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AssigneeMerck & Co., Inc.
InventorsMarcy E. Armstrong, Robert D. Keys, John A. Lewis, Margaret A. Liu, William L. McClements
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Genes encoding herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. In a DNA titration, it was found that a single immunization of ≧0.5 μg of (one) PNV, gave >90% seroconversion by ten weeks post immunization. Immune antisera neutralized both HSV-2 and HSV-1 in cell culture. When animals were challenged with HSV-2, significant (p<0.001) protection from lethal infection was achieved following PNV vaccination. DNA constructs may be full-length, truncated and/or mutated forms and may be delivered along or in combination in order to optimize immunization and protection from HSV infection.
A plasmid expression vector which induces anti-HSV antibodies or protective immune responses upon introduction into vertebrate tissue, wherein said vector comprises at least one gene encoding a carboxy-terminal truncated gB protein comprising the amino terminal 707 amino acids of wild said gene or genes being operably linked to a transcription promoter.
A plasmid expression vector which induces anti-HSV antibodies or protective immune responses upon introduction into vertebrate tissue, wherein said vector comprises at least one gene encoding the HSV protein, gD, said gene or genes being operably linked to a transcription promoter.
A vaccine for inducing an immune response against HSV which comprises a first plasmid expression vector which expresses the HSV protein gD and a second plasmid expression vector which expresses a carboxy-terminal truncated gB protein.
A method for inducing immune responses in a vertebrate against HSV epitopes which comprises introducing a plasmid expression vector into a tissue of a vertebrate, wherein said vector comprises at least one gene encoding at least one HSV protein or truncated protein, said gene or genes being operably linked to a transcription promoter.
A vaccine for inducing immune responses against HSV which comprises a plasmid expression vector comprising a gene encoding a carboxy-terminal truncated gB protein comprising the amino terminal 707 amino acides of wild type gB, said gene being operably linked to a transcription promoter, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A vaccine for inducing an immune response against HSV which comprises a plasmid expression vector comprising a gene which encodes the HSV protein, gD, said gene being operably linked to a transcription promoter, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
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