Hepatitis c virus codon optimized non-structural ns3/4a fusion gene

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. Embodiments include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of reducing hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load in an HCV infected human comprising:
 introducing an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A fusion protein into an HCV infected human; and   measuring a reduction in HCV viral load in said infected human after introduction of said polynucleotide.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said HCV infected human is chronically infected with the HCV virus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising administering ribavirin to said HCV infected human after introduction of said polynucleotide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising administering ribavirin to said HCV infected human after introduction of said polynucleotide. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said isolated polynucleotide is introduced intramuscularly into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said isolated polynucleotide is introduced intramuscularly into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an expression vector that comprises said polynucleotide is introduced into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein an expression vector that comprises said polynucleotide is introduced into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said expression vector comprises a viral promoter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said expression vector comprises a viral promoter. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising administering an adjuvant to said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising administering an adjuvant to said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         23 . A method of treating a human that is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising:
 introducing an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A fusion protein into a human that is infected with HCV.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said HCV infected human is chronically infected with HCV. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising administering ribavirin to said HCV infected human after introduction of said polynucleotide. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising administering ribavirin to said HCV infected human after introduction of said polynucleotide. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein an expression vector that comprises said polynucleotide is introduced into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein an expression vector that comprises said polynucleotide is introduced into said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising administering an adjuvant to said HCV infected human. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising administering an adjuvant to said HCV infected human.