Production of chimeric human papillomavirus
AssigneeMerck & Co., Inc.
InventorsRobert S. Lowe, Craig M. Meyers, Jiaping Zhang, Michelle Kaupas, Kathrin Ute Jansen
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Abstract
This invention relates to infectious chimeric papillomaviruses, and especially those where the early genes are from human papillomavirus (HPV) 18, and the late genes are from another HPV. Also presented are methods of culturing the virus in raft cell cultures, and to assays utilizing these chimeric viruses.
Claims9
An infectious chimeric papillomavirus comprising early genes and late genes, wherein the early genes are from HPV18 and the late genes are from a second papillomavirus source.
A method of obtaining an infectious chimeric papillomavirus comprising:
- (a) preparing a chimeric papillomavirus which comprises early genes and late genes, wherein the early genes are from HPV18 and the late genes are from a second papillomavirus source;
- (b) preparing a raft cell culture of differentiating epithelial cells;
- (c) infecting the cell culture with the chimeric papillomavirus;
- (d) incubating the cell culture under conditions which support viral replication;
- and
- (e) harvesting the resultant chimeric papillomavirus.
An assay to detect the presence of a human papillomavirus neutralizing antibody in a serum comprising:
- (a) contacting a cell culture comprising an infectious chimeric papillomavirus with the serum, wherein the infectious chimeric papillomavirus comprises early genes and late genes, wherein the early genes are from HPV18 and late genes are from a second papillomavirus source;
- and
- (b) determining if chimeric papillomavirus replication occurs within the cell culture in the presence of the serum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.