Vector
The present invention relates to a herpes virus vector which comprises a modified genomic sequence encoding a microRNA (miRNA) against a target sequence. The herpes virus vector may be used as or in a vaccine to prevent and/or treat a disease.
1. A herpesvirus vector comprising a modified endogenous microRNA (miRNA) cluster, wherein the endogenous miRNA cluster is modified such that the vector encodes a miRNA against a target sequence in a gene which is different from the gene silenced by the unmodified miRNA.
2. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 1 , wherein the miRNA is against a target sequence from a host gene.
3. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 1 , wherein the miRNA is against a target sequence from an infectious pathogen.
4. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 3 , wherein the infectious pathogen is a virus.
5. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 4 , wherein the infectious pathogen is a herpesvirus.
6. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 5 , which is based on a pathogenic herpesvirus.
7. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 6 , which comprises a modified genomic sequence that encodes a miRNA against a target sequence from the pathogenic herpesvirus on which the vector is based.
8. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 7 , wherein the target sequence encoding portion of the vector genome is modified, such that it is not itself silenced by the miRNA.
9. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 1 which is based on a Marek's disease virus.
10. A herpesvirus vector according to claim 1 , which comprises a genomic sequence modified to express a plurality of modified miRNAs.