Palivizumab epitope-based virus-like particles
AssigneesMedImmune, LLC, VLP Biotech, Inc.
InventorsDavid R. MILICH, David C. WHITACRE, Jeanne H. SCHICKLI
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to immunogens for eliciting an antibody response against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to virus-like particles (VLPs) including a RSV F protein epitope, as well as methods of use thereof. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children (Hall et al., NEJM, 360:5888-598, 2009; and Nair et al., Lancet, 375:1545-1555, 2010) and a vaccine to protect this young population is of high priority.
Claims5
An antigenic composition comprising a hybrid woodchuck hepadnavirus core antigen, wherein the hybrid core antigen is a fusion protein comprising a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F polypeptide and a woodchuck hepadnavirus core antigen, and wherein said fusion protein is capable of assembling as a hybrid virus-like particle (VLP).
A method for screening anti-RSV antibodies comprising:
- a) measuring binding of an antibody or fragment thereof to a hybrid woodchuck hepadnavirus core antigen, wherein the hybrid core antigen is a fusion protein comprising a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F polypeptide and a woodchuck hepadnavirus core antigen, and wherein said fusion protein assembles as a hybrid virus-like particle (VLP);
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- b) measuring binding of the antibody or fragment thereof to a woodchuck hepadnavirus VLP devoid of the RSV F polypeptide;
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- c) determining that the antibody or fragment thereof is specific for the RSV F polypeptide when the antibody or fragment thereof binds to the hybrid VLP but not the woodchuck hepadnavirus VLP devoid of the RSV F polypeptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.