@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-9-2107, author = "Johnson, Teresa R. and Fischer, Julie E. and Graham, Barney S.", title = "Construction and characterization of recombinant vaccinia viruses co-expressing a respiratory syncytial virus protein and a cytokine", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "2001", volume = "82", number = "9", pages = "2107-2116", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-82-9-2107", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-9-2107", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "Recombinant vaccinia viruses are well-characterized tools that can be used to define novel approaches to vaccine formulation and delivery. While vector co-expression of immune mediators has enormous potential for optimizing the composition of vaccine-induced immune responses, the impact on antigen expression and vector antigenicity must also be considered. Co-expression of IL-4 increased vaccinia virus vector titres, while IFN-γ co-expression reduced vaccinia virus replication in BALB/c mice and in C57BL/6 mice infected with some recombinant viruses. Protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) challenge was similar in mice immunized with vaccinia virus expressing RSV G glycoprotein and IFN-γ, even though the replication efficiency of the vector was diminished. These data demonstrate the ability of vector-expressed cytokine to influence the virulence of the vector and to direct the development of selected immune responses. This suggests that the co-expression of cytokines and other immunomodulators has the potential to improve the safety of vaccine vectors while improving the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens.", }