title: [Hepatitis B virus core protein as an epitope vaccine carrier: a review].
abstract: Hepatitis B virus core (HBc) proteins have been used as carrier for foreign epitopes since the 1980s. They could self-assemble into icosahedral particles. Foreign epitopes could be inserted into HBc protein in various protein regions, including the N- or C-terminal and the major immunodominant region (MIR). The factors relevant in the design of HBc particles for vaccine purpose are summarized in this review.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000939:Epitopes; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic