Inventors:
David M. Koelle - Seattle WA, US
Lawrence Corey - Mercer Island WA, US
Assignee:
University of Washington - Seattle WA
International Classification:
A61K 39/245, A61K 35/76, C12P 21/06, C12N 7/01, C12N 1/21, C12N 15/63, C07K 14/03, C07K 7/08, C07K 14/035, C07H 21/04, A61K 47/00, C12N 5/02
US Classification:
4241861, 4242311, 424 932, 435 691, 435 697, 4352351, 435375, 4353201, 530324, 530326, 530327, 530350, 536 234, 4352523
Abstract:
The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are antigens and/or their constituent epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions or from uterine cervix. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.