The present invention relates to attenuated African Swine Fever viruses. The attenuated viruses protect pigs against subsequent challenge with virulent virus. The present invention also relates to the use of such attenuated viruses to treat and/or prevent African Swine Fever.

The present invention provides an African swine fever virus (ASFV) subunit vaccine which comprises: (i) one or more recombinant polynucleotides which encode polypeptides shown as SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 and 3 or an immunogenic fragment thereof; or a variant with at least 70% sequence identity to one of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3; wherein the total number of different ASFV polypeptides encoded by the one or more recombinant polynucleotides is 10 or fewer; or (ii) recombinant polypeptides shown as SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 and 3 or an immunogenic fragment thereof; or a variant with at least 70% sequence identity to one of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 and 3; wherein vaccine comprises 10 or fewer different ASFV polypeptides.

A method for generating progeny of an African swine fever (ASF) virus includes providing an isolated or purified fetal porcine lung alveolar macrophage cell capable of replicating the ASF virus, wherein the cell is cultured for at least 5 passages; exposing the cell to the ASF virus; and allowing the ASF virus to replicate in the cell; thereby generating progeny of the ASF virus.

Provided are a vector, a recombinant virus, and a method of using and making thereof. Also provided are immunological compositions containing the recombinant African swine fever virus (ASFV) for inducing an immunological response in a host animal to which the immunological composition is administered. Further provided is a kit and a method of detecting the presence of ASFV immunogens in a sample from an animal.

A method of preventing and treating viral infections in animals (and preferably ASFV in porcine), by inhibiting viral ligand interactions with critical cellular receptors that are involved either directly (endocytosis and/or macropinocytosis) or indirectly (phagocytosis of RBCs that have been aggregated by viral interactions) with cellular entry in an animal, and preventing and treating the viral infection in the animal. A method of treating a viral infection in an individual with a virus that is both lysogenic and lytic. A composition for treating a viral infection in an individual with a virus that is both lysogenic and lytic. A vaccine for preventing viral infection, including whole and/or partial domains of proteins of both a lysogenic and lytic phase of a virus.

Peptides predicted to be immunogenic against African swine fever virus (ASFV) and vaccine compositions that include the peptides are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, these compositions comprise or consist of one or more peptides comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-2273. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise viral vectors or host cells, or combinations thereof, that comprise one or more of the peptides. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more of the peptides. The compositions disclosed can include one or more additional components, such as, but not limited to, a carrier, an adjuvant, an additional therapeutic, or combinations thereof. Containers and kits that comprise the compositions are described. Uses of the compositions can include administration to an animal to induce an immune response in the animal, or to immunize the animal against ASFV. Administration can be accomplished using one or more of various methods as described herein, such as intramuscular or intranasal administration.

Arbovirus carries an altered furin cleavage site that results in enhanced cleavage of a precursor polyprotein, such as, prE2 or prM. Dengue virus particles can have an amino acid alteration within amino acids 80-130 of prM. Zika virus particles can have alterations at amino residues at and/or about the furin cleavage site. The virus can be produced in insect cells. The virus does not form progeny virus in mammal cells.

Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (“ASFV-G”). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-GΔI1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.

Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (ASFV-G). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-GI1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.

Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (ASFV-G). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-GI1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.