Fusion proteins comprising a carrier protein and a Human Rhinovirus (HRV) peptide, and immunogenic compositions containing such fusion proteins.

Disclosed are methods for treating hematologic and solid cancers in a subject, the method comprising administering locally or systemically a therapeutically effective amount of a HRVA2.s and/or HRVA45.s alone or in combination with FDA approved or experimental immunomodulatory agents such that some cells of the cancer undergo viral oncolysis, wherein the host immune system is engaged culminating in host immune activation and tumor regression in the human or animal host. Disclosed are methods for treating viral induced lesions of the skin, including HPV driven papillomas in a subject, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of HRVA2.s and/or HRVA45.s alone or in combination with immunomodulatory agents such that some cells of the papilloma cells undergo selective viral lysis, wherein the host immune system is engaged culminating in host immune activation and papilloma in the subject.

The disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising human picornavirus peptides derived from structural proteins of the virus, constructs comprising the peptides, the peptides themselves and their use in the prevention of picornavirus infection and disease. Particular peptides from VP4 and VP1 are disclosed.

The present invention belongs to the field of immunobiology, and relates to an epitope polypeptide, such as a general affinity epitope polypeptide of human rhinovirus, and the use thereof. The present invention further relates to an antibody capable of binding to the epitope polypeptide and the use thereof. The present invention further relates to the use of the affinity epitope polypeptide or the antibody in the preparation of drugs or in methods for treating and/or preventing and/or diagnosing human rhinovirus and/or identifying a titer of human rhinovirus and/or identifying a titer of a neutralizing antibody of human rhinovirus. The affinity epitope polypeptide and antibody can be used in drugs or methods for treating and/or preventing and/or diagnosing human rhinovirus and/or identifying a titer of human rhinovirus and/or identifying a titer of a neutralizing antibody of human rhinovirus.

The present invention concerns: a) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to the VP4 amino acid sequence of a rhinovirus, or an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding said peptide, placed under the control of the elements necessary for its expression in a mammalian cell; and/or b) an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 100 amino acids which is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence located in the last 363 C-terminal amino acids of the RNA polymerase of a rhinovirus, or an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding said peptide, placed under the control of the elements necessary for its expression in a mammalian cell; and c) a Th1 adjuvant when said immunogenic composition comprises one or more of said isolated peptides.

Novel compositions useful as human rhino virus immunogens are provided. The compositions enable a host response to sites normally not recognized by a host.

An analysis of human CD4.sup.+ T-cell epitopes of RV capsid proteins with cross-reactive potential was performed, peptide epitopes of RV-A16 capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 were identified, RV-specific CD4.sup.+ T cells were phenotyped for surface markers and cytokine profiles using flow cytometry, and it was found that, among non-infected subjects, circulating RV-A16-specific CD4.sup.+ T cells detected at the highest frequencies targeted 10 unique epitopes with diverse HLA-DR binding capacity. T-cell epitopes localized to conserved regions of significance to the virus and were enriched for HLA class I and II binding motifs and were activated in vivo after experimental infection with RV-A16. RV-A16 epitopes constituted species-specific and pan-species varieties, together providing 90% coverage of the US population. Cross-reactivity was evidenced for RV-A16 and RV-A39. High-frequency circulating RV-specific memory Th1 cells in healthy individuals preferentially target a limited set of conserved epitopes and these epitopes, separately or combined, can serve as vaccines.

Novel compositions useful as human rhinovirus immunogens are provided. The compositions enable a host response to sites normally not recognized by a host.

The invention relates to immunogenic compositions, and in particular, to immunogenic compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating human rhinovirus (RV) infections. The invention is especially concerned with RV VP0 peptides (or proteins) and polynucleotides encoding such peptides, and their use in immunogenic compositions for eliciting an immune response and preventing rhinovirus infections.

A mutated rhinovirus C, methods of creating and methods of propagating thereof, wherein the mutated rhinovirus shows enhanced virus yields after infection and induced visible cytopathic effect.