Recombinant vaccine against Marek's disease and Newcastle disease
Inventors
Yu, Qingzhong • Spatz, Stephen J. • Dunn, John R.
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-12258372-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
2040-04-15
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Abstract
Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant viruses capable of inducing protection in poultry against both Marek's disease virus (MDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Such viruses incorporate nucleic acids for expressing at least one MDV antigen, such as glycoprotein B, and antigenic portions thereof, in a recombinant NDV genome.
Core Innovation
The invention provides immunogenic compositions containing recombinant Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) designed to induce protection in poultry against both Marek's disease virus (MDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). These recombinant viruses incorporate nucleic acids encoding at least one MDV antigen, specifically the glycoprotein B (gB), optimized for chicken codon usage, inserted within the genome of the NDV LaSota strain, which is a naturally occurring low virulence strain used as a live vaccine.
The invention addresses significant problems with current Marek's disease vaccines, which utilize live infected cellular preparations that are unstable above −80°C and require a cold chain or liquid nitrogen for storage and transport. This limits vaccine availability and use, especially in less developed countries, causing significant poultry losses. Additionally, current vaccines fail to elicit sterilizing immunity and are expensive to produce and handle. By developing a recombinant NDV-based vaccine expressing the MDV gB protein, the invention aims to create a dual vaccine that is safe, stable at ambient temperatures, easy to administer via drinking water or spray, and capable of eliciting protective immunity against both Marek's disease and Newcastle disease.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims focused on a recombinant Newcastle disease virus and a method of eliciting immune response using this recombinant virus. The claims cover the composition, sequence identity thresholds, and use in subjects.
Recombinant Newcastle disease virus expressing Marek's disease glycoprotein B
A recombinant NDV comprising a synthetic polypeptide having at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2 (MDV gB protein), and having a genome at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:3. Specific embodiments include sequence identity of at least 98% and use of the NDV LaSota strain. The virus can also be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Method of eliciting immune response against both MDV and NDV using recombinant NDV
Administering to a subject a composition comprising the recombinant NDV expressing a synthetic polypeptide at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 and having a genome at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:3. The method encompasses using polypeptides with higher identity (at least 98% or identical), and the subject is preferably poultry, such as chickens.
The claims collectively cover a recombinant NDV vaccine vector expressing the MDV gB protein with defined sequence identity thresholds and its use in immunizing poultry against both Marek's disease and Newcastle disease, highlighting the recombinant virus compositions and immunization methods.
Stated Advantages
The recombinant NDV vaccine is safe, stable, inexpensive, and effective as a bivalent vaccine against Marek's disease and Newcastle disease.
The vaccine can be lyophilized, stored, and transported at ambient temperatures, eliminating the cold chain requirement of current MDV vaccines.
It can be administered to large poultry populations easily through drinking water or direct spray, reducing labor and logistical burdens.
The NDV LaSota strain used as the vector has a well-established safety profile, induces strong mucosal and systemic immunity, and shows no reversion to virulence or recombination issues.
Documented Applications
Vaccination of poultry, particularly chickens, against Marek's disease virus and Newcastle disease virus using the recombinant NDV expressing MDV glycoprotein B.
Administration routes include oral via drinking water, aerosol/spray, intranasal, intraocular, or in ovo injection 1-3 days before hatch.
Use in commercial poultry production to prevent Marek's disease and Newcastle disease, especially in environments where traditional MDV vaccines are impractical due to cold storage requirements.
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