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Xue J, Zhu H, Chen Z. Therapeutic vaccines against hepatitis C virus. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 22:120-9. [PMID: 24462908 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen which has chronically infected about 130-210 million people worldwide. Current standard-of-care (SoC) therapy is an inadequate and expensive treatment with more side effects. Two direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) (telaprevir and boceprevir) in combination with SoC therapy have been used in patients infected with HCV genotype 1. Although these drugs result in a shortening of therapy, they also have additional side effects and are expensive. In their stead, several second-generation DAAs are being investigated. What important is that all-oral, interferon (IFN)- and ribavirin-free regimens for the treatment of HCV-infected patients are now being investigated, and will be applied in the next year. Preventive measures against HCV, including vaccine development, are also now in progress. However, no therapeutic vaccine against HCV has been produced to date. An effective vaccine should induce robust and broadly cross-reactive CD4(+), CD8(+)T-cell and neutralising antibody (NAb) responses. Current data indicate that vaccines can usually not completely prevent HCV infection but rather prevent the progression of HCV infection to chronic and persistent infection, which may be a realistic goal. This review discusses the important roles of NAbs and CD8(+)T-cells in the development of therapeutic vaccines, and summarizes some important epitopes of HCV recognized by CD8(+)T-cells and some prospective therapeutic vaccine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihua Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Haihong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.
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2
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Bian Y, Zhao S, Zhu S, Zeng J, Li T, Fu Y, Wang Y, Zheng X, Zhang L, Wang W, Yang B, Zhou Y, Allain JP, Li C. Significance of monoclonal antibodies against the conserved epitopes within non-structural protein 3 helicase of hepatitis C virus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70214. [PMID: 23894620 PMCID: PMC3722154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), codes for protease and helicase carrying NTPase enzymatic activities, plays a crucial role in viral replication and an ideal target for diagnosis, antiviral therapy and vaccine development. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to NS3 helicase were characterized by epitope mapping and biological function test. A total of 29 monoclonal antibodies were produced to the truncated NS3 helicase of HCV-1b (T1b-rNS3, aa1192–1459). Six mAbs recognized 8/29 16mer peptides, which contributed to identify 5 linear and 1 discontinuous putative epitope sequences. Seven mAbs reacted with HCV-2a JFH-1 infected Huh-7.5.1 cells by immunofluorescent staining, of which 2E12 and 3E5 strongly bound to the exposed linear epitope 1231PTGSGKSTK1239 (EP05) or core motif 1373IPFYGKAI1380 (EP21), respectively. Five other mAbs recognized semi-conformational or conformational epitopes of HCV helicase. MAb 2E12 binds to epitope EP05 at the ATP binding site of motif I in domain 1, while mAb 3E5 reacts with epitope EP21 close to helicase nucleotide binding region of domain 2. Epitope EP05 is totally conserved and EP21 highly conserved across HCV genotypes. These two epitope peptides reacted strongly with 59–79% chronic and weakly with 30–58% resolved HCV infected blood donors, suggesting that these epitopes were dominant in HCV infection. MAb 2E12 inhibited 50% of unwinding activity of NS3 helicase in vitro. Novel monoclonal antibodies recognize highly conserved epitopes at crucial functional sites within NS3 helicase, which may become important antibodies for diagnosis and antiviral therapy in chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Bian
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuoxian Zhao
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaomei Zhu
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Tingting Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Yuanzhan Wang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Shenzhen Blood Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Yuanping Zhou
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jean-Pierre Allain
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Hematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chengyao Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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3
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Frick DN. The hepatitis C virus NS3 protein: a model RNA helicase and potential drug target. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2007; 9:1-20. [PMID: 17263143 PMCID: PMC3571657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal portion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) forms a three domain polypeptide that possesses the ability to travel along RNA or single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in a 3' to 5' direction. Fueled byATP hydrolysis, this movement allows the protein to displace complementary strands of DNA or RNA and proteins bound to the nucleic acid. HCV helicase shares two domains common to other motor proteins, one of which appears to rotate upon ATP binding. Several models have been proposed to explain how this conformational change leads to protein movement and RNA unwinding, but no model presently explains all existing experimental data. Compounds recently reported to inhibit HCV helicase, which include numerous small molecules, RNA aptamers and antibodies, will be useful for elucidating the role of a helicase in positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus replication and might serve as templates for the design of novel antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N Frick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
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Jolivet-Reynaud C, Adida A, Michel S, Deléage G, Paranhos-Baccala G, Gonin V, Battail-Poirot N, Lacoux X, Rolland D. Characterization of mimotopes mimicking an immunodominant conformational epitope on the hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase. J Med Virol 2004; 72:385-95. [PMID: 14748062 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.20002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein is composed of an amino terminal protease and a carboxyl terminal RNA helicase. NS3 contains major antigenic epitopes. The antibody response to NS3 appears early in the course of infection and is focused on the helicase region. However, this response cannot be defined by short synthetic peptides indicating the recognition of conformation-dependent epitopes. In this study, we have screened a dodecapeptide library displayed on phage with anti-NS3 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that compete with each other and human anti-HCV NS3 positive sera. Two peptides (mimotopes) were selected that appeared to mimic an immunodominant epitope since they were recognized specifically by the different anti-NS3 mAbs of the study and by human sera from HCV infected patients. Homology search between the two mimotopes and the NS3 sequence showed that one of the two peptides shared amino acid similarities with NS3 at residues 1396-1398 on a very accessible loop as visualized on the three-dimensional structure of the helicase domain whereas the other one had two amino acids similar to nearby residues 1376 and 1378. Reproduced as synthetic dodecapeptides, the two mimotopes were recognized specifically by 19 and 22, respectively, out of 49 sera from HCV infected patients. These mimotopes allowed also the detection of anti-NS3 antibodies in sera of HCV patients at the seroconversion stage. These results suggest that the two NS3 mimotopes are potential tools for the diagnosis of HCV infection.
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Isaguliants MG, Petrakova NV, Mokhonov VV, Pokrovskaya K, Suzdaltzeva YG, Krivonos AV, Zaberezhny AD, Garaev MM, Smirnov VD, Nordenfelt E. DNA immunization efficiently targets conserved functional domains of protease and ATPase/helicase of nonstructural 3 protein (NS3) of human hepatitis C virus. Immunol Lett 2003; 88:1-13. [PMID: 12853154 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2478(03)00051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of human hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a conserved multi-functional protein essential for replication and translation of viral RNA and polyprotein processing. Early T-cell response against NS3 is capable of restricting viremia. We aimed at characterizing the immunogenicity in gene immunization of the conserved regions of NS3 critical for protein folding and activity. C57BL/6 mice were injected with NS3 gene of Russian HCV 1b isolate 274933RU. Immunization did not exert any overt histological changes and had no long-term effects on the immune status of NS3 gene-recipients. The immune response in NS3 gene-recipients was screened by antibody ELISA, T-cell proliferation test and immune assays for specific cytokine production. T-lymphocytes of NS3 gene-recipients proliferated in response to peptides representing conserved regions of protease and ATPase/helicase. Stimulated T-lymphocytes produced IL-2, and in response to protease-derived peptides, also IFN-gamma. Potent and long-lasting antibody response was raised against conserved NS3 regions including "Greek-key" motif of protease, motifs II, V and polynucleotide-binding domains of ATPase/helicase. Thus, gene immunization effectively targeted conserved regions critical for NS3 protease and helicase function. In type and specificity, immune response of NS3 gene-immunized mice mimicked immunity achieved in the acute self-limiting HCV infection of human and primates and in virus-exposed healthy individuals, indicating promiscuity of NS3 as immunogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Isaguliants
- D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Gamaleja str. 16, 123098, Moscow, Russia.
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Frelin L, Alheim M, Chen A, Söderholm J, Rozell B, Barnfield C, Liljeström P, Sällberg M. Low dose and gene gun immunization with a hepatitis C virus nonstructural (NS) 3 DNA-based vaccine containing NS4A inhibit NS3/4A-expressing tumors in vivo. Gene Ther 2003; 10:686-99. [PMID: 12692597 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease and helicase encompasses the nonstructural (NS) 3 protein and the cofactor NS4A, which targets the NS3/4A-complex to intracellular membranes. We here evaluate the importance of NS4A in NS3-based genetic immunogens. A full-length genotype 1 NS3/4A gene was cloned into a eucaryotic expression vector in the form of NS3/4A and NS3 alone. Transient transfections revealed that the inclusion of NS4A increased the expression levels of NS3. Subsequently, immunization with the NS3/4A gene primed 10- to 100-fold higher levels of NS3-specific antibodies as compared to immunization with the NS3 gene. Humoral responses primed by the NS3/4A gene had a higher IgG2a/IgG1 ratio (>20) as compared to the NS3 gene (3.0), suggesting a T helper 1-skewed response. Low dose i.m. (10 microg) immunization with the NS3/4A gene inhibited the growth of NS3/4A-expressing tumor cells in vivo, whereas the NS3 gene alone or NS3 protein did not. We then evaluated the efficiency of the NS3/4A gene administered by the gene gun, at the same doses used for humans, in priming cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Three to four 4 microg doses of the NS3/4A gene primed CTL at a precursor frequency of 2-4%, which inhibited the growth of NS3/4A-expressing tumor cells in vivo. Thus, NS4A enhances the expression levels and immunogenicity of NS3, and an NS3/4A gene delivered transdermally could be a therapeutic vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Frelin
- Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sullivan DE, Mondelli MU, Curiel DT, Krasnykh V, Mikheeva G, Gaglio P, Morris CB, Dash S, Gerber MA. Construction and characterization of an intracellular single-chain human antibody to hepatitis C virus non-structural 3 protein. J Hepatol 2002; 37:660-8. [PMID: 12399234 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(02)00270-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS We developed a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) to the non-structural 3 protein (NS3) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and tested its ability to interfere with the HCV replication cycle in infected hepatocytes. METHODS The variable regions of the human monoclonal antibody CM3.B6 that recognizes a conformational epitope within the helicase domain of NS3 were introduced into adenoviral vectors for expression in mammalian hepatocytes. Expression and binding properties of the scFv were analyzed by immunological assays. Effects of intracellular expression of the scFv on HCV replication were assessed in primary hepatocytes isolated from explanted livers of patients with chronic HCV infection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Transduction of HepG2 cells by the recombinant adenoviruses resulted in stable, efficient expression of scFv in the cytoplasm that was non-toxic to the cells. The scFv specifically bound to its cognate antigen. Significantly, intracellular expression of scFv resulted in a decrease in HCV genomic RNA in HCV infected hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that specific binding of a scFv to NS3 may inhibit one or more functions of this essential viral protein thus interfering with the HCV replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah E Sullivan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Lazdina U, Cao T, Steinbergs J, Alheim M, Pumpens P, Peterson DL, Milich DR, Leroux-Roels G, Sällberg M. Molecular basis for the interaction of the hepatitis B virus core antigen with the surface immunoglobulin receptor on naive B cells. J Virol 2001; 75:6367-74. [PMID: 11413303 PMCID: PMC114359 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.14.6367-6374.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is composed of 180 to 240 copies of the HBV core (HBc) protein. HBc antigen (HBcAg) capsids are extremely immunogenic and can activate naive B cells by cross-linking their surface receptors. The molecular basis for the interaction between HBcAg and naive B cells is not known. The functionality of this activation was evidenced in that low concentrations of HBcAg, but not the nonparticulate homologue HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg), could prime naive B cells to produce anti-HBc in vitro with splenocytes from HBcAg- and HBeAg-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice. The frequency of these HBcAg-binding B cells was estimated by both hybridoma techniques and flow cytometry (B7-2 induction and direct HBcAg binding) to be approximately 4 to 8% of the B cells in a naive spleen. Cloning and sequence analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable (VH and VL) domains of seven primary HBcAg-binding hybridomas revealed that six (86%) were related to the murine and human VH1 germ line gene families and one was related to the murine VH3 family. By using synthetic peptides spanning three VH1 sequences, one VH3 sequence, and one VLkappaV sequence, a linear motif in the framework region 1 (FR1)complementarity-determining region 1 (CDR1) junction of the VH1 sequence was identified that bound HBcAg. Interestingly, the HBcAg-binding motif was present in the VL domain of the HBcAg-binding VH3-encoded antibody. Finally, two monoclonal antibodies containing linear HBcAg-binding motifs blocked HBcAg presentation by purified naive B cells to purified HBcAg-primed CD4(+) T cells. Thus, the ability of HBcAg to bind and activate a high frequency of naive B cells seems to be mediated through a linear motif present in the FR1-CDR1 junction of the heavy or light chain of the B-cell surface receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Lazdina
- Division of Clinical Virology, F 68, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
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9
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Lazdina U, Hultgren C, Frelin L, Chen M, Lodin K, Weiland O, Leroux-Roels G, Quiroga JA, Peterson DL, Milich DR, Sällberg M. Humoral and CD4(+) T helper (Th) cell responses to the hepatitis C virus non-structural 3 (NS3) protein: NS3 primes Th1-like responses more effectively as a DNA-based immunogen than as a recombinant protein. J Gen Virol 2001; 82:1299-1308. [PMID: 11369873 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-82-6-1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-structural 3 (NS3) protein is one of the most conserved proteins of hepatitis C virus, and T helper 1 (Th1)-like responses to NS3 in humans correlate with clearance of infection. Several studies have proposed that DNA-based immunizations are highly immunogenic and prime Th1-like responses, although few head-to-head comparisons with exogenous protein immunizations have been described. A full-length NS3/NS4A gene was cloned in eukaryotic vectors with expression directed to different subcellular compartments. Inbred mice were immunized twice in regenerating tibialis anterior (TA) muscles with either plasmid DNA or recombinant NS3 (rNS3). After two 100 micrograms DNA immunizations, specific antibody titres of up to 12960 were detected at week 5, dominated by IgG2a and IgG2b. NS3-specific CD4(+) T cell responses in DNA-immunized mice peaked at day 13, as measured by proliferation and IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. Mice immunized with 1-10 micrograms rNS3 without adjuvant developed antibody titres comparable to those of the DNA-immunized mice, but dominated instead by IgG1. CD4(+) T cell responses in these mice showed peaks of IL-2 response at day 3 and IL-6 and IFN-gamma responses at day 6. With adjuvant, rNS3 was around 10-fold more immunogenic with respect to speed and magnitude of the immune responses. Thus, immunization with rNS3 in adjuvant is superior to DNA immunization with respect to kinetics and quantity in priming specific antibodies and CD4(+) T cells. However, as a DNA immunogen, NS3 elicits stronger Th1-like immune responses, whereas rNS3 primes a mixed Th1/Th2-like response regardless of the route, dose or adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Lazdina
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Catharina Hultgren
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lars Frelin
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Margaret Chen
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Karin Lodin
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ola Weiland
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Juan A Quiroga
- Department of Hepatology, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain4
| | - Darrell L Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA5
| | - David R Milich
- Vaccine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA6
| | - Matti Sällberg
- Divisions of Clinical Virology, F68, and Biomedical Laboratory Technology1 and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine2, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
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