Vectors and cells for preparing immunoprotective compositions derived from transgenic plants

Abstract

The inventions is drawn towards vectors and methods useful for preparing genetically transformed plant cells that express immunogens from pathogenic organisms which are used to produce immunoprotective particles useful in vaccine preparations. The invention includes plant optimized genes that encode the HN protein of Newcastle Disease Virus. The invention also relates to methods of producing an antigen in a transgenic plant.

1 . A transgenic plant comprising a vector, wherein said vector comprises SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         2 . A transgenic plant comprising a vector, wherein said vector is selected from the group consisting of pCHN, pGHN, pGHN151, pGHN153, pMHN, pUHN. 
     
     
         3 . The transgenic plant of  claim 1 , wherein a plant-functional promoter is operably linked to SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         4 . A vaccine comprising a recombinant viral antigenic protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the viral antigenic protein is the HN antigen of Newcastle Disease virus produced by a vector comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 or a vector selected from the group consisting of pCHN, pGHN, pGHN151, pGHN153, pMHN, pUHN, and wherein said vaccine is capable of eliciting an immune response upon administration to an animal. 
     
     
         5 . The vaccine of  claim 4 , wherein said HN protein comprises SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         6 . The vaccine of  claim 4 , wherein said HN protein is produced in a plant cell. 
     
     
         7 . A method for protecting an animal against NewCastle Disease Virus comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine of  claim 4  to an animal. 
     
     
         8 . A vaccine comprising a recombinant viral antigenic protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the viral antigenic protein is the HA antigen of Avian Influenza Virus produced by a vector for expressing an immunoprotective antigen in a plant cell comprising a DNA sequence encoding the HA antigen of Avian Influenza Virus, wherein the vector is pCHA, and wherein said vaccine is capable of eliciting an immune response upon administration to an animal. 
     
     
         9 . The vaccine of  claim 8 , wherein said HA antigen is produced in a plant cell. 
     
     
         10 . A method for protecting an animal against Avian Influenza Virus comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine of  claim 8  to an animal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  or  10 , wherein the vaccine is administered orally, intranasaly, intraperitonealy, intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  or  10 , wherein the effective amount is at a range of 1 μg to 50 μg per kilogram of bodyweight. 
     
     
         13 . A method of producing an antigen in a transgenic plant comprising the steps of:
 a) producing a transgenic plant comprising a vector encoding said antigen;   b) incubating said plant under conditions wherein said plant expresses said antigen; and   wherein said plant is incubated prior to the onset of ripening.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said plant comprises a fruit that ripens. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said plant is a tomato plant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fruit of said plant is harvested prior to the onset of ripening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said antigen is isolated from said harvested fruit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said antigen is selected from the group consisting of HN antigen of Newcastle Disease Virus, HA antigen of Avian Influenza Virus, LTB, NVCP, zona pellucida glycoprotein and HBsAg.