBsAg) in the serum samples showed a significant difference among the experimental groups. The average value of the serum viral DNA load in the control group maintained at 40,000-120,000 copies/ml with a positive rate of 100% up to 42 days (FIG. 11, top and bottom), which indicates that an HBV carrier CBA mouse model (HBV carrier mice) was successfully established. The positive rate in each group was calculated as follows: the number of animals with a serum viral DNA load of greater than 1000 copies/ml (limit of detection, LOD) divided by the total number of the animals.

The average value of the viral DNA load in the adjuvant group decreased from about 80,000 copies/ml on day 0 to about 15,000 copies/ml on Day 7 (7 days after the first dose administration) with a positive rate being decrease to 60% (FIG. 11. bottom). The average value of the viral DNA load after the second and third dose administrations did not show further changes significantly, maintaining stable and sustainable through Day 42.

In contrast, the average value of the viral DNA load in the vaccine group started at the level of about 80,000 copies/ml on day 0. and dramatically reduced on Day 7 (7 days alter the first dose administration), although still with a positive rate of 90% (FIG. 11 , bottom). The viral DNA was no longer detectable on Day 14 (7 days after the second dose) in all mice of the vaccine group, showing a statistically significant difference from the adjuvant group (FIG. 11 , top). The viral DNA maintained undetectable up to 42 days (FIG. 11, bottom).

The average value of the surface antigens and the changes in the positive rate showed a positive correlation with the serum viral DNA load. The control group showed that the serum surface antigen (l IBsAg) level remained stable at 600-800 IU/ml with a positive rate of 100% all the way through the 42nd days (FIG. 12, top and bottom). The positive rate in each group was calculated as follows: the number of animals with a serum surface antigen level of greater than 0.05 IU/ml divided by the total number of the animals. The adjuvant group showed that the average value of the serum surface antigen (HBsAg) level was about 1200 IlJ/ml on day 0. reduced to about 500 lU/ml on Day 7 (7 days after the first dose administration), and about 400 lU/ml on Day 14 (7 days after the second dose), with no further significant decline after the third dose administration (FfG. 12, top). Thereafter, the serum surface antigen level maintained at the same value through the 42nd day. The surface antigen positive rate in the adjuvant group fell to 90% on Day 7, to 80% on Day 14, and to 70% on Day-32, showing a slow downward trend (FIG. 12. bottom).

The vaccine group showed that the average value of the serum surface antigen (HBsAg) on day 0 was about 800 IUAni. It plummeted to about 2 lU/ml on Day 14 (7 days after the second dose) and further dropped to less than 1 lU/mL on Day 21, Day 32 and Day 42. There was a statistically significant difference in the serum surface antigen level between (he vaccine group and the adjuvant group, and this difference was stable and continued all the way through the 42nd day (FIG. 12, top), lite surface antigen positive rate in the vaccine group declined substantially to 30 % on Day 14 (7 days after the second dose), and further dropped to 20% and 10 % on Day 21 and Day 32, respectively (FIG. 12, bottom).

The results indicate that administration of the vaccine

ODN1826 could induce an HBx-specific immune response, cleared the infected liver cells, suppressed viral replication inside the mouse body, and also almost stopped the production and release of the suriace antigen. The effect of the vaccine on the HBV carrier mice might be partly from the antiviral effect of the adjuvant, or from the synergism of the vaccine and the adjuvant, which enhanced the anti-viral effect.

Western blot was used to compare the amount of the core antigen (HBcAg) expression in the liver tissue between the animal groups 82 days after the first vaccination. The core antigen expression was detected in all the liver tissues obtained from the control group, in which 5 mice showed a higher amount of HBcAg expression, and 2 mice (R4. ML4) showed less expression (FIG. 13, top). The core antigen expression in the adjuvant group was high in three mice (L2, L3, ML3), moderate in 3 other mice (Rl , R2, L4), and weak in 4 other mice (R3, R5, LI , MI.2) (FfG. 13, middle). In contrast, the core antigen expression in the vaccine group was weak or not detectable in almost all the liver tissues from the vaccine group (FIG. 13, Bottom).

The western blot results were in consistency with the immunohistochemical staining results (data not shown), and were positively correlated with the serum viral DNA load and virus surface antigen positive rate (FIG. 1 1 , bottom and FIG. 12. bottom). This indicate that after the vaccinations, the liver cells that expressed viral antigens might have been destroyed by the immune system, or the viral antigen expression might have been suppressed. A core antibody specific against HBcAg was used to detect the core antigen (HBcAg) in the liver tissues, and the core antigen (HBcAg) expression in the mouse liver was quantified and compared among the control, adjuvant, and vaccine groups (PIG. 13, top, middle, and bottom, respectively), β- actin: internal control; Nc: negative control (blank, CBA mouse liver cells); Pc: positive control (HepG2.2.15 cell line).

Other ΔΗΒχ fusion protein*

Using a similar design as disclosed above, the following ΔΗΒχ fusion proteins arc generated: (1 )

The immunogenicity of these ΔΗΒΧ fusion proteins are tested using similar experimental designs, dosing and sampling schedules described above and in FIGs. 3 and 6. It is expectable that these fusion proteins would enter antigen-presenting cells ( APCs) through their own APC-binding domain or CD91 receptor-binding domain. The epitope of the antigen ΔΗΒχ would be presented to the membrane surface of APCs, leading to induction of a hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx)-specific T cell response. Therefore, these fusion proteins are also effective in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatitis B virus in liver cells and/or suppressing hepatitis B virus infection in HBV patients. The fusion proteins according to the invention have the same mechanism of action as the fusion proteins disclosed in US Patent No. 9,481,714.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein. Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, are cited and discussed in the description of this invention. All references cited and discussed in this spcciikation are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference.