Provided is an M2-LVP-K1 virus including a colorectal cancer cell-specific mutant sialic acid binding domain and a composition for treating colorectal cancer including the same. The mutant sialic acid binding domain is constructed using directed evolution technology, and is a recombinant Newcastle disease virus constructed by substituting a normal sialic acid binding domain for a HN protein, a cell-binding receptor, to improve the specific infectivity to HCT116 cells. It was identified that M2-LVP-K1 recombinant Newcastle disease virus with improved colorectal cancer cell-specific infectivity has improved HCT116 cell death effect compared to the conventional normal recombinant Newcastle disease virus, and produces an excellent effect in inhibiting cancer tissue growth through in vivo experiments. The mutant recombinant Newcastle disease virus presented in this study relates to a therapeutic viral agent capable of inducing clinical symptom reduction, partial remission, or complete remission through colorectal cancer cell death or colorectal cancer tissue shrinkage.

Provided are compositions and methods for vaccinating against picornaviruses. The compositions include modified Newcastle Disease viruses (NDVs) that are sufficient to produce virus-like particles (VLPs) in a host recipient. The modified NDVs contain a single stranded negative sense RNA polynucleotide having nucleotide sequences configured in a 3-5 direction encoding sequentially NDV nucleocapsid protein (NP), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), fusion protein (F), hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L) protein. A first nucleotide sequence encoding a picornavirus capsid polyprotein precursor is positioned between the between P and M nucleotide sequences. A second nucleotide sequence encoding a picornavirus protease that is capable of processing the capsid polyprotein precursor is positioned between the HN and L nucleotide sequences. Purified, infectious non-pathogenic NDV particles are included, as are methods for using such particles for vaccination against any infectious picornavirus. Kits and articles of manufacture containing and/or for making the NDV particles are also provided.

Provided are compositions and methods that involve recombinant Newcastle disease viruses (rNDVs) that contain an S protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The rNDV particles include a contiguous segment of IBV S protein that spans an IBV cleavage site between IBV SI and IBV S2 proteins, and can include a full length IBV S protein. Because the particles are multivalent they also stimulate a protective immune response against NDV infection. The compositions are particularly useful for use with avian animals, such as chickens. Isolated rNDV particles, and vaccine compositions that contain them are also provided.

Described herein are recombinant Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) comprising a packaged genome, wherein the packaged genome comprises a transgene comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike protein or portion thereof, or a derivative thereof. Also described herein are recombinant NDVs comprising a packaged genome, wherein the packaged genome comprises a transgene encoding a chimeric F protein, wherein the chimeric F protein comprises a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike protein ectodomain or a derivative thereof, and NDV F protein transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Further, described herein are immunogenic compositions comprising a recombinant NDV(s). The recombinant NDVs and immunogenic compositions are useful for the immunizing against SARS-CoV-2 as well as the prevention of COVID-19.

In this study, for the first time, protective efficacy of gD against ILTV challenge was evaluated. Immunization with recombinant Newcastle disease virus expressing ILTV gD induced a higher level of neutralizing antibodies and offered complete protection to chickens against lethal ILTV challenge. Uses of recombinant NDV as a vaccine vector are also described.

The present invention provides chimeric negative-stand RNA viruses that allow a subject, e.g., an avian, to be immunized against two infectious agents by using a single chimeric virus of the invention. In particular, the present invention provides chimeric influenza viruses engineered to express and incorporate into their virions a fusion protein comprising an ectodomain of a protein of an infectious agent and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of an influenza virus protein. Such chimeric viruses induce an immune response against influenza virus and the infectious agent. The present invention also provides chimeric Newcastle Disease viruses (NDV) engineered to express and incorporate into their virions a fusion protein comprising the ectodomain of a protein of an infectious agent and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of an NDV protein. Such chimeric viruses induce an immune response against NDV and the infectious agent.

In one aspect, described herein are recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) comprising a packaged genome, wherein the packaged genome comprises a nucleotide sequence of a Newcastle disease virus genome in which the nucleotide sequence encoding the NDV HN protein has been replaced with a nucleotide sequence encoding the HN protein of an avian paramyxovirus (APMV) other than NDV or a variant of the non-NDV-APMV HN protein, and the nucleotide sequence encoding the NDV F protein has been replaced with a nucleotide sequence encoding the F protein of an APMV other than NDV or a variant of the non-NDV-APMV F protein. In some embodiments, the packaged genome further comprises a transgene comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen. Also described herein are compositions comprising such recombinant NDV and the use of such recombinant NDV to induce an immune response in a subject.

Described herein are chimeric Newcastle disease viruses engineered to express an agonist of a co-stimulatory signal of an immune cell and compositions comprising such viruses. Also described herein are chimeric Newcastle disease viruses engineered to express an antagonist of an inhibitory signal of an immune cell and compositions comprising such viruses. The chimeric Newcastle disease viruses and compositions are useful in the treatment of cancer. In addition, described herein are methods for treating cancer comprising administering Newcastle disease viruses in combination with an agonist of a co-stimulatory signal of an immune and/or an antagonist of an inhibitory signal of an immune cell.

Described herein are chimeric Newcastle disease viruses comprising a packaged genome comprising a transgene encoding interleukin-12. The chimeric Newcastle disease viruses and compositions thereof are useful in combination with an antagonist of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or a ligand thereof in the treatment of cancer. In particular, described herein are methods for treating cancer comprising administering the chimeric Newcastle disease viruses in combination with an antagonist of PD-1 or a ligand thereof, wherein the chimeric Newcastle disease virus comprises a packaged genome comprising a transgene encoding interleukin-12.

An altered avian NDV that contains the coding sequence of avian interleukin-4 (IL-4), or a portion thereof, in the reverse orientation suppresses in-ovo IL-4 production via RNAi when administered to embryonic birds. An immunogenic composition containing this altered NDV is included in this invention. The altered avian NDV can, optionally contain a polynucleotide encoding a heterologous antigen from a heterologous avian pathogen and can produce said heterologous antigen in-ovo.