Oral Dna Composition For Hepatitis B Virus Chronic Infection

Abstract

The Present Invention Provides An Oral Dna Composition For Improving An Impaired Immunity Associated With Chronic Infection Of Hepatitis B Virus (Hbv) And For Suppressing Transgene Expression For A Protrated Period Of Time Comprising An Attenuated Strain Of Bacterial Cells Which Preferentially Target Phagocytic Cells Of The Intestinal Mucosa, And Which Serve As A Vehicle For A Plasmid Vector Carrying One Or More Genes Or Complementary Dna Coding For At Least A Portion Of A Hepatitis B Viral Protein Or Peptide. Given Orally, The Dna Composition Causes A Transient And Self-Limiting Infection Of The Intestinal Tract Through Autolysis Of The Bacterial Cells And Release Of The Plasmid After Gaining Entry Into Infected Host Cells. A Promotor Contained Within The Plasmid Allows For Expression Of The Hbv Gene(S) In The Eurokaryotic Environment, The Viral Products Of Which Help To Booster A Cell-Mediated Immunity To Clear The Infection And Reverse A State Of Immune Tolerance Characteristic Of Hbv Chronic Infection.