Immunodeficiency recombinant poxvirus

Abstract

Attenuated recombinant viruses containing DNA encoding an immunodeficiency virus and/or CTL antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, expression products therefrom, and antibodies generated from the viruses or expression products, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The DNA can code for at least one of: HIV1gag(+pro) (IIIB), gp120(MN) (+transmembrane), nef (BRU)CTL, pol(IIIB)CTL, ELDKWA or LDKW epitopes, preferably HIV1gag(+pro) (IIIB), gp120(MN) (+transmembrane), two (2) nef(BRU)CTL and three (3) pol(IIIB)CTL epitopes; or two ELDKWA in gp120 V3 or another region or in gp160. The two (2) nef(BRU)CTL and three (3) pol(IIIB)CTL epitopes are preferably CTL1, CTL2, pol1, pol2 and pol3. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom and antibodies generated by the viruses and gene products have several preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic uses. DNA from the recombinant viruses are useful as probes or, for generating PCR primers or for immunization. Also disclosed and claimed are HIV immunogens and modified gp160 and gp120.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A protein having an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid sequence of HIV1 gp120, wherein the amino acid sequence of the gp120 is modified so as to contain an epitope not naturally occurring in HIV1 gp120. 
     
     
         37 . The protein of  claim 36 , wherein the epitope is a B-cell epitope. 
     
     
         38 . The protein of  claim 36 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the gp120 is modified in the V3 loop so as to contain the epitope. 
     
     
         39 . The protein of  claim 38 , wherein the epitope is a B-cell epitope. 
     
     
         40 . The protein of  claim 38 , wherein the epitope is ELDKWA or LDKW. 
     
     
         41 . The protein of  claim 36 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the gp120 is modified to contain at least one of HIV1gag(+ pro) (IIIB), gp120(MN) (+ transmembrane), nef(BRU)CTL, pol(IIIB)CTL, and ELDKWA or LDKW epitopes. 
     
     
         42 . The protein of  claim 41 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the gp120 is modified in the V3 loop to contain the epitope. 
     
     
         43 . The protein of  claim 38 , comprising the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 137, SEQ ID NO: 140 or SEQ ID NO: 143. 
     
     
         44 . The protein having the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 137, SEQ ID NO: 140 or SEQ ID NO: 143. 
     
     
         45 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         46 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 37 . 
     
     
         47 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 38 . 
     
     
         48 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 39 . 
     
     
         49 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 40 . 
     
     
         50 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 41 . 
     
     
         51 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the protein of  claim 42 . 
     
     
         52 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleic acid sequence which encodes the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 137, SEQ ID NO: 140 or SEQ ID NO: 143. 
     
     
         53 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 52  selected from the group consisting of the nucleic acid molecules identified as SEQ ID NO: 135, SEQ ID NO: 136, SEQ ID NO: 138, SEQ ID NO: 139, SEQ ID NO: 141 and SEQ ID NO: 142.