The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Xianfu Wu

Charles E Rupprecht

Todd G Smith

Ivan V Kuzmin

Described herein is a method of identifying a monoclonal antibody (or antigen-binding fragment thereof) that specifically binds a plurality offor use in post-exposure rabies prophylaxis or in the treatment of clinical rabies. The method includes using a na&#xef;ve antibody phage display library to screen for phage clones that bind whole recombinant rabies virus or cells expressing glycoprotein from multiple(such as RABV, MOKV and WCBV) and/or specifically bind recombinant glycoprotein from different

Identification of antibodies specific for lyssaviruses and methods of their use

Described herein is a method of identifying a monoclonal antibody (or antigen-binding fragment thereof) that specifically binds a plurality of lyssaviruses for use in post-exposure rabies prophylaxis or in the treatment of clinical rabies. The method includes using a na&#xef;ve antibody phage display library to screen for phage clones that bind whole recombinant rabies virus or cells expressing glycoprotein from multiple lyssaviruses (such as RABV, MOKV and WCBV) and/or specifically bind recombinant glycoprotein from different lyssaviruses.

Identification of antibodies specific for at least two different lyssaviruses

Described herein are recombinant rabies viruses encoding rabies virus glycoprotein and at least one heterologous glycoprotein from another, such as Mokola virus, Lagos bat virus and/or West Caucasian bat virus. In particular embodiments, the recombinant rabies virus includes two or three heterologousglycoproteins. The disclosed recombinant rabies viruses can be used as pan-vaccines to provide protection againstthat cause rabies.

Pan-lyssavirus vaccines against rabies

Rabies Virus compositions and methods are provided. The full-length sequence of Rabies Virus strain Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth (ERA) is disclosed. A reverse genetics system for producing recombinant ERA virus and derivatives thereof is provided, along with compositions including ERA and/or ERA derivative strain viruses, nucleic acids and/or proteins. In some instances, the compositions are immunogenic compositions useful for the pre- or post-exposure treatment of Rabies Virus.

Rabies virus vector systems and compositions and methods thereof

Described herein are recombinant rabies viruses comprising a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunocontraceptive protein, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or zona pellucida 3 (ZP3). The recombinant rabies viruses disclosed herein are recovered by reverse genetics, replicate efficiently, elicit rabies virus neutralizing antibodies and immunocontraceptive peptide-specific antibodies in vaccinated animals, and protect vaccinated animals against wild-type rabies virus challenge. Further provided is a method of immunizing a non-human animal against rabies virus infection and simultaneously inhibiting fertility of the animal, comprising administering an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the recombinant rabies viruses described herein.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Xianfu Wu