Heat Inactivated Poxvirus Improves Vaccination Results

Abstract

Compositions including a heat-inactivated poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus, that induces one or more interferons in a vaccine recipient. The compositions may further include one or more live vaccine vectors and non-replicating vaccine components. Methods of vaccine preparation and administration including a heat-inactivated poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus, improve vaccine immunogenicity and safety.

Claims

1. A vaccine composition including a heat-inactivated poxvirus.

2. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein said vaccine composition induces interferon in a recipient upon administration of said vaccine composition.

3. The vaccine composition of claim 1, wherein said heat-inactivated poxvirus comprises a vaccinia virus.

4. The vaccine composition of claim 2, wherein said heat-inactivated poxvirus comprises a vaccinia virus.

5. The vaccine composition of claim 1, further comprising a mixture of said heat-inactivated poxvirus and one or more of a live vaccine vector and a non-replicating vaccine component.

6. The vaccine composition of claim 5, wherein said heat-inactivated poxvirus comprises a vaccinia virus.

7. A method for preparation of a vaccine, comprising the step of adding a heat-inactivated poxvirus to said vaccine prior to administration to a vaccine recipient.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said heat-inactivated poxvirus comprises vaccinia virus.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising adding one or more of a live vaccine vector and a non-replicating vaccine component to said vaccine.

10. A vaccination method, comprising administering a vaccine composition including a heat-inactivated poxvirus to an animal or human.

11. The vaccination method of claim 10, wherein said heat-inactivated poxvirus comprises a vaccinia virus.

12. The vaccination method of claim 10, further comprising a mixture of said heat-inactivated poxvirus and one or more of a live vaccine vector and a non-replicating vaccine component.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments described herein relate to compositions including heat-inactivated poxvirus, e.g., vaccinia virus, and to methods of preparation and administration of same.

[0010] Vaccinia virus contains within its genome several proteins that give the virus resistance to interferons. For example, K3L is a protein with homology to the protein eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2alpha). K3L protein inhibits the action of PKR, an activator of interferons. E3L is another protein encoded by Vaccinia. E3L also inhibits PKR activation.

[0011] Thus in one novel aspect, it has been discovered that heat-inactivation of a poxvirus allows it to induce interferon, a potent antiviral and immune stimulator, and thereby produce an improved vaccination response in a vaccinated subject.

[0012] In another embodiment, heat inactivated poxvirus (e.g., vaccinia virus) is mixed with one or more of a live, virulent virus such that a recipient such as an animal or human is both protected from lethal infection and produces a protective immune response.

[0013] In a more specific embodiment, it has been discovered that heat inactivation of vaccinia virus allows it to induce interferon, a potent antiviral and immune stimulator. Moreover, a vaccine composition could be a mixture of heat inactivated vaccinia virus and one or more of live vaccine vectors or nonreplicating vaccine components.

[0014] Because killed or inactivated pathogens do not replicate, they typically cannot revert to a more virulent form capable of causing disease. However, inactivated pathogens tend to provide a shorter length of protection than live vaccines, and are more likely to require boosters to create long-term immunity. However, heat-inactivated poxvirus has been discovered to confer better immunogenecity.

[0015] The poxvirus may be heat inactivated by one of several known means. For example, the virus may inactivated by dry heat at 95 C. for 2 hours or by moist heat at 60 C. for 10 hours. Moreover, a vaccination dosage is based on known dosages for poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus (e.g., prophylaxis vaccination for small pox).

[0016] In view of the above, the advantages of the embodiments herein over current technology are increased safety of live vaccine vectors and increased immunogenicity.

[0017] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments and examples described herein.