Immunogenic compositions and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses novel recombinant polypeptides and methods for stimulating a protective or therapeutic immune response against human herpes viruses. The present invention relates to compositions comprising isolated homotrimers of a modified gB polypeptide from human cytomegalovirus (hCMV), the gB polypeptide comprising an immunoglobulin signal peptide, an extracellular domain with a furin cleavage site mutation, and / or an intravirion domain, but lacking a transmembrane domain, as well as uses thereof and methods of treating and preventing CMV-associated disease or CMV infection using said compositions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2021 / 902988, filed on September 16, 2021, entitled "Immunogenic Compositions And Uses Thereof", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel recombinant polypeptides and methods for stimulating a protective or therapeutic immune response against human herpes viruses. [Background technology]

[0003] Primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in healthy individuals establishes a latent state that is generally asymptomatic and occasionally reactivates and is shed from mucosal surfaces. Occasionally, primary HCMV infection is accompanied by clinical symptoms of a mononucleosis-like disease similar to that caused by Epstein-Barr virus. There are two important clinical situations in which HCMV causes significant morbidity and mortality. These include congenital primary infection and primary or reactivation of the virus in immunosuppressed adults.

[0004] The HCMV envelope glycoprotein B (gB) protein is a highly conserved glycoprotein that plays a key role in mediating viral entry into all cell types via virus-host cell fusion. HCMV gB interacts with other HCMV envelope proteins, such as gH, gL, gO, and UL128 / UL130 / UL131A, during the HCMV fusion and host cell entry process. The native conformation of the HCMV gB protein exists as a trimer that subsequently dimerizes within the viral envelope. The HCMV gB protein is a highly immunogenic antigen, since gB-specific antibodies can be detected in all naturally infected individuals. Thus, the gB protein is considered to be a major target antigen for vaccine development.

[0005] The most widely tested HCMV vaccine formulations in various Phase II clinical trials contain a modification in which the furin cleavage site is removed, because retention of the proteolytic cleavage site prevented recombinant protein production (Spaete, Transplant Proc., 1991). Such production methods resulted in a monomeric soluble form of the gB protein. Notably, this gB protein construct with MF59 adjuvant showed only 50% efficacy in preventing HCMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients (Pass et al., N. Enl. J Med., 2009; and Pass, J. Clin Virol., 2009).

[0006] Since the native form of the HCMV gB protein is a trimer, this has been proposed to be the optimal physical structure for eliciting neutralizing antibodies (Fu et al., Vaccine, 2014). A recent study described the production of a fully trimeric recombinant HCMV gB protein, which elicits significantly higher titers of serum HCMV neutralizing antibodies in mice compared to its monomeric counterpart (Cui et al., Vaccine, 2018). Production of this trimeric recombinant protein resulted in the furin cleavage site being replaced with a 15 amino acid (Gly4Ser)3 linker sequence, and a 6x His sequence added to the 3' end to better enable protein purification. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is based, at least in part, on the inventors' identification that removal of at least a portion of the transmembrane domain of the native full-length gB protein has produced modified gB polypeptides that multimerize into trimers. These modified gB polypeptides elicit a substantial immune response and thus have clear clinical utility in the treatment and / or prevention of CMV infection and / or CMV-associated disease.

[0008] Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising an isolated homotrimer of a modified gB polypeptide. Suitably, the modified gB polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence corresponding to the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB protein, wherein the amino acid sequence lacks at least a portion of the transmembrane region.

[0009] In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain corresponds to amino acid residues 751-771 of the native full-length polypeptide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. In some preferred embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide amino acid sequence substantially lacks a transmembrane region.

[0010] In some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide comprises a first region corresponding to at least a portion of a gB protein virion surface domain and a second region corresponding to at least a portion of a gB protein intravirion domain. Typically, the virion surface domain comprises amino acid residues 32-705 set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the intravirion domain comprises amino acid residues 772-906 of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

[0011] In some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide further comprises an N-terminal signal peptide. In some embodiments, the signal peptide facilitates secretion of the modified gB polypeptide from the cell. In some embodiments, the signal peptide is derived from an immunoglobulin isotype. In some embodiments of this type, the immunoglobulin isotype is selected from any one of IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. In some preferred embodiments, the signal peptide comprises, consists of, or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.

[0012] In some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide does not contain a furin cleavage site motif. In some embodiments of this type, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein (i.e., the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1) is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine or threonine. In some of the same embodiments and some other embodiments, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is threonine or glutamine. In some of the same embodiments and some other embodiments, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine or threonine.

[0013] In some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide homotrimers dimerize to form hexamers.

[0014] In some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide complex is present in a pre-fusion confirmation.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding a modified gB polypeptide comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence corresponding to a human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB protein, wherein the amino acid sequence lacks at least a portion of the transmembrane region.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the invention provides an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule as described above and / or elsewhere herein operably linked to a regulatory element. In some embodiments, the regulatory element is a promoter.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a cell comprising an expression vector as described above and / or elsewhere herein.

[0018] In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a preparation comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence corresponding to an HCMV envelope gB protein, lacking at least a portion of the transmembrane domain, and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, and / or diluent. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may further comprise an adjuvant.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transmembrane domain corresponds to amino acid residues 751-771 of the native full-length polypeptide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

[0020] In some embodiments, the modified polypeptide further comprises an N-terminal signal peptide, hi some embodiments, the signal peptide facilitates secretion of the polypeptide from the cell.

[0021] In some embodiments, the signal peptide is derived from an immunoglobulin isotype. In some embodiments of this type, the immunoglobulin isotype is selected from any one of IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. In some preferred embodiments, the signal peptide comprises, consists of, or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.

[0022] In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a first region corresponding to at least a portion of a gB virion surface domain and a second region corresponding to at least a portion of a gB intravirion domain. Typically, the gB virion surface domain comprises amino acid residues 32-705 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the gB intravirion domain comprises amino acid residues 772-906 of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

[0023] In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not contain a furin cleavage site motif. In some embodiments of this type, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein (i.e., the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1) is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine.

[0024] In some of the same and other embodiments, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is threonine.

[0025] In some of the same and other embodiments, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine. Typically, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine.

[0026] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a modified polypeptide that comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0027] In some embodiments, the polypeptides complex together to form multimers.

[0028] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing a CMV infection and / or a CMV-related disease or condition in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a modified polypeptide comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence corresponding to an HCMV gB protein, wherein the amino acid sequence lacks at least a portion of the transmembrane region. In some embodiments of this type, the method further comprises administering to the subject one or more adjunct agents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be better understood by reference to one or more of these figures in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 provides a flow diagram of the HCMV gB protein expression and purification process.

[0031] [Diagram 2] 1 provides a graphical representation of expression and purification of modified gB polypeptide. The HCMV gB protein coding sequence was codon optimized for mammalian expression and then cloned into a mammalian expression vector. (A) Non-reducing SDS-PAGE analysis of modified gB polypeptide expressed in a 15 L fermenter. (B) Non-reducing SDS-PAGE analysis of anion exchange chromatography. (C) Non-reducing SDS-PAGE analysis of CHT type II chromatography. (D) Non-reducing SDS-PAGE analysis of cation exchange chromatography and purified modified gB polypeptide in multimeric form. M: molecular weight markers; R: reference standard; CP: clarified and concentrated protein; L: loading; FT: flow-through; W: wash; E: elution; and S: column strip fraction.

[0032] [Diagram 3]Graphical representations of the purification and characterization of modified polypeptides are provided. (A) Size-exclusion chromatography of modified gB polypeptide. The purified modified gB polypeptide was concentrated to 20 mg / mL, and then 0.5 mL of protein was loaded onto a SUPERDEX 200 Increase 10 / 300 GL column. The protein was then eluted with 25 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl (pH 7.2) buffer. (B) Modified gB polypeptide purified on the SUPERDEX column was analyzed on an 8% native PAGE-SDS PAGE gel. Protein samples were loaded without DDT and samples were not boiled. Lane 1: molecular weight markers; lane 2: modified gB polypeptide in 25 mM glycine, 500 mM NaCl (pH 4.0), loaded onto SUPERDEX; and lanes 3-9: SUPERDEX purified fractions E5-E11 of modified gB polypeptide.

[0033] [Figure 4] Provides a graphical representation of HCMV gB protein-specific antibody responses in human HLA A24 transgenic mice. (A) Two groups of human HLA A24 transgenic mice were subcutaneously immunized three times (days 0, 21, and 42) with either group 1: CMV vaccine formulated with modified gB polypeptide (5 μg), CMV poly (30 μg), and CpG1018 (50 μg) (n=6), or group 2: control formulation (n=4) CpG1018 (50 μg). On day 49, mice were sacrificed and serum samples were collected to analyze HCMV gB-specific antibody responses. (B) The line graph represents the sum of HCMV gB-specific immunoglobulin titers induced after immunization of mice with the three isoforms of gB polypeptide. VM1-VM6 represent vaccine group mice, and CM1-CM4 represent control group mice. (C) Western blot analysis of HCMV gB polypeptide using two different concentrations (1:1000 and 1:3000) of mouse sera obtained after immunization with CMV vaccine under non-reducing conditions.

[0034] [Diagram 5]Characterization of HCMV gB-specific antibody responses is provided. Two groups of human HLA A24 transgenic mice were subcutaneously immunized three times with CMV vaccine (n=6) formulated with gB polypeptide (5 μg), CMV poly (30 μg) and CpG1018 (50 μg), or a control formulation (n=4) CpG1018 (50 μg). Mice were sacrificed on day 49 and serum samples were collected to analyze HCMV gB-specific antibody responses. (A) Line graphs represent HCMV gB-specific immunoglobulin isotypes, IgA, IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3, induced after immunization with CMV vaccine. (B) Bar graphs represent 50% neutralizing antibody titers against Mrc-5 cells infected with HCMV AD169 strain and ARPE-19 cells infected with HCMV TB40e strain. (C and D) Mrc-5 cells were infected overnight with the AD169 strain. Sera obtained from mice vaccinated with CpG1018 alone or the CMV vaccine were diluted (1:512 and 1:1024) and then added to Mrc-5 cells infected with HCMV AD169 strain. Cells were stained with anti-mouse Ig antibodies conjugated to FITC. The frequency of mouse antibody binding to Mrc-5 cells infected with HCMV AD169 strain as determined by flow cytometry analysis. (C) Bar graph represents the frequency of HCMV gB-specific antibody binding to Mrc-5 cells infected with HCMV AD169 strain. (D) Representative FACS plot.

[0035] [Figure 6]Characterization of HCMV gB-specific B cell responses is provided. Two groups of human HLA A24 transgenic mice were subcutaneously immunized three times (days 0, 21, and 42) with CMV vaccine (n=6) formulated with modified gB polypeptide (5 μg), CMV poly (30 μg) and CpG1018 (50 μg), or with a control formulation (n=4) CpG1018 (50 μg). On day 49, mice were sacrificed and spleens were harvested, single cell suspensions were made, and TFH cells, GC B cells, and gB-specific antibody-secreting B cells were analyzed. (A) Bar graphs represent the frequency of CxCr5+PD1+CD4+ T cells (TFH cells). (B) Bar graphs represent the frequency of B220+GL7+FAS+ B cells (GC B cells). (C and D) Bar graphs and photographs of ELISpot wells depicting the frequency of plasma and memory B cells secreting gB-specific antibodies. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01 (determined by Student's t test).

[0036] [Figure 7]Characterization of HCMV gB-specific T cell responses is provided. Two groups of human HLA A24 transgenic mice were subcutaneously immunized three times (days 0, 21, and 42) with CMV vaccine (n=6) formulated with modified gB polypeptide (5 μg), CMV poly (30 μg) and CpG1018 (50 μg), or with a control formulation (n=4) CpG1018 (50 μg). On day 49, mice were sacrificed and spleens were harvested, single cell suspensions were made, and HCMV gB-specific CD4+ T cell responses were analyzed. To measure HCMV gB-specific CD4+ T cell responses, splenocytes were stimulated with gB pepmix and then their ability to secrete multiple cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2) was measured using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). To further expand HCMV gB-specific CD4+ T cells, splenocytes from the control and CMV vaccine groups were stimulated in vitro with gB pepmix and then cultured for 10 days. The in vitro expanded gB-specific CD4+ T cells were evaluated for their ability to secrete multiple cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2) using ICS. (A) The average frequency of HCMV gB-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ ex vivo. (B) The pie chart shows gB-specific CD4+ T cells secreting different combinations of IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2 ex vivo. (C) The average frequency of HCMV gB-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ after in vitro expansion. (D) The pie chart shows gB-specific CD4+ T cells secreting different combinations of IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2 after in vitro expansion. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM*, p<0.05 (determined by Student's t test).

[0037] [Figure 8] 1 provides a photographic representation of a modified gB polypeptide homotrimer obtained by cryo-electron microscopy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] [Table 1] 1. Definitions Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to carry out or test the present invention, preferred methods and materials are described. For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0039] As used herein, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to or include a singular or multiple element or feature and should not be construed as meaning or defining "one" or "single" element or feature. For example, "a" protein includes one protein, one or more proteins, or multiple proteins.

[0040] Terms such as "concurrent administration" or "administered simultaneously" or "co-administration" refer to administration of a single composition containing two or more active agents, or administration of each active agent as a separate composition, and / or delivery by separate routes contemporaneously, simultaneously, or sequentially within a sufficiently short period of time that effective results are comparable to those obtained when all such active agents are administered as a single composition. "Concurrently" means that the active agents are administered together at substantially the same time, preferably in the same formulation. "Concurrently" means that the active agents are administered close in time before or after another agent (e.g., one agent is administered within about 1 minute to about 1 hour). Any contemporaneous time is useful. However, in many cases, when not administered simultaneously, the agents are administered within about 1 minute to about 8 hours, preferably less than about 1 hour to about 4 hours. When administered simultaneously, the agents are preferably administered to the same site on the subject. The term "same site" includes the exact location, but may be within about 0.5 cm to about 15 cm, preferably within about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm. The term "separately" as used herein means that the agents are administered at intervals, for example, from about one day to several weeks or months. The active agents may be administered in any order. The term "sequentially" as used herein means that the agents are administered one after the other, for example, at intervals of minutes, hours, days or weeks or multiple intervals. If desired, the active agents may be administered in a regular repeat cycle.

[0041] As used herein, "and / or" refers to and includes every possible combination of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combination when interpreted in the alternative (or).

[0042] "Coding sequence" refers to any nucleic acid sequence that contributes to coding for the polypeptide product of a gene or the final mRNA product of a gene (e.g., the mRNA product of a gene after splicing). In contrast, the term "non-coding sequence" refers to any nucleic acid sequence that does not contribute to coding for the polypeptide product of a gene or the final mRNA product of a gene.

[0043] Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising," or similar terms, are intended to imply a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an enumerated list of elements or features does not include only the elements described or listed, but may include other elements or features that are not listed or listed.

[0044] "Consisting essentially of," in the context of an amino acid sequence such as an isolated protein, means the recited amino acid sequence together with one, two or three additional amino acids at the N-terminus or C-terminus.

[0045] The terms "construct" and "synthetic construct" are used interchangeably herein to refer to heterologous nucleic acid sequences that are operably linked to each other and can include sequences that provide for expression of the polynucleotide in a host cell, and optionally, sequences that provide for maintenance of the construct.

[0046] "Corresponding to" or "corresponding to" refers to an antigen that encodes an amino acid sequence that exhibits substantial sequence identity or similarity to an amino acid sequence in a target antigen. Generally, the antigen exhibits at least about 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% identity or similarity to at least a portion of the target antigen.

[0047] "Effective amount" in the context of stimulating an immune response or treating or preventing a disease or condition means that the amount of the composition is administered to an individual in need thereof as a single dose or as part of a series of doses effective for the regulation, treatment or prevention. The effective amount will vary depending on the health and physical condition of the individual being treated, the taxonomic group of the individual being treated, the formulation of the composition, evaluation of the medical condition, and other relevant factors. It is expected that the amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine testing.

[0048] "Expression vector" means any autonomous genetic element capable of directing the synthesis of a protein encoded by the vector. Such expression vectors are known by those skilled in the art.

[0049] "gB" and "gB protein," and the like, as used herein, refer to "glycoprotein B," a polypeptide having a sequence according to UniProt Accession No. P06473, which is the product of the gB gene (e.g., the HCMV gB gene (identified by GenBank Accession No. 3077424)), including all variants, isoforms, and viral homologs of gB.

[0050] The term "gene" is used in its broadest context and includes both genomic DNA regions corresponding to genes, and cDNA sequences corresponding to exons, or recombinant molecules that have been engineered to encode a functional form of a product.

[0051] To enhance an immune response ("immunoenhancement"), as is well known in the art, means enhancing an animal's ability to respond to foreign or disease-specific antigens (e.g., viral antigens), i.e., cells primed to attack such antigens are increased in number, activity, and ability to detect and destroy those antigens. The strength of the immune response can be assessed by direct measurement of peripheral blood lymphocytes by means known in the art, natural killer cell cytotoxicity assays (see, e.g., Provinciali M. et al. (1992, J. Immunol. Meth. 155:19-24), cell proliferation assays (see, e.g., Vollenweider, I. and Groseurth, PJ (1992, J. Immunol. Meth. 149:133-135), immunoassays of immune cells and subsets (see, e.g., Loeffler, DA, et al. (1992, Cytom. 13:169-174); Rivoltini, L., et al. (1992, Can. Immunol. Immunother. 34:241-251)), or skin tests of cell-mediated immunity (see, e.g., Chang, AE et al. (1993, Cancer Res. 53:1043-1050). A statistically significant increase in the strength of the immune response as measured by the above tests is considered an "enhanced immune response," "immune enhancement," or "immune strengthening" as used herein. An enhanced immune response is also indicated by the alleviation of symptoms in disease, i.e., reduction in fever and inflammation, and systemic and localized infections, as well as reduction in viral load, alleviation of symptoms of a disease or condition, including, but not limited to, a CMV-related disease or condition. Such physical symptoms also define an "enhanced immune response," "immune enhancement," or "immune strengthening" as used herein.

[0052] "Isolated" means material that is substantially or essentially free from components which normally accompany it in its natural state.

[0053] A composition is "immunostimulatory" if it is capable of either a) generating an immune response to an antigen (e.g., a viral antigen) in a naive individual, or b) reconstituting, enhancing, or maintaining an immune response in an individual beyond that which would result if the compound or composition were not administered. A composition is immunogenic if it is capable of achieving either of these criteria when administered in a single dose or multiple doses.

[0054] As used herein, "preventing" (or "prevent" or "preventing") refers to a course of action (such as administering a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention) that is initiated prior to the onset of a symptom, aspect, or feature of CMV infection, or a CMV-associated disease, disorder, or condition, in order to prevent or reduce the symptom, aspect, or feature. It should be understood that such prevention need not be absolute in order to be beneficial to the subject. A "prophylactic" treatment is a treatment administered to a subject who does not show signs of CMV infection, or a CMV-associated disease, disorder, or condition, or who shows only early signs, for the purpose of reducing the risk of developing a symptom, aspect, or feature of CMV infection, or a CMV-associated disease, disorder, or condition. "Stimulating" means directly or indirectly increasing the level and / or functional activity of a target molecule. For example, an agent may indirectly stimulate said level / activity by interacting with a molecule other than the target molecule. In this regard, indirect stimulation of a gene encoding a target polypeptide includes within its scope the stimulation of expression of a first nucleic acid molecule, the expression product of which stimulates expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a target polypeptide. In certain embodiments, "stimulation" or "stimulating" means that the desired / selected response is more efficient (e.g., at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or more), more rapid (e.g., at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or more), more extensive (e.g., at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or more), and / or more easily induced (e.g., at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or more) than if the antigen were used alone.

[0055] The term "oligonucleotide" as used herein refers to a polymer composed of multiple nucleotide units (deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or related structural variants or synthetic analogs thereof) linked via phosphodiester bonds (or related structural variants or synthetic analogs thereof). Thus, while the term "oligonucleotide" typically refers to a nucleotide polymer in which the nucleotides and the bonds between them are naturally occurring, it is understood that the term also includes within its scope various analogs, including but not limited to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), phosphoramidates, phosphorothioates, methyl phosphonates, 2-O-methyl ribonucleic acid, and the like. The exact size of the molecule may vary depending on the particular application. Oligonucleotides are typically fairly short in length, generally about 10-30 nucleotides, although the term can refer to molecules of any length, although the terms "polynucleotide" or "nucleic acid" are typically used for larger oligonucleotides.

[0056] A "primer" is typically a single-stranded oligonucleotide, preferably having 15-50 contiguous nucleotides, which can be annealed to a complementary nucleic acid "template" and extended in a template-dependent manner by the action of a DNA polymerase, such as Taq polymerase, RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, or Sequenase™. A "probe" can be a single- or double-stranded oligonucleotide or polynucleotide, suitably labeled for the purpose of detecting complementary sequences, for example, in Northern or Southern blotting.

[0057] The term "5' non-coding region" is used herein in its broadest context to include all nucleotide sequences derived from the upstream region of an expressible gene, other than sequences that code for the amino acid residues that comprise the polypeptide product of the gene, which 5' non-coding regions confer, activate, or otherwise promote, at least in part, expression of the gene.

[0058] The term "sequence identity" as used herein refers to the degree to which sequences are identical nucleotide by nucleotide or amino acid by amino acid over a comparison window. Thus, "percentage of sequence identity" is calculated by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, determining the number of positions where identical nucleic acid bases (e.g., A, T, C, G, I) or identical amino acid residues (e.g., Ala, Pro, Ser, Thr, Gly, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys, Arg, His, Asp, Glu, Asn, Gln, Cys, and Met) occur in both sequences to obtain the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the comparison window (i.e., the window size), and multiplying the result by 100 to obtain the percentage of sequence identity. For the purposes of the present invention, "sequence identity" should be understood to mean "percentage of identity" calculated by an appropriate method. For example, sequence identity analysis can be performed using the DNASIS computer program (version 2.5 for Windows; available from Hitachi Software engineering Co., Ltd., South San Francisco, California, USA) using the standard defaults used in the reference manual accompanying the software.

[0059] "Similarity" refers to the percentage of amino acids that are identical or that constitute conservative substitutions as defined in Table 2. [Table 2]

[0060] Similarity can be determined using sequence comparison programs such as GAP (Deveraux et al., 1984. Nucleic Acids Res. 12, 387-395). In this manner, sequences of similar or substantially different length to those listed herein can be compared by inserting gaps into the alignment, such gaps being determined, for example, by the comparison algorithm used by GAP.

[0061] Terms used to describe sequence relationships between two or more polypeptides or polynucleotides include "reference sequence," "comparison window," "sequence identity," "percentage of sequence identity," and "substantial identity." A "reference sequence" is at least 12, but frequently 15-18, and often at least 25 monomeric units in length, including nucleotides and amino acid residues. Because two polynucleotides may each contain (1) sequences that are similar between the two polynucleotides (i.e., only a portion of the complete polynucleotide sequence), and (2) sequences that differ between the two polynucleotides, sequence comparison between two (or more) polynucleotides is typically performed by comparing the sequences of the two polynucleotides over a "comparison window" to identify and compare local regions of sequence similarity. A "comparison window" refers to a conceptual segment of at least 6, typically about 50-100, more typically about 100-150 contiguous positions, in which the two sequences are optimally aligned, and then the sequence is compared to the reference sequence for the same number of contiguous positions. The comparison window may include about 20% or less additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) compared to the reference sequence (not including additions or deletions) of the optimal alignment of the two sequences. The optimal alignment of sequences for aligning the comparison window can be performed by computerized implementation of algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA from Wisconsin Genetics Software Package Release 7.0, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive Madison, WI, USA), or by inspection and the best alignment (i.e., resulting in the highest percentage of homology over the comparison window) generated by any of the various methods selected. Also, for example, the BLAST family of programs, such as those disclosed by Altschul et al., 1997. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, may be referenced.A detailed discussion of sequence analysis can be found in Ausubel et al., "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1994-1998, Chapter 15, Unit 19.3.

[0062] As defined herein, the term "signal peptide" (also referred to as leader peptide, targeting signal, signal sequence, transit peptide or localization signal) is a sequence motif that targets a protein for translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Signal peptides are found at the amino terminus of nascent proteins and function by facilitating intracellular transport mechanisms to deliver the protein to a specific destination within the cell, or outside the cell if the protein is secreted. If secreted into the extracellular environment, the signal peptide may be specified as a secretory signal peptide.

[0063] As used herein, "treating" (or "treat" or "treatment") refers to a therapeutic intervention that ameliorates a sign or symptom of a CMV infection, including a CMV-associated disease, disorder, or condition, after it has developed. The term "ameliorate" refers to any observable beneficial effect of a treatment with respect to a CMV-associated disease, disorder, or condition. A treatment need not be absolute to be beneficial to a subject. The beneficial effect can be determined using any method or standard known to one of skill in the art.

[0064] In the context of the present invention, "CMV-associated disease, disorder or condition" means any CMV infection, including any clinical pathology resulting from such infection with a cytomegalovirus, such as those mentioned above.

[0065] "Administering" or "administration" refers to the introduction of a composition disclosed herein into a subject by a specific selected route. Any safe administration route and dosage form, as described above, may be used to provide the composition of the present invention to a patient.

[0066] As generally used herein, the terms "patient," "individual," and "subject" are used in the context of any mammalian recipient of the treatments or compositions disclosed herein. Thus, the methods and compositions disclosed herein may have medical and / or veterinary applications. In a preferred form, the subject is a human.

[0067] The term "nucleic acid" or "polynucleotide" as used herein refers to single- or double-stranded mRNA, RNA, cRNA, RNAi, siRNA, and DNA, including cDNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and genomic DNA.

[0068] "Polypeptide," "peptide," and "protein" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues, and variants and synthetic analogs thereof. As used herein, the terms "polypeptide," "peptide," and "protein" are not limited to a minimum length of the product. Thus, peptides, oligopeptides, dimers, multimers, and the like, are included in this definition. Both full-length proteins and portions thereof are encompassed by this definition. The terms "biologically active portion" or "fragment" are used interchangeably herein to describe immunogenic portions of HCMV gB polypeptides. These portions can be, for example, polypeptides of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 or more amino acid residues in length. The isolated proteins described herein, including fragments, variants, and derivatives thereof, can be produced by any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, chemical synthesis, recombinant DNA techniques, and proteolytic cleavage to produce peptide fragments.

[0069] Recombinant proteins can be conveniently prepared by those skilled in the art using standard protocols, such as those described in Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING. A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989), especially sections 16 and 17; CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Eds. Ausubel et al., (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY USA 1995-2008), especially chapters 10 and 16; and CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE Eds. Coligan et al., (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY USA 1995-2008), especially chapters 1, 5 and 6. Typically, preparation of recombinant proteins involves expression of a nucleic acid encoding the protein in a suitable host cell.

[0070] "Vector" means a nucleic acid molecule, preferably a DNA molecule derived from, for example, a plasmid, a bacteriophage, or a plant virus, into which a nucleic acid sequence can be inserted or cloned. The vector preferably contains one or more unique restriction sites and may be capable of autonomous replication in a defined host cell, including a target cell or tissue, or a precursor cell or tissue thereof, or may be capable of integration into the genome of a defined host, such that the cloned sequence is reproducible. Thus, the vector may be an autonomously replicating vector (i.e., a vector that exists as an extrachromosomal entity) whose replication is independent of chromosomal replication (e.g., a linear or closed circular plasmid), an extrachromosomal element, a minichromosome, or an artificial chromosome. The vector may contain any means for ensuring autonomous replication. Alternatively, the vector may be a vector that, upon introduction into a host cell, is integrated into the genome and replicated together with the chromosome into which it is integrated. A vector system may comprise a single vector or plasmid, two or more vectors or plasmids that together contain the total DNA to be introduced into the genome of the host cell, or a transposon. The choice of vector typically depends on the compatibility of the vector with the host cell into which it is to be introduced. The vector may also contain a selection marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene that can be used for the selection of suitable transformants. Examples of such resistance genes are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0071] The term "wild-type," with respect to an organism, polypeptide, or nucleic acid sequence, refers to an organism, polypeptide, or nucleic acid sequence that occurs in nature or is available in at least one naturally occurring organism that has not been altered, mutated, or otherwise manipulated by man.

[0072] In order that the present invention may be readily understood and put into practice, certain preferred embodiments will now be described by the following non-limiting examples.

[0073] 2. Compositions The present invention is based, at least in part, on the determination that a recombinantly produced modified gB polypeptide lacking at least a portion of the transmembrane domain can stimulate or elicit an enhanced immune response against CMV as compared to a recombinantly produced native gB protein. The inventors have determined that this modified gB polypeptide will be effective as a prophylactic and / or therapeutic treatment against CMV infection. In doing so, compositions comprising the polypeptide are also effective for preventing or prophylactically or therapeutically treating a CMV-associated disease, disorder or condition. Thus, the present invention provides modified gB polypeptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a native HCMV gB polypeptide, but lacking at least a portion of the transmembrane domain, in compositions and methods for treating or preventing a CMV infection, or a CMV-associated disease, disorder or condition in a subject.

[0074] 2.1 Modified gB Polypeptides HCMV cell entry requires the conserved gB protein, which has been reported to function as a fusogen and bind to signaling receptors. gB protein elicits strong immune responses in humans and induces the production of neutralizing antibodies, but most anti-gB protein antibodies are non-neutralizing. Viral fusogens mediate the fusion of the viral envelope with host membranes during virus entry and cell spread by undergoing a series of conformational changes from pre- to post-fusion forms that have been mapped for several viral fusogens.

[0075] The gB protein is encoded by the UL55 gene. Sequence variation in the UL55 gene indicates that there are four major gB genotypes (gB1, gB2, gB3, gB4). In addition, three non-prototypic genotypes (gB5, gB6, and gB7) have also been identified. The full-length native HCMV gB protein is 906 amino acids long and contains a signal sequence, a virion domain including a hydrophobic membrane-proximal region (i.e., ectodomain), a transmembrane domain, and an intraviral (or cytoplasmic) domain (cytodomain).

[0076] The full-length native gB protein amino acid sequence (deposited under UniProt accession number P06473) is shown below. [Sequence number 1].

[0077] The virion surface domain is a large ectodomain decorated with N-linked glycans and corresponds to amino acid residues 32-750 of the native full-length HCMV gB protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. The amino acid sequence of the virion surface domain is provided herein as SEQ ID NO:2. C-terminal to this domain is a hydrophobic membrane proximal region comprising amino acids 696-750 of the native full-length HCMV gB protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In some preferred embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide does not contain at least a portion of the hydrophobic membrane proximal region present in the full-length native HCMV gB protein. In some preferred embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide lacks the hydrophobic membrane proximal region present in the full-length native HCMV gB protein.

[0078] The intravirion domain is a small internal domain involved in interactions with internal viral components. The intravirion domain corresponds to amino acid residues 772-906 of the full-length native HCMV gB protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. The amino acid sequence of the intravirion domain is provided herein as SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0079] The virion surface domain and the intravirion domain are linked by a single membrane spanning domain (i.e., transmembrane domain), which allows the gB protein to insert through a lipid bilayer. The transmembrane domain corresponds to amino acid residues 751-771 of the full-length native HCMV gB protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the modified gB polypeptide sequence lacks at least a portion of the transmembrane domain of the full-length native HCMV gB protein. For example, the modified gB polypeptide may lack substantially all of the transmembrane domain.

[0080] In some embodiments of this type, the modified gB polypeptide also lacks at least a portion of the hydrophobic membrane proximal region of a full-length native HCMV gB protein. For example, in some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide may lack substantially all of the hydrophobic membrane proximal region of a full-length native HCMV gB protein.

[0081] The full-length native HCMV gB protein contains a furin cleavage site motif at a position corresponding to amino acids 457-460 of the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO:1. The furin protease cleaves the HCMV gB protein into gp90 and gp58 subunits covalently linked by disulfide bonds, and the mature glycosylated gB protein acquires a trimeric form. The furin cleavage site motif is a sequence pattern of amino acids that is recognized and cleaved by the proprotein convertase furin to convert the protein precursor into a functional protein. In general, native cleavage site motifs are written as the four amino acid pattern R4-X3-[K / R]2-R1*, where * represents the location where the peptide is cleaved. Position 1 (R1) requires a positively charged arginine (R) residue. Mutation of the arginine at this position reduces detectable furin cleavage.

[0082] As an illustrative example, a suitable modified gB polypeptide comprises a sequence corresponding to a native human gB protein as described above and / or elsewhere herein. More specifically, the modified gB polypeptide lacks at least a portion of a native transmembrane domain (e.g., lacks at least a portion of amino acid residues 751-771 of the wild-type human gB polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:1). Thus, in some embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence corresponding to at least a portion of a wild-type gB virion surface domain (as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2) and an amino acid sequence corresponding to at least a portion of a wild-type gB intravirion domain (as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3). In some embodiments of this type, the modified gB polypeptide lacks at least a portion of the hydrophobic membrane proximal region of the virion surface domain (i.e., corresponding to amino acid residues 696-750 of the full-length native gB protein sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1). Preferably, the modified gB polypeptide lacks the transmembrane domain and the hydrophobic membrane proximal region.

[0083] In some embodiments, a polypeptide may comprise an amino acid sequence that shares at least 70% (and from at least 71% to at least 99%, and all integer percentages therebetween) sequence similarity or sequence identity with one or both of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, or fragments of such polypeptides. In more specific embodiments, a polypeptide may comprise an amino acid sequence that shares at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence similarity or sequence identity with one or both of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, or fragments of such polypeptides.

[0084] In some embodiments, the portion of the native virion surface domain comprises an N- or C-terminal truncation of the amino acid sequence of the full-length native virion surface domain. In some preferred embodiments, the truncation occurs at the C-terminus of the native virion surface domain. As an illustrative example, the modified gB polypeptide may comprise an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acid residues 1-669 of the full-length native virion surface domain (i.e., the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3). An exemplary sequence of a suitable portion of the virion surface domain is identified in SEQ ID NO:5 and described below. [Sequence number 5].

[0085] In some of the same embodiments, as well as in some other embodiments, the portion of the native intravirion domain comprises an N-terminal or C-terminal truncation of the amino acid sequence of the full-length native intravirion domain. In some preferred embodiments, the truncation is at the N-terminus of the amino acid sequence of the native intravirion domain. As an illustrative example, the modified gB polypeptide may comprise an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acid residues 6-130 of the full-length native intravirion domain (i.e., the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4). An exemplary sequence of a suitable portion of the intravirion domain is identified in SEQ ID NO:6 and is described below. LCTQPLQNLFPYLVSADGTTVTSGSTKDTSLQAPPSYEESVYNSGRKGPGPPSSDASTAAPPYTNEQAYQMLLALARLDAEQRAQQNGTDSLDGQTGTQDKGQKPNLLDRLRHRKNGYRHLKDSDEEENV [SEQ ID NO: 6].

[0086] As an illustrative example, a suitable modified gB polypeptide amino acid sequence is identified in SEQ ID NO:4 and described below. [Sequence number 4].

[0087] The variant proteins encompassed by the present invention are biologically active, i.e., they retain the desired biological activity of the native protein (e.g., elicit an immune response against CMV). Such variants may result, for example, from genetic polymorphism or human manipulation.

[0088] gB polypeptides can be altered in a variety of ways, including amino acid substitutions, deletions, truncations, and insertions. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art. For example, amino acid sequence variants of gB peptides or polypeptides can be prepared by DNA mutations. Methods for mutagenesis and nucleotide sequence alterations are well known in the art (see, e.g., Kunkel (1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 82:488-492); Kunkel et al., (1987, Methods in Enzymol, 154:367-382); U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,192; Watson, J. D. et al., ("Molecular Biology of the Gene", Fourth Edition, Benjamin / Cummings, Menlo Park, Calif., 1987) and references cited therein. Guidance regarding suitable amino acid substitutions which do not affect the biological activity of the protein of interest can be found in Dayhoff et al., (1978) Atlas of Protein Sequence and The structure of the gB peptide or polypeptide can be found in the model of Structure (Natl. Biomed. Res. Found., Washington, DC). Methods for screening gene products of combinatorial libraries made by point mutation or truncation, and for screening cDNA libraries for gene products with selected properties, are known in the art. Such methods are adaptable for rapid screening of gene libraries generated by combinatorial mutagenesis of gB peptides or polypeptides. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis (REM), a technique that increases the frequency of functional mutants in a library, can be used in combination with screening assays to identify gB variants (see Arkin and Yourvan (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7811-7815; Delgrave et al., (1993) Protein Engineering, 6:327-331).Conservative substitutions, such as replacing one amino acid with another having similar properties, may be desirable, as discussed in more detail below.

[0089] Variant gB polypeptides can contain conservative amino acid substitutions at various positions along their sequence compared to a parent (e.g., naturally occurring or reference) gB protein amino acid sequence. A "conservative amino acid substitution" is one in which an amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art and can generally be subclassified as follows:

[0090] Acidic: The residue carries a negative charge at physiological pH due to loss of an H ion, and when the peptide is in an aqueous medium at physiological pH, the residue is attracted to aqueous solution so as to seek surface positions in the conformation of the peptide in which it is contained. Amino acids with acidic side chains include glutamic acid and aspartic acid.

[0091] Basic: The residue carries a positive charge at physiological pH or within 1 or 2 pH units thereof (e.g., histidine) due to association with H ions, and when the peptide is in an aqueous medium at physiological pH, the residue is attracted to aqueous solution such that it seeks a surface position in the conformation of the peptide in which it is contained. Amino acids with basic side chains include arginine, lysine, and histidine.

[0092] Charged: The residues are charged at physiological pH and therefore include amino acids with acidic or basic side chains (ie, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, and histidine).

[0093] Hydrophobic: The residue is uncharged at physiological pH and is repelled from aqueous solution when the peptide is in aqueous medium such that the residue seeks an interior position in the conformation of the peptide in which it is contained. Amino acids with hydrophobic side chains include tyrosine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.

[0094] Neutral / polar: The residue is not charged at physiological pH, but when the peptide is in aqueous medium, the residue is not significantly repelled from aqueous solution such that it seeks an interior position in the conformation of the peptide in which it is contained. Amino acids with neutral / polar side chains include asparagine, glutamine, cysteine, histidine, serine and threonine.

[0095] This specification also characterizes certain amino acids as "small" because their side chains are not large enough to confer hydrophobicity, even if they lack polar groups. With the exception of proline, "small" amino acids are those with four or fewer carbons if at least one polar group is on the side chain, and three or fewer carbons otherwise. Amino acids with small side chains include glycine, serine, alanine, and threonine. The genetically encoded secondary amino acid proline is a special example because of its known effect on the secondary conformation of peptide chains. The structure of proline differs from all other natural amino acids in that its side chain is attached to the α-carbon as well as to the nitrogen of the α-amino group. However, some amino acid similarity matrices (e.g., the PAM120 matrix and the PAM250 matrix disclosed by Dayhoff et al., (1978), A model of evolutionary change in proteins. Matrices for determining distance relationships In MO Dayhoff, (ed.), Atlas of protein sequence and structure, Vol. 5, pp. 345-358, National Biomedical Research Foundation, Washington DC; and Gonnet et al., (1992, Science, 256(5062):14430-1445) include proline in the same group as glycine, serine, alanine, and threonine. Thus, for purposes of the present invention, proline is classified as a "small" amino acid.

[0096] The degree of attraction or repulsion required for classification as polar or nonpolar is arbitrary, and therefore the amino acids specifically contemplated by the present invention have been classified as one or the other. Most amino acids not specifically named can be classified based on known behavior.

[0097] Amino acid residues can be further subclassified as cyclic or acyclic, and aromatic or non-aromatic, which are self-explanatory classifications with respect to the side chain substituents of the residues, as well as small or large. A residue is considered small if it contains a total of 4 or less carbon atoms, including the carboxyl carbon, if additional polar substituents are present, or 3 or less carbon atoms if no additional polar substituents are present. Small residues are, of course, always non-aromatic. Depending on their structural characteristics, amino acid residues may belong to more than one class. Subclassification according to this scheme for naturally occurring protein amino acids is presented in Table 3. [Table 3]

[0098] Conservative amino acid substitutions also include groupings based on side chains. For example, the group of amino acids with aliphatic side chains is glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; the group of amino acids with aliphatic hydroxyl side chains is serine and threonine; the group of amino acids with amide-containing side chains is asparagine and glutamine; the group of amino acids with aromatic side chains is phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; the group of amino acids with basic side chains is lysine, arginine, and histidine; and the group of amino acids with sulfur-containing side chains is cysteine ​​and methionine. For example, it is reasonable to expect that the replacement of leucine with isoleucine or valine, the replacement of aspartic acid with glutamic acid, the replacement of threonine with serine, or similar replacement of amino acids with structurally related amino acids will not significantly affect the properties of the resulting variant polypeptide. Whether an amino acid change results in a functional gB polypeptide can be easily determined by assaying its activity. Conservative substitutions are shown in Table 4 under the headings of exemplary and preferred substitutions. Amino acid substitutions that fall within the scope of the invention are generally achieved by selecting substitutions that do not significantly differ in their effect on maintaining (a) the structure of the peptide backbone in the area of ​​the substitution, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain. After substitutions are introduced, the variants are screened for biological activity. [Table 4]

[0099] Alternatively, similar amino acids for conservative substitution can be divided into three categories based on the identity of the side chain. As described in Zubay, G., Biochemistry, third edition, Wm: C. Brown Publishers (1993), the first group includes glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, and histidine, all of which have charged side chains; the second group includes glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, glutamine, and asparagine, and the third group includes leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine.

[0100] Thus, predicted non-essential amino acid residues in a gB polypeptide are typically replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. Alternatively, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of the gB protein gene coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resulting mutants can be screened for the activity of the parent polypeptide, e.g., as described herein, to identify mutants that retain the activity. After mutagenesis of the coding sequence, the encoded polypeptide can be recombinantly expressed and its activity determined. A "non-essential" amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequence of an embodiment peptide or polypeptide without eliminating or substantially altering one or more of its activities. Suitably, the alteration does not substantially alter one of these activities, e.g., the activity is at least 20%, 40%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the wild type. In contrast, an "essential" amino acid residue is a residue that, when altered from the wild-type sequence of a reference gB polypeptide, results in a loss of activity of the parent molecule such that less than 20% of the wild-type activity is present. For example, such essential amino acid residues include those that are conserved within gB proteins across different species.

[0101] Thus, the present invention also contemplates variants of naturally occurring gB polypeptide sequences or biologically active fragments thereof as gB polypeptides, where the variants are distinguished from the naturally occurring sequence by the addition, deletion, or substitution of one or more amino acid residues. Generally, a variant will have a similar or similar similarity to the parent or reference gB protein sequence, e.g., as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3, as determined by a sequence alignment program described elsewhere herein using default parameters. would show similarity of 1%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%. Desirably, the variant has at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 109, 109, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109 ... 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% sequence identity. Variants of the wild-type gB protein falling within the scope of the variant polypeptides may generally differ from the wild-type molecule by 15, 14, 13, 12, or 11 amino acid residues, or suitably by 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 amino acid residue.In some embodiments, the variant polypeptide differs from the corresponding sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3 by at least 1, but not more than 15.14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 amino acid residues. In other embodiments, it differs from the corresponding sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 by at least 1% of the residues, but not more than 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, or 2% of the residues. When sequence comparison requires alignment, the sequences are typically aligned for maximum similarity or identity. Deletions or insertions, or "looped" out sequences from mismatches are generally considered to be differences. The differences are preferably differences or changes in non-essential residues or conservative substitutions, as discussed in more detail below.

[0102] Modified gB polypeptides of the invention also include gB polypeptides that include amino acids with modified side chains; the incorporation of non-natural amino acid residues and / or derivatives thereof during peptide, polypeptide or protein synthesis; and the use of crosslinkers and other methods to impose conformational constraints on the peptides, portions and variants of the invention. Examples of side chain modifications include acylation with acetic anhydride, acylation of amino groups with succinic anhydride and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, amidation with methylacetimidate, carbamoylation of amino groups with cyanate, pyridoxylation of lysine with pyridoxal-5-phosphate followed by NaBR. t These include modifications of the amino group such as reduction with , reductive alkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction with NaBH4, and trinitrobenzylation of the amino group with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS).

[0103] The carboxyl group may be modified by carbodiimide activation via O-acylisourea formation followed by subsequent derivatization, for example, to a corresponding amide.

[0104] The guanidine group of arginine residues may be modified by the formation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents such as 2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal.

[0105] Sulfhydryl groups can be modified by methods such as performic acid oxidation to cysteic acid; formation of mercury derivatives using 4-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid, 4-chloromercuribenzoic acid, 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol, phenylmercuric chloride, and other mercuric acids; formation of mixed disulfides with other thiol compounds; reaction with maleimide, maleic anhydride, or other substituted maleimides; carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; and carbamoylation with cyanic acid at alkaline pH.

[0106] Tryptophan residues may be modified by, for example, alkylation of the indole ring with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulfonyl halides or by oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide.

[0107] Tyrosine residues may be modified by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a 3-nitrotyrosine derivative.

[0108] The imidazole ring of a histidine residue may be modified by N-carboethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate or alkylation with iodoacetic acid derivatives.

[0109] Examples of incorporating unnatural amino acids and derivatives during peptide synthesis include, but are not limited to, the use of 4-aminobutyric acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, t-butylglycine, norleucine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine, 2-thienylalanine, and / or D-isomers of amino acids. A list of unnatural amino acids contemplated by the present invention is provided in Table 5. [Table 5] JPEG2024535054000007.jpg106149

[0110] Variant proteins encompassed by the present invention are biologically (e.g., immunologically) active, i.e., retain the desired biological activity of the native protein. Such variants may result, for example, from genetic polymorphism or human manipulation.

[0111] 2.3 Heterologous Signal Sequences The modified gB polypeptides of the present invention are typically secreted when expressed in a host cell (e.g., a mammalian cell). Thus, in some preferred embodiments, the modified gB polypeptide comprises a heterologous signal peptide at the N-terminus. Many signal peptides that facilitate secretion of an operably linked peptide from a host cell are known in the art, and any such signal sequence may be suitable for use with the present invention. In some embodiments, the signal peptide directs translocation of the operably linked immunogenic modified gB polypeptide to the endoplasmic reticulum, cell membrane, proteasome, lysosome, or directs an immunogenic portion of gB to a specific cell type or cell subset.

[0112] In some embodiments, the heterologous signal is selected from the group consisting of an immunoglobulin signal sequence, a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) signal sequence, an erythropoietin (EPO) signal sequence, a VP22 HSV1 signal sequence, a parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) N-terminal ER signal, calreticulin (CRT), an adenovirus E3 signal sequence, or a flavivirus signal sequence, including a structural protein (e.g., a capsid (C), envelope (E), or premembrane (prM) protein).

[0113] In some embodiments, the signal sequence comprises or consists of a targeting sequence that targets the encoded product to a desired cell type or cell subset and can facilitate secretion or localization of the operably linked portion of the modified gB polypeptide. In some embodiments, the targeting sequence targets the operably linked portion of the modified gB polypeptide to an immune cell. In some embodiments, the targeting sequence targets the operably linked portion of the modified gB polypeptide to an antigen presenting cell. In some embodiments, the targeting sequence targets the encoded product to the proteasome of the host cell. In some embodiments, the targeting sequence targets the operably linked portion of the modified gB polypeptide to an endosome or lysosome of the host cell.

[0114] In some embodiments, the heterologous signal peptide is an immunoglobulin (Ig) signal peptide. Many Ig signal peptide sequences are known in the art. In some embodiments, the signal peptide is derived from an immunoglobulin isotype selected from any one of IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. In one example, the heterologous signal peptide described herein can include 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 amino acids. As an illustrative example, the amino acid sequence of a preferred signal peptide is set forth in SEQ ID NO:7, and is the 18 amino acid IgG heavy chain signal peptide described below: MEFGLSWLFLVAILKGVQC [sequence number 7].

[0115] In another example, a preferred signal peptide amino acid sequence is the 19 amino acid IgG heavy chain signal peptide identified in SEQ ID NO:8 and described below. MEFGLSWVFLVALFRGVQC [sequence number 8].

[0116] In some embodiments, the N-terminal signal peptide has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.

[0117] Suitably, the composition comprises greater than 80% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, greater than 85% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, greater than 90% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, greater than 95% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, greater than 97% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, or greater than 98% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers, hi some embodiments, the preparation comprises greater than 99% modified gB polypeptide homotrimers.

[0118] In some embodiments of this type, the composition is substantially free of modified gB polypeptide monomers and / or modified gB polypeptide dimers.

[0119] In some of the same embodiments and in some other embodiments, homotrimers of the modified gB polypeptides dimerize to form a hexameric complex.

[0120] In some preferred embodiments, the gB polypeptide complex is a pre-fusion isoform.

[0121] 2.4 Nucleic acid composition The present invention also provides nucleic acid compositions encoding modified gB proteins as described above and / or elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9, or a fragment, variant, or derivative thereof.

[0122] Fragments and variants of the isolated nucleic acids are also contemplated.

[0123] The present invention also provides variants and / or fragments of the isolated nucleic acids. Variants may comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, 91%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% nucleotide sequence identity to any of the nucleotide sequences encoding the isolated proteins of the invention (e.g., SEQ ID NO:9).

[0124] A fragment may comprise or consist of up to 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95-99% of the contiguous nucleotides present in any nucleotide sequence disclosed herein.

[0125] Fragments may comprise or consist of up to 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650 or 660 consecutive nucleotides present in any nucleotide sequence disclosed herein.

[0126] The present invention also contemplates nucleic acids that have been modified, for example, by taking advantage of redundancy in codon sequences. In a more specific example, codon usage can be modified to optimize expression of the nucleic acid in a particular organism or cell type.

[0127] The invention further provides for the use of modified purines (eg, inosine, methylinosine, and methyladenosine) and modified pyrimidines (eg, thiouridine and methylcytosine) in the isolated nucleic acids of the invention.

[0128] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the isolated nucleic acids of the present invention can be conveniently prepared using standard protocols, such as those described in Chapters 2 and 3 of CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (Eds. Ausubel et al. John Wiley & Sons NY, 1995-2008).

[0129] In yet another embodiment, the complementary nucleic acid hybridizes to the nucleic acid of the invention under high stringency conditions.

[0130] "Hybridize" and "hybridization" are used herein to refer to the pairing of at least partially complementary nucleotide sequences to produce a DNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, or DNA-RNA hybrid. Hybrid sequences containing complementary nucleotide sequences result from base pairing.

[0131] "Stringency" as used herein refers to the temperature and ionic strength conditions during hybridization, as well as the presence or absence of particular organic solvents and / or detergents. The higher the stringency, the higher the level of complementarity required between hybridizing nucleotide sequences.

[0132] "Stringent conditions" refer to conditions under which only nucleic acids with a high frequency of complementary bases will hybridize.

[0133] Stringent conditions are well known in the art, as described in Chapters 2.9 and 2.10 of Ausubel et al. (supra), which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that various factors can be manipulated to optimize the specificity of hybridization. Optimizing the stringency of the final wash can help ensure a high degree of hybridization.

[0134] Complementary nucleotide sequences may be identified by blotting techniques, which include steps in which nucleotides are immobilized on a matrix (preferably a synthetic membrane such as nitrocellulose), a hybridization step, and a detection step, typically using a labeled probe or other complementary nucleic acid. Southern blotting is used to identify complementary DNA sequences, and Northern blotting is used to identify complementary RNA sequences. Dot blotting and slot blotting techniques can be used to identify complementary DNA / DNA, DNA / RNA or RNA / RNA polynucleotide sequences. Such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art and are described in Ausubel et al. (supra), pages 2.9.1 to 2.9.20. According to such methods, Southern blotting involves separating DNA molecules according to size by gel electrophoresis, transferring the size-separated DNA to a synthetic membrane, and hybridizing the membrane-bound DNA to a complementary nucleotide sequence. Alternative blotting steps are used when identifying complementary nucleic acids in cDNA or genomic DNA libraries, such as through the process of plaque or colony hybridization. Other exemplary examples of this procedure are described in Chapters 8-12 of Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING. A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989).

[0135] Methods for detecting labeled nucleic acids hybridized to immobilized nucleic acids are well known to those of skill in the art and include autoradiography, chemiluminescence, fluorescence and colorimetric detection.

[0136] Nucleic acids may also be isolated, detected, and / or subjected to recombinant DNA techniques using nucleic acid sequence amplification techniques.

[0137] Suitable nucleic acid amplification techniques, encompassing both thermal and isothermal methods, are well known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), rolling circle replication (RCR), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), Qβ replicase amplification, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and helicase-dependent amplification.

[0138] As used herein, "amplification product" refers to a nucleic acid product produced by nucleic acid amplification.

[0139] Nucleic acid amplification techniques can include certain quantitative and semi-quantitative techniques, such as qPCR, real-time PCR and competitive PCR, as are well known in the art.

[0140] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a genetic construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid of the previous aspect.

[0141] In certain embodiments, a genetic construct comprises an isolated nucleic acid operably linked or connected to one or more other genetic components. The genetic construct may be suitable for therapeutic delivery of the isolated nucleic acid or for recombinant production of an isolated protein of the invention in a host cell.

[0142] In broad terms, a genetic construct may be in the form of, or contain genetic components of, a plasmid, bacteriophage, cosmid, yeast or bacterial artificial chromosome as is well understood in the art. The genetic construct may be suitable for maintenance and propagation of isolated nucleic acids in bacteria or other host cells for manipulation by recombinant DNA techniques and / or expression of the nucleic acids or encoded proteins of the invention.

[0143] For the purpose of host cell expression, the genetic construct is an expression construct. Preferably, the expression construct comprises the nucleic acid of the present invention operably linked to one or more additional sequences in an expression vector. An "expression vector" may be either a self-replicating extrachromosomal vector, such as a plasmid, or a vector that is integrated into a host genome.

[0144] The term "operably connected" or "operably linked" as used herein means placing a structural gene under the regulatory control of a regulatory polynucleotide, such as a promoter, which controls the transcription and optionally translation of the gene. For example, in the construction of a heterologous promoter / structural gene combination, it is generally preferred to place the gene sequence or promoter at a distance from the gene transcription start site that is approximately the same as the distance between the gene sequence or promoter and the gene that the gene sequence or promoter controls in its natural environment (i.e., the gene from which the gene sequence or promoter is derived). As is known in the art, some variation in this distance can be accommodated without loss of function. Similarly, the preferred positioning of a regulatory sequence element relative to a heterologous gene that is placed under its control is defined by placing the element in its natural environment (i.e., the gene from which it is derived).

[0145] The regulatory nucleotide sequence will generally be appropriate to the host cell used for expression. For a variety of host cells, numerous types of appropriate expression vectors and suitable regulatory sequences are known in the art.

[0146] Typically, the one or more regulatory nucleotide sequences may include, but are not limited to, a promoter sequence, a leader or signal sequence, a ribosomal binding site, a polyadenylation sequence, a transcription start and stop sequence, a translation start and stop sequence, and an enhancer or activator sequence.

[0147] Constitutive, repressible, or inducible promoters known in the art are contemplated by the present invention.

[0148] The expression construct may also contain an additional nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion partner (typically provided by the expression vector), such that the recombinant protein is expressed as a fusion protein.

[0149] The expression construct may also include additional nucleotide sequences encoding a selectable marker, such as, but not limited to, ampR, neoR, or kanR.

[0150] In certain embodiments, the expression construct may be in the form of plasmid DNA and preferably includes a promoter operable in animal cells (e.g., a CMV, A-crystallin or SV40 promoter.) In other embodiments, the nucleic acid may be in the form of a viral construct, such as an adenovirus, vaccinia, lentivirus or adeno-associated virus vector.

[0151] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid molecule or a genetic construct described herein.

[0152] Suitable host cells for expression may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. For example, suitable host cells may include, but are not limited to, mammalian cells (e.g., CHO, HeLa, Cos, NIH-3T3, HEK293T, Jurkat cells), yeast cells (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae), insect cells (e.g., Sf9, Trichoplusiai) with or without baculovirus expression systems, plant cells (e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Phaeodactylum tricornutum) or bacterial cells such as E. coli. Introduction of genetic constructs into host cells (prokaryotic or eukaryotic) is well known in the art, for example, as described in CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Eds. Ausubel et al., (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995-2015), especially chapters 9 and 16.

[0153] A related aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an isolated protein as described herein, comprising the steps of: (i) culturing a host cell of the previous aspect; and (ii) isolating said isolated protein from said host cell cultured in step (i).

[0154] In this regard, recombinant proteins may be conveniently prepared by those of skill in the art using standard protocols, such as those provided hereinabove.

[0155] 3. Pharmaceutical Compositions The modified gB polypeptides of the present invention can be used as active ingredients for the therapeutic treatment and / or prevention of CMV infection. These therapeutic and / or prophylactic agents can be administered to a subject alone or as a composition mixed with a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, and / or adjuvant.

[0156] Therapeutic and / or prophylactic compositions may be formulated and administered systemically or locally, depending on the particular condition being treated. Techniques for formulation and administration may be found in the latest edition of "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences", Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. Suitable routes may include, for example, intradermal injection. For injection, the therapeutic agent of the present invention may be formulated in an aqueous solution, preferably in a physiologically compatible buffer, such as Flanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosal administration, a penetrant appropriate to the barrier to be permeated is used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art. Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections are suitable, for example, for administration of immunogenic compositions, vaccines, and DNA vaccines. In some particular embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intradermal administration.

[0157] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be easily formulated in a suitable dosage for administration using pharma- ceutical acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers allow the compound of the present invention to be formulated into dosage forms such as tablets, pills, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, etc., for administration to the subject to be treated. For example, pharmaceutical compositions formulated for oral ingestion contain suitable carriers selected from, for example, sugar, starch, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatin, talc, calcium sulfate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffer solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogen-free water.

[0158] Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions in which the active ingredient is contained in an effective amount to achieve its intended purpose. The dose of the drug administered to the patient should be sufficient to induce a beneficial response in the patient over time, e.g., a reduction in symptoms associated with the condition. The amount of the therapeutic / prophylactic agent administered may depend on the subject being treated, including age, sex, weight, and general health. In this regard, the exact amount of the therapeutic / prophylactic agent for administration is subject to the judgment of the physician. In determining the effective amount of the drug to be administered in treating or preventing a condition, the physician may evaluate the tissue level of the polypeptide antigen, and the progression of the disease or condition. In any case, one skilled in the art can easily determine the appropriate dosage of the therapeutic and / or prophylactic agent of the present invention.

[0159] Pharmaceutical preparations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of active compounds in water-soluble form.In addition, suspensions of active compounds may be prepared as suitable oily injection suspensions.Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes.Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, or dextran.Optionally, suspensions may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of compounds to allow the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

[0160] Medicaments for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compound with a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture, adding suitable auxiliaries as required, and then processing the mixture of granules to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are in particular fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations, such as corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, tragacanth gum, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and / or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrants such as cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof (e.g., sodium alginate) may be added. Such compositions can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy, but all methods include the step of bringing one or more therapeutic agents, as described above, into association with the carrier, which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, for example by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes.

[0161] The dosage form of the therapeutic agent of the present invention may also include injection or implantation of controlled release devices specifically designed for this purpose, or other forms of implants modified to further act in this manner. Controlled release of the agent of the present invention may be achieved by coating with hydrophobic polymers, including, for example, acrylic resins, waxes, higher aliphatic alcohols, polylactic and polyglycolic acids, and certain cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. In addition, controlled release may be achieved by using other polymer matrices, liposomes, and / or microparticles.

[0162] The therapeutic agents of the invention may be provided as salts having pharma- ceutically compatible counterions. Pharmaceutically compatible salts can be formed with many acids, including, but not limited to, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms.

[0163] From the above, it should be understood that the agents of the present invention can be used as therapeutic or prophylactic immunostimulatory compositions and / or vaccines. Thus, the present invention extends to the production of immunostimulatory compositions containing one or more of the therapeutic / prophylactic agents of the present invention as active compounds. Any suitable procedure for producing such vaccines is contemplated. Exemplary procedures include, for example, NEW GENERATION VACCINES (1997, Levine et al., Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, Basel Hong Kong).

[0164] Suitably, antigen-presenting cells contacted ex vivo with the modified gB polypeptides of the invention, as well as antigen-specific T lymphocytes generated with these antigen-presenting cells, can be used as active compounds in immune-stimulating compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic applications. The primed cells, preferably mature dendritic cells, can be injected with the modified polypeptide by any method that induces an immune response in a syngeneic subject (i.e., human). Preferably, the antigen-presenting cells are injected back into the same subject from which the tissue / cells of origin were obtained. The injection site can be subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intradermal, or intravenous. The number of antigen-primed antigen-presenting cells injected back into the subject in need of treatment can vary depending, inter alia, on the antigen and the size of the individual. This number can be, for example, about 10 4 ~10 8 and more preferably in the range of about 10 6 ~10 7The antigen-presenting cells may range from antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells) primed with an antigen of interest. The antigen-presenting cells should be administered in a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier that is non-toxic to the cells and the individual. Such a carrier may be the growth medium in which the antigen-presenting cells were grown, or any suitable buffered medium, such as phosphate-buffered saline.

[0165] In one embodiment, the antigen-primed antigen-presenting cells of the invention are also capable of expressing large numbers of CD4 + They can also be used to generate CTLs. For example, antigen-specific CD4 + Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can be adoptively transferred for therapeutic purposes in subjects suffering from CMV infection.

[0166] The effectiveness of immunization can be assessed using any suitable technique. For example, 51 CTL lysis assays using splenocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated on peptide-coated cells or recombinant virus-infected cells using Cr-labeled target cells can be used. Such assays can be performed using any mammalian cell, for example (Allen et al., 2000, J.Immunol.164(9):4968-4978; also Woodberry et al. (infra)). Alternatively, immunization effectiveness can be monitored using one or more techniques, including but not limited to HLA class I tetramer staining of fresh and stimulated PBMCs (see Allen et al. (supra)), proliferation assays (Allen et al. (supra)), Elispot assays and intracellular cytokine staining (Allen et al. (supra)), ELISA assays to detect linear B cell responses, and Western blots of cell samples expressing synthetic polynucleotides. Of particular relevance is the cytokine profile of antigen-activated T cells, more specifically the production and secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF.

[0167] The composition of the present invention is preferably a pharmaceutical composition. Pharmaceutical compositions often contain one or more "pharmaceutical acceptable carriers". These include any carrier that does not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition. Suitable carriers are typically large, slowly metabolized macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polymeric amino acids, amino acid copolymers, and lipid aggregates (such as oil droplets or liposomes). Such carriers are well known to those skilled in the art. The composition may contain a diluent such as water, saline, glycerol, and the like. In addition, auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering substances, and the like may be present. A thorough discussion of pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients is available in Gennaro (2000) Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 20th ed, , ISBN: 0683306472.

[0168] Pharmaceutical compositions may include various salts, excipients, delivery vehicles, and / or adjuvants as disclosed, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0019358, published Feb. 14, 2002.

[0169] The immunostimulatory compositions according to the invention may contain physiologically acceptable diluents or excipients, such as water, phosphate buffered saline and normal saline. They may also contain adjuvants as are well known in the art. Suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotide adjuvants, surfactants such as hexadecylamine, octadecylamine, octadecyl amino acid esters, lysolecithin, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide, N,N-dicoctadecyl-N',N'bis(2-hydroxyethyl-propanediamine), methoxyhexadecylglycerol, and Pluronic polyols; polyamines such as pyran, dextran sulfate, polyIC Carbopol; peptides such as muramyl dipeptide and derivatives, dimethylglycine, tuftsin; oil emulsions; and mineral gels such as aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide or alum; lymphokines, QuilA, and immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMS).

[0170] The adjuvant in the composition suitably comprises one or more TLR agonists.

[0171] The term "TLR agonist" as used herein refers to a molecule that can trigger a signaling response through the TLR signaling pathway, either directly as a ligand or indirectly by the production of endogenous or exogenous ligands. The agonist ligand of a TLR receptor can be the natural ligand of the TLR receptor or a functionally equivalent variant thereof that retains the ability to bind to the TLR receptor and induce a costimulatory signal therein. The TLR agonist can also be an agonist antibody against the TLR receptor or a functionally equivalent variant thereof that can specifically bind to the TLR receptor, more specifically to the extracellular domain of said receptor, and induce some of the immune signals controlled by this receptor and associated proteins. The specificity of the binding can be for the human TLR receptor or for the human homologous TLR receptor of a different species.

[0172] In certain embodiments, the one or more TLR agonists include a TLR4 agonist and / or a TLR9 agonist. More specifically, the TLR agonist is or includes a TLR9 agonist.

[0173] Exemplary TLR4 agonists are lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or derivatives or components of LPS. These include monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®) from Salmonella minnesota, as well as synthetic TLR4 agonists such as aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphates (AGPs) and phosphorylated hexaacyl disaccharides (PHADs) and their derivatives (e.g., 3D-PHAD, 3D(6-acyl)-PHAD). A preferred TLR4 agonist is MPL.

[0174] TLR9 recognizes specific unmethylated CpG oligonucleotide (ODN) sequences that distinguish microbial DNA from mammalian DNA. CpG ODN oligonucleotides contain unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in specific sequence contexts (CpG motifs). These CpG motifs occur 20 times more frequently in bacterial DNA compared to mammalian DNA. Three types of stimulatory ODNs have been described: type A, type B, and type C.

[0175] Non-limiting examples of TLR9 agonists include, but are not limited to, CpG ODN1018, CpG ODN2006, CpG ODN2216, CpG ODN1826, and CpG ODN2336. In some embodiments, the TLR9 agonist is or comprises CpG ODN1018 and / or CpG ODN2006. In one preferred embodiment, the TLR9 agonist is CpG ODN1018. Amphipathic vaccine adjuvants are also contemplated, such as amphipathic CpG adjuvants (e.g., amphipathic CpG1018).

[0176] In certain embodiments, the TLR agonist is not MPL, CpG ODN1826, CpG ODN2006, CpG ODN2216 and / or CpG ODN2336.

[0177] Suitably, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

[0178] Certain compositions of the invention may further include one or more adjuvants before, after, or simultaneously with the polynucleotide. The term "adjuvant" refers to any material that has the ability to (1) alter or increase the immune response to a particular antigen, or (2) increase or assist the effect of a drug. It should be noted that with respect to polynucleotide vaccines, an "adjuvant" may be a transfection-facilitating substance. Similarly, certain "transfection-facilitating substances" as described above may also be "adjuvants". Adjuvants may be used with compositions comprising polynucleotides of the invention. In a prime-boost regimen, adjuvants may be used with either the priming immunization, the booster immunization, or both, as described herein. Suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, cytokines and growth factors; bacterial components (e.g., endotoxins, exotoxins, and cell wall components in certain superantigens); aluminum-based salts; calcium-based salts; silica; polynucleotides; toxoids; serum proteins, viruses and virus-derived substances, toxins, venoms, imidazoquiniline compounds, poloxamers, and cationic lipids.

[0179] A wide variety of substances have been shown to have adjuvant activity through a variety of mechanisms. Any compound that can increase the expression, antigenicity or immunogenicity of a polypeptide is a potential adjuvant. The present invention provides an assay for screening for improved immune responses to potential adjuvants. Potential adjuvants that may be screened for their ability to enhance immune responses according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, Montanide, inert carriers such as alum, bentonite, latex, and acrylic particles; PLURONIC block polymers such as TITERMAX (block copolymer CRL-8941, squalene (metabolizable oil), and particulate silica stabilizer); depot types such as Freund's adjuvants, surfactants such as saponin, lysolecithin, retinal, Quil A, liposomes, and PLURONIC polymer formulations; macrophage stimulants such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides; alternative pathway complement activators such as insulin, zymosan, endotoxin, and levamisole; and non-ionic surfactants such as poloxamers, poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) tri-block copolymers. Transfection facilitating substances such as those described above are also included as adjuvants.

[0180] Montanide adjuvants are based on purified squalene and squalene emulsified with highly purified mannide monooleate. Montanide comes in several types including ISA 50V, 51, 206, and 720. ISA 50V, 51, and 720 are water-in-oil (W / O) emulsions, while ISA 206 is a W / O-in-water emulsion. Montanide ISA ISA 51 and 720 emulsions are composed of a metabolisable squalene-based oil with mannide monooleate emulsifier.

[0181] Poloxamers that may be screened for their ability to enhance immune responses according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, commercially available poloxamers such as PLURONIC surfactants, which are block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, with a propylene oxide block sandwiched between two ethylene oxide blocks. Examples of PLURONIC surfactants include PLURONIC L121 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4400, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3600, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC L101 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3800, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3000, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC L81 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2750, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 2400, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC L61 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2000; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 1800, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC L31 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1100; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 900, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC L122 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 5000; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3600; approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC L92 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3650; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 2700; approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC L72 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2750; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 2100; approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC L62 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2500; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 1800; approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC L42 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1630; approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 1200; approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%),

[0182] PLURONIC L63 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2650, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1800, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 30%), PLURONIC L43 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1850, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1200, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 30%), PLURONIC L64 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2900, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1800, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 40%), PLURONIC L44 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2200, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1200, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 40%), PLURONIC L35 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1900, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 900, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%), PLURONIC P123 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 5750, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 3600, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 30%), PLURONIC P103 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4950, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 3000, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 30%), PLURONIC P104 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 5900, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 3000, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 40%), PLURONIC P84 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4200, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 2400, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 40%), PLURONIC P105 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 6500, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 3000, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%), PLURONIC P85 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4600, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 2400, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%), PLURONIC P75 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4150, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 2100, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%), PLURONIC P65 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3400, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1800, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%), PLURONIC F127 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 12600, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 3600, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 70%), PLURONIC F98 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 13000, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 2700, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 80%), PLURONICF87 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 7700, estimated molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2400, estimated weight % of hydrophilic substance: 70%), PLURONIC F77 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 6600, estimated molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2100, estimated weight % of hydrophilic substance: 70%), PLURONIC F108 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 14600, estimated molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 3000, estimated weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%), PLURONIC F98 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 13000, estimated molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2700, estimated weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%), PLURONIC F88 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 11400, estimated molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2400, estimated weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%), PLURONIC Examples include F68 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 8400, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1800, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%) and PLURONIC F38 poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4700, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 900, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%).

[0183] Reverse poloxamers that may be screened for their ability to enhance an immune response in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, PLURONIC® 31 R1 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3250, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC R25R1 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2700, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 2500, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC® 17R1 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1900, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 1700, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 10%), PLURONIC® 31 R2 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC® 31 R3 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC® 31 R4 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC® 31 R5 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC® 31 R6 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobe: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophile: 20%), PLURONIC® 31 R7 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3300, approximate molecular 25R2 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3100, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2500, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 20%), PLURONIC R 17R2 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 2150, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1700, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 20%), PLURONIC R 12R3 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1800, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1200, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 30%), PLURONIC R 31 R4 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4150, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 3100, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 40%), PLURONIC R 25R4 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3600, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2500, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 40%), PLURONIC R 22R4 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3350, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2200, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 40%), PLURONIC R17R4 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 3650, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1700, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 40%), PLURONIC R 25R5 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4320, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2500, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 50%), PLURONIC R10R5 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 1950, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic material: 1000, approximate weight % of hydrophilic material: 50%, PLURONIC RExamples include 25R8 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 8550, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 2500, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%), PLURONIC R 17R8 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 7000, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1700, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%), and PLURONIC R 10R8 reverse poloxamer (average molecular weight: 4550, approximate molecular weight of hydrophobic substance: 1000, approximate weight % of hydrophilic substance: 80%).

[0184] Other commercially available poloxamers that may be screened for their ability to enhance immune responses in accordance with the present invention include compounds that are block copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene glycol, such as SYNPERONIC L121 (average molecular weight: 4400), SYNPERONIC L122 (average molecular weight: 5000), SYNPERONIC P104 (average molecular weight: 5850), SYNPERONIC P105 (average molecular weight: 6500), SYNPERONIC P123 (average molecular weight: 5750), SYNPERONIC P85 (average molecular weight: 4600) and SYNPERONIC P94 (average molecular weight: 4600), where L indicates that the surfactants are liquids and P indicates that they are pastes, the first digit is a measure of the molecular weight of the polypropylene portion of the surfactant, and the last digit of the number multiplied by 10 gives the ethylene oxide content of the surfactant. The compounds are nonylphenyl polyethylene glycols such as SYNPERONIC NP10 (nonylphenol ethoxylated surfactant-10% solution), SYNPERONIC NP30 (condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide), and SYNPERONIC NP5 (condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 5.5 moles of naphthalene oxide).

[0185] Other poloxamers that may be screened for the ability to enhance immune responses according to the present invention include: (a) polyether block copolymers comprising A-type segments and B-type segments. The A-type segments comprise linear polymer segments of relatively hydrophilic character, the repeating units of which contribute an average Hansch-Leo fragment constant of about -0.4 or less, and have a molecular weight contribution of about 30 to about 500. The B-type segments comprise linear polymer segments of relatively hydrophobic character, the repeating units of which contribute an average Hansch-Leo fragment constant of about -0.4 or more, and have a molecular weight contribution of about 30 to about 500. At least about 80% of the bonds connecting the repeating units for each of the polymer segments comprise ether bonds. (b) block copolymers comprising polyether segments and polycation segments. The polyether segments comprise at least A-type blocks, and the polycation segments comprise a plurality of cationic repeating units. (c) polyether-polycation copolymers comprising a polymer, a polyether segment, and a polycationic segment comprising a plurality of cationic repeating units of the formula -NH-R0. R0 is a linear aliphatic group of 2-6 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and the polyether segment comprises at least one of A-type or B-type segments. See U.S. Patent No. 5,656,611. Other poloxamers of interest include CRL1005 (12 kDa, 5% POE), CRL8300 (11 kDa, 5% POE), CRL2690 (12 kDa, 10% POE), CRL4505 (15 kDa, 5% POE), and CRL1415 (9 kDa, 10% POE).

[0186] Other adjuvants that may be screened for the ability to enhance an immune response in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, acacia (gum arabic); poloxyethylene ethers RO-(C2H40)xH (BRIJ), such as polyethylene glycol dodecyl ether (BRIJ 35, x=23), polyethylene glycol dodecyl ether (BRIJ 30, x=4), polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (BRIJ 52x=2), polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (BRIJ 56, x=10), polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (BRIJ 58P, x=20), polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether (BRIJ 72, x=2), polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether (BRIJ 76, x=10), polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether (BRIJ® 78P, x=20), polyethylene glycol oleyl ether (BRIJ 92V, x=2), and polyoxyl 10 oleyl ether (BRIJ 97, x=10); poly-D-glucosamine (chitosan); chlorobutanol; cholesterol; diethanolamine; digitonin; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); glyceryl monostearate; lanolin alcohol; mono- and diglycerides; monoethanolamine; nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NP-40); octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol (NONIDET NP-40 from Amresco); ethylphenol poly(ethylene glycol ether) n, n=l1 (NONIDET P40 from Roche); octylphenol ethylene oxide condensate with about 9 ethylene oxide units (NONIDET P40); IGEPAL CA 630 ((octylphenoxy) polyethoxyethanol; NONIDET Structurally identical to NP-40); oleic acid; oleyl alcohol; polyethylene glycol 8000; polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether; polyoxyl 35 castor oil; polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil; polyoxyl 40 stearate; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20, or TWEEN-20;Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate 80, or TWEEN-80); propylene glycol diacetate; propylene glycol monostearate; protamine sulfate; proteolytic enzymes; sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); sodium monolaurate; sodium stearate; sorbitan derivatives (SPAN), such as sorbitan monopalmitate (SPAN 40), sorbitan monostearate (SPAN 60), sorbitan tristearate (SPAN 65), sorbitan monooleate (SPAN 80), and sorbitan trioleate (SPAN 85);2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosa-hexaene (squalene);stachyose;stearic acid;sucrose;surfactin (a lipopeptide antibiotic derived from Bacillus subtilis);dodecyl poly(ethylene glycol ether) 9 (THESIT) MW 582.9;octylphenol ethylene oxide condensate having about 9-10 ethylene oxide units (TRITON X-100);octylphenol ethylene oxide condensate having about 7-8 ethylene oxide units (TRITON X-1 14);Tris(2)-hydroxyethyl)amine (trolamine), and emulsifying wax.;

[0187] In certain adjuvant compositions, the adjuvant is a cytokine. The compositions of the invention can include a compound that induces the production of one or more cytokines, chemokines, or a compound that induces the production of one or more cytokines, chemokines, or a polynucleotide that encodes a compound that induces the production of one or more cytokines, chemokines, or ... These include interferon-15 (IL-15), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interferon alpha (IFN-α), interferon beta (IFN-β), interferon gamma (IFN-y), interferon omega (IFNω), interferon tau (IFN-T), interferon gamma-inducing factor I (IGIF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), RANTES (presumed to be regulated upon activation, expressed and secreted by normal T cells), macrophage inflammatory proteins (e.g., MIP-1α and MIP-1β), Leishmania outgrowth initiation factor (LEIF), and Flt-3 ligand.

[0188] In certain compositions of the invention, the polynucleotide construct may be complexed with an adjuvant composition comprising (±)-N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2,3-bis(syn-9-tetradecenyloxy)-1-propanaminium bromide (GAP-DMORIE). The composition may also comprise one or more co-lipids, such as 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPyPE), and / or 1,2-dimyristoyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE). An adjuvant composition comprising GAP-DMORIE and DPyPE in a 1:1 molar ratio is referred to herein as a VAXFECTIN adjuvant. See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO00 / 57917.

[0189] In other embodiments, the polynucleotide itself may function as an adjuvant, such as when the polynucleotide of the present invention is derived in whole or in part from bacterial DNA. Bacterial DNA containing motifs of unmethylated CpG-dinucleotides (CpG-DNA) induces innate immune cells in vertebrates through pattern recognition receptors (including toll receptors such as TLR9), and thus has a strong immunostimulatory effect on macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes. See, e.g., Wagner, H., Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 5:62-69 (2002); Jung, J. et al., J. Immunol. 169:2368-73 (2002). See also, Klinman, DM et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 93:2879-83 (1996). The use of unmethylated CpG-dinucleotides as adjuvants is described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 6,207,646, 6,406,705, and 6,429,199.

[0190] Other suitable immune stimulating molecules and adjuvants include, but are not limited to, additional TLR agonists, lipopolysaccharides and derivatives thereof, such as MPL, Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant, squalane and squalene (or other oils of vegetable or animal origin); block copolymers; detergents, such as Tween®-80; Quil® A, mineral oils, such as Drakeol or Marcol, vegetable oils, such as peanut oil; Corynebacterium derived adjuvants, such as Corynebacterium parvum; Propionibacterium derived adjuvants, such as Propionibacterium acnes; Mycobacterium bovis (Bacille Calmette and Guerin or BCG); Bordetella pertussis antigens; tetotoxin; diphtheria toxoid; surfactants such as hexadecylamine, octadecylamine, octadecyl amino acid esters, lysorcytin, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide, N,N-dicoctadecyl-N',N-bis(2-'hydroxyethyl-propanediamine), methoxyhexadecylglycerol, and Pluronic polyols; pyran, dextran sulfate, poly IC polyamines such as Carbopol; peptides such as muramyl dipeptide and derivatives, dimethylglycine, tuftsin; oil emulsions; and mineral gels such as aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, or alum; interleukins such as interleukin 2 and interleukin 12; monokines such as interleukin 1; tumor necrosis factors; interferons such as gamma interferon; combinations such as saponin-aluminum hydroxide or Quil-A aluminum hydroxide; liposomes; ISCOM® and ISCOMATRIX® adjuvants; mycobacterial cell wall extracts; synthetic glycopeptides such as muramyl dipeptide or other derivatives; avridine; lipid A derivatives; dextran sulfate; DEAE-dextran alone or with aluminum phosphate; carboxypolymethylenes such as Carbopol'EMA; acrylic copolymer emulsions such as Neocryl A640 (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,238);A water-in-oil emulsifier such as Montanide ISA 720; poliovirus, vaccinia or animal poxvirus proteins; or mixtures thereof;

[0191] With regard to subunit vaccines, examples of such vaccines may be formulated using ISCOMs, as described in WO 97 / 45444.

[0192] An example of a vaccine in the form of a water-in-oil formulation is Montanide ISA 720, as described in WO 97 / 45444.

[0193] Any suitable procedure for producing a vaccine composition is contemplated. Exemplary procedures include, for example, those described in New Generation Vaccines (1997, Levine et al., Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, Basel, Hong Kong), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0194] The ability of adjuvants to increase the immune response to an antigen is typically manifested by a significant increase in immune-mediated protection.For example, an increase in humoral immunity is typically manifested by a significant increase in the titer of antibodies produced against an antigen, and an increase in T cell activity is typically manifested by an increase in cell proliferation, or cytotoxicity, or cytokine secretion.Adjuvants can also change immune response, for example, by changing a predominantly humoral or Th2 response to a predominantly cellular or Th1 response.

[0195] The nucleic acid molecules and / or polynucleotides of the present invention, such as plasmid DNA, mRNA, linear DNA or oligonucleotides, can be solubilized in any of a variety of buffers. Suitable buffers include, for example, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), saline, Tris buffer, and sodium phosphate (e.g., 150 mM sodium phosphate). Insoluble polynucleotides can be solubilized in a weak acid or base and then diluted to a desired volume with a buffer. The pH of the buffer can be adjusted as necessary. In addition, pharma- ceutically acceptable additives can be used to provide an appropriate osmolality. Such additives are within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For aqueous compositions used in vivo, sterile pyrogen-free water can be used. Such formulations contain an effective amount of polynucleotide together with a suitable amount of aqueous solution to prepare a pharma-ceutically acceptable composition suitable for administration to a subject (e.g., a human).

[0196] The composition of the present invention can be formulated according to known methods. Suitable preparation methods are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Edition, A. Osol, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1980) and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition, A. R. Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1995). The composition can be administered as an aqueous solution, but can also be formulated as an emulsion, gel, solution, suspension, lyophilized form, or any other form known in the art. In addition, the composition can contain pharma- ceutically acceptable additives, including, for example, diluents, binders, stabilizers, and preservatives.

[0197] 4. Dosage The present invention generally relates to therapeutic and prophylactic compositions. The composition comprises an "effective amount" of the composition as defined herein, such that an amount of antigen can be produced in vivo to generate an immune response in the individual to whom it is administered. The exact amount required will vary depending on, among other factors, the subject being treated, the age and general condition of the subject being treated, the ability of the subject's immune system to synthesize antibodies, the degree of protection desired, the severity of the condition being treated, the particular antigen selected and its mode of administration. An appropriate effective amount can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, an "effective amount" falls within a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine testing.

[0198] Dosage and intervals can be individually adjusted to provide plasma levels of the active compound that are sufficient to maintain a target antigen reduction effect or disease or condition ameliorating effect. Usual patient dosages for systemic administration range from about 1 μg to 500 μg, generally about 20 μg to 200 μg, typically about 25 μg to 150 μg.

[0199] Alternatively, the agent can be administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, by injecting the compound directly into the tissue, often in a depot or sustained release formulation. Additionally, the agent can be administered in a targeted drug delivery system, for example, in a liposome coated with a tissue-specific antibody. The liposome is targeted to and taken up selectively by the tissue.

[0200] For any compound used in the method of the present invention, effective dose can be estimated from cell culture assay first.For example, dose can be formulated in animal model to achieve circulating concentration range (for example, the concentration of test agent that achieves the half-life of target antigen) that includes IC50 determined in cell culture.Using such information, useful dose in mammals can be more accurately determined.

[0201] The toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the compounds of the present invention can be determined, for example, by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals to determine the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, which can be expressed as the ratio LD50 / ED50. Compounds that exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from these cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosages for use in subjects. The dosage of such compounds is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage can vary within this range depending on the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. The exact formulation, route of administration, and dosage can be selected by the individual physician in view of the subject's condition. (See, for example, Fingl et al., 1975, in "The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics", Ch.1 p1).

[0202] The compositions of the present invention can be suitably formulated for injection. The compositions can be prepared in unit dosage form in ampoules or in multi-dose containers. The polynucleotides may be in such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or preferably aqueous vehicles. Alternatively, the polynucleotide salts may be in lyophilized form for reconstitution at the time of delivery with a suitable vehicle such as sterile pyrogen-free water. Both the liquid and the lyophilized form to be reconstituted contain an amount of agent, preferably a buffer, necessary to suitably adjust the pH of the injected solution. For any parenteral use, particularly when the formulation is administered intravenously, the total concentration of solutes should be controlled to make the preparation isotonic, hypotonic, or weakly hypertonic. Nonionic materials such as sugars are preferred to adjust tonicity, with sucrose being particularly preferred. Any of these forms may further comprise suitable formulating agents such as starch or sugar, glycerol, or saline. The composition per unit dose, whether liquid or solid, may contain 0.1% to 99% polynucleotide material.

[0203] The unit dose ampule or multidose container in which the polynucleotide is packaged prior to use may comprise a hermetically sealed container enclosing a quantity of the polynucleotide or a solution containing the polynucleotide suitable for a pharma- ceutically effective dose, or multiple, of the effective dose. The polynucleotide is packaged as a sterile formulation, and the hermetically sealed container is designed to maintain the sterility of the formulation until use.

[0204] The dosage administered will depend largely on the condition and size of the subject being treated, as well as the frequency and route of administration of the treatment. The regimen for continuing treatment, including dose and frequency, can be guided by initial response and clinical judgment. Although parenteral injection routes into the interstitial space of tissues are preferred, other parenteral routes, such as inhalation of aerosol formulations, may be required for certain administrations, for example, administration to the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, bronchial tissues, or lungs.

[0205] 5. Methods of Use Also encompassed by the present invention are methods for the treatment and / or prevention of CMV infection, comprising administering to a subject (e.g., a human) in need of such treatment an effective amount of a composition as broadly described above and elsewhere herein.

[0206] In one embodiment, the modified gB polypeptides of the present invention also contain multiple CD4 + They can also be used to generate CTLs. For example, antigen-specific CD4 + CTLs can be adoptively transferred for therapeutic purposes in subjects (eg, humans) suffering from CMV infection.

[0207] In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed that compositions comprising modified gB polypeptides as described above and / or elsewhere herein find utility in the treatment or prevention of CMV infection. The compositions of the invention may be used therapeutically after CMV infection has been diagnosed.

[0208] When the compositions described above and elsewhere herein are used in prophylactic methods against CMV infection, such methods are preferably prime-boost vaccination against gB-specific antibodies that induce long-lasting humoral, cell-mediated, and mucosal immune responses against gB polypeptides.

[0209] In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are administered in multiple doses in a prime-boost regimen with the aim of inducing long-lived, robust immunity against gB polypeptides. Such a strategy uses a second dose of the composition to enhance the immunity induced by the priming dose.

[0210] Some embodiments of the present invention are based on the recognition that an optimal strategy for inducing therapeutic and protective immunity against gB polypeptide involves the generation of both cellular and humoral immune responses against the CMV virus. Thus, the present invention provides a multi-component administration strategy in which a first dose of the composition of the present invention is used to prime the immune system by inducing or inducing a first immune response, and a second dose of the composition of the present invention is used to enhance or induce a second immune response, the composition administered in the first dose being the same as the second dose administered. In an illustrative example of this type, the first dose is administered primarily to induce a cellular immune response against the target antigen, whereas the second dose is administered primarily to induce a humoral immune response against the target antigen. Once the administration step of the present strategy is completed, both cellular and humoral immune responses are expressed to the target antigen. Thus, the two responses together provide effective or enhanced protection against CMV infection or diseases and / or conditions transmitted by or otherwise associated with CMV.

[0211] Those CD4 targeting related gB polypeptides + To maximize direct stimulation and activation of CTLs, the compositions used for priming and boosting are preferably the same.

[0212] 6. Methods of Production The modified gB polypeptide is typically produced by recombinant expression methods. Such methods are well known in the art, in particular methods of recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells (e.g., Chinese hamster ovary cells, CHO). In the context of a heterologous signal peptide, the recombinantly produced modified gB polypeptide is generally secreted from the host expression cell into the culture supernatant.

[0213] Once the supernatant is collected (typically by centrifugation), the soluble fraction is purified by one or more of anion exchange chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, CHT type II chromatography, and HIC chromatography. In some preferred embodiments, the method of producing a purified homotrimeric composition comprises a combination of anion exchange chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, and CHT type II chromatography. In some embodiments, purification of the trimer composition further comprises size exclusion chromatography.

[0214] In a preferred embodiment, the modified gB polypeptide does not contain a His tag, and therefore the purification method does not include metal affinity chromatography.

[0215] 7. Kits The present invention also provides kits comprising the immunostimulatory compositions as broadly described above and elsewhere herein. Such kits may additionally comprise alternative immunogenic agents for use concomitantly with the immunostimulatory compositions of the invention.

[0216] In some embodiments, in addition to the immunostimulatory composition of the invention, the kit may include suitable components for carrying out the prime-boost regimen described above. For example, the kit may include separately packaged priming and boosting doses of at least one polypeptide antigen.

[0217] The kits may include additional components to aid in the practice of the methods of the invention, such as, for example, administration devices, buffers, and / or diluents, etc. The kits may also include containers for housing the various components, and instructions for using the kit components in the methods of the invention.

[0218] In order that the present invention may be readily understood and put into practice, certain preferred embodiments will now be described by way of the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES

[0219] To develop a CMV vaccine, a modified gB polypeptide sequence was designed based on the native HCMV AD169 strain gB protein (as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1). The modified polypeptide was designed to have a virion surface domain (as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5) and an intravirion domain (as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6). The amino acid sequence lacks the transmembrane region and at least a portion of the hydrophobic membrane proximal region, and the native furin cleavage site was removed by amino acid mutation.

[0220] A portion of the transmembrane region of the native HCMV gB protein was deleted to promote protein secretion into cell culture medium. Furin protease cleaves gB into gp90 and gp58 subunits covalently linked by disulfide bonds, resulting in a trimeric form of mature glycosylated gB. The trimers then dimerize as the protein assumes its final native physical shape within the viral envelope. However, expression of HCMV gB with a furin cleavage site has been shown to result in a lower concentration of the monomeric form of gB protein. Therefore, we hypothesized that rendering the furin cleavage site non-functional would enhance protein production.

[0221] The modified gB polypeptide encoding nucleotide sequence was codon-optimized to enhance protein expression in mammalian cells (SEQ ID NO: 9). To express the modified gB polypeptide, CHO-K1 cells were transfected with a mammalian expression plasmid encoding the gB nucleotide sequence. Protein expression levels were confirmed in small-scale shake flask cultures, and rapid and stable pools were selected using blasticidin and Zeocin.

[0222] The nucleic acid sequence encoding the modified gB polypeptide is identified in SEQ ID NO:9.

[0223] The CHO-K1 modified gB polypeptide clone expressing high levels of protein expression was scaled up and then used as starting material for 10 L fermenter culture (Figure 1). The fermentation process was stopped after day 12, and SDS-PAGE was used to estimate the amount of modified gB polypeptide secreted into the supernatant. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that high concentrations of gB polypeptide were secreted into the cell supernatant (Figure 2). However, consistent with the reference standard, the expressed protein migrated in three different molecular sizes. This indicated that the secreted gB polypeptide formed multimeric forms. The monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric gB forms had approximate molecular weights of 150 kDa, 250 kDa, and 350 kDa, respectively.

[0224] To purify the secreted gB polypeptide, three different chromatographic techniques were used, including anion exchange, CHT ceramic hydroxyapatite type II, and cation exchange chromatography columns (Figure 2A-D). The final SDS-PAGE analysis shows that multimers of gB polypeptide are present in the final purified sample and that they migrate according to their molecular weight. When considering the multimeric profile of the modified gB protein, the SDS-PAGE analysis shows that the intensity of gB protein staining at the approximate molecular weight corresponding to the gB trimer (i.e., about 350 kDa) is significantly higher compared to the staining at the molecular weight corresponding to the gB dimer (i.e., 250 kDa) and monomer (i.e., 150 kDa). Taken together, these results suggest that the expression of gB polypeptide extracellular and intracellular domains carrying a mutation in the furin cleavage site in CHO-K1 cells may result in high concentrations of gB trimers, as well as slightly lower concentrations of dimers and monomers.

[0225] To characterize the gB polypeptide expressed in CHO cells, it was further analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography (Figure 3A). The size-exclusion elution profile showed that the gB polypeptide eluted mainly as a single sharp peak, suggesting that gB likely exhibits a pre-fusion trimeric form. Furthermore, analysis of the elution fractions from the size-exclusion chromatography on a native SDS-PAGE gel also suggests that 90% of the gB polypeptide present in the final purified sample is in trimeric form, with only 10% of the gB polypeptide likely being monomeric (Figure 3B). Considering the multimeric profile of gB, the native SDS-PAGE analysis shows that the intensity of the higher molecular weight gB trimer is significantly higher compared to the 250 kDa dimer and 150 kDa monomer. Taken together, these results suggest that expression of gB polypeptide extracellular and intracellular domains with a mutation in the furin cleavage site in CHO-K1 cells may result in high concentrations of gB trimers, as well as slightly lower concentrations of dimers and monomers.

[0226] A recombinant HCMV gB vaccine with MF59 adjuvant used in a phase II clinical trial achieved 50% protein protection in preventing HCMV infection in a population of HCMV seronegative adolescent and postpartum women. The recombinant gB polypeptide used in these previous clinical trials was in monomeric form, whereas in naturally HCMV-infected individuals, gB adopts its native prefusion trimer conformation. It is therefore important to clearly demonstrate which components of the gB polypeptide are required for optimal induction of gB-specific antibody responses.

[0227] To determine the immunogenicity of the three multimeric forms of gB polypeptide, human HLA A24 transgenic mice were immunized on days 0, 21, and 42 with CMV vaccine formulated with CMV gB, CMV poly and CpG1018 adjuvant, or with Cpg1018 alone as a control formulation (Figure 4A). Mouse serum samples were collected 7 days after the third vaccination and then analyzed for anti-gB antibody responses using ELISA. Sera obtained from mice immunized with CMV vaccine showed stronger binding to gB polypeptide (Figure 4B).

[0228] The specificity of the gB antibody response was further characterized using Western blot analysis under non-reducing conditions, preserving the native prefusion conformation of the gB polypeptide. Data obtained from Western blot analysis showed that sera from mice vaccinated with the CMV vaccine reacted strongly to gB trimers and less to gB dimers, whereas no visible binding reaction was observed to gB monomers (Figure 4C). Taken together, these data suggest that to induce a strong antibody response against gB, it must be formulated in its native trimer conformation.

[0229] The isotypes of anti-gB antibodies in serum samples were also evaluated. The CMV vaccine induced robust gB-specific antibody responses containing multiple isotypes, including IgA, IgM, IgG1 (Th2-like Ig isotypes), and IgG2b, IgG2a, and IgG3 (Th1-like Ig isotypes) (Figure 5A), and in functional microneutralization assays, gB-specific antibodies demonstrated potent neutralization capacity against Mrc-5 and ARPE-19 infections of HCMV AD169 and TB40e strains (Figure 5B). Emerging evidence suggests that binding of serum HCMV gB-specific IgG to cell-associated gB correlates with vaccine efficacy. In subsequent experiments, the ability of mouse serum antibodies to bind CMV AD169-infected fibroblasts was determined. We found that serum antibodies from mice immunized with a CMV vaccine formulated with native gB trimer showed stronger binding to cell-associated gB in fibroblasts infected with the CMV AD169 strain compared with sera obtained from control mice (Figures 5C and 5D).

[0230] Follicular helper T cells (T FH ) is CD4 + A specialized subset of T cells plays a key role in the formation of germinal centers (GCs). GCs are distinct structures that form within the B cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs during an ongoing immune response. B cells within GCs undergo rapid proliferation and antibody diversification, leading to the production of different types of antibody isotypes with higher affinity for antigen targets. GCs are also the site where B cells can differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells, which allow for long-term antibody production. Thus, the T FH It is important to evaluate the B cell response of GCs and T cells in the spleen. FH Assessment of cellular responses demonstrated that the CMV vaccine containing the native gB trimer induced significantly more T FH Further evaluation of GC B cells showed that the trimeric form of native gB induced a significantly higher percentage of GC B cells (B220) at day 49 compared to mice immunized with CpG1018 alone. +GL7+Fas+) (Figure 6B). Finally, analysis of CMV gB-specific IgG-secreting plasma and memory B cells by ELISpot assay showed that the CMV vaccine formulation containing native trimeric gB induced significantly higher plasma cell responses and robust memory B cell responses compared to CpG1018 immunization alone (Figures 6C and 6D).

[0231] Evolving evidence supports the notion that HCMV-specific CD4 + These results suggest that T cells play an important role in antiviral immunity and in the maintenance of latent immunity in latently infected cells. + T cells are essential for resolution of symptomatic disease. In infants, persistent shedding of HCMV in urine and saliva is associated with the expression of HCMV-specific CD4 + This is associated with a lack of T cell responses. In immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients, impaired HCMV-specific CD4 + T cells are associated with prolonged viremia and more severe clinical disease. In hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, HCMV-specific CD4 + T cells are HCMV-specific CD8 + It has been shown that T cells are required for their antiviral effects. In addition, HCMV-specific CD4 + The presence of T cells indicates HCMV-specific CD8 + These observations suggest that HCMV-specific CD4 + These findings suggest that T cells play a critical role in controlling CMV infection and disease.

[0232] In subsequent experiments, we found that CD4 + We clearly demonstrated the ability of a CMV vaccine formulated with native gB trimer protein to induce T cell responses. Interestingly, the CMV vaccine formulation containing native gB trimer elicited IFN-γ-producing trimeric gB-specific CD4+ T cells after ex vivo testing. +The gB pepmix induced a higher frequency of T cell responses, and the majority of these cells were able to induce three cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF) or two cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF) simultaneously (Figures 7A and 7B). In addition, the trimeric gB-specific CD4 + In vitro stimulation of T CD4 + It induces rapid proliferation of T cells and induces a high proportion of CMV gB-specific CD4 + We also demonstrated the ability of T to simultaneously secrete three cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF, IL-2) or a combination of two cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF or TNF and IL-2) (see Figures 7C and 7D), suggesting that native gB trimers can induce potent memory immune responses.

[0233] Taken together, these results indicate that novel modified gB polypeptide trimers can be produced without including any mutations or linkers such as (Gly4Ser)3. The present invention discloses a novel approach for the development of modified gB polypeptide trimers by removing at least a portion of the transmembrane and virion surface domains of the native full-length HCMV gB protein. The modified gB polypeptide trimers can be purified to homogeneity using anion exchange, CHT type II, cation exchange, and size exclusion chromatography techniques. CMV vaccines formulated with native gB trimers induce strong and neutralizing antibody responses against multiple HCMV strains. However, it is shown for the first time that the antibodies induced after CMV vaccination mainly react to modified gB polypeptide trimers, and that these antibodies are also capable of binding to gB protein expressed on fibroblasts infected with HCMV AD169 strain. Furthermore, while previous studies have been limited to evaluating gB-specific neutralizing antibody responses, we demonstrate that a novel CMV vaccine formulation containing a modified prefusion gB polypeptide trimer (confirmed by cryo-EM, data not shown) induced robust T cell neutralization. FH cells, GCs, B cells, antibody-secreting plasma cells, memory B cells, and CD4 +They demonstrated a substantial ability to induce T cell responses.

[0234] Materials and Methods Expression and purification of modified gB polypeptides. The coding sequence for HCMV gB from HCMV strain AD169 was codon-optimized for mammalian expression to enhance protein expression and cloned into a mammalian expression vector. The native N-terminal signal sequence (i.e., amino acids 1-31 of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1) was replaced with a heterologous IgG heavy chain signal peptide, allowing the expressed polypeptide to be secreted into the cell culture supernatant. The modified gB polypeptide DNA sequence encodes the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7. The coded sequence for the furin cleavage site was altered to include Arg456 to Gln, Arg458 to Thr, and Arg 459to Gln (corresponding to the residue number set forth in SEQ ID NO:1). Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cells were transfected with the modified gB polypeptide plasmid and stable cells expressing the modified gB polypeptide were selected with 9 μg / mL blasticidin and 400 μg / mL Zeocin. The modified gB polypeptide was expressed in a 10 L bioreactor in fed-batch mode. On day 12, the cell culture was harvested and centrifuged to separate the supernatant from the cell debris. The supernatant was buffer exchanged into 200 mM Tris-HCL (pH 8.0) and then loaded onto Poros 50HQ resin (anion exchange chromatography). After washing the column with 20 mM Tris-HCL, 70 mM NaCl (pH 8.0) buffer, the protein was eluted with 20 mM Tris-HCL, 180 mM NaCl (pH 8.0) buffer. The eluted polypeptide was buffer exchanged into 5 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and passed through ceramic hydroxyapatite (CHT) type II to remove host cell protein contaminants. To further improve purity, the modified gB polypeptide was buffer exchanged into 50 mM sodium acetate (NaOAc) (pH 5.0) buffer and then loaded onto a POROS XS (cation exchange chromatography) column. The modified gB polypeptide bound to the POROS XS column was eluted with 50 mM NaOAc, 500 mM NaCl (pH 5.0) buffer and then buffer exchanged against 25 mM glycine (pH 4.0) buffer. The concentration of the final purified polypeptide was determined by UV280 using an extinction coefficient of 1.209, analyzed on an SDS-PAGE gel, and stored at -70°C.

[0235] Immunization of mice Human HLA transgenic mice (HLA A24) were immunized on day 0 with modified gB polypeptide (5 μg) formulated with CpG1018 adjuvant (50 μg) and CMV poly20PLNH (30 μg). Control mice were injected with CpG1018 (50 μg) alone. On days 21 and 42, mice were tail bled and boosted with the same vaccine or control formulation. On day 49, mice were euthanized and serum was collected to assess HCMV gB-specific antibody responses.

[0236] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-gB antibody titers were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Polystyrene 96-well half-area plates were coated overnight with 5 μg / mL of HCMV gB polypeptide diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The plates were incubated overnight at 4°C. Unbound modified gB polypeptide was washed and the plates were then blocked with 5% nonfat dry milk in PBS. Six-fold serial dilutions of serum samples were made in PBS 5% nonfat dry milk. The serially diluted serum samples were added to the plates and incubated at room temperature. The plates were washed and treated with HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse Ig secondary antibody for 1 h at room temperature. The plates were washed and 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine substrate was added for color development. The color reaction was quenched by adding 1 N HCl and the absorbance at 450 nM was determined using an ELISA reader.

[0237] Western blot analysis. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the most immunogenic form of modified gB polypeptide. Multimeric forms of modified gB purified polypeptide were resolved on 8% SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. Two different 8% SDS-PAGE gels were run simultaneously with five different gB polypeptide concentrations (ranging from 2 to 0.25 μg). After polypeptide resolution on SDS-PAGE, the polypeptides were transferred to Hybond-C nitrocellulose membranes. After transfer, the membranes were washed, blocked, and probed with mouse serum at two different concentrations (1:1000 and 1:3000). The membranes were washed and then incubated with HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse Ig antibody, followed by washing and incubation with Immobilon ECL Ultra Western HRP substrate. Signals were obtained using an Invitrogen CL1500 Chemi Gel Doc System.

[0238] Mouse IgG ELISpot assay. To measure gB-specific antibody-secreting cells ex vivo, PVDF ELISpot plates (Millipore) were treated with 70% ethanol. Plates were washed five times with distilled water and coated with 100 μL / well of HCMV gB protein (25 μg / mL) or anti-IgG antibody (15 μg / mL) as a positive control and incubated overnight at 4°C. Plates were blocked with DMEM containing 10% serum, and 300,000 cells / well from each mouse were added in triplicate and then incubated for 18 hours in a humidified incubator at 37°C with 5% CO2. Cells were removed and plates were washed. Detection antibody anti-IgG conjugated to HRP (MABTECH) was added and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature. Plates were washed and streptavidin-ALP was added and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature, after which the plates were washed and treated with substrate solution containing BCIP / NBT (Sigma-Aldrich) until color development was noticeable. Color development was stopped by washing the plates with water and allowing the plates to dry overnight. To measure memory B cell responses, spleen cells (5 × 10 5) were activated with a mixture of R484 and recombinant mouse IL-2 for 5 days in 24-well plates, and then ELISpot was performed as described above. The number of spots was counted with an ELISpot reader.

[0239] Microneutralization assay. Neutralizing activity against AD169 and TB40 / E strains of HCMV was determined. Human fibroblast Mrc-5 or adult retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells were seeded in 96-well flat-bottom plates. The next day, serum samples taken on day 49 from mice vaccinated with CMV vaccine or control formulation were serially diluted and added to a standard number of virus particles (1000 p.fu per well) diluted in D0 (serum-free DMEM) in 96-well U-bottom plates and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C and 5% CO2. As positive controls, virus-free serum and virus-free negative control serum were also included in the test. The serum / CMV mixture was then added to Mrc-5 or ARPE-19 cells and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C and 5% CO2. After incubation, the mixture was discarded, the cells were gently washed five times with DMEM containing 10% FCS (D10), and a final volume of 200 mL of R10 was added to each well, followed by incubation at 37 °C and 5% CO2 for 16-18 h. The cells were fixed with 100 mL of cold methanol and incubated with peroxidase block (Dako) followed by mouse anti-CMV IE-1 / IE2 mAb (Chemicon) for 3 h at room temperature. The cells were then incubated with 50 mL per well of HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse Ig (diluted 1:200 in PBS) for 3 h at room temperature. The cells were stained with 20 μL per well of diaminobenzidine + substrate (Dako) for 10 min at room temperature, and the positive nuclei stained dark brown were counted. The neutralization titer was calculated as the reciprocal of the serum dilution that resulted in 50% inhibition of IE-1 / IE-2 expressing nuclei.

[0240] CMV gB-specific antibodies that bind cell-associated gB in a CMV-infected fibroblast assay. Mrc-5 cells, a human fibroblast cell line, were grown to 50% confluency in a T75 flask. Cells were infected with CMV AD169 strain at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2.0 for 2 hours at 37°C and 5% CO2. After infection, cells were washed and incubated with DMEM containing 10% FCS for 48 hours to allow virus to spread between cells. Infected cells were washed with PBS and then cells were removed with trypsin-EDTA. Cells were washed, counted, and then aliquoted at 10 6 Cells were stained with cell tracing violet and incubated for 20 min at room temperature. Cells were washed and then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 min at room temperature. Cells were washed twice and plated at 20,000 / well in 96-well V-bottom plates, cells were pelleted by centrifugation, and the supernatant was discarded. Mouse serum samples obtained from HLA A24 human transgenic mice after day 49 CMV vaccine or place immunization were polled and then diluted 1:512 or 1:1024. The diluted serum samples were added to Mrc-5 cells and incubated for 2 h at 37° C. and 5% CO2. Cells were washed and then stained with anti-mouse AF488 IgG (H+L) for 30 min at 4° C. Cells were acquired on a BD FACSCanto II and data were analyzed using FlowJo software (Tree Star). The percentage of CMV gB-specific antibody binding to CMV-infected fibroblasts was calculated from the percentage of viable AF488-positive cells.

[0241] Intracellular cytokine staining to assess IFN-γ, multiple cytokines, germinal center B cell, or follicular helper T cell responses. HCMV gB-specific CD4 after vaccination +To detect T cell responses, splenocytes were stimulated with 0.2 μg / mL of gB pepmix (gB overlapping peptide-15mer, 11 amino acid overlap) in the presence of GolgiPlug® (BD PharMingen) for 6 hours, cells were washed twice, and then incubated with APC-conjugated anti-CD3, FITC-conjugated anti-CD4, and PerCP-conjugated anti-CD8. Cells were fixed and permeabilized using the BD Cytofix / Cytoperm kit, and then incubated with PE-conjugated anti-IFN-γ. To assess the expression of multiple cytokines, cells were stained with PerCP-conjugated anti-CD8 and BV786 anti-CD4 surface markers, and then stained intracellularly with PE-conjugated anti-IFN-γ, PE-Cy7-conjugated anti-TNF, FITC-conjugated CD017a, and APC-conjugated anti-IL-2. To assess germinal center B cell responses, splenocytes or cells from lymph nodes from vaccinated mice were stained with PE-conjugated anti-B220, FITC-conjugated anti-GL7, and APC-conjugated anti-CD95. Follicular helper T cells (T FH To assess cellular responses to IFN-γ, cells were stained with PerCP-conjugated anti-CD8, BV786 anti-CD4, CxCR5, and PD-1 surface markers. Cells were acquired on a BD FACSCanto II and data were analyzed using FlowJo software (Tree Star).

[0242] CMV-specific CD4 after vaccination + and CD8 + In vitro expansion of T cells. After vaccination, 5 × 10 6 Splenocytes were isolated and stimulated with 0.2 μg / mL of HCMV gB pepmix (gB overlapping peptide-15mer, 11 amino acid overlap) and cells were cultured in 24-well plates at 37° C. and 10% CO for 10 days. On days 3 and 6 and 10, cells were supplemented with recombinant IL-2 and T cell specificity was assessed using an ICS assay.

[0243] Example 2 Negative staining and observation of gB homotrimers To observe HCMV gB by negative staining electron microscopy, the protein was purified by size-exclusion chromatography (Cytiva S200 10 / 300) in gel filtration buffer (50 mM Tris pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl or 25 mM Tris pH 7.1, 500 mM NaCl) and concentrated to 1.8 or 3 mg / mL. Protein was diluted 1000-fold and applied to glow-discharged, carbon-coated Formvar grids and stained with 2% (w / v) uranyl acetate for 2 min, then blotted and air-dried for 10 min. Samples were imaged using an FEI Tecnai F30 G2 TEM or a JEOL JEM 1011 TEM.

[0244] From the preliminary data collected, the protein appears to be pure and forms a clear homotrimeric complex (Figure 8). These images show the different faces of the trimeric complex (side, top, and bottom). The protein is very stable and based on this analysis, many optimizations for negative staining can be avoided and analysis can be performed using cryo-EM to generate 2D and 3D class averages, possibly achieving atomic or near atomic resolution.

[0245] The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0246] The citation of any reference herein should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as "Prior Art" to the present application.

[0247] Throughout this specification, the objective is to describe preferred embodiments of the invention, without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or particular collection of features. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in light of this disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made to the specific embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0248] References Cui B, Liu X, Fang Y, Zhou P, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Flagellin as a vaccine adjuvant. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2018 Apr;17(4):335 - 349. doi:10.1080 / 14760584.2018.1457443. Epub 2018 Mar 30. PMID:29580106. Fu LY, Bonhomme LA, Cooper SC, Joseph JG, Zimet GD. Educational interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptance: a systematic review. Vaccine. 2014 Apr 7;32(17):1901 - 20. doi:10.1016 / j.vaccine.2014.01.091. Epub 2014 Feb 14. PMID:24530401; PMCID:PMC4285433. Pass RF. Development and evidence for efficacy of CMV glycoprotein B vaccine with MF59 adjuvant. J Clin Virol. 2009 Dec;46 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):S73 - 6. doi:10.1016 / j.jcv.2009.07.002. Epub 2009 Jul 31. PMID:19647480; PMCID:PMC2805195. Pass RF, Zhang C, Evans A, Simpson T, Andrews W, Huang ML, Corey L, Hill J, Davis E, Flanigan C, Cloud G. Vaccine prevention of maternal cytomegalovirus infection. N Engl J Med. 2009 Mar 19;360(12):1191 - 9. doi:10.1056 / NEJMoa0804749. PMID:19297572; PMCID:PMC2753425. Spaete RR.A recombinant subunit vaccine approach to HCMV vaccine development.Transplant Proc.1991 Jun;23(3 Suppl 3):90-6.PMID:1648843.

Claims

1. A composition comprising an isolated homotrimer of a modified gB polypeptide.

2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the modified gB polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence corresponding to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB), and the modified gB polypeptide lacks at least a portion of the transmembrane domain.

3. the modified gB polypeptide further comprises an N-terminal signal peptide; Optionally, the N-terminal signal peptide provides for secretion of the modified gB polypeptide from a cell.

4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the N-terminal signal peptide is derived from an immunoglobulin isotype (e.g., IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM).

5. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the N-terminal signal peptide comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

7.

6. the modified gB polypeptide comprises a first region corresponding to at least a portion of a native gB protein virion surface domain and a second region corresponding to at least a portion of a native gB protein intravirion domain; Optionally, the native gB protein virion surface domain does not include a hydrophobic membrane proximal region.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the native gB protein intravirion domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6.

8. The modified gB polypeptide, the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine; and / or the amino acid residue corresponding to position 456 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine or threonine; and / or the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine; and / or the amino acid residue corresponding to position 458 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine or threonine; and / or the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is an amino acid other than arginine; and / or 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amino acid residue corresponding to position 459 of the wild-type HCMV gB protein is glutamine or threonine.

9. The composition described in claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of the modified gB polypeptide comprises, consists of, or essentially consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

4.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the trimeric modified gB polypeptide complex forms a dimer.

11. A nucleic acid encoding a modified gB polypeptide.

12. An expression vector encoding the nucleic acid of claim 11 operably linked to a regulatory element.

13. A cell comprising the expression vector of claim 12.

14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially homogeneous preparation of a modified gB polypeptide in trimeric form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, and / or excipient.

15. The composition of claim 1 for treating or preventing a CMV-associated disease in a subject.

16. A composition described in claim 1 for treating cancer.

17. The composition of claim 1 for treating CMV infection.

18. 10. Use of the composition of claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of CMV infection.

19. Use of the composition of claim 1 in the manufacture of a drug for the treatment of cancer.

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