Novel peptides of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein and their use in a vaccine

Abstract

The present invention relates to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and more particularly to the identification of novel antigens which are useful in particular for the therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of conditions caused by this virus. The present invention relates to methods of generating and/or increasing an immunogenic response directed against Respiratory Syncytial Virus, including subgroups A and B.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nucleic acid derived from the G protein of RSV subgroups A or B, wherein the nucleic acid encodes an immunogenic peptide selected from the group consisting of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, and SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition, which comprises, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium, at least one nucleic acid of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , comprising at least one carrier protein and/or an adjuvant. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , wherein the carrier protein is a DT protein in which at least one cysteine residue has been deleted. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier protein comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in one of the sequences of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , wherein the adjuvant is selected from MPL-A, MF59, Quil-A, ISCOM, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) or dimethyldioctadecyl-ammonium chloride (DDAC), alumina, adjuphos, CpGs, Leif, CT, LT and detoxified versions of CT or LT. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , wherein the immunogenic peptide is associated, by mixing or by coupling, with the carrier protein and/or the adjuvant. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition also comprises a second antigen, immunogen or hapten of RSV and/or an antigen, immunogen or hapten derived from a microorganism responsible for pathologies of the airways, selected from parainfluenza viruses (PIV 1, 2, 3 and 4), influenza virus (A and B), hantaviruses, streptococci, pneumococci, haemophilus influenza type b, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and meningococci. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable medium is selected from water, a saline aqueous solution and an aqueous solution based on dextrose and/or on glycerol. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is vehiculed in a form which makes it possible to improve its stability and/or its immunogenicity. 
     
     
         11 . A diagnostic kit, comprising a nucleic acid of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of generating and/or increasing an immunogenic response, RSV A and B cross protection and negative immediate hypersensitivity and which does not induce immunopathologies in an animal, including a human, whereby a nucleic acid of  claim 1  is administered in a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of conditions caused by RSV, subgroups A or B, in the animal, including a human, afflicted by such conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generation or increase in an immune response is directed against RSV.