POXVIRUS-PLASMODIUM RECOMBINANTS, COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SUCH RECOMBINANTS, USES THEREOF, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME

The invention provides a recombinant or synthetic or engineered or non -naturalIy occurring poxvirus that contains and expresses DNA encoding a heterologous or exogenous antigen, epitope or immunogen and Flagellars or an operable binding portion thereof. The poxvirus can contain or be engineered to contain and express vaccinia host range gene K 1 L. The poxvirus can be attenuated as to mammals, e.g., NYVAC, NYVAC.1, NYVAC. 2, avipox, canarypox, fowlpox, ALVAC, TROVAC, MVA, or MVA-BN. The invention also provides methods for inducing an immunological response involving the poxvirus, and compositions containing the poxvirus. The antigen, epitope or immunogen that the poxvirus expresses can be at least one Plasmodium antigen. The Plasmodium antigen(s), epitope(s) or immunogen(s) can be SERA, ABRA, Pfhsp70, AMA-1, Pfs25, Pfs16, CSP, PfSSP2, LSA-1 repeatless, MSA-1, AMA-1 or combination(s) thereof. Advantageously the poxvirus contains DNA coding for and expresses Plasmodium antigen(s) CSP, PfSSP2, LSA-1 -repeatless, MSA-1, SERA, AMA-1 and Pfs25. Also, advantageously, the poxvirus is a NYVAC poxvirus. The invention thus also provides an anti-malarial immunogenic or immunological compositions comprising the poxvirus, and methods for inducing an immunogenic or immunological response against malaria or Plasmodium in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the poxvirus or an immunological or immunogenic composition containing the poxvirus. The mammal can be a human.