Leporipox-based vector vaccines
The present invention is directed to the use of a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA, which is operably linked to at least one expression control element and which is incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, in the manufacture of a vector vaccine for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infectious diseases in non-lepori species. The invention furthermore relates to a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome characterized in that said exogenous DNA encodes at least one antigen of a non-lepori pathogen. Due to its restricted host-range the recombinant leporipox virus is non-pathogenic in non-susceptible hosts such as non-lepori vertebrates. Vaccination with said recombinant leporipox virus induced an antigen or immunogenic response in the vaccinated non-lepori host even though productive replication of the virus was not observed in the host.
1. A method of treating a non-lepori species against contracting an infectious disease, comprising:
administering a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA, which is operably linked to at least one expression control element and which is incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, wherein the exogenous DNA encodes at least one antigen that includes an antigenic or immunogenic response in the non-lepori species.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the non-lepori species is felines canines.
3. A composition, comprising:
a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier and
a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, said exogenous DNA encoding at least one antigen of a pathogen that produces an infectious disease in non-leporidae.
4. A live, recombinant leporipox virus, comprising:
exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome wherein said exogenous DNA encodes at least one antigen of a non-lepori pathogen.
5. A virus according to claim 4 , wherein the leporipox virus is a myxoma virus.
6. The virus according to claim 4 , wherein the exogenous DNA encodes at least an antigen of a feline or canine pathogen.
7. The virus according to claim 4 , wherein the exogenous DNA encodes at least an antigen of a feline or canine virus.
8. The virus according to claim 4 , wherein the exogenous DNA encodes a protein selected from the group consisting of Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV) envelope protein, the Feline Calicivirus (FCV) capsid protein, the Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPL) VP 2 protein, canine Parvovirus (CPV) VP 2 protein and combinations thereof.
9. The virus according to claim 4 , wherein the exogenous DNA and expression control element are inserted in the MGF ORF of the virus genome.
10. The virus according to claim 4 , wherein the expression control element operably linked to the exogenous DNA is a synthetic poxvirus promoter.
11. The virus according to claim 10 , wherein the promoter is an early/late promoter.
12. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising:
the live, recombinant leporipox virus according to claim 4 , and
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
13. A vaccine, comprising:
a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier and
a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, said exogenous DNA encoding at least one protective antigen of a pathogen that produces an infectious disaese in non-leporidae.