Patent Application
20080089910
The present invention generally relates to the fields of virology, microbiology, infectious disease and immunology. More particularly, the invention relates to the attenuation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and vectors thereof, by mutation of the HSV-2 UL24 gene.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are extremely prevalent and have a range of manifestations from apparently asymptomatic acquisition to severe disease and life-threatening infections in the immunocompromised individual and the neonate. These infections are caused by two viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
HSV-1 infections are extremely common and affect from 70-80 percent of the total population in the United States. HSV-1 is transmitted via oral secretions, respiratory droplets or direct oral contact, and results in lesions or blisters on the mouth and lips.
HSV-2 infections are usually sexually transmitted genital infections, causing ulcers and lesions on the genitals and surrounding areas, which can result in urinary retention, neuralgia and meningoencephalitis. HSV-2, like other herpes viruses, has the ability to establish both a primary and a latent infection in its host. During the primary infection, HSV-2 infects the skin and epithelial cells and then spreads to the ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. After the lesions from the primary infection have healed, the HSV-2 viral DNA can remain dormant in the ganglia. This dormant or inert state is referred to as a state of latency. Periodically, the HSV-2 can become reactivated and cause lesions around the initial site of infection. During the recurrent disease episodes, the infectious HSV-2 virus particles are shed from the lesions. From a clinical perspective, this recurrence of HSV-2 infection is particularly problematic because it can occur up to ten times per year, can cause severe physical and psychological discomfort and creates the risk of infecting the patient's sexual partners. In certain individuals, recurrent infections may be asymptomatic, which can lead to inadvertent HSV-2 infection of others.
The number of individuals infected with HSV-2 in the United States is estimated to range from 40 to 60 million, and from 0.5 to 1 million new cases of genital herpes are diagnosed annually in the United States (Whitley and Gnann, 1993). Two groups that suffer the most severe forms of herpetic diseases caused by HSV-2 are infants or immunocompromised individuals. HSV-2 infection of neonates can result in encephalitis, skin lesions, keratoconjunctivitis, widely disseminated infections, microcephaly or hydranencephaly. Neonatal HSV-2 infection is almost always symptomatic and frequently lethal.
Currently, the major therapeutic treatment for recurrent HSV-2 infections is administration of acyclovir, which reduces the duration and severity of primary infection as well as the frequency of recurrence, but does not prevent asymptomatic viral shedding or the establishment of latency. Thus, despite the availability of the antiviral agent, acyclovir, the incidence of HSV-2 in the population ranges from 8-50 percent and is increasing.
The high incidence of HSV-2 infection, recurrent disease episodes, and asymptomatic transmission suggest that the best treatment will be a prophylactic treatment capable of preventing or ameliorating HSV-2-related diseases or conditions. Thus, there is currently a need in the art for HSV derived immunogenic compositions which would reduce and/or prevent the spread of HSV infection.
In addition to HSV immunogenic compositions for the treatment or prevention of HSV infection, genetically modified HSV-1 and HSV-2 vectors are a major focus in the areas of cancer therapy (e.g., a suicide vector; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,289), gene delivery (e.g., gene therapy in the central and periphery nervous system; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,287), immunogenic compositions (e.g., an antigen expressing vector; U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,692) and the like.
However, due to HSV neurotropism and its inherent neurovirulence, the development of HSV immunogenic compositions and HSV vectors for clinical use, will require HSV having minimal to non-detectable levels of pathogenicity in animal neurovirulence models. For example, modified HSV-1 (e.g., attenuated HSV having one, two or three mutated immediate-early genes), which has been evaluated as a gene therapy vector, is toxic to neuron cells in culture (Krisky et al., 1998).
Thus, there is presently a need in the art of infectious disease and viral vectors to identify genetically modified, attenuated HSV mutants having significantly reduced (or eliminated) virulence in mammals.
The present invention broadly relates to the attenuation of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). More particularly, the invention relates to the observation that mutations in the HSV-2 UL24 gene attenuate the virulence of HSV vectors in mammals.
Thus, in certain embodiments, the invention is directed to a genetically modified herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) comprising a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2. In certain embodiments, the mutated UL24 gene comprises an insertion mutation, a deletion mutation, a truncation mutation, an inversion mutation or a point mutation. In one particular embodiment, an insertion mutation is a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the BgI II site of the UL24 gene. In another embodiment, the wild-type UL24 gene comprises an open reading frame (ORF) having at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In certain embodiments, the wild-type UL24 ORF comprises a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a degenerate variant thereof. In other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 gene encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In yet other embodiments, the HSV-2 comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a functionally inactive UL24 polypeptide. In other embodiments, the HSV-2 comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a truncated UL24 polypeptide or a chimeric UL24 polypeptide.
In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a HSV-2 vector comprising a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2, and wherein at least one foreign nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide other than a HSV-2 polypeptide is inserted into: (a) the mutated UL24 gene, (b) a HSV-2 gene other than the UL24 gene, or both (a) and (b). In certain embodiments, the mutated UL24 gene comprises an insertion mutation, a deletion mutation, a truncation mutation, an inversion mutation or a point mutation. In one particular embodiment, an insertion mutation is a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene. In other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 gene comprises an open reading frame (ORF) having at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In certain other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 ORF comprises a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a degenerate variant thereof. In yet other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 gene encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In yet other embodiments, the vector comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a functionally inactive UL24 polypeptide. In another embodiment, the vector comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a truncated UL24 polypeptide or a chimeric UL24 polypeptide.
In certain embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a viral protein or polypeptide, a bacterial protein or polypeptide, a protozoan protein or polypeptide, a fungal protein or polypeptide, a parasitic worm protein or polypeptide, a cytokine protein or polypeptide, an adjuvant protein or polypeptide, an anti-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, a pro-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, a neuroregenerative protein or polypeptide, a cancer cell protein toxin or polypeptide toxin, an allergen protein or polypeptide or a mammalian immune system protein or polypeptide.
In one particular embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a viral protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a HIV gene, a HTLV gene, a SIV gene, a RSV gene, a PIV gene, a CMV gene, an Epstein-Barr virus gene, a Varicella-Zoster virus gene, a mumps virus gene, a measles virus gene, an influenza virus gene, a poliovirus gene, a rhinovirus gene, a hepatitis A virus gene, a hepatitis B virus gene, a hepatitis C virus gene, a Norwalk virus gene, a togavirus gene, an alphavirus gene, a rubella virus gene, a rabies virus gene, a Marburg virus gene, an Ebola virus gene, a papilloma virus gene, a polyoma virus gene, a metapneumovirus gene and a coronavirus gene.
In another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a bacterial protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Vibrio cholerae gene, a Streptococcus pneumoniae gene, a Streptococcus pyogenes gene, a Helicobacter pylori gene, a Streptococcus agalactiae gene, a Neisseria meningitidis gene, a Neisseria gonorrheae gene, a Corynebacteria diphtheriae gene, a Clostridium tetani gene, a Bordetella pertussis gene, a Haemophilus gene, a Borrelia burgdorferi gene, a Chlamydia gene and a Escherichia coli gene.
In still other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a protozoan protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Plasmodium malariae gene, a Plasmodium vivax gene, a Leishmania spp. gene, a Giardia intestinalis gene, a Giardia lamblia gene, a Eimeria spp. gene, a Isospora spp. gene, a Ditrichomonas spp. gene, a Tritrichomonas spp. gene, a Trichomonas spp. gene, a Trichomonas vaginalis gene and a Sarcocystis neuona gene.
In certain other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a parasitic worm protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Schistosoma mansoni gene, a Schistosoma haematobium gene, a Schistosoma japonicum gene, a Schistosoma intercalatum gene and a Nematode gene.
In yet other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a cytokine protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of an IL-1α gene, an IL-1β gene, an IL-2 gene, an IL-4 gene, an IL-5 gene, an IL-6 gene, an IL-7 gene, an IL-8 gene, an IL-10 gene, an IL-12 gene, an IL-13 gene, an IL-14 gene, an IL-15 gene, an IL-16 gene, an IL-17 gene, an IL-18 gene, an interferon-αgene, an interferon-β gene, an interferon-γ, gene, a granulocyte colony stimulating factor gene, a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene, tumor necrosis factor α gene and a tumor necrosis factor β gene.
In other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a mammalian immune system protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a gene encoding T-helper epitope and a gene encoding a CTL epitope.
In still other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes an adjuvant protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a pertussis toxin (PT) gene, a mutant PT gene designated PT-K9/G129, an E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT) gene, a mutant E. coli LT gene designated LT-K63, a mutant E. coli LT gene designated LT-R72 gene, a cholera toxin (CT) gene, a CT gene designated CT-S109 and a CT gene designated E29H.
In certain other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a pro-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Bcl-xs gene, a Bad gene and a Bax gene.
In other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes an anti-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Bcl-2 gene and a BCl-xL gene.
In another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a neuroregenerative protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is a gene encoding a protein or polypeptide of the hedgehog pathway.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a host cell comprising an HSV-2 vector, the vector comprising a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2, and wherein at least one foreign nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide other than a HSV-2 polypeptide is inserted into: (a) the mutated UL24 gene, (b) a HSV-2 gene other than the UL24 gene, or both (a) and (b). In certain embodiments, the host cell is a mammalian cell. In one particular embodiment, the host cell is an African green monkey kidney (Vero) cell, a Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFF) cell or a SK—N—SH neuroblastoma cell.
In other embodiments, the invention is directed to an immunogenic composition comprising an immunogenic dose of a genetically modified HSV-2 comprising a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2. In certain embodiments, the mutated UL24 gene comprises an insertion mutation, a deletion mutation, a truncation mutation, an inversion mutation or a point mutation. In one particular embodiment, an insertion mutation is a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene. In certain other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 gene comprises an open reading frame (ORF) having at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In yet other embodiments, the wild-type UL24 ORF comprises a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a degenerate variant thereof. In another embodiment, the wild-type UL24 gene encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In certain embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a functionally inactive UL24 polypeptide. In certain other embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises an insertion mutation in the wild-type UL24 ORF, wherein the mutated UL24 expression product is a truncated UL24 polypeptide or a chimeric UL24 polypeptide. In still other embodiments, the immunogenic composition further comprises at least one foreign nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide other than a HSV-2 polypeptide, wherein the foreign sequence is inserted into: (a) the mutated UL24 gene, (b) a HSV-2 gene other than the UL24 gene, or both (a) and (b).
In certain embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a viral protein or polypeptide, a bacterial protein or polypeptide, a protozoan protein or polypeptide, a fungal protein or polypeptide, a parasitic worm protein or polypeptide, a cytokine protein or polypeptide, an adjuvant protein or polypeptide, an anti-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, a pro-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, a neuroregenerative protein or polypeptide, a cancer cell protein toxin or polypeptide toxin, an allergen protein or polypeptide or a mammalian immune system protein or polypeptide.
In one particular embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a viral protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a HIV gene, a HTLV gene, a SIV gene, a RSV gene, a PIV gene, a CMV gene, an Epstein-Barr virus gene, a Varicella-Zoster virus gene, a mumps virus gene, a measles virus gene, an influenza virus gene, a poliovirus gene, a rhinovirus gene, a hepatitis A virus gene, a hepatitis B virus gene, a hepatitis C virus gene, a Norwalk virus gene, a togavirus gene, an alphavirus gene, a rubella virus gene, a rabies virus gene, a Marburg virus gene, an Ebola virus gene, a papilloma virus gene, a polyoma virus gene, a metapneumovirus gene and a coronavirus gene.
In another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a bacterial protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Vibrio cholerae gene, a Streptococcus pneumoniae gene, a Streptococcus pyogenes gene, a Helicobacter pylori gene, a Streptococcus agalactiae gene, a Neisseria meningitidis gene, a Neisseria gonorrheae gene, a Corynebacteria diphtheriae gene, a Clostridium tetani gene, a Bordetella pertussis gene, a Haemophilus gene, a Borrelia burgdorferi gene, a Chlamydia gene and a Escherichia coli gene.
In yet another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a protozoan protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Plasmodium malariae gene, a Plasmodium vivax gene, a Leishmania spp. gene, a Giardia intestinalis gene, a Giardia lamblia gene, a Eimeria spp. gene, a Isospora spp. gene, a Ditrichomonas spp. gene, a Tritrichomonas spp. gene, a Trichomonas spp. gene, a Trichomonas vaginalis gene and a Sarcocystis neuona gene.
In still other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a parasitic worm protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Schistosoma mansoni gene, a Schistosoma haematobium gene, a Schistosoma japonicum gene, a Schistosoma intercalatum gene and a Nematode gene.
In other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a cytokine protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of an IL-1α gene, an IL-1β gene, an IL-2 gene, an IL-4 gene, an IL-5 gene, an IL-6 gene, an IL-7 gene, an IL-8 gene, an IL-10 gene, an IL-12 gene, an IL-13 gene, an IL-14 gene, an IL-15 gene, an IL-16 gene, an IL-17 gene, an IL-18 gene, an interferon-αgene, an interferon-β gene, an interferon-γ, gene, a granulocyte colony stimulating factor gene, a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene, tumor necrosis factor α gene and a tumor necrosis factor β gene.
In certain other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a mammalian immune system protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a gene encoding T-helper epitope and a gene encoding a CTL epitope.
In another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes an adjuvant protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a pertussis toxin (PT) gene, a mutant PT gene designated PT-K9/G129, an E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT) gene, a mutant E. coli LT gene designated LT-K63, a mutant E. coli LT gene designated LT-R72 gene, a cholera toxin (CT) gene, a CT gene designated CT-S109 and a CT gene designated E29H.
In certain other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a pro-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Bcl-xS gene, a Bad gene and a Bax gene.
In yet other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes an anti-apoptotic protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of a Bcl-2 gene and a Bcl-xL gene.
In other embodiments, the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a neuroregenerative protein or polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is a gene encoding a protein or polypeptide of the hedgehog pathway.
In one particular embodiment, the composition is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravaginal, oral, rectal, intranasal, buccal, vaginal and ex vivo. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition further comprises one or more booster dosages of the modified HSV-2.
In certain other embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for attenuating HSV-2 virulence comprising mutating the HSV-2 genome at the UL24 gene locus, wherein the mutation results in a functionally inactive UL24 polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the mutation is an insertion mutation, a deletion mutation, a truncated mutation, an inversion mutation or a point mutation. In one particular embodiment, an insertion mutation is a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene.
In certain other embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for attenuating the virulence of a HSV-2 vector comprising mutating the HSV-2 genome at the UL24 gene locus, wherein the mutation results in a functionally inactive UL24 polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the mutation is an insertion mutation, a deletion mutation, a truncated mutation, an inversion mutation or a point mutation. In one particular embodiment, an the insertion mutation is a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene.
In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a method of immunizing a mammalian host against viral infection comprising administering an immunogenic dose of a genetically modified HSV-2 vector comprising (a) a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2; and (b) at least one foreign nucleic acid sequence, wherein the foreign sequence encodes a viral protein selected from the group consisting of a HIV protein, a HTLV protein, a SIV protein, a RSV protein, a PIV protein, a HSV protein, a CMV protein, an Epstein-Barr virus protein, a Varicella-Zoster virus protein, a mumps virus protein, a measles virus protein, an influenza virus protein, a poliovirus protein, a rhinovirus protein, a hepatitis A virus protein, a hepatitis B virus protein, a hepatitis C virus protein, a Norwalk virus protein, a togavirus protein, an alphavirus protein, a rubella virus protein, a rabies virus protein, a Marburg virus protein, an Ebola virus protein, a papilloma virus protein, a polyoma virus protein, a metapneumovirus protein and a coronavirus protein. In certain embodiments, the mutation is an insertion mutation and the foreign sequence is inserted into the HSV-2 genome at the UL24 gene locus.
In another embodiment, the vector further comprises a second foreign nucleic acid sequence inserted into or replacing a region of the HSV-2 genome non-essential for replication.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of immunizing a mammalian host against bacterial infection comprising administering an immunogenic dose of a genetically modified HSV-2 vector comprising: (a) a mutated UL24 gene, wherein the mutated UL24 attenuates HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2 and (b) at least one foreign nucleic acid sequence, wherein the sequence encodes a bacterial protein selected from the group consisting of a Vibrio cholerae protein, a Streptococcus pneumoniae protein, Streptococcus pyogenes protein, a Streptococcus agalactiae protein, a Helicobacter pylori protein, a Neisseria meningitidis protein, a Neisseria gonorrheae protein, a Corynebacteria diphtheriae protein, a Clostridium tetani protein, a Bordetella pertussis protein, a Borrelia burgdorferi protein, a Haemophilus protein, a Chlamydia protein and a Escherichia coli protein. In certain embodiments, the mutation is an insertion mutation and the foreign sequence is inserted into the HSV-2 genome at the UL24 gene locus. In certain other embodiments, the vector further comprises a second foreign nucleic acid sequence inserted into or replacing a region of the HSV-2 genome non-essential for replication.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, from the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.
The invention described hereinafter addresses a need in the art for herpes simplex virus type-2 vectors (hereinafter, “HSV-2”) and HSV-2 immunogenic compositions having significantly attenuated virulence in mammals, particularly attenuated neuropathogenicity as revealed in animal neurovirulence models. As detailed herein, it was observed in the present invention, that the UL24 gene of HSV-2 significantly contributes to pathogenicity of the virus, and as such, mutations which disrupt or eliminate the expression of the UL24 polypeptide attenuate HSV-2 virulence.
The results set forth in Example 1, indicate that the full-length HSV-2 UL24 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:2) is not required for viral replication in vitro. Furthermore, the role of the UL24 gene in vivo was assessed by intravaginal inoculation of parental HSV-2 (strain 186) and mutant HSV-2 (i.e., UL24 mutants) into BALB/c mice and Hartley guinea pigs (see, Examples 1-3). Results indicated that a HSV-2 UL24 mutant of the invention was avirulent in mice at doses up to at least 400 times the parental virus LD50 (Example 1). Intravaginal infection of mice with a UL24 mutant resulted with delayed and minimal disease progression and minimal lesion formation (Examples 1 and 2). Low levels of acute herpetic disease (with no associated mortality) were observed in guinea pigs following intravaginal infection with the UL24 mutant at a dose that was at least equivalent to the LD50 of the parental virus (Example 3). While it was observed that the UL24 mutant replicated at the inoculation site, the magnitude of replication was generally lower than that observed following infection with the parental virus (HSV-2 strain 186). Furthermore, intravaginal, intramuscular and/or subcutaneous immunization of mice and guinea pigs with the HSV-2 UL24 mutant yielded significant humoral and cellular anti-HSV-2 responses (Examples 2 and 3).
Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to a genetically modified HSV-2, and use of such modified viruses as vectors, having attenuated virulence in a mammalian host. As defined hereinafter, a “genetically modified” HSV-2 of the invention comprises at least a mutation in the HSV-2 UL24 gene (or the UL24 open reading frame (ORF) set forth in SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the UL24 mutation attenuates HSV-2 virulence in a mammalian host. In certain embodiments, HSV-2 virulence in a mammalian host is defined as neurovirulence.
In certain other embodiments, the invention is directed to an immunogenic composition for treating, ameliorating and/or preventing HSV-2 infection in a mammal, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises a genetically modified HSV-2 of the invention. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a genetically modified HSV-2 vector comprising a UL24 gene mutation, wherein the HSV-2 vector has attenuated virulence in a mammal.
In certain embodiments, a genetically modified HSV-2 vector of the invention comprises a heterologous (or foreign) nucleic acid sequence, wherein the vector is administered as a gene therapy composition (e.g., gene therapy in the central and peripheral nervous system; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,287, incorporated herein by reference) or an immunogenic composition (i.e., the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein antigen) for treating, ameliorating and/or preventing mammalian disease or infections other than a herpes virus infection.
In certain other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is a suicide gene (e.g., cancer therapy) vector, such as a herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK) mutant described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,289 (specifically incorporated herein by reference).
As set forth above, HSV-2 is a neurotrophic virus, and as such, HSV-2 vectors for treating diseases and conditions of the central and/or peripheral nervous system are contemplated herein. Thus, in certain embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is a neuroregenerative vector, wherein the attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses a neuroregenerative protein.
In yet other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is an anti-apoptotic vector, wherein the attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses an anti-apoptotic protein such as the HSV “infected cell protein number 4” (ICP4) (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,511, specifically incorporated herein by reference). In certain other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is an pro-apoptotic vector or a cytotoxic HSV vector, such as the HSV IE gene 1 mutant described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,259.
HSV is a double-stranded DNA virus having a genome of about 150,000-160,00 base pairs. The viral genomes of HSV-1 and HSV-2 are co-linear and share greater than 50% homology over the entire genome. For some genes, the amino acid identity between the two virus types is as much as 80 to 90%. As a result of this similarity, many HSV-specific antibodies are cross-reactive for both virus types.
The complete genomes of HSV-1 and HSV-2 have been sequenced and can be obtained via the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) server using accession number NC—001806 and NC—001798, respectively (each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).
The viral genome is packaged within an icosahedral nucleocapsid which is enveloped in a membrane. The membrane (or envelope) includes at least 10 virus-encoded glycoproteins, the most abundant of which are gB, gC, gD, and gE. The viral glycoproteins are involved in the processes of virus attachment to cellular receptors and in fusion of the viral and host cell membranes to permit virus entry into the cell. As a consequence of their location (i.e., on the surface of the virion) and their role, the glycoproteins are targets of neutralizing antibody and antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity. Within a virus type, there is a limited (approximately 1 to 2%) strain-to-strain sequence variability of the glycoprotein genes. The viral genome also encodes over 70 other proteins which are associated with the virion tegument, located between the capsid and the envelope.
One such protein is UL24, which is encoded by the UL24 gene. The function of UL24 is not completely understood. As shown herein, a mutant of the UL24 gene results in the attenuation of HSV-2 virulence relative to wild-type HSV-2.
A BLAST sequence alignment (Altschul et al., 1990) of the UL24 gene from HSV-2 strain 186 versus HSV-2 strain HG52, shown in Table 1 below, indicates that the UL24 gene sequence is well conserved (i.e., 99% sequence identity) between HSV-2 strains.
As set forth above, a genetically modified HSV-2 of the invention comprises at least a mutation in the HSV-2 UL24 gene, wherein the UL24 mutation attenuates HSV-2 virulence in a mammalian host. As defined hereinafter, a UL24 “mutation” is any mutation of the UL24 gene or the UL24 open reading frame (SEQ ID NO:1) that attenuates HSV-2 virulence in a mammal. For example, a UL24 mutation includes, but is not limited to, a point mutation, a truncated UL24 mutation, a UL24 insertion mutation (including an artificial stop codon mutation), a deleted UL24 mutation (including the deletion of part or all of the UL24 ORF), and the like. As defined herein, an “inversion” mutation is a mutation in which a portion of the UL24 sequence is cut with a restriction enzyme and re-ligated in reverse order, thereby abrogating UL24 protein function.
The UL24 mutants generated in the present invention are exemplified using the HSV-2 parental strain 186. However, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 (i.e., an UL24 mutant) of the invention is not limited to a particular HSV-2 strain, and as such, the present invention encompasses any genetically modified HSV-2 strain having a mutation of the UL24 gene, wherein the mutation attenuates HSV-2 virulence.
In certain embodiments, the invention provides a genetically modified (recombinant) HSV vector comprising at least a mutation in the UL24 gene, wherein the UL24 mutation attenuates HSV-2 virulence in a mammalian host.
Methods for genetically modifying (i.e., mutating) the HSV-2 UL24 gene are generally known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, an attenuating UL24 mutation comprises making predetermined mutation in the UL24 ORF using site-directed mutagenesis. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the UL24 gene is mutated by inserting a β-glucuronidase polynucleotide into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene (
Thus, site-specific mutagenesis allows the production of UL24 mutants through the use of specific oligonucleotide sequences which encode the DNA sequence of the desired mutation, as well as a sufficient number of adjacent nucleotides, to provide a primer sequence of sufficient size and sequence complexity to form a stable duplex on both sides of the deletion junction being traversed. Typically, a primer of about 17 to 25 nucleotides in length is preferred, with about 5 to 10 residues on both sides of the junction of the sequence being altered.
In general, the technique of site-directed (site-specific) mutagenesis is well known in the art. As will be appreciated, the technique typically employs a vector which exists in both a single stranded and double stranded form. Generally, site-directed mutagenesis in accordance herewith is performed by first obtaining a single-stranded vector which includes within its sequence a DNA sequence which encodes all or a portion of the UL24 polypeptide sequence (i.e., SEQ ID NO:1). An oligonucleotide primer bearing the desired mutated sequence is prepared (e.g., synthetically). This primer is then annealed to the singled-stranded vector, and extended by the use of enzymes such as E. coli polymerase I Klenow fragment, in order to complete the synthesis of the mutation-bearing strand. Thus, a heteroduplex is formed wherein one strand encodes the original non-mutated sequence and the second strand bears the desired mutation. This heteroduplex vector is then used to transform appropriate cells such as E. coli cells and clones are selected which include recombinant vectors bearing the mutation. Commercially available kits come with all the reagents necessary, except the oligonucleotide primers. Methods of producing recombinant HSV are known in the art and are described briefly in the Examples section below.
1. Endogenous HSV-2 Nucleic Acid Sequences
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an immunogenic composition comprising a genetically modified HSV-2 mutant of the invention (i.e., an attenuated UL24 mutant), wherein the HSV-2 UL24 mutant is used to immunize a mammalian host against HSV infection. In certain other embodiments, an attenuated HSV-2 UL24 mutant of the invention is further attenuated by mutating HSV genes in addition to the UL24 gene (e.g., see Ward and Roizman, 1994; Subak-Sharpe and Dargan, 1998; and Visalli and Brandt, 2002, each incorporated herein by reference). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,528 (incorporated herein by reference), describes mutations of the HSV-1 genome (e.g., the genome is modified in the terminal portion of RL) which attenuate HSV-1 neurovirulence. U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,318 (incorporated herein by reference) describes HSV-1 and HSV-2 mutations in the γ34.5 genes which render the virus avirulent and cytopathic to neoplastic cells.
HSV-2 attenuating mutations include, but are not limited to, ribonucleotide reductase (Brandt et al., 1991; Cameron et al., 1988; Idowu et al., 1992; Yamada et al., 1991), thymidine kinase (Efstathiou et al., 1989), UL56 (RosenWolff et al., 1991) and ICP34.5 (Chou et al., 1990; (Taha et al., 1989).
In other embodiments, an attenuated HSV-2 UL24 mutant is used to prevent or inhibit cell death, particularly neuronal cell death. For example, it is known in the art that the HSV genome encodes a protein known as infected cell protein number 4 (ICP4), which when expressed in a mammalian cell, inhibits apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death), such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,511; (incorporated herein by reference). Thus, in certain embodiments, an attenuated HSV-2 UL24 mutant is administered to a mammalian host to inhibit or prevent apoptosis.
In other embodiments, an attenuated HSV-2 UL24 mutant is used to induce cell lysis in neoplastic cells. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,259 (incorporated herein by reference) describes an HSV-1 mutation in the IE gene 1, wherein the IE gene 1 does not produce a fully functionally active wild-type infected cell protein number 0 (ICP0). The IE gene 1 mutant is able to infect and destroy hyperproliferative cells, with little to no deleterious effects on normal cells.
2. Heterologous Nucleic Acid Sequences
In certain embodiments, the HSV-2 genomic sequence (NCBI accession No. NC—001798) is genetically modified to encode one or more heterologous (or foreign) nucleic acid sequences. As defined hereinafter, a “heterologous” or “foreign” nucleic acid sequence is any nucleic acid sequence which is not a naturally occurring HSV-2 nucleic acid sequence. In certain embodiments, a heterologous nucleic acid sequence is inserted into or replaces the UL24 ORF (thereby disrupting the expression of functional UL24 polypeptide), wherein the heterologous nucleic acid sequence directs the production of a protein capable of being expressed in a host cell infected with the HSV-2 vector. In other embodiments, a heterologous nucleic acid sequence is inserted into or replaces a site of the HSV-2 genome other than the UL24 gene, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid sequence directs the production of a protein capable of being expressed in a host cell infected by the HSV-2 vector.
The heterologous polynucleotide sequences can vary as desired, and include, but are not limited to, a cytokine (such as an interleukin), a gene encoding T-helper epitope, a gene encoding a CTL epitope, a gene encoding restriction marker, a gene encoding an adjuvant or a gene encoding a protein of a different microbial pathogen (e.g. virus, bacterium, parasite or fungus), especially proteins capable of eliciting desirable immune responses. In certain embodiments, a heterologous nucleic acid sequence contains an HIV gene (e.g., gag, env, pol, vif, nef, tat, vpr, rev or vpu). The heterologous polynucleotide is also used to provide agents which are used for gene therapy. In another embodiment, the heterologous polynucleotide sequence encodes a cytokine, such as interleukin-12 or interleukin-15, which are selected to improve the prophylatic or therapeutic characteristics of the recombinant HSV-2 vector or immunogenic composition thereof.
In certain embodiments, expression of an antigen by a attenuated recombinant HSV-2 induces an immune response against a pathogenic microorganism. For example, an antigen may display the immunogenicity or antigenicity of an antigen found on bacteria, parasites, viruses, or fungi which are causative agents of diseases or disorders. In one embodiment, antigens displaying the antigenicity or immunogenicity of an antigen of a human pathogen are used. In certain other embodiments, antigens of a non-human mammalian pathogen are used. As defined hereinafter, a “non-human” mammal includes any mammal other than homo sapiens, such as a horse, a cow, a pig, a cat, a dog, a non-human primate and the like.
To determine immunogenicity or antigenicity by detecting binding to an antibody, various immunoassays known in the art are used, including but not limited to, competitive and non-competitive assay systems using techniques such as radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoradiometric assays, gel diffusion precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion assays, in situ immunoassays (using colloidal gold, enzyme or radioisotope labels, for example), western blots, immunoprecipitation reactions, agglutination assays (e.g., gel agglutination assays, hemagglutination assays), complement fixation assays, immunofluorescence assays, protein A assays, and immunoelectrophoresis assays, neutralization assays, etc. In one embodiment, antibody binding is measured by detecting a label on the primary antibody. In another embodiment, the primary antibody is detected by measuring binding of a secondary antibody or reagent to the primary antibody. In a further embodiment, the secondary antibody is labeled. Many means are known in the art for detecting binding in an immunoassay. In one embodiment for detecting immunogenicity, T cell-mediated responses are assayed by standard methods, e.g., in vitro or in vivo cytoxicity assays, tetramer assays, elispot assays or in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity assays.
Parasites and bacteria expressing epitopes (antigenic determinants) that are expressed by an attenuated HSV-2 mutant (wherein the foreign nucleic acid sequence directs the production of an antigen of the parasite or bacteria or a derivative thereof containing an epitope thereof) include but are not limited to those listed in Table 2. An epitope or antigenic determinant will comprise at least three amino acid residues and will be incorporated in a peptide or full length protein.
In another embodiment, the antigen comprises an epitope of an antigen of a nematode, to protect against disorders caused by such worms. In another embodiment, the antigen comprises a Plasmodium epitope, which when expressed by an attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention, is immunogenic in a mammalian host. The species of Plasmodium which serve as DNA sources include, but are not limited to, the human malaria parasites P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax, and the animal malaria parasites P. berghei, P. yoelii, P. knowlesi, and P. cynomolgi. In yet another embodiment, the antigen comprises a peptide of the β-subunit of Cholera toxin.
Viruses expressing epitopes that are expressed by a attenuated HSV-2 of the invention (wherein the foreign nucleic acid sequence directs the production of an antigen of the virus or a derivative thereof comprising an epitope thereof) include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 3, which lists such viruses by family for purposes of convenience and not limitation.
In specific embodiments, the antigen encoded by the foreign sequence that is expressed upon infection of a host by the attenuated HSV-2, displays the antigenicity or immunogenicity of an influenza virus hemagglutinin; human respiratory syncytial virus G glycoprotein (G); measles virus hemagglutinin or herpes simplex virus type-2 glycoprotein gD.
Other antigens that are expressed by attenuated HSV-2 include, but are not limited to, those displaying the antigenicity or immunogenicity of the following antigens: Poliovirus I VP1; envelope glycoproteins of HIV I; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Diphtheria toxin; streptococcus 24M epitope, SpeA, SpeB, SpeC or C5a peptidase; and gonococcal pilin.
In other embodiments, the antigen expressed by the attenuated HSV-2 displays the antigenicity or immunogenicity of pseudorabies virus g50 (gpD), pseudorabies virus II (gpB), pseudorabies virus gIII (gpC), pseudorabies virus glycoprotein H, pseudorabies virus glycoprotein E, transmissible gastroenteritis glycoprotein 195 and transmissible gastroenteritis matrix protein.
In other embodiments, the antigen displays the antigenicity or immunogenicity of an antigen of a human pathogen, including but not limited to human herpes simplex virus-1, human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-Zoster virus, human herpesvirus-6, human herpesvirus-7, human influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus (type 1 and/or type 2), rabies virus, measles virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Plasmodium falciparum, and Bordetella pertussis.
Potentially useful antigens or derivatives thereof for use as antigens expressed by attenuated HSV-2 are identified by various criteria, such as the antigen's involvement in neutralization of a pathogen's infectivity, type or group specificity, recognition by patients' antisera or immune cells, and/or the demonstration of protective effects of antisera or immune cells specific for the antigen.
In another embodiment, the foreign nucleic acid of the attenuated HSV-2 directs the production of an antigen comprising an epitope, which when the attenuated HSV-2 is introduced into the intended mammalian host, induces an immune response that protects against a condition or disorder caused by an entity containing the epitope. For example, the antigen can be a tumor specific antigen or tumor-associated antigen, for induction of a protective immune response against a tumor (e.g., a malignant tumor). Such tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens include, but are not limited to, KS ¼ pan-carcinoma antigen; ovarian carcinoma antigen (CA125); prostate acid phosphate; prostate specific antigen; melanoma-associated antigen p97; melanoma antigen gp75; high molecular weight melanoma antigen and prostate specific membrane antigen. In certain other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is a suicide gene (e.g., cancer therapy) vector, such as a herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK) mutant described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,289 (specifically incorporated herein by reference).
In certain embodiments, a genetically modified HSV-2 vector of the invention comprises a heterologous (or foreign) nucleic acid sequence, wherein the vector is administered as a gene therapy composition (e.g., gene therapy in the central and periphery nervous system; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,287, incorporated herein by reference) or an immunogenic composition (i.e., the foreign nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein antigen) for treating, ameliorating and/or preventing mammalian disease or infections other than a herpes virus infection.
As set forth above, HSV-2 is a neurotrophic virus, and as such, HSV-2 vectors for treating diseases and conditions of the central and/or peripheral nervous system are contemplated herein. Thus, in certain embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is a neuroregenerative vector, wherein the attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses a neuroregenerative protein. Thus, in certain embodiments, a HSV-2 vector of the invention encodes a polypeptide of the hedgehog pathway, such as the sonic hedgehog polypeptide, desert hedgehog polypeptide, Indian hedgehog polypeptide, patched polypeptide, smoothened polypeptide or a combination thereof, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,789,543; 6,281,332; 6,132,728; 6,492,139; 6,407,216; 6,610,507; 6,605,700 and 6,551,782 (each incorporated herein by reference).
In yet other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is an anti-apoptotic vector, wherein the attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses an anti-apoptotic protein such as Bcl-2, BCl-xL and certain other members of the Bcl-2 family. For example, genetic over-expression of Bcl-2 has been shown to block apoptosis in the nervous system of transgenic mice.
In other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector of the invention is a pro-apoptotic vector, wherein the attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses a pro-apoptotic protein such as Bcl-xS, Bad and Bax.
The foreign nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen, that is inserted into the attenuated HSV-2 DNA, optionally further comprises a foreign nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein or polypeptide capable of being expressed and stimulating an immune response in a host infected by the attenuated HSV-2. For example, foreign nucleic acid sequences encoding cytokines and/or adjuvants are contemplated, including, but not limited to interleukins 1α, 1β, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, interferon-α, interferon-β, interferon-γ, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, the tumor necrosis factors α and β, a pertussis toxin (PT), an E. coli heat-labile toxin (LT), particularly LT-K63, LT-R72, CT-S109, PT-K9/G129 (see, e.g., International Patent Publication Nos. WO 93/13302 and WO 92/19265) and a cholera toxin (either in a wild-type or mutant form (see, e.g., International Patent Publication No. WO 00/18434).
In certain other embodiments, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector is contemplated for use in the art of veterinary medicine. For example, a genetically modified and attenuated HSV-2 vector expresses one or more antigens associated with disease or infection of cows, pigs, dogs, cats or poultry.
Thus, in certain other embodiments, the antigen expressed by the attenuated HSV-2 displays the antigenicity or immunogenicity of an antigen derived from Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, Hog Cholera Virus, swine influenza virus, African Swine Fever Virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (e.g., infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus glycoprotein E or glycoprotein G), La Crosse Virus, Neonatal Calf Diarrhea Virus, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus, Punta Toro Virus, Murine Leukemia Virus or Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus. In certain embodiments, the antigen expressed by the attenuated HSV-2 displays the antigenicity or immunogenicity of an antigen derived from a pathogen listed in Tables 4-10 below.
Streptococcus egui
Ehrlichia risticci
Rhodococcus egui
Sarcocystis neuona
Trichomonas foetus
Clostridia spp
Clostridia spp
Mycoplasma bovis
Mannheimia haemolytica
Pasteurella multocida
Salmonella dublin
Escherichia coli O157:H7
Escherichia coli J5
Haemophilus somnus
Leptospira spp
Cryptosporidium parvum
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Haemophilus parasuis
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Leptospira spp
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Pasteurella multocida
Salmonella typhimurium
Salmonella enteritidis
Haemophilus paragallinarium
Pasteurella multocida
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
E. coli spp
Eimeria spp
Isospora spp
In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to an immunogenic composition comprising an immunogenic dose of a genetically modified HSV-2 vector comprising at least a mutation in the UL24 gene, wherein the UL24 mutation attenuates HSV-2 virulence in a mammalian host.
The attenuated HSV-2 vectors of the invention are formulated for administration to a mammalian subject (e.g., a human or veterinary medicine). Such compositions typically comprise the HSV-2 vector and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used hereinafter the language “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the HSV-2 vector, such media are used in the immunogenic compositions of the invention. Supplementary active compounds may also be incorporated into the compositions.
Thus, a HSV-2 immunogenic composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal) and mucosal (e.g., oral, rectal, intranasal, buccal, vaginal, respiratory). Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH is adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.
Immunogenic compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL™ (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier is a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyetheylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity is maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms is achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, and the like. In many cases, it is preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions is brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the HSV-2 vector in the required amount (or dose) in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.
For administration by inhalation, the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant (e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer). Systemic administration can also be by mucosal or transdermal means. For mucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for mucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Mucosal administration is accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. The compounds are also prepared in the form of suppositories (e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.
In certain embodiments, it is advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used hereinafter refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.
All patents and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
The following examples are carried out using standard techniques, which are well known and routine to those of skill in the art, except where otherwise described in detail. The following examples are presented for illustrative purpose, and should not be construed in any way limiting the scope of this invention.
Materials and Methods
Construction and Isolation of UL24Δ and UL24R
HSV-2 strain 186 (Vieira et al., 1994) was used as the wild-type parental virus for these studies. The UL24 β-glucuronidase insertion mutant (UL24Δ) contains a β-glucuronidase cassette inserted into the Bgl II site of the UL24 gene (
A DNA fragment containing the full length, wild-type UL24 gene from HSV-2 186 was utilized to repair UL24Δ (i.e., to restore expression of full-length UL24 protein). This fragment was transfected into Vero cells that were subsequently infected with UL24Δ. White, non-syncytial plaques were picked and a single plaque purified UL24 repaired virus (UL24R), was selected for further studies.
Southern Blot Analysis
Viral DNA was isolated from partially purified virions, digested with restriction enzymes (BamHI (B), NcoI (N) and SacI (S)) and electrophoresed through agarose gels. The DNAs were blotted to nitrocellulose and hybridized to either a 600 base pair HSV-2 fragment (UL24 probe) or β-glucuronidase specific sequences (β-gluc probe). Double-stranded DNA probes were radiolabeled with α33P-dCTP and viral DNA hybridized fragments were detected by autoradiography.
In Vitro Viral Replication and Viral Plaque Morphology
Plaque reduction assay. Plaque reduction assay was used as described previously (Visalli et al., 2003) with the following modifications. Vero cells were infected with approximately 50 to 100 PFU of virus per well. Acyclovir (ACV) was diluted to the desired concentrations in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and applied to uninfected Vero monolayers for a thirty minute pre-incubation before the addition of virus. Positive control wells received virus without ACV. Monolayers were incubated for three days at 37° C., fixed, and stained. Plaques were counted, and the data are presented as the mean of at least three independent assays.
Murine Pathogenesis Model
Eight-week old female BALB/c mice were purchased from Taconic (Germantown, N.Y.) and maintained in microisolators. All animal protocols employed in this study met with established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. Mice were injected subcutaneously with two mg of Depo-Provera® (Pharmacia & UpJohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.) to hormonally induce the diesterous phase of the esterous cycle, which increases their susceptibility to vaginal infection with HSV-2 (Parr et al., 1994). After five days mice were anesthetized, the vagina swabbed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) wetted Dacron polyester tipped applicators (Puritan, Guilford, M E) to remove mucus, and the indicated challenge dose (pfu) of each virus was gently instilled into the vaginal vault in a 0.01 mL volume with the aid of a micropipettor. The anesthetized infected mice were carefully placed in supine position for adsorption of the viral suspension. The mice were scored visually for signs of virus infection for four weeks following challenge using the following scale: 0=no symptoms, 1=vaginal erythema, 2=vaginal erythema and edema, 3=vaginal herpetic lesions, 4=unilateral paralysis, and 5=bilateral paralysis or death. The mean severity index was determined by taking the mean score of all mice within a group. All mice that were bilaterally paralyzed or were showing signs of severe illness and/or distress were immediately euthanized.
Guinea Pig Model of Herpetic Disease
Hartley guinea pigs were inoculated by first swabbing them with a calcium alginate swab dipped in PBS to remove mucus and then with a dry Dacron swab. 100 μL of HSV-2 in PBS was slowly instilled into the vaginal vault with a one cc syringe fitted with a half inch of narrow tygon tubing. Scoring was performed by the method of Stanberry et al., 1982.
Detection of HSV-2 DNA in Guinea Pig Dorsal Root Ganglia
Sacral dorsal root ganglia (6-8 per animal) were dissected at the termination of the experiment, weighed, and the DNA was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Mini kit (Qiagen). Real time PCR was performed as described above for the swab samples. A standard curve was constructed for each experiment using purified plasmid DNA containing the HSV-2 gD gene. Data were normalized using probes specific for guinea pig lactalbumin DNA in order to correct for variable amounts of neural material in the dissected ganglia. Results were expressed as HSV-2 DNA copies per ganglion.
Results
Analyses of Recombinant Viral Genomes
Viral DNAs were analyzed by Southern blotting to confirm that they had the expected genomic structures. HSV-2 186, UL24Δ, and UL24R (a UL24Δ-repaired virus) DNAs were digested with Bam HI, Nco I, or Sac I and probed with a 600 base pair fragment (UL24 probe,
Using the β-glucuronidase cassette as a probe (B-gluc probe;
Plaque Morphology Phenotype
The morphologies of plaques formed after infection of three different cell types with either HSV-2 186, UL24Δ or UL24R were assessed. Vero (African Green Monkey Kidney), HFF (Human Foreskin Fibroblast) or SK—N—SH (Neuroblastoma) cell lines were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) low enough to yield individual well-isolated plaques. After infection with UL24Δ, syncytial plaque formation was observed in all three cell types evaluated (data not shown). No typical non-syncytial plaques were found. Regardless of the cell type infected, UL24Δ plaque sizes were similar to the non-syncytial plaques formed by infection with either HSV-2 186 or UL24R. Thus, insertion mutagenesis of HSV-2 UL24 resulted in syncytial plaque morphology and indicated that the full length UL24 gene product was not essential for viral replication in vitro in the cell types tested.
In Vitro Replication
The ability of the viruses to replicate in vitro was tested by infecting three different cell types. Vero, HFF or SK—N—SH cells were infected at either low (0.01 MOI) or high (5.0 MOI).
The three viruses were observed for their relative ability to replicate and spread in the three cell types as shown in
The results from
TK Function (Sensitivity to Acyclovir)
The close proximity of the UL24 and UL23 (thymidine kinase; TK) genes created the possibility that mutation of the UL24 gene could effect the expression of the TK gene (
Pathogenesis in Mice
A murine intravaginal infection model was employed to evaluate the ability of the UL24 mutant (UL24Δ) to cause morbidity and mortality in vivo (
Similar results were observed when measuring lesion formation or disease progression (based on severity score). Significant disease was observed in mice infected with either HSV-2 186 or UL24R at either dose with detection of both morbidity and mortality by seven days post-infection (
Pathogenesis in Guinea Pigs
The guinea pig intravaginal model for HSV-2 is well established and has been shown to mimic both the acute and latent phases of human herpetic disease. Since HSV-2 186 was shown to have a relatively low LD50 in guinea pigs, the guinea pig experiments were performed with an inoculum that was approximately at the LD50 of strain 186. The survival curve showed that, in this experiment, HSV-2 186 killed 80% of the guinea pigs at a dose of 3×103 pfu by day thirty, whereas UL24Δ administered at a similar dose did not kill any animals (
These data correlated with vaginal swab titers (
The UL24Δ infected animals were followed from day fifteen to fifty p.i. for signs of reactivation from latency (
Materials and Methods
Mice
Eight-week-old female BALB/c mice were obtained from Taconic Laboratories Animals and Services (Germantown, N.Y.). Mice were housed in micro-isolator cages (5 animals/cage) and were permitted to feed/drink ad libitum. Mice treatment groups are shown below in Table 11. Transponders obtained from BioMedic Data Systems Inc., (Rockville, Md.) were inserted subcutaneously into the backs of mice as per the manufacturers instructions. Using the DAS-5001 Desktop scanner linked to a Saltorius Balance, transponders were used to identify mice, take and record body weights and temperatures.
*LD50 based on HSV2(186) WT
10 mice/Group, 120 mice total
Virus
The UL24 mutant virus (UL24Δ) and the UL24 repaired virus (UL24R) were created (or repaired) and selected, as described above in Example 1.
Vaginal Challenge Model
Five days prior to virus challenge all mice received 2.0 mg Depo provera (Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Min.) subcutaneously in the scruff of the neck to synchronize their esterous cycles and to increase their susceptibility to HSV-2 vaginal infection. For infection, mice were anesthetized and their vaginas swabbed with a sterile Dacron polyester tip applicator (Puritan, Guilford, Me.) to remove the associated mucous. Mice were subsequently inoculated intravaginally with the indicated doses or either wild type HSV-2 strain 186, HSV-2 186 insertion mutant (UL24Δ) or HSV-2 186 where the UL24Δ mutation has been repaired (UL24R). Virus was instilled into the vaginal vault using a micropipettor (0.01 ml/dose). The mice were monitored daily for four weeks for symptoms of viral infection and mortality. Mice were scored fir sings of disease: 0=no symptoms, 1=vaginal erythema, 2=vaginal edema, 3=vaginal lesions, 4=unilateral paralysis, 5=bilateral paralysis or death. At four weeks after vaginal challenge, two representative mice from each group were euthanized with CO2, bled via cardiac puncture, and spleen cells harvested for evaluation of anti-HSV-2 immune responses. Also at this time, the remaining eight mice were retro-orbitally bled to obtain serum samples for serological analysis and were given a second dose of Depo-provera subcutaneously five days prior to intravaginally administering a lethal challenge of wild-type HSV-2 strain 186. Naïve mice served as negative controls. The mice were monitored daily for four weeks for symptoms of viral infection and mortality. Surviving mice and an age-matched group of naïve control mice were re-challenged five months after the first challenge with a second intravaginal lethal dose of wild-type HSV-2 strain 186.
Route of Administration Study
Groups of five mice each were administered the attenuated UL24Δ mutant virus (1.25×104 pfu) by instillation into the vaginal vault (0.01 ml) or injection intramuscularly (0.06 ml) into the calf muscle, or subcutaneously into the hind footpad (0.03 ml). Eight weeks later mice were euthanized with CO2, bled via cardiac puncture, and spleen cells harvested for evaluation of the presence of anti-HSV-2 immune responses.
Humoral Immune Responses
gD or HSV-2 lysate-specific immunoglobulin ELISA. gD or HSV-2 lysate specific antibody responses were quantified by standard ELISA as previously described (York et al., 1995). Briefly, 96-well plates were coated with twenty ng/well purified gD or 100 ng/well HSV-2 lysate (Advance Biotechnologies Incorporated, Columbia, Md.), washed three times and then blocked with PBS+1% BSA. Serial two-fold dilutions of mouse sera in 0.05 M Tris buffered saline were added to duplicate wells and incubated for one hour. Bound gD-specific antibody was detected with biotinylated goat anti-mouse IgG1 or IgG2a, followed by Avid-HRP (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) and ABTS substrate (Kirkgaard and Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md.). The intensity of the resulting color was measured at 405 nm and endpoint titer was defined as the reciprocal of the serum dilution resulting in an OD40nm that was equal to the mean plus two standard deviations of the control naïve sera. The geometric mean titer +/−the standard error for each group was calculated using Origin and Excel software.
HSV-2 neutralization titers (ELVIS assay). Individual sera were evaluated for HSV neutralizing antibody titer by a colorimetric assay employing the ELVIS™ HSV cell line (Diagnostic Hybrids, Athens, Ohio) (Stabell and Olivo, 1992). ELVIS™ HSV cells—recombinant BHK cells that contain a HSV promoter sequence linked to an E. coli LacZ gene were obtained in 96-well flat-bottomed plates. Test sera were heat-inactivated for thirty minutes at 56° C., then serially diluted three-fold in MEM with 5% (v/v) FBS, and combined with 4×104 pfu of virus and 10% (v/v) guinea pig plasma as a source of complement. Virus/serum/complement mixtures were incubated for one hour at 37° C. with gentle rocking, and then 0.05 ml portions were added directly onto confluent ELVIS™ HSV cell monolayers. Virus control wells (no sera) and uninfected control wells (no virus) were set up on each 96-well microtiter plate. After a one hour adsorption period an additional 0.1 ml of ELVIS HSV replacement media (Diagnostic Hybrids) was added to each well and the cells were cultured at 37° C. After overnight incubation, the culture fluid was carefully aspirated, the cells were overlaid with 0.05 ml of MEM containing 1.5% NP-40 (Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.), and the plates were placed at −70° C. for at least four hours. Upon thawing, 0.05 ml of a β-galactosidase substrate (5% Chlorophenolred β-D galactopyranoside, Roche Diagnostics CORP, Indianapolis, Ind.; 10 mM MgSO4; 100 mM KCl; 400 mM NaH2PO4; 600 mM Na2HPO4; and 3.5% 2-mercaptoethanol) was added and incubated at 37° C. for forty-sixty minutes. The OD570nm was determined and the neutralization titer was defined as the reciprocal of the serum dilution that decreased the OD570nm obtained using the positive virus control by 50%. The geometric mean of titers for each group was calculated using Origin and Excel software.
Cellular Responses
CTL assay. Pooled spleen cells were re-stimulated with UV-inactivated HSV-2 as described above. After five days, live effector cells were isolated on Lympholyte-M gradients (Cedarlane, Hornby, ON) and assessed for cytolytic activity against HSV-2 infected (10 MOI, 4 h) A20 B cell lymphoma target cells (ATCC) in a three hour Europium (Eu+3)-release assay (Velders et al., 2001). Uninfected A20 cells were used as targets for background lysis. Target cells were labeled with Eu+3 (Sigma) and Eu+3 release was detected by time resolved fluorescence on a Victor2 Multilabel Counter (Perkin Elmer, Gaithersburg, Md.). Mean percent lysis was calculated from the average of triplicates based on the formula: percent lysis=[(experimental release-spontaneous release)/(maximal release-spontaneous release)]×100. Percent specific lysis was determined by subtracting the percent lysis of uninfected targets from the percent lysis of infected targets for each group. For some experiments, CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were depleted from effector cultures by MACS separation columns (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's protocol.
Th1/Th2 cytokine detection by Cytometric Bead Array analysis. Pooled spleen cells (1×108) from five mice per group had RBCs lysed with ACK lysis buffer (BioWhittaker, Walkerville, Md.) and were re-stimulated in vitro in 40 ml of T cell medium in a T-75 T-flask with one MOI of HSV-2 (strain 186) that was UV-inactivated with 100 mJoules UV light (UV Stratalinker, Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). After three days of re-stimulation, supernatant samples were frozen and stored at −20° C. for future analysis. Th1/Th2 cytokine content was determined by BD Pharmingen's (San Diego, Calif.) Mouse Th1/Th2 Cytokine Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) as described in the manufacturer's protocol.
Intracellular Cytokine Staining Protocol. Pooled murine splenocyte suspensions (2×106 cells/ml) were re-stimulated in vitro for three days with 106 pfu/ml of heat-inactivated HSV-2, at 37° C., 5% CO2. Brefeldin A (10 μg/ml, Sigma Chemical Ltd) was added to the cultures during the last four hours of incubation. Cells were collected and washed once with ice cold PBS and all subsequent staining and washing steps were performed at 4° C. The Fc receptor was blocked with a 2.4G2 hybridoma (ATCC) culture supernatant. Cell surface staining was accomplished with FITC-conjugated and biotinylated antibodies plus streptavidin red-670 at 1 μg mAb/50 μl PBS/106 cells for twenty minutes. The cells were washed, and fixed with 2% paraformaldehyde-PBS (pH 7.5) for thirty minutes. After washing with 0.1% saponin (Sigma Chemical Ltd), intracellular staining was conducted with either PE-conjugated anti-IFN-γ mAbs (PharMingen) that was diluted in a permeabilization buffer (0.25% saponin in PBS) for twenty minutes. To verify the staining specificity a commercial available Milk-1 positive IFN-γ was run as an internal positive control. The specificity controls run for each labeled monoclonal anti-cytokine antibody included pre-incubation of spleen cells from both naïve and HSV-1 infected mice with the corresponding unlabeled monoclonal antibody. Isotype-matched immunoglobulin preparations were used as negative controls for adjusting the instrument settings. The stained cells were washed once with PBS prior to cytometric analysis with a FACScan® (Becton Dickinson).
Results
Mice receiving the UL24Δ mutant virus tolerated the intravaginal administration and in all but a few instances showed no signs of infection at all doses tested (data not shown). No mortality was associated with infection with the UL24Δ mutant virus (data not shown). In contrast, administration of either wild type parental 186 strain or the “repaired” UL24 virus (UL24R) resulted with significant morbidity and mortality at both doses employed.
Serum samples and spleen cells were harvested from two representative mice from each surviving group at week eight post-administration to evaluate anti-HSV-2 humoral and cellular immune responses. Dose-dependent IgG2a serum antibody responses were observed in the UL24Δ mutant infected mice using gD and whole viral lysate ELISA staining protocols (Table 12). In general, strong anti-HSV-2 neutralization responses were observed in the majority of mice that were treated with the UL24Δ mutant virus (Table 12).
aserology from all ten mice per group
bserology from two representative mice per group
Anti-HSV-2 cellular data collected from pooled spleen cells from representative groups of surviving mice indicated that the UL24Δ mutant virus was very capable of inducing strong responses at all doses tested (Table 13). Very strong anti-HSV-2 CTL lytic responses were observed in all groups, with a trend toward stronger responses at the lower doses of 1000 pfu or 500 pfu. A thirty to sixty fold increase in the expression of IFN-γ was observed in CD4+ and a four to nine fold increase observed in the CD8+ spleen cell populations when compared to naïve control cells (Table 13). Similarly, when the supernatants harvested from in vitro stimulated spleen cells were measured for cytokine expression using the Cytokine Bead Array (CBA) system (BD Biosciences Pharmingen; San Diego, Calif.) all five cytokines detected were increased in spleen cells harvested from UL24Δ mutant virus treated mice as compared to naïve controls. The Th1 cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ were increased by three to ten fold and 300-700 fold, respectively. The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 were increased by nine to twenty-five fold and six to nine fold, respectively. IL-2 responses were four to ten fold higher in the UL24Δ mutant treated mice with a trend that spleen cells harvested from mice exposed to lower doses produced more IL-2 than spleen cells harvested from mice receiving higher doses.
ICS = internal cytokine staining
The remaining eight mice from each group were treated with Depo provera to increase their susceptibility to vaginal HSV-2 infection and challenged with the wild type HSV-2 186 laboratory strain at week eight. Morbidity and mortality of the challenged mice were followed for four weeks (data not shown). All mice receiving UL24Δ mutant virus were protected against the lethal effects of the wild type vaginal challenge. Minimal pathology was observed in some of the mice that were immunized with the lower doses (250-1000 pfu) of the UL24Δ mutant. In contrast, all naïve control littermates succumbed to the lethality of the wild type HSV-2 challenge by eight days post-challenge.
Five months later, the surviving UL24Δ mutant treated mice were intravaginally challenged with wild type virus (HSV-2 strain 186) a second time to determine whether they were still protected. All mice challenged with wild-type HSV-2 were solidly protected at the five month time point. No morbidity was observed in any of the UL24Δ immunized mice, in contrast to a group of age-matched naïve mice which uniformly all became lethally ill.
Route of Administration. A constant dose (1.25×104 pfu) of UL24Δ mutant virus was administered intravaginally, intramuscularly or subcutaneously via the footpad to evaluate what effects the route of administration had on immunogenicity. Two different wild-type parental HSV-2 strain 186 preparations were administered by footpad injection and served as positive controls for induction of HSV-2 immunogenicity.
Serum samples and spleen cells were harvested from mice at week eight post-administration to evaluate humoral and cellular immune responses. Evaluation of IgG2a anti-gD or anti-HSV-2 lysate serum antibody responses indicated that there were small differences between the intravaginal and the footpad responses, but these both were superior to the response induced by intramuscular injection, although the latter route elicited demonstrable responses (Table 14). In contrast all three rotates elicited very similar functional anti-HSV-2 neutralizing antibody responses.
i. vag = intravaginal
fp = subcutaneous footpad
im = intramuscular
Anti-HSV-2 cellular data collected from pooled spleen cells from mice indicated that the UL24Δ mutant virus elicited comparable cellular responses by all three routes tested (Table 15). CD4+ IFN-γ (Table 15, fourth column) responses were boosted thirteen to fifteen fold over naïve spleen cell responses obtained from control littermates. Cytokine Bead Array analyses of TNF-α secretion from all three routes of administration were shown to be increased at least twelve to nineteen fold over secretion from naïve spleen cells (Table 15). Similarly, IFN-γ secretion from UL24Δ mutant treated mice regardless of route of administration were enhanced at least 150 to 260 fold over naïve controls. Secretion of IL-4 and IL-5 by UL24 mutant treated mice were all elevated six to ten fold and eighteen to twenty-one fold, respectively, over naïve controls. All three routes of UL24Δ mutant HSV-2 administration were each enhanced by seven to eight fold for IL-2 secretion (Table 15).
In another experiment mice treated intramuscularly with the UL24Δ mutant were compared to naïve mice for the ability to protect mice from a lethal vaginal challenge with HSV-2 (data not shown). All mice treated intramuscularly with the UL24Δ mutant were well protected from both disease and mortality.
Materials and Methods
Viruses
Strain 186 and UL24Δ mutant viruses were prepared as previously described in Example 1. The challenge virus was HSV-2 strain MS and was obtained from D. Bernstein, (Childrens Memorial Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio), and amplified on VERO cells. Multiple aliquots of each virus stock were prepared, frozen in dry ice/ethanol, and stored at −70° C. One aliquot of each virus was rapidly thawed and titered by plaque assay on BHK cells. Viruses were rapidly thawed and formulated at the specified pfu concentrations in PBS on the day of administration to animals. The dose of challenge virus was determined by titration on guinea pigs to determine the dose that produces a compromise between efficient disease production and excessive neuropathology.
Animals
(HA)BR (Hartley albino, outbred) female guinea pigs, 250-350 grams weight were ordered from Charles River Laboratories. Animals were quarantined for one week before the start of each experiment.
Virus Inoculation
For immunizations, the virus dose was formulated in 100 μl PBS per animal and administered by subcutaneous injection at the nape of the neck. To study pathology, or to administer challenge virus after immunization, intravaginal instillation of virus was performed. Animals were cleaned out with swabs wetted with PBS, followed with dry swabs to remove vaginal mucus that would interfere with virus uptake. The dose of virus was formulated in 100 μl of PBS per animal and administered slowly, without anesthesia, using a 1 cc syringe fitted with a half inch catheter.
Scoring of Disease
Acute disease was scored between days three and ten after instillation of virus. Lesions were counted and scored using the scheme shown in Table 16. The scoring system is meant to reflect the severity of disease, which is in line with mathematical considerations when these values are being averaged for the group and compared to one another. Recurrent disease was scored by counting lesions each day between days fifteen and fifty-six post instillation of virus. The average lesions per animal in the group were expressed cumulatively over this time period.
Analysis of Swabs
Swabs were collected using Dacro-Swabs (VWR Scientific) and dipped into 1 ml MEM cell culture medium before freezing. Thawed swabs were vortexed, and 200 μl of this medium was processed using a QIA amp 96 DNA Blood Kit (Qiagen) to obtain DNA. Real-time PCR analysis was performed in duplicate using 10% of the eluted DNA. PCR employed the Quantitect Probe PCR Master Mix (Qiagen) and probes specific for the gG gene of HSV-2. A standard curve was generated with HSV-2 MS virus of known titer subjected to the same extraction procedure as the swabs. Data were expressed as pfu recovered per swab.
Analysis of Viral DNA Load in Dorsal Root Ganglia
Sacral dorsal root ganglia (6-8 per animal) were dissected at the termination of the experiment, weighed, and the DNA was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Mini kit (Qiagen). Real time PCR was performed as described above for the swab samples. A standard curve was constructed for each experiment using purified plasmid DNA containing the HSV-2 gD gene. Data were normalized using probes specific for guinea pig lactalbumin DNA in order to correct for variable amounts of neural material in the dissected ganglia. Results were expressed as HSV-2 DNA copies per ganglion.
Results
UL24Δ Virus is an Effective Immunogenic Composition Against Genital Herpes. The immunization efficacy of the UL24Δ relative to its parent virus was evaluated. Five groups of guinea pigs were immunized with either 5×104 or 5×105 pfu of virus in a subcutaneous injection in PBS. The animals were boosted with the same dose three weeks later, and challenged with HSV-2 MS strain virus on day zero.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US05/23185 | 6/28/2005 | WO | 10/17/2007 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60584251 | Jun 2004 | US |
