| abstract |
Recombinant nodavirus related compositions are disclosed. These compositions include chimeric proteins in which a nodavirus capsid protein is present together with a heterologous peptide segment. The heterologous peptide includes at least one cell-specific targeting sequence, such as a B cell epitope, a T cell epitope, or a sequence specific for another cell type, such as a hepatocyte. The chimeric proteins can be assembled to form chimeric virus-like particles. The chimeric virus-like particles are useful in therapeutic applications, such as vaccines and gene-delivery vectors, and in diagnostic applications, such as kits for the testing of body tissue or fluid samples. Methods for the use of recombinant nodavirus related compositions in therapeutic and diagnostic applications are also described. |