Michael Mackett

Infectious vaccinia virus recombinants that express hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Potential live vaccines against hepatitis B virus have been produced. The coding sequence for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) has been inserted into the vaccinia virus genome under control of vaccinia virus early promoters. Cells infected with these vaccinia virus recombinants synthesize and excrete HBsAg and vaccinated rabbits rapidly produce antibodies to HBsAg.

Recombinant vaccinia viruses as new live vaccines.

Recombinant vaccinia viruses can be constructed that express foreign antigens. These viruses retain their infectivity and synthesise the foreign gene product in tissue culture and in vaccinated animals. Following vaccination, specific antibody and cell-mediated immune responses are generated against the foreign protein and in several cases these have protected the animal against subsequent challenge with the corresponding pathogen. The potential use of recombinant vaccinia viruses as medical or veterinary vaccines is discussed.