Soluble Forms of Hendra and Nipah Virus G Glycoprotein

Abstract

This invention relates to soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. In particular, this invention relates to compositions comprising soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus and also to diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the soluble forms of G glycoprotein from Hendra and Nipah virus. Further, the invention relates to therapeutic antibodies including neutralizing antibodies, and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infection by Hendra and Nipah viruses.

1 . A peptide comprising a soluble form of the G protein, or a fragment, analog or homolog thereof, which is derived from Hendra virus. 
     
     
         2 . The peptide of  claim 1 , which comprises only the ectodomain of G protein. 
     
     
         3 . The peptide of  claim 1 , comprising only amino acids 71-604 of a native Hendra virus G protein. 
     
     
         4 . The peptide of  claim 1 , which retains one or more characteristics of a native Hendra virus G protein. 
     
     
         5 . The peptide of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more characteristics are selected from the group consisting of ability to interact with a viral host receptor cell, ability to be produced in one or more oligomeric forms, ability to elicit an antibody reaction, ability to elicit a neutralizing antibody reaction, ability to block or prevent infection of a host cell by Hendra virus, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         6 . A fusion protein containing the peptide of  claim 1  linked to another peptide. 
     
     
         7 . The fusion protein of  claim 6 , wherein the another peptide enhances the stability, immunogenicity or assist in the purification of said peptide 
     
     
         8 . The fusion protein of  claim 6 , wherein the another peptide is derived from vaccinia virus. 
     
     
         9 . A nucleic acid that contains a sequence which encodes the peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . An expression vector that contains the nucleic acid sequence of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         11 . An antibody specifically reactive to the polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The antibody of  claim 11 , which is a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a recombinantly produced antibody, or a fragment of any of the preceding. 
     
     
         13 . A vaccine for preventing or treating infection of a patient by Hendra virus comprising the antibody of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . The vaccine of  claim 13 , which is cross-protective against infection by Nipah virus. 
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         16 . A diagnostic kit for detecting an infection of a subject by Hendra virus comprising the peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A diagnostic kit for detecting infection of a subject by Hendra virus comprising the antibody of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of detecting infection by a Hendra virus comprising detecting Hendra virus antigens or antibodies to Hendra virus in a sample obtained from a subject suspected of being infected. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating or preventing infection by a Hendra virus in a subject comprising administering the peptide of  claim 1  to said subject. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating or preventing infection by a Hendra virus in a subject comprising administering the antibody of  claim 11  to said subject. 
     
     
         21 . A peptide comprising a soluble form of the G protein, or a fragment, analog or homolog thereof, which is derived from Nipah virus. 
     
     
         22 . The peptide of  claim 21 , which comprises only the ectodomain of G protein. 
     
     
         23 . The peptide of  claim 21 , comprising only amino acids 71-602 of a native Nipah virus G protein. 
     
     
         24 . The peptide of  claim 21 , which retains one or more characteristics of a native Nipah virus G protein. 
     
     
         25 . The peptide of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more characteristics are selected from the group consisting of ability to interact with a viral host receptor cell, ability to be produced in one or more oligomeric forms, ability to elicit an antibody reaction, ability to elicit a neutralizing antibody reaction, ability to block or prevent infection of a host cell by Nipah virus, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A fusion protein containing the peptide of  claim 21  linked to another peptide. 
     
     
         27 . The fusion protein of  claim 26 , wherein the another peptide enhances the stability, immunogenicity or assist in the purification of said peptide 
     
     
         28 . The fusion protein of  claim 26 , wherein the another peptide is derived from vaccinia virus. 
     
     
         29 . A nucleic acid that contains a sequence which encodes the peptide of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         30 . An expression vector that contains the nucleic acid sequence of  claim 29 . 
     
     
         31 . An antibody specifically reactive to the polypeptide of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         32 . The antibody of  claim 31 , which is a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a recombinantly produced antibody, or a fragment of any of the preceding. 
     
     
         33 . A vaccine for preventing or treating infection of a patient by Nipah virus comprising the antibody of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         34 . The vaccine of  claim 33 , which is cross-protective against infection by Hendra virus. 
     
     
         35 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         36 . A diagnostic kit for detecting an infection of a subject by Nipah virus comprising the peptide of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         37 . A diagnostic kit for detecting infection of a subject by Nipah virus comprising the antibody of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         38 . A method of detecting infection by a Nipah virus comprising detecting Nipah virus antigens or antibodies to Nipah virus in a sample obtained from a subject suspected of being infected. 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating or preventing infection by a Nipah virus in a subject comprising administering the peptide of  claim 31  to said subject. 
     
     
         40 . A method of treating or preventing infection by a Nipah virus in a subject comprising administering the antibody of  claim 31  to said subject.