Subunit vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus infection

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to methods of treating or preventing RSV infections, and more specifically, to compositions, and the use thereof, comprising one or more RSV G protein immunogen or fragment thereof capable of eliciting protective immunity without eliciting an immunopathological response or eliciting a reduced immunopathological response.

1 . A respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein comprising an alanine at the position corresponding amino acid position 191 of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof comprising an epitope that elicits a protective immune response, wherein the fragment comprises amino acids corresponding to positions from about amino acid position 165 to about amino acid position 195 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises from amino acid 165 to amino acid 195 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         3 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the fragment comprises SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         4 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein said G protein polypeptide further comprises a hydrophobic moiety. 
     
     
         5 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic moiety comprises an amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         6 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic portion is a lipid. 
     
     
         7 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic moiety is at the amino-terminus of the G protein polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic moiety is at the carboxy-terminus of the G protein immunogen. 
     
     
         9 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the G protein polypeptide further comprises a second amino acid sequence to form a fusion protein. 
     
     
         10 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein the second amino acid sequence comprises a tag or an enzyme. 
     
     
         11 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein the second amino acid sequence comprises thioredoxin, polyhistidine, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein the fusion protein further comprises a hydrophobic moiety. 
     
     
         13 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophobic moiety is at the amino-terminus of the fusion protein. 
     
     
         14 . The RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophobic moiety is at the carboxy-terminus of the fusion protein. 
     
     
         15 . A method of eliciting a protective immune response against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) without eliciting an immunopathological response or eliciting a reduced immunopatholgical response comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising the RSV G protein polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprising the RSV G protein polypeptide further comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises an RSV F protein immunogen.