Abstract: Chimeric parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are provided that incorporate a PIV vector genome or antigenome and one or more antigenic determinant(s) of a heterologous PIV or non-PIV pathogen. These chimeric viruses are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an immune responses against one or more PIVs, or against a PIV and non-PIV pathogen. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric PIV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete PIV vector genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) encoding antigenic determinant(s) of a heterologous PIV or non-PIV pathogen.

Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) having the position of genes shifted within the genome or antigenome of the recombinant virus are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals. Gene shifted RSV are constructed by insertion, deletion or rearrangement of genes or genome segments within the recombinant genome or antigenome and are useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant RSV genome or antigenome wherein a gene or gene segment is shifted to a more promoter-proximal or promoter-distal position within the genome or antigenome compared to a wild type position of the gene in the RSV gene map. Shifting the position of genes in this manner provides for a selected increase or decrease in expression of the gene, depending on the nature and degree of the positional shift.

Abstract: Recombinant parainfluenza virus (PIV) are provided in which expression of the C, D and/or V translational open reading frame(s) (ORFs) is reduced or ablated to yield novel PIV vaccine candidates. Expression of the C, D and/or V ORF(s) is reduced or ablated by modifying a recombinant PIV genome or antigenome, for example by introduction of a stop codon, by a mutation in an RNA editing site, by a mutation that alters the amino acid specified by an initiation codon, or by a frame shift mutation in the targeted ORF(s). Alternatively, the C, D and/or V ORF(s) is deleted in whole or in part to render the protein(s) encoded thereby partially or entirely non-functional or to disrupt protein expression altogether. C, D and/or V ORF(s) deletion and knock out mutants possess highly desirable phenotypic characteristics for vaccine development. These deletion and knock out mutations changes specify one or more desired phenotypic changes in the resulting virus or subviral particle.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules provide RSV genome and antigenomes, including that of human, bovine or murine RSV or RSV-like viruses, and chimera thereof. The recombinant genome or antigenome can be expressed with a nucleocapsid (N) protein, a nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (P), a large (L) polymerase protein, and an RNA polymerase elongation factor to produce isolated infectious RSV particles. The recombinant RSV genome and antigenome can be modified to produce desired phenotypic changes, such as attenuated viruses for vaccine use.

Abstract: Attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and vaccine compositions thereof are produced by introducing specific mutations associated with attenuating phenotypes into wild-type or RSV which is incompletely attenuated by cold-passage or introduction of mutations which produce virus having a temperature sensitive (ts) or cold adapted (ca) phenotype. Alternatively, recombinant RSV and vaccine compositions thereof incorporate attenuating and other mutations specifying desired structural and or phenotypic characteristics in an infectious RSV. Recombinant RSV incorporate desired mutations specified by insertion, deletion, substitution or rearrangement of a selected nucleotide sequence, gene, or gene segment in an infectious RSV clone. The immune system of an individual is stimulated to induce protection against natural RSV infection, or multivalently against infection by RSV and another pathogen, such as PIV, by administration of attenuated, biologically derived or recombinant RSV.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions of DNA and proteins that are useful for preparing vaccines against human respiratory syncytial virus ?HRSV!. The DNA compositions include structural genes coding for native structural viral proteins and immunogenic fragments of these proteins. Host cells transformed with the above DNA compositions are also disclosed. Vaccines made from the native structural viral proteins or immunogenic fragments are also disclosed as well as methods for protecting humans by inoculation with these vaccines.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions of DNA and proteins that are useful for preparing vaccines against human respiratory syncytial virus [HRSV]. The DNA compositions include structural genes coding for native structural viral proteins and immunogenic fragments of these proteins. Host cells transformed with the above DNA compositions are also disclosed. Vaccines made from the native structural viral proteins or immunogenic fragments are also disclosed as well as methods for protecting humans by inoculation with these vaccines.