Replication deficient influenza virus for the expression of heterologous sequences

Abstract

The present invention covers a novel replication deficient influenza virus comprising a modified NS1 segment coding for a NS1 protein lacking a functional RNA binding domain and functional effector domain and a heterologous sequence inserted between the splice donor site and the splice acceptor site of the NS gene segment. Further the use of the virus as vector for expression of various proteins like chemokines, cytokines or antigenic structures is covered, methods for producing virus particles using said virus vector as well as its use for production of vaccines. Also a fusion peptide comprising part of the N-terminus of an NS1 protein and a signal sequence fused to the C-terminus of said NS1 peptide is covered.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.