Recombinant poxvirus expressing homologous genes inserted into the poxvirus genome

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector capable of expressing two or more homologous, foreign sequences, which derive from different variants of a microorganism, and which have a homology of 50% or above. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such recombinant poxvirus and the use of such recombinant poxvirus as medicament or vaccine. Additionally, a method for affecting preferably inducing, an immune response in a living animal, including a human, is provided.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A recombinant poxviral vector comprising at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 50-75% homologous in comparison to each other, wherein each of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into a different site in the poxviral genome. 
     
     
         29 . The recombinant poxviral vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant poxviral vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 60-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         30 . The recombinant poxviral vector of  claim 29 , wherein the recombinant poxviral vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 65-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         31 . The recombinant poxviral vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant poxviral vector contains only two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 50-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         32 . The recombinant poxviral vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant poxviral vector contains only three homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 50-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         33 . The recombinant poxviral vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant poxviral vector is an MVA vector. 
     
     
         34 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into an intergenic region. 
     
     
         35 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 34 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR44/45. 
     
     
         36 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 34 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR136/137. 
     
     
         37 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 34 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR07/08. 
     
     
         38 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 34 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR I4L. 
     
     
         39 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into a naturally-occurring deletion site. 
     
     
         40 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 39 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 1. 
     
     
         41 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 39 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 2. 
     
     
         42 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 39 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 4. 
     
     
         43 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 60-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         44 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 43 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 65-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         45 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector contains only two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 50-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         46 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector contains only three homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides which are 50-75% homologous in comparison to each other.