Recombinant virus-like particles encoded by multi-gene vector

Abstract

The invention describes novel virus-like particles for use as vaccines, diagnostic tools and R&D tools based on recombinant DNA and cell cultivation techniques for production. The recombinant virus-like particles of the invention are assembled by polypeptide chains that incorporate several, in particular two or more, different epitopes which are selected either (a) from different viral strains of the same virus and/or (b) from different serotypes of the same virus and/or (c) from different viral strains specific for different hosts. These epitopes are then displayed on the particle surface.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A single baculoviral vector encoding a recombinant virus-like particle comprising
 (i) two or more polynucleotides coding for different epitopes or different proteins comprising epitopes which are selected either (a) from different viral strains of the same virus and/or (b) from different serotypes of the same virus and/or (c) from different viral strains specific for different hosts;   (ii) polynucleotides coding for proteins forming a complete virus-like surface; and   (iii) polynucleotides coding for capsid and/or nucleopore proteins.   
     
     
         18 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  comprising three or more different epitopes or different proteins comprising epitopes. 
     
     
         19 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  comprising four or more different epitopes or different proteins comprising epitopes. 
     
     
         20 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  comprising six, nine or twelve epitopes or different proteins comprising epitopes. 
     
     
         21 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  wherein the epitopes are from three or more different virus strains or serotypes. 
     
     
         22 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  further comprising B- and/or T-cell epitopes. 
     
     
         23 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  further comprising fluorescent proteins, proteins useful for purification purposes of the particles or for attaching a label, and/or proteinaceous structures required for transport processes. 
     
     
         24 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  wherein the virus is influenza virus. 
     
     
         25 . The baculoviral vector according to  claim 17  wherein the virus is human papilloma virus. 
     
     
         26 . A single baculoviral vector comprising a polynucleotide selected from SEQ ID NO:1-5. 
     
     
         27 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 17 . 
     
     
         28 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 18 . 
     
     
         29 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 19 . 
     
     
         30 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 20 . 
     
     
         31 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         32 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 22 . 
     
     
         33 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 23 . 
     
     
         34 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 24 . 
     
     
         35 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 25 . 
     
     
         36 . A host cell comprising a vector according to  claim 26 .