Patent ID: 10465170

Abstract:
Described herein are mutant pneumoviruses comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a mutated zinc binding motif in an M2-1 protein of the pneumovirus, wherein the zinc binding motif is mutated relative to wild-type pneumovirus. The mutant pneumoviruses described herein grow to high titer in cell culture, are genetically stable, are attenuated in vitro and in vivo, and are highly immunogenic. Also described herein are vaccines and vaccine compositions comprising the live attenuated mutant pneumoviruses. Vaccine compositions can further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle, excipient, and/or adjuvant. Methods for inducing a protective immune response in a subject against a pneumovirus infection are also described and disclosed. The vaccine compositions and methods described herein can be used to prevent metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infection in humans, respiratory syncytial virus infection in cattle, avian metapneumovirus infection in various avian species, and pneumonia virus of mice in rodents.