US 6,326,007 B1 · Attenuated lentivirus vectors expressing interferon

Abstract

This invention discloses recombinant vectors and live attenuated pathogens produced by these vectors which are useful as vaccines and therapeutic agents. Particularly disclosed are live attenuated recombinant viruses that remain at very low virus loads, and preferably do not persist in the infected hosts. These recombinant viruses are useful against retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus and against acquired immunodeficiency diseases. In the recombinant vectors and pathogens, one or more genes, or part of the gene(s), responsible for pathogenesis have been completely or partially rendered nonfunctional, e.g., by full or partial deletion or mutagenesis. Further, the recombinant vectors and pathogens contain one or more genes encoding cytokine(s) and/or lymphokine(s).

Claims21

Dependent claims

A vector, comprising:

a nucleic acid molecule from a lentivirus, the nucleic acid molecule comprising:
(a) a lentiviral 5′-LTR sequence;
(b) a sequence encoding a cytokine;
(c) a sequence encoding a lentiviral env protein, wherein:
(i) the sequence encoding the lentiviral env protein comprises a sequence from a lentiviral nef gene;
(ii) at least one nef start codon is modified or deleted;
and
(iii) the sequence encoding the lentiviral env protein is upstream of the sequence encoding the cytokine such that expression of the cytokine is enhanced compared to expression of the cytokine from a vector in which the nef start codons in the sequence encoding the lentiviral env protein have not been modified or deleted;
and
(d) a lentiviral 3′-LTR sequence.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Attenuated lentivirus vectors expressing interferon

Life of this patent

Attenuated lentivirus vectors expressing interferon

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21