Human cytomegalovirus DNA constructs and uses therefor
OwnerEva Gonczol, Klara Berencsi +3inventors
InventorsEva Gonczol, Klara Berencsi, Csaba Kari, Jean Haensler, Yves Girerd
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Abstract
Novel DNA molecules for in vitro and in vivo expression of HCMV gB, gB transmembrane-deleted derivatives, pp65, pp150, and IE-exon-4 proteins are described. Preferably, the molecules are plasmids. Also described are methods of using these DNA molecules to induce immune responses to HCMV, and the use of a plasmid of the invention to prime immune responses to HCMV vaccines.
Claims30
A DNA molecule which is non-replicating in mammals and comprises a sequence encoding a human cytomegalovirus antigen,
- wherein the sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences for expressing the antigen in mammals and wherein the antigen elicits an immune response in the mammal.
A pTet-gB DNA plasmid, said plasmid comprising the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB gene and a tetracycline regulatable HCMV-immediate early promoter, said promoter controlling the expression of gB.
A pΔRC/CMV DNA plasmid, said plasmid comprising the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB gene and capable of expressing gB.
A pΔRC-gB680 plasmid, said plasmid comprising the portion of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene encoding the N-terminal 680 amino acids of the gB protein (gB1-680) and capable of expressing gB1-680.
A pΔRC-pp150 plasmid, said plasmid comprising the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene encoding the HCMV pp150 tegument protein and capable of expressing pp150.
A pΔRC-exon-4 plasmid, said plasmid comprising the portion of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene encoding HCMV immediate-early (IE)-exon-4 and capable of expressing IE-exon-4.
A pCBgBΔtm plasmid, said plasmid comprising the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB gene containing a deletion in the transmembrane domain.
A DNA molecule which is non-replicating in mammals and comprises a sequence encoding a human cytomegalovirus antigen selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) pp65;
- (b) pp150;
- (c) immediate-early exon-4;
- (d) gB and an antigen of (a) to (c);
- (e) a gB derivative lacking at least the transmembrane domain and an antigen of (a) to (c);
- and
- (f) a combination of antigens (a) to (c).
An immunogenic composition comprising a carrier and at least two DNA molecules, wherein said DNA molecules are selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) gB;
- (b) a gB derivative lacking at least the transmembrane domain;
- (c) pp65;
- (d) pp150;
- and
- (e) immediate-early exon-4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.