Compositions and methods for enhancing virus replication
Described herein is a method of enhancing virus replication in permissive cells that express a receptor to FGF2 protein. The method includes administering FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof and the virus to the permissive cells. An oncolytic virus having a genome that includes an open reading frame that encodes FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof is also described.
1. An isolated oncolytic virus particle having a genome comprising an open reading frame that encodes FGF2 protein or a functional variant thereof, and an open reading frame that encodes a Type 1 interferon scavenger.
2. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein the FGF2 protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2-13.
3. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein the Type 1 interferon scavenger is B18R protein.
4. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 3 , wherein the B18R protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15, 16 or 17.
5. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein the oncolytic virus is a rhabdovirus, a vaccinia virus, or a herpes simplex virus-1.
6. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 5 wherein the rhabdovirus is vesicular stomatitis virus, VSVΔ51, VSV IFN-β, maraba virus, or MG1 virus.
7. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein the FGF2 protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 13.
8. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein the FGF2 protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2.
9. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 3 , wherein the B18R protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15.
10. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 1 , wherein:
the FGF2 protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2;
the genome further comprises an open reading frame that encodes a B18R protein that comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15; and
the oncolytic virus is a rhabdovirus virus.
11. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 10 , wherein the rhabdovirus is MG1 virus.
12. The isolated oncolytic virus particle according to claim 10 , wherein the rhabdovirus is vesicular stomatitis virus.