gM-NEGATIVE EHV-MUTANTS
AssigneeBoehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH
InventorsKnut Elbers, Nikolaus Osterreider, Christian Seyboldt
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Abstract
This invention relates to Equine Herpes Viruses (EHV) wherein the protein gM is essentially absent or modified and non-functional with respect to its immunomodulatory capacity. Further aspects of the invention relate to nucleic acids coding said viruses, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these viruses or nucleic acids and uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods for improving the immune response induced by an EHV vaccine against wild type EHV infections, methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of EHV infections and methods for distinguishing wild type EHV infected animals from animals treated with EHV's according to the invention.
Claims13
A nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an Equine Herpes Virus selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted.
A method for determining whether an animal is infected with a wild type Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) or is treated with an EHV selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected, and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted, said method comprising the steps of:
- analyzing a nucleic acid encoding protein gM derived from the animal;
- and
- comparing the nucleic acid from the animal with a nucleic acid encoding the wild type protein gM and a nucleic acid encoding said protein gM.
A method for improving the immune response induced by an Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) vaccine against Wild type infections comprising administering an EHV selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted.
A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) in an animal comprising the step of:
- administering a pharmaceutical composition to said animal, said composition comprising an Equine Herpes Virus selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for determining whether an animal is infected with a wild type Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) or is treated with an EHV selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted, said method comprising the steps of:
- comparing an EHV protein gM derived from the animal with a wild type EHV protein gM and said protein gM of the EHV.
A method for determining whether an animal is infected with a wild type Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) or is treated with an EHV selected from the group consisting of an Equine Herpes Virus wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a protein gM is at least 70% absent and wherein the expression of the gene coding for the UL9 homolog (gene 53) is not affected and an Equine Herpes Virus, wherein the nucleotides 93254 to 94264 as numbered for the virus strain EHV-1 Ab4p or corresponding thereto in other EHV strains, are deleted, said method comprising the steps of:
- contacting in EHV protein gM derived from the animal with a wild type EHV protein gM or said protein gM;
- adding an antibody that specifically binds the wild type protein gM or said protein gM;
- and
- determining the binding of said antibody.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.