ENGINEERED RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUSES WITH CONTROL OF CELL-TO-CELL VIRUS TRANSMISSION FOR ENHANCED SAFETY OF LIVE VIRUS VACCINES

摘要

Highly antigenic yet safe vaccines against diseases caused by Paramyxoviridae viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided. The vaccines comprise attenuated Paramyxoviridae viruses with high antigenicity but which display impaired cell-to-cell transmission as a result of genetic manipulation of the gene encoding the matrix (M) protein. In the viruses, the M protein is absent or mutated to a less active form. Screening or assay systems and methods for evaluating the infectivity of mutant M proteins and for identifying suitable M candidates for live-attenuated vaccine virus and VLP production, are also provided.

主权项

1. A recombinant, live attenuated virus in which a gene encoding a matrix (M) protein is
i) deleted; ii) genetically manipulated to produce an M protein with no or decreased activity; or iii) genetically manipulated to produce a decreased amount of said M protein.