Lyssavirus antigen constructs

Abstract

Nucleic acid based vaccine constructs encoding Lyssaviral antigens are useful in preventing and treating diseases. Self-amplifying RNA molecules encoding Lyssaviral antigens provide potent and long-lasting immunity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising an mRNA encoding a polypeptide comprising an antigen selected from one or more of a full-length Lyssavirus glycoprotein (G), RNA polymerase (L), matrix protein (M), nucleoprotein (N) or phosphoprotein (P), an immunogenic derivative or an immunogenic fragment thereof and a lipid nanoparticle delivery system comprising at least one of RV28, RV31, RV33, RV37, RV39, RV42, RV44, RV73, RV75, RV81, RV84, RV85, RV86, RV88, RV91, RV92, RV93, RV94, RV95, RV96, RV97, RV99, and RV101. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is codon optimized. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is codon pairoptimized. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA encodes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 9. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1  comprising an RNA-based vaccine. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an additional antigen. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is pharmaceutically acceptable for administration to a subject in combination with a further composition which comprises a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes an additional antigen. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises one or more adjuvants. 
     
     
         10 . A method of inducing an immune response against a disease caused by a Lyssa virus in a subject in need thereof, which comprises administering to the subject an immunologically effective amount of the composition according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the subject is human.