Identification and Attenuation of the Immunosuppressive Domains in Fusion Proteins of Enveloped RNA Viruses

Abstract

The present invention relates to enveloped RNA viruses. The invention in particular relates to the generation of superior antigens for mounting an immune response by first identifying then mutating the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses resulting in decreased immunosuppressive properties of viral envelope proteins from the viruses.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to enveloped RNA viruses. In particular, the invention relates to the generation of superior antigens for mounting an immune response by first identifying then mutating the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses resulting in decreased immunosuppressive properties of viral envelope proteins from said viruses.TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDClassification of VirusesICTV Classification[0002]The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) developed the current classification system and wrote guidelines that put a greater weight on certain virus properties to maintain family uniformity. A unified taxonomy (a universal system for classifying viruses) has been established. The 7th ICTV Report formalized for the first time the concept of the virus species as the lowest taxon (group) in a branching hierarchy of viral taxa. However, at present only a small part of the total diversity of viruses has been studied, with analyses of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes methods for identifying new immunosuppressive domains in proteins displayed on the surface of enveloped RNA viruses. These methods can be used to create vaccines against different types of viruses, including ones that previously had no known vaccine. By mutating these immunosuppressive domains, the vaccines can be made more effective by producing superior antigens or neutralizing antibodies. This can lead to improved vaccination regimes against viruses like hepatitis C, dengue, and influenza, as well as better versions of existing viral vaccines.

Problems solved by technology

However, at present only a small part of the total diversity of viruses has been studied, with analyses of samples from humans finding that about 20% of the virus sequences recovered have not been seen before, and samples from the environment, such as from seawater and ocean sediments, finding that the large majority of sequences are completely novel.

This high energy conformation makes the viral fusion proteins very susceptible to modifications; Small changes in the primary structure of the protein often result in the protein to be folded in its stable post fusion conformation.

Furthermore, viruses that contain the non-immunosuppressive form of the friend murine leukemia virus envelope protein, although fully infectious in irradiated immunocompromised mice cannot establish an infection in immunocompetent animals.

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