Abstract: The invention relates to transgene expression constructs—particularly self inactivating lentiviral vectors—comprising a dendritic cell specific promoter controlling the expression of autoantigen proteins, namely myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, for use in the therapy of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgene expression constructs—particularly self inactivating lentiviral vectors—comprising a dendritic cell specific promoter controlling the expression of autoantigen proteins, namely myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, for use in the therapy of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus to increase the number of dendritic cells or their precursor cells in an immunocompromised animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara which is capable of infecting the cells of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human.

Abstract: The invention concern the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination or treatment of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara. In particular, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against infections with viruses belonging to the same virus group than the virus used for vaccination. Moreover, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against antigens selected from foreign antigens and tumour antigens, wherein the tumour antigen and/or the foreign antigen are different from the antigens associated with the virus.

Abstract: The invention concern the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination or treatment of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara. In particular, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against infections with viruses belonging to the same virus group than the virus used for vaccination. Moreover, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against antigens selected from foreign antigens and tumour antigens, wherein the tumour antigen and/or the foreign antigen are different from the antigens associated with the virus.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination, treatment, or protection, of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced and simplified herpes virus amplicon packaging system. The packaging system comprises a herpes virus amplicon vector and a packaging vector. In one embodiment, the packaging vector comprises a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the HSV-1 genome. The packaging vector contains an intact pac site but is otherwise rendered packaging defective. The packaging vector can be rendered packaging defective by inserting nucleotides into the pac site, or by otherwise interfering with the capsid's ability to close, for example, by increasing the size of the DNA fragment upon which the herpes virus genome is cloned. This system can be used to package a wide range of nucleotide sequences (e.g., a therapeutic or antigenic gene) into an empty herpes virus particle taking advantage of the large transgene capacity of herpes viruses. This system can also be used as a vaccine to induce protective immunity against HSV-1, or other complex pathogens.