Enhanced Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein B (gB) Protein for Improved Stability and Immunogenicity

The present inventive concept relates to engineered mutants of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (gB) protein, comprising at least two amino acid mutations that enhance the protein's stability in prefusion form, thereby improving its immunogenicity and potential as a vaccine component.

The original patent disclosed engineered mutants of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (gB) protein with improved stability. However, the existing mutants still exhibited limitations in terms of their immunogenicity and potential as vaccine components. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing at least two amino acid mutations that further enhance the protein's stability in prefusion form, thereby improving its immunogenicity and potential as a vaccine component.

The engineered mutants of the present inventive concept comprise at least two amino acid mutations selected from a group of mutations that enhance the stability of the protein in prefusion form. These mutations can be introduced using various methods, including site-directed mutagenesis or other molecular biology techniques. The resulting mutants exhibit improved stability in prefusion form, as measured by binding of prefusion-specific antibodies, thermal shift assays, or EM imaging. This improved stability enhances the immunogenicity of the protein, making it a more effective vaccine component. The mutants can be produced using various systems, including mammalian or insect cell expression systems, and can be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for administration to subjects.

The present inventive concept is novel and non-obvious over the original patent because it introduces at least two amino acid mutations that further enhance the stability of the protein in prefusion form, thereby improving its immunogenicity and potential as a vaccine component. The combination of these mutations and their specific effects on the protein's stability and immunogenicity are not obvious from the original patent.

Alternative embodiments of the present inventive concept include the use of different expression systems, such as bacterial or yeast systems, to produce the engineered mutants. Additionally, the mutants can be formulated with different pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or adjuvants to enhance their immunogenicity. Other variations include the use of different mutations or combinations of mutations to achieve the desired stability and immunogenicity.

The present inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the vaccine industry, particularly in the development of vaccines against human cytomegalovirus. The improved stability and immunogenicity of the engineered mutants make them attractive candidates for vaccine development, and their potential use in vaccine formulations could lead to significant market opportunities.