Importance

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Abstract

Novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines are provided having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The constructs are useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to a patient. Optionally, the immunization protocol may include a booster vaccination that may be a live vector vaccine such as a recombinant pox virus or modified vaccinia Arbora vector having a transcription cassette expressing the same vaccine insert as the primary immunizing vector.

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First Claim