This research will express recombinant forms of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) for use in the development of a subunit vaccine against CMV. In vitro mutagenesis and other recombinant DNA techniques will be used to generate two forms of gB: (1) an uncleaved gB molecule lacking the C-terminal transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain, and (2) a C-terminal gB fragment fused to a heterologous secretory signal sequence. Expression plasmids encoding these constructs will be tested in mammalian cells for secretion and reactivity with CMV-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The aim is to develop stable cell lines secreting high levels of a single gB polypeptide that retainsthe major gB-neutralizing epitopes. Long-term objectives will involve purification of recombinant forms of gB produced by mammalian cells. This material will be tested in animals for the ability to generate neutralizing antibodies. Those recombinant antigens that elicit a strong neutralizing response will be used to develop a subunit vaccine capable of reducing the serious consequences of CMV disease in neonates and transplant recipients. This vaccine will be initially tested in seronegative transplant recipients. Further clinical trials will also be done in females of childbearing age at risk for CMV infection, such as parents of children attending daycare centers.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Recombinant forms of gB are being developed to test as candidate antigens for a subunit vaccine against human CMV. This vaccine should be clinically efficacious in neonatal CMV infection and CMV disease in transplant recipients. The target populations for this vaccine will be transplant recipients and women of childbearing age.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
