Rsv f protein compositions and methods for making same

Abstract

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising RSV F protein, methods for preparing compositions that contain RSV F protein ecto-domain polypeptides, and to certain engineered RSV F proteins and nucleic acids that encode the engineered RSV F proteins. Compositions prepared using the methods can contain RSV F protein ecto-domain polypeptides in a predominant or single desired form and conformation. The invention also relates to methods for inducing an immune response to RSV F.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 a) a RSV-F protein comprising a trimerizing sequence from bacteriophage T4 fibritin; and   b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the RSV-F protein does not comprise a transmembrane region or cytoplasmic tail. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the RSV-F protein does not comprise a p27 region. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the trimerizing sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the trimerizing sequence comprises amino acid residues 3-29 of SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the RSV-F protein is of a RSV A subgroup. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the RSV-F protein is of a RSV B subgroup. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the RSV-F protein comprises a first polypeptide comprising a F1 fragment; and a second polypeptide comprising a F2 fragment. 
     
     
         15 . A method of inducing an immune response to RSV in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7  to the subject.