Induction Of Cross Reactive Cellular Response Against Rhinovirus Antigens
Abstract:
The present invention concerns: a) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus or an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding said peptide placed under the control of the elements necessary for its expression in a mammalian cell; and/or b) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 100 amino acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus or an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding said peptide placed under the control of the elements necessary for its expression in a mammalian cell; and c) a Th1 adjuvant when said immunogenic composition comprises one or more of said isolated peptides.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
16 Sevincott Close
Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 9JX
3. JOHNSON Sebastian
60a Flood Street
London SW3 5TE
4. BARTLETT Nathan
21D Westbourne Park Road
London
5. GUY Bruno
2 rue Casimir Perier
F 69002 Lyon
6. GIRERD CHAMBAZ Yves
22 chemin de la Pra
F 69510 Messimy
7. LECOUTURIER Valerie
16 rue des Bruyeres
F 69380 Chazay dAzergues
8. ALMOND Jeffrey
28 chemin du Pelosset
F 69570 Dardilly
9. GLANVILLE Nicholas
82 Manwood Road
London SE4 1SB
10. BURDIN Nicolas
11 bis rue de la garenne
F 69290 Saint Genis les Ollières
Specification
The present invention concerns immunogenic compositions enabling inducing a
cross-reactive immune response in a subject against rhinovirus antigens.
Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are the most frequent cause of the common cold
and are highly associated with exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) in individuals at risk. Despite the great disease burden and
healthcare costs therefore attributable to HRV infections, there is currently neither a
vaccine nor specific anti-viral therapy available.
The requirements for immunity to HRV are poorly understood. Both experimental
and natural infections do induce antibodies which provide some protection against r e
infection with the same HRVtype. There are however greater than loo serotypes of HRV,
a number which is likely to increase further with the identification and characterization of
new serotypes. Currently the main efforts to develop a candidate vaccine against HRV are
focusing on the identification of antigens that induce a broad neutralizing antibody
response. This approach is described in the international application WO 2011/050384,
whereby it is shown that antibodies raised against a recombinant rhinovirus capsid
protein, VPi, show cross-protection against distantly related HRV strains. Another study
(Katpally et al. (2009) J.Virol. 83:7040-7048) shows that antibodies directed to the
buried N-terminus of the rhinovirus capsid protein, VP4, exhibit cross-serotypic
neutralization. However, there is no certainty that a vaccine strategy based only on
generating neutralizing antibodies could provide a sufficient and broad protection to
prevent the frequent HRVinfections which occur throughout life.
There is therefore an important need to develop alternative vaccine strategies that
could be more successful.
Vaccination strategies based on inducing T cell responses to conserved antigens have
been explored in a number of infectious diseases, including respiratory virus infections.
The advantage of such a strategy lies in the ability of T cells to recognize internal regions of
the virus, which are frequently more conserved than surface exposed antibody epitopes. T
cells are therefore potentially cross-reactive against different virus strains, as has been
shown with influenza viruses (Lee et al. (2008) J . Clin. Invest. 118:3478-3490; Richards
et al. (2010) J . Immunol. 185:4998-5002) for which surface antigenic variability is a
major barrier to effective vaccine design.
For HRVs, naturally occurring memory T cells have been shown to be cross-serotype
responsive (Gern et al. (1997) J . Infect. Dis. 175 :1108-1114; Wimalasundera et al. (1997) J .
Infect. Dis. 176 :755-759) and immunization of mice with peptides from VPi and VP3
capsid proteins of HRV has been suggested to be capable of inducing cross-serotype
reactive T cells (Hastings et al. (1993) Eur. J . Immunol. 2 3 :2300-2305). However, it has
not been shown that a T cell mediated immune response against HRVis protective against
rhinovirus infection.
The inventors have now featured new immunogenic compositions that are able to
induce a broad cross-reactive cellular immune response among rhinoviruses, and which
have been shown to also accelerate rhinovirus clearance in rhinovirus infected subjects.
Based on linear sequence conservation among HRVs, the inventors identified
antigens which were able to induce antigen-specific, cross-reactive, type I-orientated T cell
responses and enhanced neutralizing antibody responses following infection in mice. Said
antigens correspond to conserved domains in the HRV Pi polyprotein and the HRV RNA
polymerase.
Specifically, the inventors identified as a particularly useful antigen:
- an isolated peptide comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence which is
at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus;
- a fusion peptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 90%
identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, covalently linked to another
conserved amino acid sequence of the "large" polyprotein of the rhinovirus, including in
particular all or part of the VP2 amino acid sequence and/or conserved domains of the
RNA polymerase; or
- an isolated peptide comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence of at least
100 amino acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the
last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNApolymerase of a rhinovirus.
In particular, administering to mice a peptide comprising the HRV16 VP4 peptide,
more particularly a peptide consisting of the HRV16 VPo polyprotein, or a peptide, the
amino acid sequence of which is located within the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the
HRV16 RNA polymerase, enabled inducing a cross-reactive immune response against
HRV16, but also against other HRVserotypes, such as HRV14, HRViB or HRV29.
The present invention therefore concerns an immunogenic composition comprising:
a) an isolated peptide or a fusion peptide as described above comprising an
amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid
sequence of a rhinovirus, or an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid
sequence encoding said peptide, placed under the control of the elements
necessary for its expression in a mammalian cell; and/or
b) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 100
amino acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in
the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus, or an
isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding said peptide,
placed under the control of the elements necessary for its expression in a
mammalian cell; and
c) a Thi adjuvant when said immunogenic composition comprises one or
more of said isolated peptides or fusion peptides.
The present invention also concerns an immunogenic composition as defined above
for use in a mammal to induce a specific cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response
against at least two serotypes of rhinoviruses.
The present invention is further drawn to an immunogenic composition as defined
above for use in a mammal to induce a specific neutralizing antibody response when
infected by a rhinovirus.
The present invention also concerns an immunogenic composition as defined above
for use in a mammal to shorten or prevent an infection by a rhinovirus, and/or to reduce
or prevent the clinical symptoms associated with the infection. Therefore, the
immunogenic composition as defined above can be used as a vaccine to protect against
rhinovirus infection.
Detailed description of the invention
Rhinoviruses
In the context of the invention, the term "rhinovirus" or "HRV" (Human
rhinovirus) refers to any member of the family Picornaviridae genus Enterovirus
according to the recent taxonomy. There are 3 different groups of rhinoviruses: Human
rhinovirus A (HRV-A) also called type A rhinovirus, Human rhinovirus B (HRV-B) also
called type Brhinovirus and Human rhinovirus C(HRV-C) also called type Crhinovirus.
HRVs are further classified according to their serotype, of which more than 100
have been reported until now.
As used herein, the term "serotype" refers to a subdivision within a group of
rhinoviruses and relies on the VPi gene sequence of the rhinovirus. A given serotype of
rhinovirus may contain one or several strains that are distinguished by secondary
characteristics. HRVs have been classified according to several other parameters,
including receptor specificity, antiviral susceptibility and nucleotide sequence homologies.
The HRV-Aspecies includes in particular the following serotypes: HRViA, HRViB, HRV2,
HRV7, HRV8, HRV9, HRV10, HRV11, HRV12, HRV13, HRV15, HRV16, HRV18, HRV19,
HRV20, HRV21, HRV22, HRV23, HRV24, HRV25, HRV28, HRV29, HRV30, HRV31,
HRV32, HRV33, HRV34, HRV36, HRV38, HRV39, HRV40, HRV41, HRV43, HRV44,
HRV45, HRV46, HRV47, HRV49, HRV50, HRV51, HRV53, HRV54, HRV55, HRV56,
HRV57, HRV58, HRV59, HRV60, HRV61, HRV62, HRV63, HRV64, HRV65, HRV66,
HRV67, HRV68, HRV71, HRV73, HRV74, HRV75, HRV76, HRV77, HRV78, HRV80,
HRV81, HRV82, HRV85, HRV88, HRV89, HRV90, HRV94, HRV95, HRV96, HRV98,
HRV100, HRV101, HRV102 and HRV103; the HRV-B species includes in particular the
following serotypes: HRV3, HRV4, HRV5, HRV6, HRV14, HRV17, HRV26, HRV27,
HRV35, HRV37, HRV42, HRV48, HRV52, HRV69, HRV70, HRV72, HRV79, HRV83,
HRV84, HRV86, HRV91, HRV92, HRV93, HRV97 and HRV99; and the HRV-C species
includes in particular the following serotypes: HRVC-i, HRVC-2, HRVC-3, HRVC-4,
HRVC-5, HRVC-6, HRVC-7, HRVC-8, HRVC-9, HRVC-10, HRVC-11, HRVC-12, HRVC-13,
HRVC-14, HRVC-15, HRVC-16, HRVC-17, HRVC-18, HRVC-19, HRVC-20, HRVC-21,
HRVC-22, HRVC-23, HRVC-24, HRVC-25, HRVC-26, HRVC-27, HRVC-28, HRVC-29,
HRVC-30, HRVC-31, HRVC-32, HRVC-33, HRVC-34, HRVC-35, HRVC-36, HRVC-37,
HRVC-38, HRVC-39, HRVC-40, HRVC-41, HRVC-42, HRVC-43, HRVC-44, HRVC-45,
HRVC-46, HRVC-47, HRVC-48 and HRVC-49.
HRV serotypes may also be grouped according to receptor usage into minor-group
viruses and major-group viruses.
Minor-group viruses, such as HRV2, use the low-density lipoprotein receptor
family as receptor. They are acid labile and have an absolute dependence on low pH for
uncoating. Major-group viruses, such as HRV14 and HRV16, use intercellular adhesion
molecule 1 (ICAM-i) as receptor. They are also generally acid labile but, unlike the minorgroup
viruses, do not have an absolute dependence on low pH for uncoating.
As well-known from the skilled person, minor-group HRVs include 11 serotypes,
including HRViA, HRViB, HRV2, HRV23, HRV25, HRV29, HRV30, HRV31, HRV44,
HRV47, HRV49 and HRV62, and major-group HRVs include the remaining serotypes.
HRVs have a 25 nm capsid of icosahedral symmetry, made up of 60 copies of each
of four virus-coded proteins (VPi, VP2, VP3 and VP4) and enclosing a single-stranded
RNA genome of approximately 7,500 nucleotides. The RNA is of positive polarity, is
polyadenylated at its 3' terminus and is covalently bound at its 5' terminal end to a small
protein, VPg. The primary translational product of this RNA is a single, "large"
polyprotein, divided into three smaller polyproteins called, Pi, P2 and P3, which are
subsequently processed by proteolytic cleavage to yield the mature virus proteins. The Pi
polyprotein is composed of four peptides (lA or VP4, iB or VP2, iC or VP3, and iD or
VPi), the P2 polyprotein is composed of three peptides (2A, 2B and 2C) and the P3
polyprotein is composed of four peptides (3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, which corresponds to the
RNA polymerase). The Pi polyprotein is the precursor that gives rise to the four structural
proteins of the nucleocapsid. The Pi polyprotein is first cleaved to produce the VPo
polyprotein, which contains the amino acid sequence of VP4 and VP2 peptides, the VP3
peptide and the VPi peptide. The VPo polyprotein is then cleaved into the VP4 peptide
and the VP2 peptide once the virus has assembled.
In the context of the invention, the term "VPo polyprotein", "VPo peptide" or
"peptide lAB" therefore refers to the protein precursor derived from the HRV Pi
polyprotein and which consists of the amino acid sequence of VP4 and VP2 peptides. VPo
polyprotein is typically about 330 amino acids long. As known from the skilled person, the
amino acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein may slightly vary according to the HRV
serotype or group.
In the context of the invention the term "about" as used herein when referring to a
measurable value, such as an amount, duration or a number, such as the number of amino
acids in an amino acid sequence, is meant to encompass variations of ± 5%.
In the context of the invention the term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of
that entity. For example "a polynucleotide", "an isolated peptide", "a fusion peptide", "an
isolated polynucleotide" is understood to represent respectively at least one or more
"polynucleotide", at least one or more "isolated peptide", at least one or more "fusion
peptide", at least one or more "isolated polynucleotide".
In the context of the invention, the terms "comprising", "having", "including" and
"containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not
limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Additionally, the term "comprising" encompasses
"consisting" (e.g., a composition "comprising" X may consist exclusively of X or may
include something additional, e.g., X+Y).
In an embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein is the amino
acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein of the HRV16 serotype, which consists typically in
the sequence:
MGAQVSRQNVGTHSTQNMVSNGSSLNYFNINYFKDAASSGASRLDFSQDPSKFTDPVKD
VLEKGIPTLQSPSVEACGYSDRIIQITRGDSTITSQDVANAWGYGVWPHYLTPQDATAID
KPTQPDTSSNRFYTLDSKMWNSTSKGWWWKLPDALKDMGIFGENMFYHFLGRSGYTV
HVQCNASKFHQGTLLWMIPEHQLATVNKGNVNAGYKYTHPGEAGREVGTQVENEKQP
SDDNWLNFDGTLLGNLLIFPHQFINLRSNNSATLIVPYVNAVPMDSMVRHNNWSLVIIP
VCQLQSNNISNIVPITVSISPMCAEFSGARAKTW (SEQ ID NO: 6).
In another embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein is the
amino acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein of the HRV14 serotype, which consists
typically in the sequence:
MGAQVSTQKSGSHENQNILTNGSNQTFTVINYYKDAASTSSAGQSLSMDPSKFTEPVKDL
MLKGAPALNSPNVEACGYSDRVQQITLGNSTITTQEAANAWCYAEWPEYLPDVDASDV
NKTSKPDTSVCRI^LDSKTWTTGSKGWCWKLPDALKDMGVFGQNMFFHSLGRSGYTV
HVQCNATKFHSGCLLVWIPEHQLASHEGGNVSVKYTFTHPGERGIDLSSANEVGGPVK
DVIYNMNGTLLGNLLIFPHQFINLRTNNTATIVIPYINSVPIDSMTRHNNVSLMVIPIAPLT
VPTGATPSLPITVTIAPMCTEFSGIRSKSIV(SEQ ID NO: 8).
The corresponding VPo polyprotein amino acid sequence from other HRV
serotypes may easily be determined by the skilled person, typically by sequence alignment,
such as global pairwise alignment.
In the context of the invention, the term "VP4 peptide" or "peptide lA" refers to an
HRV protein capsid, derived from the VPo polyprotein precursor, which lies at the
interface between the capsid and the interior genomic RNA. VP4 peptide is about 68 or 69
amino acids long and is generally situated from amino acid 1to amino acid 69 of the VPo
polyprotein. As known from the skilled person, the length of the amino acid sequence of
the VP4 peptide may slightly vary according to the HRV serotype.
According to an embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VP4 peptide is the
amino acid sequence of the VP4 peptide of the HRV16 serotype, which consists typically in
the sequence:
MGAQVSRQNVGTHSTQNMVSNGSSLNYFNINYFKDAASSGASRLDFSQDPSKFTDPVKD
VLEKGIPTLQ (SEQ ID NO: 1).
According to another embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VP4 peptide is
the amino acid sequence of the VP4 peptide of the HRV14 serotype, which consists
typically in the sequence:
MGAQVSTQKSGSHENQNILTNGSNQTFTVINYYKDAASTSSAGQSLSMDPSKFTEPVKDL
MLKGAPALN (SEQ ID NO: 2).
The corresponding VP4 peptide sequence from other HRV serotypes may easily be
determined by the skilled person, typically by sequence alignment, such as global pairwise
alignment.
In the context of the invention, the term "VP2 peptide" or "peptide lB" refers to an
HRV protein capsid, derived from the VPo polyprotein precursor, which lies at the
external side of the capsid. VP2 peptide is about 270 amino acids long. Generally, the VP2
peptide is situated between amino acids 70 and 339 of the VPo polyprotein. As known
from the skilled person, the length of the amino acid sequence of the VP2 peptide may
slightly vary according to the HRVserotype.
According to an embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VP2 peptide is the
amino acid sequence of the VP2 peptide of the HRV16 serotype, which consists typically in
the sequence:
SPSVEACGYSDRIIQITRGDSTITSQDVANAWGYGVWPHYLTPQDATAIDKPTQPDTSSN
RFYTLDSKMWNSTSKGWWWKLPDALKDMGIFGENMFTHFLGRSGYTVHVQCNASKFH
QGTLLVVMIPEHQIATVNKGNVNAGYKYTHPGEAGREVGTQVENEKQPSDDNWLNFD
GTLLGNLLIFPHQFINLRSNNSATLIVPYVNAVPMDSMVRHNNWSLVIIPVCQLQSNNIS
NIVPITVSISPMCAEFSGARAKTW (SEQ ID NO: 3).
According to another embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the VP2 peptide is
the amino acid sequence of VP2 peptide of the HRV14 serotype, which consists typically in
the sequence:
SPNVEACGYSDRVQQITLGNSTITTQEAANAWCYAEWPEYLPDVDASDVNKTSKPDTSV
CRFYTLDSKTWTTGSKGWCWKLPDALKDMGVFGQNMFFHSLGRSGYTVHVQCNATKF
HSGCLLVWIPEHQLASHEGGNVSVKYTFTHPGERGIDLSSANEVGGPVKDVIYNMNGTL
LGNLLIFPHQFINLRTNNTATIVIPYINSVPIDSMTRHNNVSLMVIPIAPLTVPTGATPSLPI
TVTIAPMCTEFSGIRSKSIV (SEQ ID NO: 4).
The corresponding VP2 peptide sequence from other HRV serotypes may easily be
determined by the skilled person, typically by sequence alignment, such as global pairwise
alignment.
In the context of the invention, the term "RNA polymerase" or "peptide 3D" refers
to the HRV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, located at the carboxy-terminal end of the
precursor "large" polyprotein, within the P3 protein, and which is the core enzyme utilized
for both negative-strand RNA synthesis and reiterative synthesis of multiple copies of
positive strand RNA for packaging into progeny virions. HRV RNA polymerase is typically
described in Appleby et al. (2005) J . Virol. 79 :277-288. HRV RNA polymerase is typically
about 460 amino acids long. As known from the skilled person, the length of the amino
acid sequence of the RNA polymerase may slightly vary according to the HRVserotype.
According to an embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the RNA polymerase is
the amino acid sequence of the RNA polymerase of the HRV16 serotype, which consists
typically in the sequence:
GQIQISKHVKDVGLPSIHTPTKTKLQPSVFYDIFPGSKEPAVLTEKDPRLKVDFDSALFSKY
KGNTECSLNEHIQVAVAHYSAQLATLDIDPQPIAMEDSVFGMDGLEALDLNTSAGYPYVT
LGIKKKDLINNKTKDISKLKLALDKYDVDLPMITFLKDELRKKDKIAAGKTRVIEASSIND
TILFRTVYGNLFSKFHLNPGWTGCAVGCDPETFWSKIPLMLDGDCIMAFDYTNYDGSIH
PIWFKALGMVLDNLSFNPTLINRLCNSKHIFKSTYYEVEGGVPSGCSGTSIFNSMINNIIIR
TLVLDAYKHIDLDKLKIIAYGDDVIFSYKYKLDMEAIAKEGQKYGLTITPADKSSEFKELDY
GNVTFLKRGFRQDDKYKFLIHPTFPVEEIYESIRWTKKPSQMQEHVLSLCHLMWHNGPE
IYKDFETKIRSVSAGRALYIPPYELLRHEWYEKF(SEQ ID NO: 15).
According to another embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the RNA
polymerase is the amino acid sequence of the RNA polymerase of the HRV14 serotype,
which consists typically in the sequence:
GQVIARHKVREFNINPVNTPTKSKLHPSVFYDVFPGDKEPAVLSDNDPRLEVKLTESLFSK
YKGNVNTEPTENMLVAVDHYAGQLLSLDIPTSELTLKEALYGVDGLEPIDITTSAGFPYVS
LGIKKRDILNKETQDTEKMKFYLDKYGIDLPLVTYIKDELRSVDKVRLGKSRLIEASSLND
SVNMRMKLGNLYKAFHQNPGVLTGSAVGCDPDVFWSVIPCLMDGHLMAFDYSNFDASL
SPVWFVCLEKVLTKLGFAGSSLIQSICNTHHIFRDEIYWEGGMPSGCSGTSIFNSMINNIII
RTLILDAYKGIDLDKLKILAYGDDLIVSYPYELDPQVLATLGKNYGLTITPPDKSETFTKMT
WENLTFLKRYFKPDQQFPFLVHPVMPMKDIHESIRWTKDPKNTQDHVRSLCMLAWHS
GEKEYNEFIQKIRTTDIGKCLILPEYSVLRRRWLDLF (SEQ ID NO: 16).
The corresponding RNA polymerase sequence from other HRV serotypes may
easily be determined by the skilled person, typically by sequence alignment, such as global
pairwise alignment.
In the context of the invention, the term "C-terminal domain of the RNA
polymerase of a rhinovirus" refers to the C-terminal end of the HRV RNA polymerase as
defined above, in particular to the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the HRV RNA
polymerase as defined above. As known from the skilled person, the length of the amino
acid sequence of the C-terminal domain of the HRV RNA polymerase may slightly vary
according to the HRV serotype.
According to an embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal domain of
the RNA polymerase is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal domain of the RNA
polymerase of the HRV16 serotype, which consists typically in the sequence:
EDSVFGMDGLEALDLNTSAGYPYVTLGIKKKDLINNKTKDISKLKLALDKYDVDLPMITFL
KDELRKKDKIAAGKTRVIEASSINDTILFRTWGNLFSKFHLNPGVVTGCAVGCDPETFWS
KIPLMLDGDCIMAFDYTNYDGSIHPIWFKALGMVLDNLSFNPTLINRLCNSKHIFKSTYYE
VEGGVPSGCSGTSIFNSMINNIIIRTLVLDAYKHIDLDKLKIIAYGDDVIFSYKYKLDMEAIA
KEGQKYGLTITPADKSSEFKELDYGNVTFLKRGFRQDDKYKFLIHPTFPVEEIYESIRWTK
KPSQMQEHVLSLCHLMWHNGPEIYKDFETKIRSVSAGRALYIPPYELLRHEWYEKF
(SEQ ID NO: 13).
According to another embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal
domain of the RNA polymerase is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal domain of
the RNApolymerase of the HRV14 serotype, which consists typically in the sequence:
KEALYGVDGLEPIDITTSAGFPYVSLGIKKRDILNKETQDTEKMKFYLDKYGIDLPLVTYIK
DELRSVDKVRLGKSRLIEASSLNDSVNMRMKLGNLYKAFHQNPGVLTGSAVGCDPDVF
WSVIPCLMDGHLMAFDYSNFDASLSPVWFVCLEKVLTKLGFAGSSLIQSICNTHHIFRDEI
YWEGGMPSGCSGTSIFNSMINNIIIRTLILDAYKGIDLDKLKILAYGDDLIVSYPYELDPQV
LATLGKNYGLTITPPDKSETFTKMTWENLTFLKRYFKPDQQFPFLVHPVMPMKDIHESIR
WTKDPKNTQDHVRSLCMLAWHSGEKEYNEFIQKIRTTDIGKCLILPEYSVLRRRWLDLF
(SEQ ID NO: 14).
The corresponding RNA polymerase C-terminal domain sequence from other HRV
serotypes may easily be determined by the skilled person, typically by sequence alignment,
such as global pairwise alignment.
Peptides
Based on linear sequence conservation among HRVs, the present inventors
identified antigens which were able to induce a cross-reactive immune response against
different serotypes of rhinoviruses and even more unexpectedly against rhinoviruses
belonging to different groups of rhinoviruses (cross-serotype and/or inter-group reactive
immune response). Said antigens correspond to conserved domains in the HRV VPo
polyprotein and the HRV RNA polymerase, as defined in the section "Rhinoviruses"
herein above. In particular, the inventors demonstrated that administering to mice a
peptide comprising the HRV16 VP4 peptide, more particularly a peptide consisting of the
HRV16 VPo polyprotein, enabled inducing a cross-reactive immune response against
HRV16, but also against other HRVserotypes, such as HRV14, HRViB or HRV29.
Specifically, the inventors identified as a particularly useful antigen:
- an isolated peptide a) comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence which
is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as defined in the
section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, or
- a fusion peptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 90%
identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as defined in the section
"Rhinoviruses" herein above, covalently linked to another conserved amino acid sequence
located in the "large" polyprotein, as defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above,
of a rhinovirus.
The inventors also identified as another particularly useful antigen, an isolated
peptide b) comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence of at least 100 amino
acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 Cterminal
amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus, as defined in the section
"Rhinoviruses" herein above.
By "an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the
RNA polymerase" is meant an amino acid sequence which consists of a chain of
contiguous amino acids found in the region defined by the last 363 C-terminal amino acids
of the RNA polymerase, i.e a fragment of said region.
As used herein, the term "isolated" means removed from the natural environment,
i.e. from rhinoviruses or cells infected by a rhinovirus. Usually, it refers to a peptide, a
fusion peptide or a nucleic acid substantially free of cellular material, bacterial material,
viral material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or
chemical precursors, or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.
The term "substantially" encompasses "completely" or "nearly" (e.g., a composition
which is "substantially free" from Ymay be completely free from Yor may contain residual
amount of Y).
According to the invention, a polypeptide, peptide or fusion peptide consists of at
least about 60 amino acids, in particular at least about 68 amino acids, at least 69 amino
acids, at least 120 amino acids, at least 140 amino acids, at least 160 amino acids, at least
180 amino acids, at least 200 amino acids, at least 220 amino acids, at least 240 amino
acids, at least 260 amino acids, at least 280 amino acids, at least 300 amino acids, at least
320 amino acids, at least 340 amino acids, or even at least 370 amino acids.
According to the invention, a polypeptide, peptide or fusion peptide consists of less
than 500 amino acids, in particular of less than 450, less than 400, or even less than 380
amino acids.
Accordingly, the size of a polypeptide, peptide or fusion peptide is typically
between 60 and 500 amino acids long, in particular between 68 and 500 amino acids long,
more particularly between 100 and 500 amino acids long, still particularly between 100
and 400 amino acids long, the bounds being included.
As used herein, the term "amino acid" is understood to include the 20 naturally
occurring amino acids.
As used herein, a first amino acid sequence is at least x% identical to a second
amino acid sequence means that x% represents the number of amino acids in the first
sequence which are identical to their matched amino acids of the second sequence when
both sequences are optimally aligned, relative to the total length of the second amino acid
sequence. Both sequences are optimally aligned when x is maximum. The alignment and
the determination of the percentage of identity may be carried out manually or
automatically using for instance the Needleman and Wunsch algorithm, described in
Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J . Mol Biol. 48:443-453, with for example the following
parameters for polypeptide sequence comparison:
comparison matrix: BLOSSUM62 from Henikoff and Henikoff (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA. 89:10915-10919, gap penalty: 8 and gap length penalty: 2;
and the following parameters for polynucleotide sequence comparison:
comparison matrix: matches = +10, mismatch = o; gap penalty: 50 and gap length
penalty: 3.
A program useful with the above parameters is publicly available as the "gap"
program from Genetics Computer Group, Madison W The aforementioned parameters
are the default parameters respectively for peptide comparisons (along with no penalty for
end gaps) and for nucleic acid comparisons.
In particular, the isolated peptide a) of the immunogenic composition according to
the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at least 90%
identical, at least 95% identical, at least 97% identical, at least 98% identical, at least 99%
identical or even 100% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as
defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above. For instance any VP4 amino acid
sequence of a rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 peptide of the
HRV16 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 1) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 2) is suitable for
the purpose of the invention.
The isolated peptide b) of the immunogenic composition according to the
invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence of at least 100 amino acids,
for instance at least 105, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230,
240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 320, 330, 340 or 350 amino acids, in particular at
least 360 amino acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in
the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus as defined in
the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above. More particularly, the isolated peptide b) of the
invention comprises, or consists of an amino acid sequence of at least 100 amino acids
which is at least 95% identical, at least 97% identical, at least 98% identical, at least 99%,
or even 100% identical to the RNA polymerase amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as
defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above. For instance any amino acid sequence
of at least 100 amino acids located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA
polymerase of a rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the corresponding
amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA
polymerase of the HRV16 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 13) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID
NO: 14) is suitable for the purpose of the invention.
In some particular instances, even if not preferred, a natural amino acid may be
substituted by an amino acid modified post-translationally in vivo, including for example
hydroxyproline, phosphoserine and phosphothreonine; by unusual amino acids including,
but not limited to, 2-aminoadipic acid, hydroxylysine, isodesmosine, nor-valine, norleucine
and ornithine or by another chemically modified amino acid.
Peptides and fusion peptides of the invention may be synthesized by any method
well-known from the skilled person. Such methods include conventional chemical
synthesis (in solid phase or in liquid homogenous phase), enzymatic synthesis from
constitutive amino acids or derivatives thereof, as well as biological production methods
by recombinant technology.
Chemical synthesis can be particularly advantageous because it allows high purity,
antigenic specificity, the absence of undesired by-products and ease of production. The
peptide obtained by such methods can then optionally be purified using any method
known from the skilled person. The method of production can also include one or more
steps of chemical or enzymatic modification of the peptide in order to improve its stability
or its bioavailability.
Chemical synthesis includes Merrifield type synthesis and Fmoc solid phase
peptide synthesis methods (see for example "Fmoc solid Phase peptide synthesis, a
practical approach", published by W.C. Chan et P. D. White, Oxford University Press,
2000).
The peptide or fusion peptide of the invention can also be obtained using a
biological production process with a recombinant host cell. In such a process, a vector
containing a nucleic acid encoding the peptide or fusion peptide of the invention, in
particular a nucleic acid as defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein below, is
transferred into a host cell, which is cultured in conditions enabling expression of the
corresponding peptide or fusion peptide. The peptide or fusion peptide thereby produced
can then be recovered and purified.
Methods of purification that can be used are well-known from the skilled person.
The obtained recombinant peptide or fusion peptide can be purified from lysates and cell
extracts, from the culture medium supernatant, by methods used individually or in
combination, such as fractionation, chromatographic methods, immunoaffinity methods
using specific mono- or polyclonal antibodies, etc...
Fusion peptides
In the context of the invention, the term "fusion peptide" refers to a peptide
composed of all or part of the amino acid sequence of at least two or more individual
peptide units of a rhinovirus linked together via a covalent linkage, e.g. via peptide
(amide) bonds.
More specifically, the fusion peptide included in the immunogenic composition
according to the invention refers to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, or an
amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus, linked by a covalent linkage to another conserved amino sequence present in
the "large" polyprotein of a rhinovirus.
Even if, among all the rhinovirus peptides (VP4, VPi, VP2, VP3, peptides 2A, 2B,
2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), the VP4 amino acid sequence is considered as being the most
conserved amino acid sequence among the rhinoviruses, the inventors have found that
when the VP4 amino acid sequence is covalently linked to an amino acid sequence located
in the VP2 amino sequence of a rhinovirus and/or an amino acid sequence located in the
last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase, which are domains that the
inventors have identified as being conserved among rhinoviruses, such fusion peptides
associated with a Thi adjuvant are able to induce a cross-reactive immune response
against different serotypes of rhinoviruses. More unexpectedly, a cross-reactive immune
cell response against rhinoviruses belonging to different species of rhinoviruses has been
observed. Furthermore the inventors have shown that such fusion peptides can rapidly
induce virus clearance in rhinovirus-infected mice.
In a preferred embodiment, the isolated peptide a) of the immunogenic
composition according to the invention is a fusion peptide which comprises, or consists of,
an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus, as defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, linked, by a covalent
linkage, to another amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid
sequence located in the VP2 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as defined in the section
"Rhinoviruses" herein above.
The whole amino acid sequence of VP2 is about 270 amino acids long. The amino
acid sequence located in the VP2 amino acid sequence which is covalently linked to the
VP4 amino acid sequence can be all or part of the VP2 amino acid sequence. When it is
only a part of the VP2 amino acid sequence, it can be any portion of the VP2 amino acid
sequence. It can be the N-terminal part, the C-terminal part or the central part of the VP2
amino acid sequence. Preferably, the fusion peptide comprises all or part of the most
conserved domains of the VP2 amino acid sequence which are located between amino
acids 70 and 191 and between amino acids 243 and 297 in the VPo polyprotein amino acid
sequence. In view of the foregoing, the size of the VP2 amino acid sequence that is
covalently linked to the VP4 amino acid sequence is at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at
least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 250
consecutive amino acids long. The VP4 and VP2 amino acid sequences that are linked
together are not necessary contiguous amino acid sequences in the VPo polyprotein.
Preferably the C-terminal end of the VP4 amino acid sequence is covalently linked by a
peptide bond to the N-terminal end of the VP2 amino acid sequence.
The different domains of the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition
according to the invention are generally directly coupled to one another. Optionally, in
case it facilitates the production process of the fusion peptide, the different domains can
be coupled via a linker that may be an amino acid, a peptide of appropriate length, or a
different molecule providing the desired features. The skilled person knows how to design
appropriate linker molecules, in particular linker peptides based on his common
knowledge. For example, peptide linkers can be chosen from the LIP (Loops in Proteins)
database (Michalsky etal. (2003) Prot. Eng. 56 :979-985).
According to an embodiment, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition
according to the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at
least 90% identical, at least 95% identical, in particular at least 96% identical, 97%, 98%,
99% or 100% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as defined in the
section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, linked, by a covalent linkage, in particular a peptide
bond, to another amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical, in particular at least
95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the VP2
amino acid sequence of the same or a different rhinovirus, as defined in the section
"Rhinoviruses" herein above. Preferably, the C-terminal end of the VP4 amino acid
sequence is covalently linked by a peptide bond to the N-terminal end of the VP2 amino
acid sequence.
For instance, a fusion peptide comprising any VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 peptide of the HRV16 serotype
(SEQ ID NO: 1) linked to any amino acid sequence located in the VP2 amino acid sequence
of a rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the corresponding amino acid
sequence in the VP2 amino acid sequence of the HRV16 serotype rhinovirus (SEQ ID NO:
3) is suitable for the purpose of the invention.
Similarly, a fusion peptide comprising any VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 peptide of the HRV14 serotype
(SEQ ID NO: 2) linked to any amino acid sequence located in the VP2 amino acid
sequence of a rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the corresponding amino
acid sequence in the VP2 amino acid sequence of the HRV14 serotype rhinovirus (SEQ ID
NO: 4) is suitable for the purpose of the invention.
In another embodiment, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition
according to the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at
least 80% identical, in particular at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%
identical to an amino acid sequence located in the VPo polyprotein of a rhinovirus, as
defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above.
In particular, said amino acid sequence located in the VPo polyprotein is an amino
acid sequence constituted of from 120 to 370 consecutive amino acids, more particularly
from 140 to 340 amino acids, from 160 to 320 amino acids, from 180 to 300 amino acids,
from 200 to 280 amino acids or from 220 to 260 amino acids. Preferably the amino acid
sequence located in the VPo polyprotein comprises the whole VP4 amino acid sequence.
As a matter of example, the present inventors demonstrated that a fusion peptide
comprising the first 135 N-terminal amino acids of the VPo polyprotein or the whole VPo
polyprotein of a rhinovirus induces a cross-reactive cell immune response against
different serotypes of rhinoviruses, and can also rapidly induces virus clearance in
rhinovirus-infected mice.
Accordingly, in a particular embodiment, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic
composition according to the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence
consisting of the first 135 N-terminal amino acids of the VPo polyprotein of a rhinovirus,
as defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above.
More particularly, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to
the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%
identical, more particularly at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to
the amino acid sequence consisting of the first 135 N-terminal amino acids of the VPo
polyprotein of HRV16, said first 135 N-terminal amino acids consisting typically of the
sequence
MGAQVSRQNVGTHSTQNMVSNGSSLNYFNINYFKDAASSGASRLDFSQDPSKFTDPVKD
VLEKGIPTLQSPSVEACGYSDRIIQITRGDSTITSQDVANAWGYGVWPHYLTPQDATAID
KPTQPDTSSNRFYTL (SEQ ID NO: 5).
Alternatively, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to the
invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%
identical, more particularly at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to
the amino acid sequence consisting of the first 135 N-terminal amino acids of the VPo
polyprotein of HRV14, said first 135 N-terminal amino acids consisting typically of the
sequence
MGAQVSTQKSGSHENQNILTNGSNQTFTVINYYKDAASTSSAGQSLSMDPSKFTEPVKDL
MLKGAPALNSPNVEACGYSDRVQQITLGNSTITTQEAANAWCYAEWPEYLPDVDASDV
NKTSKPDTSVCRFYTL (SEQ ID NO: 7).
Still particularly, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to
the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%
identical, more particularly at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to
the whole amino acid sequence of the VPo polyprotein of HRV16 or of the VPo polyprotein
of HRV14, as defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above.
Aiming at reducing the number of antigens, the present inventors also designed
fusion peptides between the conserved regions situated in the VPo polyprotein and the
ones situated in the RNApolymerase, which retained a global antigen size easy to express.
Accordingly, in a particular embodiment, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic
composition according to the invention comprises, or consists, of (i) an amino acid
sequence that is at least 90% identical, more particularly at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99% or 100% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of one rhinovirus, as defined in the
section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, linked, by a covalent linkage, to (ii) an amino acid
sequence which is at least 90% identical, in particular at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%
or 100% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino
acids of the RNApolymerase of the same or of a different rhinovirus.
For instance, a fusion peptide comprising any VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 peptide of the HRV16 serotype
(SEQ ID NO: 1) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 2) linked to any amino acid
sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a
rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the corresponding amino acid sequence
located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of the HRV16
serotype (SEQ ID NO: 13) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 14) is suitable for the
purpose of the invention. Preferably the C-terminal end of the VP4 amino acid sequence is
covalently linked by a peptide bond to the N-terminal end of the C-terminal domain of the
RNA polymerase amino acid sequence
In particular, said amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino
acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus is an amino acid sequence constituted of
about from 100 to 363 consecutive amino acids of the RNA polymerase amino acid
sequence, more particularly of from 105 to 350 consecutive amino acids, 110 to 340, 120 to
330, 140 to 320, 160 to 300, 180 to 280, 200 to 260 or 220 to 240 consecutive amino
acids.
In particular, the present inventors demonstrated that a fusion peptide comprising
the last 105 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase retained the ability to induce a
cross-reactive immune response.
Accordingly, in a particular embodiment, the amino acid sequence located in the
last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus included in the
fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to the invention consists of the
last 105 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus, as defined in the
section "Rhinoviruses" herein above.
More particularly, the amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal
amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus included in the fusion peptide of the
immunogenic composition according to the invention consists of the last 105 C-terminal
amino acids of the RNA polymerase of HRV16, said last 105 C-terminal amino acids
consisting typically of the sequence:
ADKSSEFKELDYGNVTFLKRGFRQDDKYKFLIHPTFPVEEIYESIRWTKKPSQMQEHVLS
LCHLMWHNGPEIYKDFETKIRSVSAGRALYIPPYELLRHEWYEKF(SEQ ID NO: 9).
In another embodiment, the amino acid sequence located in the last 363 Cterminal
amino acids of the RNApolymerase of a rhinovirus included in the fusion peptide
of the immunogenic composition according to the invention consists of the last 105 Cterminal
amino acids of the RNA polymerase of HRV14, said last 105 C-terminal amino
acids consisting typically of the sequence:
PDKSETFTKMTWENLTFLKRYFKPDQQFPFLVHPVMPMKDIHESIRWTKDPKNTQDHV
RSLCMLAWHSGEKEYNEFIQKIRTTDIGKCLILPEYSVLRRRWLDLF(SEQ ID NO: 10).
According to another embodiment, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic
composition according to the invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence
which is at least 90% identical, at least 95% identical, in particular at least 96% identical,
97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, as
defined in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, linked, by a covalent linkage, in
particular a peptide bond, to (ii) an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical, in
particular at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to an amino acid sequence
located in the VP2 amino acid sequence of the same or of a different rhinovirus, as defined
in the section "Rhinoviruses" herein above, which is linked, by a covalent linkage, in
particular a peptide bond, to (iii) an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical,
in particular at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to an amino acid
sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of the
same or of a different rhinovirus.
For instance a fusion peptide comprising any VP4 amino acid sequence of a
rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 peptide of the HRV16 serotype
(SEQ ID NO: 1) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 2) coupled to any amino acid
sequence located in the VP2 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus strain which is at least
90% identical to the corresponding amino acid sequence located in the VP2 amino acid
sequence of the HRV16 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 3) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ ID NO:
4), which is coupled to any amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino
acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus strain which is at least 90% identical to the
corresponding amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the
RNA polymerase of the HRV16 serotype (SEQ ID NO: 13) or of the HRV14 serotype (SEQ
ID NO: 14) is suitable for the purpose of the invention. Preferably the C-terminal end of
the VP4 amino acid sequence is covalently linked by a peptide bond to the N-terminal end
of the VP2 amino acid sequence and the C-terminal end of said VP2 amino acid sequence
is covalently linked by a peptide bond to the N-terminal end of the C-terminal domain of
the RNApolymerase sequence.
In particular, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to the
invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%
identical, more particularly at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to
the amino acid sequence consisting of the first 135 N-terminal amino acids of the VPo
polyprotein of a rhinovirus, linked, by a covalent linkage, in particular a peptide bond, to
(ii) an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical, in particular at least 95%, 96%,
97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 Cterminal
amino acids of the RNA polymerase of the same or a different rhinovirus. More
particularly, the fusion peptide of the immunogenic composition according to the
invention comprises, or consists, of an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%
identical, in particular at least 85% identical, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%
identical to the amino acid sequence
MGAQVSRQNVGTHSTQNMVSNGSSLNYFNINYFKDAASSGASRLDFSQDPSKFTDPVKD
VLEKGIPTLQSPSVEACGYSDRIIQITRGDSTITSQDVANAWGYGVWPHYLTPQDATAID
KPTQPDTSSNRFYTLADKSSEFKELDYGNVTFLKRGFRQDDKYKFLIHPTFPVEEIYESIR
WTKKPSQMQEHVLSLCHLMWHNGPEIYKDFETKIRSVSAGRALYIPPYELLRHEWYEKF
(SEQ ID NO: 11).
In another particular embodiment of the invention, the fusion peptide of the
immunogenic composition of the invention comprises, or consists, of an amino acid
sequence which is at least 80% identical, in particular at least 85% identical, 90%, 95%,
96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence
MGAQVSTQKSGSHENQNILTNGSNQTFTVINYYKDAASTSSAGQSLSMDPSKFTEPVKDL
MLKGAPALNSPNVEACGYSDRVQQITLGNSTITTQEAANAWCYAEWPEYLPDVDASDV
NKTSKPDTSVCRFYTLPDKSETFTKMTWENLTFLKRYFKPDQQFPFLVHPVMPMKDIHE
SIRWTKDPKNTQDHVRSLCMLAWHSGEKEYNEFIQKIRTTDIGKCLILPEYSVLRRRWLD
LF (SEQ ID NO: 12).
Nucleic acids
The present invention also relates to an immunogenic composition comprising an
isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to (i.e.
encoding) at least one of the peptide a) or b) defined in the section "Peptides" herein
above, or fusion peptide defined in the section "Fusion peptides" herein above and
designed such that it can be administered to mammals, in particular to human beings.
Usually the nucleic acid sequence placed under the control of the elements necessary for
its expression in a mammalian cell, in particular in human cells, is incorporated in a
plasmid, which can be further formulated in a delivery vehicle such as liposomes to
facilitate its introduction into the host cell.
As used herein, the term "nucleic acid" includes DNA and RNA and can be either
double stranded or single stranded.
In the context of the invention, the expression "elements necessary for expression
in a mammalian cell" is understood to mean all the elements which allow the transcription
of a DNAor DNAfragment into mRNA and the translation of the latter into protein, inside
a mammalian cell, such as a human cell. Typically, the elements necessary for the
expression of a nucleic acid in a mammalian cell include a promoter that is functional in
the selected mammalian cell and can be constitutive or inducible; a ribosome binding site;
a start codon (ATG) if necessary; a region encoding a signal peptide (e.g., a lipidation
signal peptide); a stop codon; and a 3' terminal region (translation and/or transcription
terminator). Other transcription control elements, such as enhancers, operators, and
repressors can be also operatively associated with the polynucleotide to direct
transcription and/or translation into the cell. The signal peptide-encoding region is
preferably adjacent to the nucleic acid included in the immunogenic composition of the
invention and placed in proper reading frame. The signal peptide-encoding region can be
homologous or heterologous to the DNA molecule encoding the mature peptide or fusion
peptide of the invention and can be specific to the secretion apparatus of the host used for
expression. The open reading frame constituted by the nucleic acid included in the
immunogenic composition of the invention, solely or together with the signal peptide, is
placed under the control of the promoter so that transcription and translation occur in the
host system. Promoters, (and signal peptide encoding regions) are widely known and
available to those skilled in the art.
Lastly, the nucleic acid sequences may be codon optimized such that the
transcription of the DNA encoding the peptides and/or the fusion peptides of the
invention is enhanced and/or the translation of the mRNA encoding the peptides and/or
the fusion peptides is prolonged.
A "codon-optimized DNA or mRNA sequence" means a nucleic acid sequence that
has been adapted for a better expression into the host cell, such as a human cell by
replacing one or more codons with one or more codons that are more frequently used in
the genes of said host cell as described in US 2004/0209241 in the case of codonoptimized
DNA sequences or to maximize the G/C content of the mRNA sequence
according to the host cell used as described in US 2011/02699950 in the case of codonoptimized
mRNA sequences. The codon optimization of the nucleic acid sequences is
properly managed such that it does not change significantly the amino acid sequence of
the peptides and/or the fusion peptides, as described in the sections "Peptides" and
"Fusion peptides "herein above, which are expressed in the host cells.
Immunogenic composition
In the context of the invention, the expression "immunogenic composition" refers
to a composition of matter intended to be administered to a subject that comprises at least
one antigen or induces the expression of at least one antigen of a rhinovirus (in the case of
nucleic acid immunization) which has the capability to elicit an immunological response in
the subject to which it is administered. Such an immune response can be a cellular and/or
antibody-mediated immune response directed at least against the antigen of the
composition.
More specifically, the immunogenic composition of the invention comprises an
isolated peptide as defined in the section "Peptides" herein above, a fusion peptide as
defined in the section "Fusion peptides" herein above and/or an isolated polynucleotide as
defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein above.
When the immunogenic composition of the invention comprises at least one
peptide as defined in the section "Peptides" herein above and/or at least one fusion
peptide as defined in the section "Fusion peptides" herein above, it also comprises a Thi
adjuvant.
A "Thi adjuvant" in the meaning of the invention is defined from the ratio between
IFN-g and IL-5 cytokines that are produced by the splenocytes of mice that have been
previously immunized by subcutaneous route with a peptide or a fusion peptide of the
immunogenic composition according to the invention in presence of the tested adjuvant.
More specifically, the splenocytes are harvested 28 days after the immunization and
restimulated in vitro with a pool of 15 mers peptides (able to be presented by class I and II
MHC) overlapping on 11 amino acids, covering the amino acid sequence of the same
peptide or fusion peptide in a culture medium according to the protocol described in
example 3. After 3 days of stimulation, culture supernatants are harvested for measuring
IFN-g and IL-5 cytokines by Cytometry Bead Array. If the ratio IFN-y/IL- is >5,
preferably >io, the tested adjuvant is considered as a Thi adjuvant.
Examples of Thi adjuvants promoting a Thi immune response include TLR-9
agonists such as CpG oligonucleotides, or TLR-4 agonists.
In a particular embodiment, the Thi adjuvant used in the immunogenic
compositions of the invention comprises a CpG oligonucleotide. It can be used in an
aqueous solution, formulated in Oil in water Emulsion, for instance with incomplete
Freund's adjuvant or delivered by other means. As examples of suitable CpG
oligobucleotide sequences mention is made of CpG ODN 1826 (sequence 5'-
TCCATGACGTTCCTGACGTT-3' (SEQ ID NO: 38)), CpG ODN 2216 (sequence
5'ggGGGACGATCGTCggggg-3' (SEQ ID NO: 39)), CpG 2336 (sequence 5'-
gggGACGACGTCGTGgggggg-3' (SEQ ID NO: 40)), or CpG 7909 (5'-
TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT-3' (SEQ ID NO: 41)), but other stimulatory sequences
can be used for the purpose of the invention.
The immunogenic compositions of the invention can further comprise a
pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
In the context of the invention, the expression "pharmaceutically acceptable
vehicle" refers to a vehicle that is physiologically acceptable to a treated mammal, in
particular to humans, while retaining the prophylactic or therapeutic properties of the
compound with which it is administered. One exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable
vehicle is physiological saline. Other physiologically acceptable vehicles and their
formulations are known to those skilled in the art and examples are described, for
example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, (18th edition), ed. A. Gennaro, 1990,
Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa..
The compositions can be formulated for use in a variety of drug delivery systems.
One or more physiologically acceptable excipients or carriers can also be included in the
compositions for proper formulation.
The immunogenic compositions can be administered intranasally (e.g., by aerosol
inhalation or nose drops), parenterally (e.g., by intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous
route, intradermally, transcutaneously, transdermally or percutaneously), cutaneously,
orally, mucosally, intrapulmonary and/or by intratracheal delivery, or by topical
application. Sustained release administration is also encompassed in the invention, by
such means as depot injections or erodible implants or components. Thus, the invention
provides immunogenic compositions for mucosal or parenteral administration that
include the peptides as defined in the section "Peptides" herein above, the fusion peptides
as defined in the section "Fusion peptides" in the presence of the Thi adjuvant as defined
above, and/or the polynucleotides as defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein above,
dissolved or suspended in an acceptable vehicle, preferably an aqueous carrier, e.g., water,
buffered water, saline, PBS, and the like. The immunogenic compositions may contain
pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required to approximate physiological
conditions, such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, wetting
agents, detergents and the like. The invention also provides immunogenic compositions
for oral delivery, which may contain inert ingredients such as binders or fillers for the
formulation of a tablet, a capsule, and the like. Further, this invention provides
immunogenic compositions for cutaneous or local administration, which may contain
inert ingredients such as solvents or emulsifiers suitable for penetration through the skin,
for the formulation of a cream, an ointment, or incorporation in a patch.
For oral administration, the immunogenic composition may be of any of several
forms including, for example, a capsule, a tablet, a suspension, or liquid, among others.
Injectable preparations, under the form of sterile injectable aqueous solutions or
suspensions, such as liposomes, or emulsions such as Oil in Water emulsions, may be
formulated according to known methods using suitable dispersing, wetting agents,
suspending agents, emulsifying agents and the like. Suitable vehicles and solvents that
may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride solution,
phosphate or Tris buffer among others. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally
employed for the preparation of emulsions. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be
employed, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, squalene.
The immunogenic compositions may also be prepared in a solid form (including
granules, powders or suppositories).
These immunogenic compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilization
techniques, or may be sterile filtered. The resulting aqueous solutions may be packaged
and stored under liquid form or lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being
reconstituted with a sterile aqueous carrier prior to administration. The pH of the
preparations typically will be between 3 and 11, e.g., between 5 and 9, 6 and 8, or 7 and 8,
such as 7 to 7.5. The resulting compositions in solid form may be packaged in multiple
single dose units, each containing an effective amount of peptides as defined in the section
"Peptides" herein above, fusion peptides as defined in the section "Fusion peptides" , and a
Thi adjuvant, and/or polynucleotides as defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein
above, such as in a vial. If there is an incompatibility between the Thi adjuvant and the
peptide or fusion peptide, they can be stored in separate packages and mixed
extemporaneously before administration to the subject.
The immunogenic composition according to the present invention may be
prepared using any conventional method known to those skilled in the art. Conventionally
the peptides and/or fusion peptides according to the invention are mixed with a
pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient, such as water or phosphate buffered
saline solution, wetting agents, fillers, emulsifier and stabilizer. The excipient or diluent
will be selected as a function of the pharmaceutical form chosen, of the method and route
of administration and also of pharmaceutical practice. Suitable excipients or diluents and
also the requirements in terms of pharmaceutical formulation, are described in
Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, which represents a reference book in this field.
Medical indications
The present invention also concerns a method for inducing a specific cross-reactive
cell-mediated immune response in a mammal directed against at least two serotypes of
rhinoviruses, more particularly against at least two serotypes of type A and/or type B
rhinoviruses, comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of an
immunogenic composition as defined in the section "Immunogenic composition" herein
above.
The present invention further concerns an immunogenic composition as defined in
the section "Immunogenic composition" herein above " for use in a mammal to induce a
cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response against at least two serotypes of
rhinoviruses, in particular against at least two serotypes of type A and/or type B
rhinoviruses.
The present invention also concerns the use of a peptide a) or b) as defined in the
section "Peptides" herein above or a polynucleotide as defined in the section "Nucleic
acids" herein above, for the manufacture of an immunogenic composition intended to
induce a cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response against at least two serotypes of
rhinoviruses, in particular against at least two serotypes of type A and/or type B
rhinoviruses in a mammal.
Primarily the immune response that is induced by an immunogenic composition of
the invention is a specific cell-mediated immune response not only directed to the
homologous serotype(s) of rhinovirus from which the immunogenic composition is
derived but also to other (heterologous) serotypes of rhinoviruses of the same group of
rhinoviruses, which can extend to serotypes of rhinoviruses of another group of
rhinoviruses. In particular, the cell-mediated immune response induced by an
immunogenic composition of the invention overtakes the "inter-group barrier" because it
is in particular directed against serotypes of type A and type B rhinoviruses. Such cellular
immune response is named specific cross-reactive cellular immune response (or specific
cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response), insofar it is not limited to the homologous
serotype of rhinovirus against which the subject has been immunized. The cell-mediated
immune response induced by the immunogenic composition of the invention is Thiand/
or Tci-oriented.
In the context of the invention, the expression "inducing a specific cell-mediated
immune response" means the generation of a specific T lymphocyte response following the
administration of an immunogenic composition in a subject.
The two main cellular effectors of the specific T lymphocyte response are the helper
T-cells and the cytototoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).
CD4+ "helper" T-cells or helper T-cells, are immune response mediators, and play
an important role in establishing and maximizing the capabilities of the adaptive immune
response. These cells can have to some extent a direct cytotoxic activity, but, in essence
"manage" the immune response, by directing other cells involved in the protection of
organisms against pathogens. The activation of a naive helper T-cell causes it to release
cytokines, which influences the activity of many cell types such as B lymphocytes, CTLs,
and APCs (Antigen Presenting Cells) that activated it. Helper T-cells require a much
milder activation stimulus than cytotoxic T-cells. Helper T-cells can provide extra signals
that "help" activate cytotoxic cells. Two types of effector CD4+ helper T cell responses can
be induced by a professional APC, designated Thi and Th2. The measure of cytokines
associated with Thi or Th2 responses will give a measure of successful immunization. This
can be achieved by specific ELISA or ELISPOT designed for measurement of Thicytokines
such as IFN-g, IL-2, and others, or Th2- cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13
among others.
As used herein, the expression "helper T-cell-mediated immune response" refers to
an immune response wherein CD4+ T-cells or helper T-cells are activated and secrete
lymphokines to stimulate both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated branches of the
immune system. As known from the skilled person, helper T-cell activation promotes
lymphokine secretion, immunoglobulin isotype switching, affinity maturation of the
antibody response, macrophage activation and/or enhanced activity of natural killer and
cytotoxic T-cells. Lymphokines are proteins secreted by lymphocytes that affect their own
activity and/or the activity of other cells. Lymphokines include, but are not limited to,
interleukins and cytokines, e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, or IFN-g.
As well-known from the skilled person, helper T-cells differentiate into two major
subtypes of cells known as Thi and Th2 cells (also known as Type 1 and Type 2 helper T
cells, respectively).
As known from the skilled person, Thi cells mainly secrete IL-2 and IFN-g. They
promote cellular immune response by maximizing the killing efficacy of macrophages and
the proliferation of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells. Additionally, the type 1 cytokine IFN-g
increases the production of IL-12 by dendritic cells and macrophages, and, via positive
feedback, IL-12 stimulates the production of IFN-g in helper T-cells, thereby promoting
the Thi profile. IFN-g also inhibits the production of cytokines such as IL-4, an important
cytokine associated with the Type 2 response, and thus it also acts to preserve its own
response.
On the contrary, Th2 cells mainly secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, nd promote
humoral immune response by stimulating B cells into proliferation, inducing B-cell
antibody class switching. The Type 2 response further promotes its own profile using two
different cytokines. IL-4 acts on helper T-cells to promote the production of Th2 cytokines
(including itself), while IL-10 inhibits a variety of cytokines including IL-2 and IFN-g in
helper T-cells and IL-12 in dendritic cells and macrophages.
Preferably, said cell-mediated immune response induced by the immunogenic
composition of the invention is primarily a Thi cell-mediated immune response.
The induction of a Thi oriented cell-mediated immune response by the
immunogenic composition of the invention may be determined from the ratio between
IFN-g and IL-5 cytokines that are produced by the splenocytes of mice that have been
previously immunized by subcutaneous route with the immunogenic composition
according to the invention. More specifically, the splenocytes are harvested 28 days after
the immunization and stimulated in vitro with a pool of 15 mers peptides overlapping on
11 amino acids covering the amino acid sequence of the peptide or fusion peptide included
in the immunogenic composition or encoded by a nucleic acid included in the
immunogenic composition, in a culture medium according to the protocol described in
example 3. After 3 days of stimulation, culture supernatants are harvested for measuring
IFN-g and IL-5 cytokines by Cytometry Bead Array. If the ratio IFN-y/IL-5 is >5,
preferably >io, the immune response induced is a Thi oriented cell-mediated immune
response. Furthermore, since the Thi oriented cell-mediated immune response is a crossreactive
cell-mediated immune response, the splenocytes harvested 28 days after
immunization can also be stimulated in vitro with a pool of 15 mers peptides overlapping
on 11 amino acids, covering the amino acid sequence of a corresponding peptide or fusion
peptide from at least one other serotype of type A and/or type B rhinovirus and produce in
the cell culture supernatant amounts of IFN-g and IL-5 cytokines such that the ratio IFNy/
IL-5 is >5, preferably >io after dosing by Cytometry Bead Array.
In the context of the invention, a Tci response may also be observed in addition to
the Thi cell-mediated immune response.
Cytotoxic T cells (also known as Tc, killer T cell, or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)),
which express generally the CD8 marker, are a sub-group of T cells and may also be
involved in the T cell-mediated immune response. They induce the death of cells that are
infected with viruses (and other pathogens). These CTLs directly attack other cells
carrying certain foreign or abnormal molecules on their surface. The ability of such
cellular cytotoxicity can be detected using in vitro cytolytic assays (chromium release
assay). Thus, induction of a specific cellular immunity can be demonstrated by the
presence of such cytotoxic T cells, when antigen-loaded target cells are lysed by specific
CTLs that are generated in vivo following vaccination or infection.
Similarly to helper T-cells, CD8+ T-cells include distinct subsets, which were
termed, analogously to the Thi/Th2 terminology, Tci and Tc2.
The Tci immune response involves specific IFN-y-producing CD8+ T-cells which
are activated, proliferate and produce IFN-g upon specific antigen stimulation. The level of
IFN-y-producing CD8+ T-cells can be measured by ELISPOT and by flow cytometry
measurement of intracellular IFN-g in these cells.
Naive cytotoxic T cells are activated when their T-cell receptor (TCR) strongly
interacts with a peptide-bound MHC class I molecule. This affinity depends on the type
and orientation of the antigen/MHC complex, and is what keeps the CTL and infected cell
bound together. Once activated the CTL undergoes a process called clonal expansion in
which it gains functionality, and divides rapidly, to produce an army of "armed" effector
cells. Activated CTL will then travel throughout the body in search of cells bearing that
unique MHC Class I + peptide. This could be used to identify such CTLs in vitro by using
peptide-MHC Class I tetramers in flow cytometric assays.
When exposed to these infected cells, effector CTL release perforin and granulysin,
cytotoxins which form pores in the target cell's plasma membrane, allowing ions and
water to flow into the infected cell, and causing it to burst or lyse. CTL release granzyme, a
serine protease that enters cells via pores to induce apoptosis (cell death). Release of these
molecules from CTL can be used as a measure of successful induction of cellular immune
response following vaccination. This can be done by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay
(ELISA) or enzyme linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) where CTLs can be
quantitatively measured. Since CTLs are also capable of producing important cytokines
such as IFN-g, quantitative measurement of IFN-y-producing CD8 cells can be achieved by
ELISPOT and by flow cytometric measurement of intracellular IFN-g ίh these cells.
In particular, the induction of a Tci immune response by the immunogenic
composition of the invention may be determined from the level of IFN-g cytokine that is
produced in CD8+ T-cells of mice that have been previously immunized by subcutaneous
route with the immunogenic composition according to the invention. More specifically,
the splenocytes are harvested 28 days after the immunization and stimulated in vitro with
a pool of 15 mers peptides overlapping on 11 amino acids covering the amino acid
sequence of the peptide or fusion peptide included in the immunogenic composition or
encoded by a nucleic acid included in the immunogenic composition, in a culture medium.
Brefeldin A (BFA) is added to inhibit cytokine secretion, and cells are stimulated for 5 h,
followed by overnight storage. The following day, cells are permeabilized, fixed, stained,
and the percentage of CD8+ IFN-g - and CD8+ ILs+ cells in the splenocyte population is
measured by flow cytometry after intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). If the ratio CD8+
IFN-g +/ CD8+ ILs+ is higher than 1, the immune response is considered as a Tci immune
response.
In the context of the invention, the expression "inducing a cross-reactive immune
response" means that an immune response is induced both against the HRV serotype from
which the peptide, fusion peptide or nucleic acid included in the immunogenic
composition of the invention is derived (i.e. "cellular immune response to the homologous
serotype"), and against at least a second HRV serotype different from the HRV serotype
from which the peptide, fusion peptide or nucleic acid included in the immunogenic
composition of the invention is derived (i.e. "cellular immune response to the
heterologous serotype").
Therefore, in an embodiment, the peptide, fusion peptide and/or nucleic acid of
the immunogenic composition of the invention induce a cellular immune response to both
homologous and heterologous serotypes of rhinoviruses, as defined above.
More particularly, an immune response may be induced both against the HRV
serotype from which the peptide, fusion peptide or nucleic acid included in the
immunogenic composition of the invention is derived, and against at least a second HRV
serotype which is of a different group from the HRV serotype from which the peptide,
fusion peptide or nucleic acid included in the immunogenic composition of the invention
is derived. In other words, an inter-group reactive immune response may be induced by
the immunogenic composition of the invention.
In a particular embodiment, the peptide, fusion peptide and/or nucleic acid of the
immunogenic composition of the invention are derived from a serotype of type A
rhinoviruses, in particular from HRV16, HRV29 or HRViB, and an immune response is
induced against the same serotype of type A rhinoviruses and at least another serotype of
type A and/or type Brhinoviruses, in particular HRV14.
In another particular embodiment, the peptide, fusion peptide and/or nucleic acid
of the immunogenic composition of the invention are derived from a strain of type B
rhinoviruses, in particular from HRV14, and an immune response is induced against the
same serotype of type Brhinoviruses and at least another serotype of type B and/or type A
rhinoviruses, in particular HRV16, HRV29 and/or HRViB.
In another particular embodiment, the peptide, fusion peptide and/or nucleic acid
of the immunogenic composition of the invention are from a strain of major-group type A
or type B rhinoviruses, in particular from HRV16 or HRV14, and an immune response is
induced against the same strain of major-group type A or type B rhinoviruses and at least
another strain of minor-group type B or type A rhinoviruses, in particular HRViB and/or
HRV29, and/or at least another strain of major-group type Aor type Brhinoviruses.
Therefore, the cellular immune response induced by an immunogenic composition
of the invention overtakes the "inter-group barrier" among rhinoviruses since it is at least
directed against serotypes of type A Human rhinoviruses and type BHuman rhinoviruses.
The immunogenic compositions according to the invention are therefore able to
induce a cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response against several HRV serotypes
which can also be considered as an inter-group cell-mediated immune response.
In a particular embodiment, the cell-mediated immune response induced by the
administration of the immunogenic compositions of the invention is boosted after
infection by a rhinovirus.
In the context of the invention, the phrase "cell-mediated immune response is
boosted after infection by a rhinovirus" means the induction of a cross-reactive specific
cell-mediated immune response after rhinovirus infection of subjects already immunized
with an immunogenic composition of the invention.
Although the peptide, fusion peptide and nucleic acid included in the immunogenic
composition according to the invention were designed by the inventors to induce T cellmediated
immune response, T cell help may also contribute to the development of an
effective humoral immune responses. The effect of immunization with the immunogenic
composition of the invention on the humoral immune response to subsequent infection
with a rhinovirus was also studied by the inventors to determine if immunization-induced
T cell-mediated immune responses could indirectly enhance this aspect of immunity.
The present inventors demonstrated that, while only administering the
immunogenic compositions of the invention to a subject induced a cross-reactive non
neutralizing antibody response, it advantageously enabled inducing a specific neutralizing
antibody response when a rhinovirus infection occurred in said subject. Furthermore, the
clearance of rhinovirus infection was very fast.
The present invention therefore also concerns a method for inducing a specific
neutralizing antibody response in a mammal when said mammal is infected by a
rhinovirus, comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of an
immunogenic composition as defined in the section "Immunogenic composition" herein
above.
The present invention further concerns an immunogenic composition as defined in
the section "Immunogenic compositions" herein above, for use in a mammal (i.e. in
humans) to induce a specific neutralizing antibody response when said mammal is
infected by a rhinovirus.
The present invention also concerns the use of a peptide as defined in the section
"Peptides" herein above or a nucleic acid as defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein
above, for the manufacture of an immunogenic composition intended to induce a specific
neutralizing antibody response in a mammal when said mammal is infected by a
rhinovirus.
In the context of the invention, a "neutralizing antibody" refers to an antibody
which prevents the replication cycle of rhinoviruses to occur in permissive cells of a
subject. Permissive cells are cells that allow the penetration and the multiplication of the
virus. In the context of the invention, lung cells are highly permissive to rhinovirus
infection.
In a particular embodiment, the immunogenic composition as defined in the
section "Immunogenic compositions" herein above, is therefore for use in a mammal to
induce a specific cross-reactive cell-mediated immune response against at least two
serotypes of rhinoviruses followed by a specific neutralizing antibody response when said
mammal is infected by said rhinoviruses.
The immunogenic compositions of the invention can thus be administered for
prophylactic ("cross-protective") treatments. In prophylactic applications, immunogenic
compositions can be administered to a subject (e.g. a human subject) with increased
susceptibility to HRV infection. Immunogenic compositions of the invention will be
administered to a subject in an amount sufficient to accelerate virus clearance, to reduce
or prevent the onset of clinical or subclinical disease or avoid viral complications
associated with the infectious virus in the body, in particular in the lungs.
The present invention therefore also concerns a method to shorten or prevent
rhinovirus infection in a mammal, and/or to reduce or prevent the clinical symptoms
associated with the infection in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal an
effective amount of an immunogenic composition as defined in the section "Immunogenic
composition" herein above.
The present invention further concerns an immunogenic composition as defined in
the section "Immunogenic composition" herein above for use to shorten or prevent
rhinovirus infection in a mammal and/or to reduce or prevent the clinical symptoms
associated with the infection.
The present invention also concerns the use of a peptide as defined in the section
"Peptides" herein above or a nucleic acid as defined in the section "Nucleic acids" herein
above, for the manufacture of an immunogenic composition intended to shorten or
prevent rhinovirus infection in a mammal and/or to reduce or prevent the clinical
symptoms associated with the infection.
Since the immunogenic composition of the invention protects at least to some
extent against infection by rhinoviruses, it is therefore suitable for use as a vaccine to
prevent rhinovirus infection.
As used herein, the term "vaccine" refers to as an immunogenic composition
intended to elicit an immune response with the aim to establish full or partial protecting
immunity to disease, in particular against infective disease.
Determination of an appropriate dosage amount and regimen can readily be
determined by those skilled in the art. The immunogenic composition can be only
administered once but a prime/boost regimen is generally used. Usually at least one or
two boosting doses subsequent to priming dose are given to the subject. Time interval
between each immunization may vary according to the subject to be immunized or other
factors such as the formulation or the route of administration of the immunogenic
composition but usually a time interval of at least 15 days, at least one month, at least two
months or at least six months are respected between each immunization.
The effective amount of the immunogenic composition of the invention applied to
mammals (e.g., humans) can be determined by those skilled in the art with consideration
of individual differences in age, weight, immune system integrity, and the like, such that it
produces the desirable effect in the immunized subject, which is at least the shortening of
virus infection and/or the lessening of clinical symptoms in the infected individual.
Administration of an immunogenic composition of the present invention to a
mammal may be accomplished using any of a variety of techniques known to those of skill
in the art. The composition may be processed in accordance with conventional methods of
pharmacy to produce medicinal agents for administration to patients, including humans
and other mammals.
As mentioned above, the immunogenic composition may be administered
intranasally (e.g., by aerosol inhalation or nose drops), parenterally (e.g., by
intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous route, intradermally, transcutaneously,
transdermally or percutaneously), cutaneously, orally, mucosally, intrapulmonary and/or
by intratracheal delivery and/ or by topical application, in dosage unit formulations.
While the compositions of the invention can be administered as the sole active
pharmaceutical agent, they can also be used in combination with one or more other
compositions or agents (i.e., other immunogenic targets, co-stimulatory molecules). When
administered as a combination, the individual components can be formulated as separate
compositions administered at the same time or different times, or the components can be
combined as a single composition.
All of the features described herein (including any accompanying claims, abstract
and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be
combined with any of the above aspects in any combination, except combinations where at
least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will be further illustrated by the following figures and
examples.
Brief description of the figures
Figure l is a set of histograms representing the number of IFN-g (panel A) and IL-5
(panel B) producing cells (/10 6 cells), enumerated by ELISPOT in splenocytes of mice
immunized subcutaneously with HRV16 VPo protein (RV16 VPo) or buffer, with or
without IFA/CpG adjuvant (IFA/Cpg), after stimulation of splenocytes with VPo from
HRViB (VPo RViB) or from HRV14 (VPo RV14) or with 3'Pol peptide pools from HRViB
(3'Pol RViB) or from HRV14 (3'Pol RV14), the splenocytes being harvested 28 days postimmunization.
n = 10 mice/group. *** : p
Documents
Application Documents
#
Name
Date
1
7822-DELNP-2015-IntimationOfGrant11-10-2022.pdf
2022-10-11
1
Form 5 [01-09-2015(online)].pdf
2015-09-01
2
7822-DELNP-2015-PatentCertificate11-10-2022.pdf
2022-10-11
2
Form 3 [01-09-2015(online)].pdf
2015-09-01
3
Drawing [01-09-2015(online)].pdf
2015-09-01
3
7822-DELNP-2015-2. Marked Copy under Rule 14(2) [29-09-2022(online)].pdf
2022-09-29
4
Description(Complete) [01-09-2015(online)].pdf
2015-09-01
4
7822-DELNP-2015-Retyped Pages under Rule 14(1) [29-09-2022(online)].pdf
2022-09-29
5
7822-delnp-2015-Sequence listing as filed on 06 02 14-(07-09-2015).pdf