Recombinant poxvirus for chimeric proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

The invention relates to HIV chimeric gene formed by the union of fragments of different genes of said virus, wherein said fragments contains epitopes for cytotoxic T cells (CTL) or HIV-1 auxiliary T cells, which are presented by a wide range of antigens of type Major Histocompatibility Complex (HLA-I). Recombinant poxviruses are obtained from said genes, which are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination against HIV/AIDS infections, are capable of generating a protective immune cell response in vaccinated laboratory animals and are recognized by the CTL lymphocytes of HIV/AIDS patients.

1 . A chimeric gene comprising fragments from different HIV-1 genes, where those fragments encodes for cytotoxic T cells (CTL) epitopes rich regions, which are presented by a wide range of Major Histocompatibility Complex (HLA-1) antigens, and can also contain T helper (Th) cells epitopes from HIV and at least one B cell epitope that is the target of a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         2 . A gene as described in  claim 1  which encodes for a chimeric poliprotein comprising fragments from at least one HIV structural protein and one HIV non-structural protein. 
     
     
         3 . A gene as described in  claim 2  which encodes for a chimeric poliprotein comprising fragments from HIV-1 proteins Reverse Transcriptase, P24 and Nef, Th epitopes from gp120, gp41 and vpr and a B cell epitope from gp120. 
     
     
         4 . A gene as described in  claim 3  which encodes for a chimeric poliprotein comprising fragments 203-259 from Reverse Transcriptase, 219-307 from P24, and 45-147 from Nef, Th cell epitopes T1 and T2 from gp120, 580-594 from gp41 and 566-580 from vpr and B cell epitope from the V3 region MN strain recognized by Mab 2C4. 
     
     
         5 . A gene as described in  claim 4 , which DNA sequence corresponds essentially with that of cr3 gene. 
     
     
         6 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A plasmid vector containing chimeric gene as described in  claim 1  under the control of a mammalian cells promoter. 
     
     
         23 - 27 . (canceled)