Recombinant virus with diminished latency and methods of using same
AssigneeThe U.S.A., as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsJeffrey I. Cohen, Lesley Pesnicak
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Abstract
The disclosure provides recombinant herpes virus with diminished latency. In embodiments, the recombinant herpes virus comprises a latency gene or transcript linked to an altered or heterologous promoter. The disclosure also provides compositions and methods for inducing immunity in animals using the recombinant herpes viruses.
Claims20
A method for making an attenuated live virus having an impaired ability to establish latency, comprising:
- introducing a recombinant virus comprising all or a portion of a herpes virus genome into a host cell to produce an amount of the virus suitable for a vaccine, wherein the genome comprises a promoter for a latency gene or transcript that is altered or modified;
- and
- recovering the virus from the host cell.
A method for making an attenuated live virus having an impaired ability to establish latency, comprising:
- introducing a recombinant virus comprising all or a portion of a herpes virus genome into a host cell to produce an amount of the virus suitable for a vaccine, wherein the genome comprises a latency gene or transcript;
- and
- recovering the virus from the host cell.
A method of inhibiting latent viral infection, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a recombinant virus comprising all or a portion of a herpes virus genome, wherein the genome has a promoter for a latency gene or transcript altered or modified so that the gene or transcript is expressed during virus replication.
The method of claim 20, wherein the latency gene is VZV ORF29 and the mutation is a deletion or substitution in the nuclear localization sequence that impairs the ability of ORF29 to translocate to the nucleus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.