Identification of Naturally Processed and Presented Vaccinia Peptides

Reference #:

2005-178

Inventors/Contributors

Gregory A. Poland, M.D., Kenneth L. Johnson, David C. Muddiman, Ph.D., Inna G. Ovsyannikova, Ph.D.

Description

We have successfully identified a naturally processed and presented vaccinia peptide from a class 1 HLA peptide binding groove. The importance of this peptide relates to three findings: 1. This peptide is conserved across the poxvirus families. 2. This peptide is from a protein made by the gene that is commonly deleted in order to attenuate vaccinia or variola. 3. This peptide raises recall memory immune responses in vitro in human PBMCs from subjects previously vaccinated with vaccinia. Thus, we have identified the peptide, have biologic knowledge of its importance, and laboratory evidence of it's ability to induce recall memory immune responses - all characteristics of an immunogenic peptide that could be sued to develop a peptide-based vaccinia vaccine.

Patent Status

Pending