Genetically modified VSVNJ vector is capable of accommodating a large foreign gene insert and allows high level gene expression

► We are reporting constructions of genetically the modified rVSVNJ vector carrying HCV NS protein genes. ► The recombinant VSVNJ-M vector with the HCV NS genes expresses high levels of all different forms of the NS proteins. ► The recombinant VSVNJ-M vector can accommodate as much as 6000 bases of the foreign gene. ► The rVSVNJ M mutant virus infection induced a higher level of the IFN-β compared to the wild type virus. ► We confirmed that NS3 and NS4A proteins expressed from the rVSVNJ-M vector cleave HCV NS polyproteins.