Identification and Attenuation of the Immunosuppressive Domains in Fusion Proteins of Enveloped RNA Viruses

Abstract

The present invention relates to enveloped RNA viruses. The invention in particular relates to the generation of superior antigens for mounting an immune response by first identifying then mutating the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses resulting in decreased immunosuppressive properties of viral envelope proteins from the viruses.

1 . A synthetic peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, optionally harboring 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 point mutation(s), and further comprising a cysteine residue at an N-terminal or C-terminal position. 
     
     
         2 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 harbors 1 or 2 or 3 point mutation(s). 
     
     
         3 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein said point mutation(s) are selected from the group consisting of at least one exchange of an amino acid with another amino acid, at least one insertion, at least one deletion, or a combination of one or more of these. 
     
     
         4 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:214, optionally harboring 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 point mutation(s). 
     
     
         5 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 4 , wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:214 harbors 1 or 2 or 3 point mutation(s). 
     
     
         6 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         7 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 6 , wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         8 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 4 , wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         9 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 8 , wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         10 . A nucleic acid sequence encoding the synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of the synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the synthetic peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier. 
     
     
         14 . A synthetic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and further comprising a cysteine residue at an N-terminal or C-terminal position. 
     
     
         15 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 14 , wherein said synthetic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:214. 
     
     
         16 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 14 , wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         17 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 16 , wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         18 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 15 , wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         19 . The synthetic peptide according to  claim 18 , wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of the synthetic peptide according to  claim 14 .