Recombinant poxvirus expressing homologous genes inserted into the poxviral 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 Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) vector comprising at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are at least 50% homologous in comparison to each other, wherein each of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into a different site in the MVA genome, and wherein each of the foreign nucleotide sequences is stably expressed in an infected host cell. 
     
     
         29 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are at least 60% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         30 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are 50-60% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         31 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are 60-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         32 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are 65-75% homologous in comparison to each other. 
     
     
         33 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into an intergenic region. 
     
     
         34 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR44/45. 
     
     
         35 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR136/137. 
     
     
         36 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR07/08. 
     
     
         37 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 33 , wherein the intergenic region is IGR I4L. 
     
     
         38 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the foreign nucleotide sequences is inserted into a naturally-occurring deletion site. 
     
     
         39 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 38 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 1. 
     
     
         40 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 38 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 2. 
     
     
         41 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 38 , wherein the naturally-occurring deletion site is deletion site 4. 
     
     
         42 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences of greater than 300 nucleotides. 
     
     
         43 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the homologous foreign nucleotide sequences encode viral antigens. 
     
     
         44 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 43 , wherein the homologous foreign nucleotide sequences encode Flavivirus antigens. 
     
     
         45 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the homologous foreign nucleotide sequences encode bacterial antigens. 
     
     
         46 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the homologous foreign nucleotide sequences encode fungal antigens. 
     
     
         47 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the homologous foreign nucleotide sequences encode parasite antigens. 
     
     
         48 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector contains three or less homologous foreign nucleotide sequences. 
     
     
         49 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 28 , wherein the recombinant MVA vector comprises at least two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences that are identical. 
     
     
         50 . The recombinant MVA vector of  claim 49 , wherein the two homologous foreign nucleotide sequences are promoter elements.