| abstract |
The present invention relates to compositions and methods to elicit or enhance cell-mediated immunity against HCMV infection by providing polynucleotides encoding variant HCMV pp65, IE1, and IE2 proteins, and fusion proteins thereof. The present invention also provides recombinant vectors including, but not limited to, adenovirus and plasmid vectors comprising said polynucleotides and host cells comprising said recombinant vectors. Also provided herein are purified forms of the variant HCMV pp65, IE1, and IE2 proteins described herein, and fusion proteins. The variant HCMV proteins, and fusion proteins thereof, are useful as vaccines for the protection from and/or treatment of HCMV infection. Said vaccines are useful as a monotherapy or a part of a therapeutic regime, said regime comprising administration of a second vaccine such as a polynucleotide, cell-based, protein or peptide-based vaccine. |