Modified HCMV gB proteins in a non-post-fusogenic conformation, compositions comprising such proteins, and uses thereof.

This invention relates to cytomegalovirus (CMV) proteins suitable for vaccine uses. Provided herein are mammalian host cells, in particular CHO cells, in which the sequence(s) encoding CMV proteins gH, gL, pUL128, pUL130, pUL131 (or a complex-forming fragment thereof) are stably integrated into the genome.

The present disclosure is drawn to HCMV US11 based therapeutics that can be used to target and reduce the activity of the FcRn protein. The disclosure provides a method of treating auto-immune mediated and albumin-mediated diseases in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising HCMV US11 (herein after referred to as “US11”) polypeptide, polypeptide fragments, or variants thereof. The disclosure also provides methods for preventing, or treating, infections of HCMV through administration of a US11 inhibitor. US11 containing vaccine compositions are also provided for stimulation of an anti-US11 immune response for protection against HCMV infection.

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for eliciting an immune response to at least one CMV antigen expressed by a cancer cell, in particular for treating and preventing cancer. CMV determination methods, compositions, and kits also are provided.

Disclosed is a human herpesvirus immunotherapy. More particularly, disclosed is a composition that includes one or more recombinant proteins that include a plurality of epitopes derived from multiple human cytomegalovirus antigens, a CMV envelope5glycoprotein, and a TLR agonist.

The present invention relates to expression vectors for the heterologous expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest in mammalian cells, the vectors comprising a chimeric promoter regulatory sequence being operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence to be expressed, wherein the chimeric promoter regulatory sequence comprises a cytomegalovirus promoter sequence derived from murine cytomegalovirus or from human cytomegalovirus and being operably linked to the transcriptional start site of the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed; and a cytomegalovirus upstream region and/or enhancer sequence derived from human and/or the simian cytomegalovirus, wherein the upstream region and/or enhancer sequence is located 5′ of and operably linked to the murine or the human promoter sequence, and wherein the chimeric promoter regulatory sequence comprises sequence elements being derived from at least two of the group consisting of murine cytomegalovirus, human cytomegalovirus and simian cytomegalovirus. In particular embodiments, the chimeric promoter regulatory sequence comprises sequence elements derived from the murine or the human cytomegalovirus IE1 promoter and from the human and/or the simian cytomegalovirus IE1 region. The invention also relates to mammalian host cells transfected with such expression vectors, a method for heterologous expression of a nucleic acid sequence in a mammalian host cell by employing such expression vectors, and the use of such expression vectors for the heterologous expression of a nucleic acid sequence.

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for eliciting an immune response to at least one CMV antigen expressed by a cancer cell, in particular for treating and preventing cancer. CMV determination methods, compositions, and kits also are provided.

The invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising an HCMV gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131 pentameric complex antigen and a TH1-inducing adjuvant. It further relates to the immunogenic composition for use as an HCMV vaccine.

The present invention generally provides for a novel NEC-targeted strategy for the development of antiherpesviral drugs as well as for a novel antiviral strategy targeting the viral-cellular nuclear egress complex (NEC) for a small molecule-based therapy or prophylaxis to control infections with human cytomegalovirus or other pathogenic viruses of the group of the Herpesviridae. Methods for screening agents/compounds/small molecules modulating/inhibiting the nuclear egress complex of Herpesviridae are provided as well. Specifically novel drug targets of the viral nuclear egress complex of viruses of the Herpesviridae are provided.

Provided herein are immunogenic polypeptides, compositions, and methods related to the development of CMV-specific prophylactic and/or therapeutic immunotherapy based on T cell epitopes (e.g., CMV epitopes) that are recognized by cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and can be employed in the prevention and/or treatment of CMV infection, reactivation, and/or disease (e.g., CMV-associated end organ disease), especially in solid organ transplant recipients.