Compositions, methods and uses for poxvirus elements in vaccine constructs against influenza virus subtypes or strains

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally disclose methods, compositions and uses for generating and expressing poxvirus constructs. In some embodiments, constructs may contain an influenza virus gene segment. In certain embodiments, methods generally relate to making and using compositions of constructs including, but not limited to, poxvirus vaccine compositions having two or more influenza gene segments. In other embodiments, vaccine compositions are reported of use in a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A construct comprising:
 a modified vaccinia virus construct having at least one poxvirus secretory signal sequence associated with a first influenza gene segment or fragment thereof, and   
       at least a second influenza gene segment or fragment thereof, 
       wherein the influenza gene segments in the construct are capable of producing an immune response to more than one influenza subtype when introduced to a subject. 
     
     
         2 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the influenza gene segment comprises hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), nucleoprotein (NP), matrix (M) polymerase (P) or fragment thereof or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the fragment comprises at least 6, or at least 8, or at least 10 contiguous amino acids of the influenza gene segment. 
     
     
         4 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the poxvirus secretory signal sequence comprises, C13L, B8R or any other poxvirus secretory signal sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the poxvirus secretory signal sequence is fused to the influenza gene segment. 
     
     
         6 . The construct of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more translational control sequences. 
     
     
         7 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the vaccinia virus comprises modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA). 
     
     
         8 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the influenza gene segments comprises a naturally-occurring influenza gene segment comprising a naturally-occurring secretory signal sequence. 
     
     
         9 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the influenza gene segments are from different influenza subtypes or different influenza strains. 
     
     
         10 . The construct of  claim 1  wherein at least one influenza gene segment comprises an influenza gene segment from a seasonal influenza virus subtype. 
     
     
         11 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein at least one influenza gene segment comprises an influenza gene segment from a pandemic influenza virus subtype. 
     
     
         12 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the first influenza gene segment comprises the influenza gene segment nucleoprotein (NP); and the second influenza gene segment comprises the influenza gene segment comprises hemagglutinin (HA). 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the construct of  claim 1 ; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more additional poxvirus constructs having non-poxvirus antigens or fragments thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A method for inducing an immune response to more than one influenza virus infection in a subject comprising:
 administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more construct of  claim 1  to the subject, wherein administration induces an immune response to more than one influenza virus subtype in the subject.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the influenza gene segment comprises hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), nucleoprotein (NP), matrix (M) or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one influenza gene segment is obtained from a seasonal influenza virus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one influenza gene segment is obtained from a pandemic influenza virus. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject has an influenza virus infection and the composition treats the influenza virus infection in the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition reduces the onset of more than one influenza virus infection in the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising administering a composition comprising: one or more poxvirus constructs prior to or at the same time as administering a composition comprising one or more construct of  claim 1  to the subject, wherein the composition is capable of inducing an immune response in the subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition comprising one or more poxvirus constructs is administered to the subject between 6 months and immediately prior to the second composition. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein administration of the pharmaceutical composition comprises administering the composition intradermally, subcutaneously, intravenously, orally, intranasally, by inhalation or other mode of administration. 
     
     
         24 . A vaccine kit comprising;
 one or more pharmaceutical compositions of  claim 13 ; and   at least one container.