The invention contemplates a new synthetic, codon-optimized Sin Nombre virus (SNV) full-length M gene open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a unique consensus amino acid sequence. The SNV ORF was cloned into a plasmid to form the first stable recombinant SNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies. The gene can be engineered into a vaccine system, and is useful to protect mammals against infection with Sin Nombre virus.

A nucleic acid vaccine composition comprising one or more of a plasmid-based nucleic acid vaccine and immunotherapy, as well as a lipid formulation, is provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method of enhancing the potency of plasmid-based DNA vaccines and immunotherapies, by formulating a vaccine and/or immunotherapy in a lipid formulation, which is stable when refrigerated or stored frozen, is then delivered to a vaccinee by either needle/syringe, jet injection, or microneedles. The lipid formulation of the present invention comprises one or more lipid excipients selected from 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, Cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 1,2-Dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methylpolyoxyethlene, and or more symmetric ionizable cationic lipids. The present invention increases vaccine potency dramatically. It was unexpectedly discovered that the level of immunogen, or immune response molecules, produced in vivo is increased (versus administering merely the vaccine or immunotherapy) and, in the case of a vaccine immunogen, the immune response is enhanced.

The invention contemplates a new synthetic, codon-optimized Sin Nombre virus (SNV) full-length M gene open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a unique consensus amino acid sequence. The SNV ORF was cloned into a plasmid to form the first stable recombinant SNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies. The gene can be engineered into a vaccine system, and is useful to protect mammals against infection with Sin Nombre virus.

A nucleic acid vaccine composition comprising one or more of a plasmid-based nucleic acid vaccine and immunotherapy, as well as a lipid formulation, is provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method of enhancing the potency of plasmid-based DNA vaccines and immunotherapies, by formulating a vaccine and/or immunotherapy in a lipid formulation, which is stable when refrigerated or stored frozen, is then delivered to a vaccinee by either needle/syringe, jet injection, or microneedles. The lipid formulation of the present invention comprises one or more lipid excipients selected from 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, Cholest-5-en-3-ol, 1,2-Dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methylpolyoxyethlene, and or more symmetric ionizable cationic lipids. The present invention increases vaccine potency dramatically. It was unexpectedly discovered that the level of immunogen, or immune response molecules, produced in vivo is increased (versus administering merely the vaccine or immunotherapy) and, in the case of a vaccine immunogen, the immune response is enhanced.

A synthetic, codon-optimized Hantaan virus (HTNV) full-length M gene open reading frame that consists of a unique nucleotide sequence encoding HTNV proteins. This synthetic gene was cloned into a plasmid to form the first optimized HTNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals when delivered in combination with a similarly optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) DNA vaccine. The invention obviates the need for an extraneous gene sequence that was previously required for expression of the non-optimized HTNV gene. The synthetic gene is engineered into a molecular vaccine system to prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by infection with HTNV, SEOV, or DOBV. Alternatively, it can be combined with the optimized PUUV DNA vaccine to protect against HFRS caused by any hantavirus.

A synthetic, codon-optimized Hantaan virus (HTNV) full-length M gene open reading frame that consists of a unique nucleotide sequence encoding HTNV proteins. This synthetic gene was cloned into a plasmid to form the first optimized HTNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals when delivered in combination with a similarly optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) DNA vaccine. The invention obviates the need for an extraneous gene sequence that was previously required for expression of the non-optimized HTNV gene. The synthetic gene is engineered into a molecular vaccine system to prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by infection with HTNV, SEOV, or DOBV. Alternatively, it can be combined with the optimized PUUV DNA vaccine to protect against HFRS caused by any hantavirus.

A synthetic, codon-optimized Hantaan virus (HTNV) full-length M gene open reading frame that consists of a unique nucleotide sequence encoding HTNV proteins. This synthetic gene was cloned into a plasmid to form the first optimized HTNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals when delivered in combination with a similarly optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) DNA vaccine. The invention obviates the need for an extraneous gene sequence that was previously required for expression of the non-optimized HTNV gene. The synthetic gene is engineered into a molecular vaccine system to prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by infection with HTNV, SEOV, or DOBV. Alternatively, it can be combined with the optimized PUUV DNA vaccine to protect against HFRS caused by any hantavirus.

A synthetic, codon-optimized Hantaan virus (HTNV) full-length M gene open reading frame that consists of a unique nucleotide sequence encoding HTNV proteins. This synthetic gene was cloned into a plasmid to form the first optimized HTNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals when delivered in combination with a similarly optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) DNA vaccine. The invention obviates the need for an extraneous gene sequence that was previously required for expression of the non-optimized HTNV gene. The synthetic gene is engineered into a molecular vaccine system to prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by infection with HTNV, SEOV, or DOBV. Alternatively, it can be combined with the optimized PUUV DNA vaccine to protect against HFRS caused by any hantavirus.

A synthetic, codon-optimized Hantaan virus (HTNV) full-length M gene open reading frame that consists of a unique nucleotide sequence encoding HTNV proteins. This synthetic gene was cloned into a plasmid to form the first optimized HTNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals when delivered in combination with a similarly optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) DNA vaccine. The invention obviates the need for an extraneous gene sequence that was previously required for expression of the non-optimized HTNV gene. The synthetic gene is engineered into a molecular vaccine system to prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by infection with HTNV, SEOV, or DOBV. Alternatively, it can be combined with the optimized PUUV DNA vaccine to protect against HFRS caused by any hantavirus.

A nucleic acid vaccine composition comprising one or more of a plasmid-based nucleic acid vaccine and immunotherapy, as well as a lipid formulation, is provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method of enhancing the potency of plasmid-based DNA vaccines and immunotherapies, by formulating a vaccine and/or immunotherapy in a lipid formulation, which is stable when refrigerated or stored frozen, is then delivered to a vaccinee by either needle/syringe, jet injection, or microneedles. The lipid formulation of the present invention comprises one or more lipid excipients selected from 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, Cholest-5-en-3-ol, 1,2-Dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methylpolyoxyethlene, and or more symmetric ionizable cationic lipids. The present invention increases vaccine potency dramatically. It was unexpectedly discovered that the level of immunogen, or immune response molecules, produced in vivo is increased (versus administering merely the vaccine or immunotherapy) and, in the case of a vaccine immunogen, the immune response is enhanced.