Screening methods for identifying viral proteins with interferon antagonizing functions and potential antiviral agents
AssigneeMount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
InventorsPeter M. Palese, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Christopher Basler
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Abstract
The present invention relates, in general, to a screening method for identifying novel viral proteins with interferon antagonizing function using a transfection-based assay, and the use of such proteins in isolating various types of attenuated viruses for the development of vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the use of viral interferon antagonists in screening assays to identify potential anti-viral agents. The invention further relates to protocols utilizing interferon antagonists, e.g., NS1, to enhance gene therapy or DNA vaccination based on their ability to increase gene expression.
Claims72
A method for propagating an attenuated influenza virus with a mutation in the genomic segment that encodes NS1, which virus has an impaired ability to antagonize a cellular interferon response, the method comprising:
- a. infecting cells engineered to express a viral interferon antagonist from a different influenza type with said virus;
- and
- b. culturing the infected cells under conditions that are suitable for propagation of said virus.
A method for vaccine production comprising:
- a. propagating an attenuated influenza virus with a mutation in the genomic segment that encodes NS1, which virus has an impaired ability to antagonize a cellular interferon response, in cells that express a heterologous viral interferon antagonist;
- and
- b. collecting progeny virus, wherein the virus is grown under conditions and to sufficient quantities so that the progeny virus is suitable for formulation into a vaccine.
A cell infected with an attenuated influenza virus with a mutation in the genomic segment that encodes NS1, which virus has an impaired ability to antagonize a cellular interferon response, wherein the cell recombinantly expresses a viral interferon antagonist from a different influenza type.
A method for propagating an attenuated influenza virus with a mutation in the genomic segment that encodes NS1, which virus has an impaired ability to antagonize a cellular interferon response, the method comprising:
- a. infecting cells engineered to express a non-influenza viral interferon antagonist with said attenuated influenza virus;
- and
- b. culturing the infected cells under conditions that are suitable for propagation of said attenuated influenza virus.
A cell infected with an attenuated influenza virus with a mutation in the genomic segment that encodes NS1, which virus has an impaired ability to antagonize a cellular interferon response, wherein the cell recombinantly expresses a non-influenza viral interferon antagonist.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.