Compositions, methods and uses for expression of enterobacterium-associated peptides

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally disclose methods, compositions and uses for generating and expressing enterobacterial-associated peptides. In some embodiments, enterobacterial-associated peptides include, but are not limited to plague-associated peptides. In certain embodiments, methods generally relate to making and using compositions of constructs including, but not limited to, attenuated or modified vaccinia virus vectors expressing enterobacterial-associated peptides. In other embodiments, vaccine compositions are reported of use in a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) nucleic acid sequence construct comprising:
 a nucleic acid sequence of a live, attenuated or modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus encoding:   at least one virulence (V) antigen from a  Yersinia  spp.;   at least one mammalian secretory signal sequence; and   at least one translational control region.   
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one V antigen comprises a full-length V antigen. 
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid construct is part of an immunogenic pharmaceutical composition and further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         4 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mammalian secretory signal sequence is a proleader sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the proleader sequence comprises at least one of, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) leader sequence, oc-factor leader sequence, pre-proinsulin leader sequence, invertase leader sequence, immunoglobulin A leader sequence, ovalbumin leader sequence, and P-globin leader sequence or other proleader sequences. 
     
     
         6 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one translational control region comprises at least one untranslated region (UTR). 
     
     
         7 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one translational control region comprises at least one internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). 
     
     
         8 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the  Yersinia  spp. is  Yersinia pestis.    
     
     
         9 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the translational control region comprises a viral IRES. 
     
     
         10 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 9 , wherein the viral IRES is from encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). 
     
     
         11 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mammalian secretory signal sequence comprises tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). 
     
     
         12 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mammalian secretory sequence comprises tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and the at least one translational control region comprises a viral IRES. 
     
     
         13 . A method for inducing an immune response to  Yersinia  spp. in a subject comprising administering a composition of  claim 3  to a subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is capable of inducing an immune response in the subject against non-encapsulated and encapsulated  Yersinia  spp. 
     
     
         15 . A kit comprising;
 at least one composition according to  claim 3  or at least one construct according to  claim 1 ; and at least one container.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , further comprising a delivery device for delivery to a subject.