Cytomegalovirus antigens and uses thereof

Abstract

The disclosure provides modified cytomegalovirus (CMV) gL proteins and complexes comprising gL proteins. The modified gL proteins remain intact and are able to form complexes with other CMV proteins.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A process of producing a recombinant Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gL protein, or a complex-forming fragment thereof, comprising:
 (i) culturing an isolated host cell under a suitable condition,
 wherein said isolated host cell comprises a nucleic acid that encodes a recombinant HCMV gL protein, or a complex-forming fragment thereof, having a substitution mutation at a residue corresponding to A96, N97, S98, or a combination thereof, numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 1, 
   thereby expressing said gL protein, or complex-forming fragment thereof; and   (ii) harvesting said gL protein, or complex-forming fragment thereof, from the culture.   
     
     
         17 . A process of producing a Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) complex that comprises a recombinant gL protein, or a complex-forming fragment thereof, comprising:
 (i) culturing an isolated host cell under a suitable condition,
 wherein said isolated host cell comprises a nucleic acid that encodes an HCMV complex comprising a recombinant HCMV gL protein, or a complex-forming fragment thereof, having a mutation at residues 91-102 numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 1, 
   thereby expressing said HCMV complex; and   (ii) harvesting said HCMV complex from the culture.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said HCMV complex is a pentameric complex comprising said recombinant HCMV gL protein, or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, and: an HCMV gH protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, an HCMV pUL128 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, an HCMV pUL130 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, and an HCMV pUL131 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein said HCMV pentamer complex comprises a gH pentamer-forming fragment that lacks a transmembrane domain. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the complex comprises an HCMV gL protein, or complex-forming fragment thereof, having a substitution mutation at a residue corresponding to A96, N97, S98, or a combination thereof, numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein said HCMV complex is a pentameric complex comprising said recombinant HCMV gL protein, or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, and: an HCMV gH protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, an HCMV pUL128 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, an HCMV pUL130 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof, and an HCMV pUL131 protein or a pentamer-forming fragment thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein said HCMV pentamer complex comprises a gH pentamer-forming fragment that lacks a transmembrane domain.