Recombinant VSV Vector HIV Env Epitope Presentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current strategies for developing vaccines against HIV-1 have not efficiently elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies, as existing approaches have limitations in presenting neutralizing antibody epitopes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector is engineered to encode and express a membrane-anchored HIV Env immunogen, with the VSV G gene relocated to the 5'-terminus and the HIV Env gene inserted into position 4, incorporating the VSV G transmembrane domain and CD5 signal peptide, and optimized for codon bias with the VSV genome, to present HIV Env epitopes on the surface of VSV particles, enhancing recognition by broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing vaccine strategies are used to develop HIV-1 vaccines, then vaccine development progresses, but broadly neutralizing antibodies are not efficiently elicited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy of eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodiesVSAvoidefficiency of vaccine development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses VSV as an intermediary vector to deliver and express HIV Env immunogens. The VSV system serves as a mediator that efficiently presents HIV epitopes to the immune system, overcoming the limitations of direct HIV vaccination approaches. The VSV-G-HIV Env chimera acts as an intermediate structure that combines the advantages of VSV infectivity with HIV immunogenicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite viral particles by fusing VSV G protein with HIV Env immunogen to form VSV-G-HIV Env chimeras. This composite structure combines the cell-entry capabilities of VSV with the neutralizing antibody epitopes of HIV, creating a hybrid vaccine candidate that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies more effectively than either component alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If VSV G gene is relocated to 5'-terminus and HIV Env gene inserted into position 4, then HIV Env epitopes are effectively presented on VSV particle surface, but vector genome structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresentation of neutralizing antibody epitopesVSAvoidgenome arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific regions of the VSV genome for different functions. The 5'-terminal region is dedicated to expressing VSV G for efficient cell entry, while position 4 is optimized for HIV Env expression. This spatial organization ensures that each gene is expressed at the optimal level and location within the viral particle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the VSV genome into distinct functional regions with specific gene placements. By relocating VSV G to the 5'-terminus and positioning HIV Env at position 4, the genome is divided into functional modules that can be independently optimized for their respective roles in viral assembly, cell entry, and immunogen presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2676676B1Recombinant viral vectors
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 INTERNATIONAL AIDS VACCINE INITIATIVE INC
  • EP2676676B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2676676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2676676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present relation relates to recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus for use as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for infectious diseases of AIDS. The present invention encompasses the preparation and purification of immunogenic compositions which are formulated into the vaccines of the present invention.