Recombinant RSV virus expression systems and vaccines

Abstract

The present invention relates to genetically engineered recombinant RS viruses and viral vectors which contain heterologous genes which for the use as vaccines. In accordance with the present invention, the recombinant RS viral vectors and viruses are engineered to contain heterologous genes, including genes of other viruses, pathogens, cellular genes, tumor antigens, or to encode combinations of genes from different strains of RSV.

1 . A method for rescuing a genetically manipulated non-segmented negative-stranded RNA virus of the paramyxoviridae family comprising: 
 introducing into a host cell expressing a heterologous RNA polymerase: 
 (a) one or more DNA molecules encoding the virus N, P and L proteins operably linked to a polymerase binding site;  
 (b) a DNA molecule comprising the cDNA of the non-segmented negative stranded RNA virus wherein the cDNA encodes the entire genome of the virus or is modified by the incorporation of a mutation or a heterologous sequence, and wherein the cDNA is transcribed by a heterologous RNA polymerase; and  
 isolating the virus produced by the cell.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virus is a parainfluenza virus.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virus is a respiratory syncytial virus.