Oregon Health & Science University

Jay A Nelson

Louis Picker

Scott G Hansen

Klaus Frueh

Meaghan Hancock

Michael A Jarvis

Patrizia Caposio

Daniel Malouli

Jonah Sacha

Louis J Picker

Daniel Streblow

Cecilia E Soderberg-Naucler

Patricia Smith

Fronziska Ruchti

Ashlee Moses

Kenneth N Fish

Michael Jarvis

Human cytomegalovirus vectors comprising heterologous antigens are disclosed. The vectors derived from the TR strain, are ganciclovir sensitive, include active US2, US3, US6, US7 and UL131A genes, and have a deleterious or inactivating mutation in the UL82 gene preventing the expression of pp71.

Human cytomegalovirus comprising exogenous antigens

CMV vectors that lack active UL128, UL130, UL146 and UL147 proteins that may also comprise one or more microRNA regulatory elements (MRE) that restrict expression of the CMV are provided. Immunization with CMV vectors having the described features allows selection of different CD8+ T cell responses&#x2014;CD8+ T cells restricted by MHC-Ia, MHC-II, or by MHC-E.

Cytomegalovirus vectors eliciting T cells restricted by major histocompatibility complex E molecules

The present disclosure relates to recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors encoding heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

Recombinant HCMV and RHCMV vectors and uses thereof

Human cytomegalovirus vectors comprising heterologous antigens are disclosed. The vectors derived from the TR strain, are ganciclovir-sensitive, include active US2, US3, US6, US7 and UL131A genes, and have a deleterious or inactivating mutation in the UL82 gene preventing the expression of pp71.

Disclosed herein are recombinant CMV vectors comprising heterologous antigens and microRNA recognition elements to silence expression of CMV genes in the presence of microRNA derived from myeloid cells, an active UL128 protein and an active UL130 protein. Also disclosed are recombinant CMV vectors comprising heterologous antigens and microRNA recognition elements to silence expression of CMV genes in the presence of microRNA derived from myeloid cells, an inactive UL128 protein and an inactive UL130 protein. Also disclosed are methods of generating an unconventional immune response using these vectors. Such an immune response is characterized by generation of a CD8+ T cell response that is predominantly restricted by MHC-II.

CMV vectors comprising microRNA recognition elements

Disclosed are CMV vectors that lack active UL128, UL130, UL146 and UL147 proteins that may also comprise one or more microRNA regulatory elements (MRE) that restrict expression of the CMV. Immunization with the disclosed CMV vectors allow selection of different CD8+ T cell responses&#x2014;CD8+ T cells restricted by MHC-Ia, MHC-II, or by MHC-E.

The recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors of this invention encode heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

The present invention relates to recombinant rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vectors encoding heterologous antigens, such as pathogen-specific antigens or tumor antigens, which may be used, for example, for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease or cancer. The recombinant RhCMV or HCMV vectors elicit and maintain high level cellular immune responses specific for the heterologous antigen while including deletions in one or more genes essential or augmenting for CMV replication, dissemination or spread.

There is disclosed an assay system for determining therapeutic activity for treating restenosis, atherosclerosis, chronic rejection syndrome and graft versus host disease (GVHD) by measuring inhibition of cell migration activity in smooth muscle cells expressing a US28 receptor from the CMV genome. Specifically, there is disclosed a method for measuring inhibition of cell migration in isolated cells transfected with US28 or infected with CMV and stimulated with a ligand. There is further disclosed a method for treating atherosclerosis, restenosis, chronic rejection syndrome and graft versus host disease (GVHD), comprising administering an effective amount of an agent that is a US28 receptor antagonist, wherein a US28 receptor antagonist comprises an inhibitor compound that prevents transduction of US28 receptor signal stimulated by a US28 receptor ligand, wherein a US28 receptor ligand is selected from the group consisting of RANTES, MIP-1&agr; and MCP. The invention further provides a method for treating restenosis, atherosclerosis, chronic rejection syndrome and GVHD by administering KHSV encoded vMIP-2, fractalkine or herbimycin.

Prevention of cell migration initiation with CMV US28 receptor antagonists

The present invention provides methods of latent virus reactivation in monocyte-derived macrophages through allogeneic stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (&ldquo;PBMC&rdquo;), methods of culturing virus, and cultures of virally permissive monocyte-derived macrophages.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Oswego, OR, United States of America

Jay A Nelson