Alphavirus vectors for paramyxovirus vaccines

Abstract

A DNA vector comprises a first DNA sequence which is complementary to at least part of an alphavirus RNA genome and having the complement of complete alphavirus DNA genome replication regions, and a second DNA sequence encoding a paramyxovirus protein, particularly a respiratory syncytial virus fusion (RSV F) protein or a RSV F protein fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with RSV F protein, the first and second DNA sequences being under the transcriptional control of a promoter, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, which may include Intron A. Such vectors also contain a further nucleotide sequence located between the promoter sequence and the alphavirus sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such DNA vectors may be used to immunize a host against disease caused by infection with RSV or other paramyxovirus, including a human host, by administration thereto, and may be formulated as immunogenic compositions with pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers for such purposes. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV or other paramyxovirus infection in a sample.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.