Abstract:
The invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs)of an RNA bacteriophage that (a) comprises a coat polypeptide of said phage modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide that is displayed on said VLP and (b) encapsidates said bacteriophage mRNA as well as populations of these VLPs, and their uses. The invention is further directed to VLPs that encapsidate heterologous substances, as well as populations of these VLPs and their uses.
Abstract:
The invention enables the display of antibody single-chain variable fragments (scFv's on virus-like particles (VLPs) of bacteriophages such as MS2. The VLPs encapsidate mRNA encoding the coat protein from which it assembles, enabling the recovery by reverse transcription and PGR of affinity-selected sequences from scFv libraries. Related virus-like particles, method for constructing a library of scFv-VLPs, drug delivery vehicles comprising one or more pharmaceutically-active ingredients, biomedical imaging agents, assays, and kits are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 or PP7 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on bacteriophage VLPs, especially MS2 or PP7 VLPs over a wide range, from few than one- on average- to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency. Nucleic acid constructs useful in the expression of virus-like particles are disclosed, comprised of a coat polypeptide of bacteriophage such as MS2 or PP7 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, optionally comprising a carbohydrate mimotope, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates bacteriphage mRNA.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one- on average- to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency. Nucleic acid constructs useful in the expression of virus-like particles are disclosed, comprised of a coat polypeptide of MS2 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates MS2 niRNA. Nucleic acid constructs are also disclosed which are useful in the expression of virus-like particles comprised of a coat polypeptide of PP7 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates PP7 mRNA.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles and related immunogenic compositions and diagnostic techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles containing peptides corresponding to epitope regions of a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and microbes. Non-infectious antigens and allergens of interest can also be screened as described herein. Immunization, therapeutic and diagnostic applications are also described for the compositions and methods according to the invention. In another embodiment, the invention provides novel methods of identifying a cryptic neutralizing epitope and related vaccines, constructs, and libraries. In some embodiments, these methods use high-throughput formats that are facilitated by in silica or in vitro steps.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to malaria vaccines comprising a bacteriophage VLP displaying a heterologous peptide identified by affinity selection as an anti-malaria mimotope.
Abstract:
The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and related disorders, including cervical cancer and persistent infections associated with HPV. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPsand related ompositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against HPV infection, confer immunity against HPV infection, protect against HPV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by HPV infection.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention provides immunogenic HPV L2-containing viral-like particles (VLPs). Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. In certain aspects, the VLPs are comprised of a coat polypeptide of the bacteriophages PP7 or MS2, wherein the coat protein is modified by insertion of peptide antigens derived from HPV L2, and wherein the HPV L2 peptide is displayed on the VLP and encapsidates PP7 or MS2 mRNA. Specifically, VLPs of the invention display L2 peptides at the N- terminus of the bacteriophage coat protein. Surprisingly, these L2-displaying VLPs induce more broadly neutralizing antibody responses than when the same peptide is displayed in the AB-loop such that the immunogenic response is enhanced by a factor of at least 10. Immunogenic VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one—on average—to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency. Nucleic acid constructs useful in the expression of virus-like particles are disclosed, comprised of a coat polypeptide of MS2 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates MS2 niRNA. Nucleic acid constructs are also disclosed which are useful in the expression of virus-like particles comprised of a coat polypeptide of PP7 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates PP7 mRNA.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention provides immunogenic HPV L2-containing viral-like particles (VLPs). Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. In certain aspects, the VLPs are comprised of a coat polypeptide of the bacteriophages PP7 or MS2, wherein the coat protein is modified by insertion of peptide antigens derived from HPV L2, and wherein the HPV L2 peptide is displayed on the VLP and encapsidates PP7 or MS2 mRNA. Specifically, VLPs of the invention display L2 peptides at the N- terminus of the bacteriophage coat protein. Surprisingly, these L2-displaying VLPs induce more broadly neutralizing antibody responses than when the same peptide is displayed in the AB-loop such that the immunogenic response is enhanced by a factor of at least 10. Immunogenic VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo.