AU4384101A - Polynucleotide vaccine formula for treating porcine respiratory and reproductive diseases - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 DIVISIONAL APPLICATION NAME OF APPLICANT: Merial ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: a DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: "Polynucleotide vaccine formula for treating porcine respiratory and reproductive diseases" a The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: la The present invention relates to a vaccine formula allowing in particular the vaccination of pigs against reproductive and respiratory pathologies. It also relates to a corresponding method of vaccination.

During the past decades, the methods for the production of pigs have changed fundamentally. The intensive breeding in an enclosed space has become generalized with, as a corollary, the dramatic development of respiratory pathologies.

The range of symptoms of porcine respiratory pathology is in general grouped under the complex name of pig respiratory disease and involves a wide variety of pathogenic agents comprising viruses as well as Sbacteria and mycoplasmas.

The principal agents involved in the respiratory disorders are Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, 20 the infertility and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRS) also called mysterious disease virus, the Aujeszky's disease virus (PRV) and the swine flu virus.

Other viruses cause reproductive disorders leading to abortions, mummifications of the foetus and 25 infertility. The principal viruses are PRRS, parvovirus and hog cholera virus (HCV). Secondarily, swine flu virus PRV and A. pleuropneumoniae can also cause such disorders. Deaths may occur with A.

pleuropneumoniae, HCV and PRV.

In addition, interactions between microorganisms are very important in the porcine respiratory complex. Indeed, most of the bacterial pathogens are habitual hosts of the nasopharangeal zones and of the tonsils in young animals. These pathogens, which are derived from the sows, are often inhaled by the young pigs during their first few hours of life, before the cholostral immunity has become effective. The organisms living in the upper respiratory tract may invade the lower tract when the respiratory defence mechanisms of 2 the host are damaged by a precursor agent such as Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or by viruses. The pulmonary invasion may be very rapid, in particular in the case of precursor pathogens such as Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae which produce potent cytotoxins capable of damaging the cilia of the respiratory epithelial cells and the alveolar macrophages.

Major viral infections, such as influenza, and respiratory coronavirus and Aujeszky's virus infections, may play a role in the pathogenicity of the respiratory complex, besides bacteria with respiratory tropism and mycoplasmas.

Finally, some agents have both a respiratory and a reproductive effect. Interactions may also occur from the point of view of the pathology of reproduction.

It therefore appears to be necessary to try to develop an effective prevention against the principal pathogenic agents involved in porcine reproductive and 20 respiratory pathologies.

The associations developed so far were prepared from inactivated vaccines or live vaccines and, optionally, mixtures of such vaccines. Their development poses problems of compatibility between valencies and 25 of stability. It is indeed necessary to ensure both the compatibility between the different vaccine valencies, whether from the point of view of the different antigens used from the point of view of the formulations themselves, especially in the case where both inactivated vaccines and live vaccines are combined. The problem of the conservation of such combined vaccines and also of their safety especially in the presence of an adjuvant also exists. These vaccines are in general quite expensive.

Patent applications WO-A-90 11092, WO-A-93 19183, WO-A-94 21797 and WO-A-95 20660 have made use of the recently developed technique of polynucleotide vaccines. It is known that these vaccines use a plasmid capable of expressing, in the host cells, 3 the antigen inserted into the plasmid. All the routes of administration have been proposed (intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular, transcutaneous, intradermal, mucosal and the like). Various vaccination means can also be used, such as DNA deposited at the surface of gold particles and projected so as to penetrate into the animals' skin (Tang et al., Nature, 356, 152-154, 1992) and liquid jet injectors which make it possible to transfect at the same time the skin, the muscle, the fatty tissues and the mammary tissues (Furth et al., Analytical Biochemistry, 205, 365-368, 1992).

The polynucleotide vaccines may also use both naked DNAs and DNAs formulated, for example, inside cationic lipid liposomes.

M-F Le Potier et al., (Second International Symposium on the Eradication of Aujeszky's Disease (pseudorabies) Virus August 6th to 8th 1995 Copenhagen, Denmark) and M. Monteil et al., (Les Journ6es 20 d'Animation Scientifique du Departement de Pathologie Animale [Scientific meeting organized by the department of animal pathology], INRA-ENV, Ecole Nationale Vte6rinaire, LYON, 13-14 Dec. 1994) have tried to vaccinate pigs against the Aujeszky's disease virus 25 with the aid of a plasmid allowing the expression of the gD gene under the control of a strong promoter, the type 2 adenovirus major late promoter. In spite of a good antibody response level, no protection could be detected. Now, satisfactory results in the area of protection have been recorded after inoculation of pigs with a recombinant adenovirus into which the gD gene and the same promoter have been inserted, proving that the gD glcyoprotein could be sufficient for inducing protection in pigs.

The prior art gives no protective result in pigs by the polynucleotide vaccination method.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a multivalent vaccine formula which makes it possible to ensure vaccination of pigs against a number of 4 pathogenic agents involved in particular in respiratory pathology and/or in reproductive pathology.

Another embodiment of the invention provides such a vaccine formula combining different valencies while exhibiting all the criteria required for mutual compatibility and stability of the valencies.

Another embodiment of the invention provides such a vaccine formula which makes it possible to combine different valencies in the same vehicle.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides such a vaccine formula and a method for vaccinating pigs which makes it possible to obtain protection, including multivalent protection, with a high level of efficiency and of long duration, as well as good safety and an absence of residues.

20 The subject of the present invention is therefore a vaccine formula in particular against porcine reproductive and/or respiratory pathology, comprising at least 3 polynucleotide vaccine valencies each comprising a plasmid integrating, so as to express it in 25 vivo in the host cells, a gene with one porcine pathogen valency, these valencies being selected from those of the group consisting of Aujeszky's disease virus (PRV or pseudorabies virus), swine flu virus (swine influenza virus, SIV), pig mysterious disease virus (PRRS virus), parvovirosis virus (PPV virus), hog cholera virus (HCV virus) and bacterium responsible for actinobacillosis pleuropneumoniae), the plasmids comprising, for each valency, one or more of the genes selected from the group consisting of gB and gD for the Aujeszky's disease virus, HA, NP and N for the swine flu virus, ORF5 ORF3, ORF6 for the PRRS virus, VP2 for the parvovirosis virus, El, E2 for the conventional hog cholera virus and apxl, apxII and apxIII for A. pleuropneumoniae.

5 Valency in the present invention is understood to mean at least one antigen providing protection against the virus for the pathogen considered, it being possible for the valency to contain, as subvalency, one or more modified natural genes from one or more strains of the pathogen considered.

Pathogenic agent gene is understood to mean not only the complete gene but also the various nucleotide sequences, including fragments which retain the capacity to induce a protective response. The notion of a gene covers the nucleotide sequences equivalent to those described precisely in the examples, that is to say the sequences which are different but which encode the same protein. It also covers the nucleotide sequences of other strains of the pathogen considered, which provide cross-protection or a protection specific a strain or for a strain group. It also covers the nucleotide sequences which have been modified in order to facilitate the in vivo expression by the host animal 20 but encoding the same protein.

Preferably, the vaccine formula according to the invention will comprise the Aujeszky and porcine flu valencies to which other valencies, preferably selected from the PRRS and A. pleuropneumoniae 25 (actinobacillosis) valencies, can be added. Other valencies selected from the parvovirosis and conventional hog cholera valencies can be optionally added to them.

It goes without saying that all the combinations of valencies are possible. However, within the framework of the invention, the Aujeszky and porcine flu, followed by PRRS and A. pleuropneumoniae, valencies are considered to be preferred.

From the point of view of a vaccination directed more specifically against the porcine respiratory pathology the valencies will be preferably selected from Aujeszky, porcine flu, PRRS and actinobacilosis.

6 From the point of view of a vaccination directed specifically against the reproductive pathology, the valencies will be preferably selected from PRRS, parvovirosis, hog cholera and Aujeszky.

As regards the Aujeszky valency, either of the gB and gD genes may be used. Preferably, both genes are used, these being in this case mounted in different plasmids or in one and the same plasmid.

As regards the porcine flu valency, the HA and NP genes are preferably used. Either of these two genes or both genes simul-t-aneously can be used, mounted in different plasmids or in one and the same plasmid.

Preferably, the HA sequences from more than one influenza virus strain, in particular from the different strains found in the field, will be combined in the same vaccine. On the other hand, NP provides cross-protection and the sequence from a single virus strain will therefore be satisfactory.

20 As regards the PRSS valency, the E and ORF3 or alternatively M genes are preferably used. These genes can be used alone or in combination; in the case of a combination, the genes can be mounted into separate plasmids or into plasmids combining 2 or 3 of these 25 genes. Genes derived from at least two strains, especially from a European strain and an American strain, will be advantageously combined in the same vaccine.

As regards the hog cholera valency, either of the El and E2 genes or also El and E2 genes combined, in two different plasmids or optionally in one and the same plasmid, can be used.

As regards the actinobacillosis valency, one of the three genes mentioned above or a combination of 2 or 3 of these genes, mounted in different plasmids or mixed plasmids, may be used in order to provide protection against the different serotypes of A.

pleuropneumoniae. For the apxl, II and III antigens, it may be envisaged that the coding sequences be modified 7 in order to obtain the detoxified antigens, in particular as in the examples.

The vaccine formula according to the invention can be provided in the form of a dose volume generally of between 0.1 and 10 ml, and in particular between 1 and 5 ml especially for vaccinations by the intramuscular route.

The dose will be generally between 10 ng and 1 mg, preferably between 100 ng and 50 pg and preferably between 1 pg and 250 pg per plasmid type.

Use will preferably be made of naked plasmids simply placed in the vaccination vehicle which will be in general physiological saline NaCl), ultrapure water, TE buffer and the like. All the polynucleotide vaccine forms described in the prior art can of course be used.

Each plasmid comprises a promoter capable of ensuring the expression of the gene inserted, under its control, into the host cells. This will be in general a 20 strong eukaryotic promoter and in particular a cytomegalovirus early CMV-IE promoter of human or murine origin, or optionally of another origin such as rats, pigs and guinea pigs.

More generally, the promoter may be either of viral origin or of cellular origin. As viral promoter, there may be mentioned the SV40 virus early or late promoter or the Rous sarcoma virus LTR promoter. It may also be a promoter from the virus from which the gene is derived, for example the gene's own promoter.

As cellular promoter, there may be mentioned the promoter of a cytcskeleton gene, for example the desmin promoter (Bolmcnt et al., Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology, 1990, 22, 117-122; and Zhenlin et al., Gene, 1939, 78, 243-254), or alternatively the actin promoter.

When several genes are present in the same plasmid, these may be presented in the same transcription unit or in two different units.

8 The combination of the different vaccine valencies according to the invention may be preferably achieved by mixing the polynucleotide plasmids expressing the antigen(s) of each valency, but it is also possible to envisage causing antigens of several valencies to be expressed by the same plasmid.

The subject of the invention is also monovalent vaccine formulae comprising one or more plasmids encoding one or more genes from one of the viruses selected from the group consisting of PRV, PRRS, PPV, HCV and A. pleuropneumoniae, the genes being those described above. Besides their monovalent character, these formulae may possess the characteristics stated above as regards the choice of the genes, their combinations, the composition of the plasmids, the dose volumes, the doses and the like.

The monovalent vaccine formulae may be used (i) for the preparation of a polyvalent vaccine formula as described above, (ii) individually against the actual 20 pathology, (iii) combined with a vaccine of another type (live or inactivated whole, recombinant, subunit) against another pathology, or (iv) as booster for a S" vaccine as described below.

The subject of the present invention is in fact also the use of one or more plasmids according to the invention for the manufacture of a vaccine intended to vaccinate pigs first vaccinated by means of a first conventional vaccine of the type in the prior art, namely, in particular, selected from the group consisting of a live whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, this first vaccine (monovalent or multivalent) having (that is to say containing or capable of expressing) the antigen(s) encoded by the plasmids or antigen(s) providing cross-protection. Remarkably, the polynucleotide vaccine has a potent booster effect which results in an amplification of the immune response and the acquisition of a long-lasting immunity.

9 In general, the first-vaccination vaccines can be selected from commercial vaccines available from various veterinary vaccine producers.

The subject of the invention is also a vaccination kit grouping together a first-vaccination vaccine as described above and a vaccine formula according to the invention for the booster. It also relates to a vaccine formula according to the invention accompanied by a leaflet indicating the use of this formula as a booster for a first vaccination as described above.

The subject of the present invention is also a method for vaccinating pigs against the porcine reproductive pathology and/or respiratory pathology, comprising the administration of an effective dose of a vaccine formula as described above. This vaccination method comprises the administration of. one or more doses of the vaccine formula, it being possible for these doses to be administered in succession over a short S 20 period of time and/or in succession at widely spaced intervals.

The vaccine formulae according to the invention *can be administered in the context of this method of vaccination, by the different routes of administration proposed in the prior art for polynucleotide vaccination **and by means of known techniques of administration. The oo vaccination can in particular be used by the intradermal route with the aid of a liquid jet, preferably multiple jet, injector and in particular an injector using an injection head provided with several holes or nozzles, in particular comprising from 5 or 6 holes or nozzles, such as the Pigjet apparatus manufactured and distributed by the company Endoscoptic, Laons, France.

The dose volume for such an apparatus will be reduced preferably to between 0.1 and 0.9 ml, in particular between 0.2 and 0.6 ml and advantageously between 0.4 and 0.5 ml, it being possible for the volume to be applied in one or several, preferably 2, applications.

10 The subject of the invention is also the method of vaccination consisting in making a first vaccination as described above and a booster with a vaccine formula according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, there is administered in a first instance, to the animal, an effective dose of the vaccine of the conventional, especially inactivated, live, attenuated or recombinant, type, or alternatively a subunit vaccine, so as to provide a first vaccination, and, after a period preferably of 2 to 6 weeks, the polyvalent or monovalent vaccine according to the invention is administered.

The invention also relates to the method of preparing the vaccine formulae, namely the preparation of the valencies and mixtures thereof, as evident from this description.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with the aid of the embodiments of the invention taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

List of figures b

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1: Plasmid pVR102 2: Sequence of the PRV gB gene (NIA3 strain) 3: Construction of the plasmid pAB090 4: Sequence of the PRV gD gene (NIA3 strain) 5: Construction of the plasmid pPB098 6: Sequence of the porcine flu HA gene (H1N1 strain) 7: Construction of the plasmid pPB143 8: Sequence of the porcine flu NP gene (H1N1 strain) 9: Construction of the plasmid pPB42 10: Sequence of the porcine flu HA gene (H3N2 strain) 11: Construction of the plasmid pPB144 12: Sequence of the porcine flu NP gene (H3N2 strain) 13: Construction of the plasmid pPB132 Figure No.

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14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: 25: Plasmid Plasmid pAB001 Plasmid pAB091 Plasmid pAB092 Plasmid pAB004 Plasmid pAB069 Plasmid pAB061 Plasmid pPB162 Plasmid pPB163 Plasmid pPB174' Plasmid pPB189 Plasmid pPB190 Sequence listing SEQ ID No.

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1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: Sequence of the Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Sequence of the Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Sequence of the train) Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Sequence of the strain) Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Sequence of the strain) Sequence of the PRV gB gene (NIA3 strain) AB166 AB167 AB168 AB169 PRV gD gene (NIA3 strain) PB101 PB102 PB107 PB108 porcine flu HA gene (H1N1 PB097 PB098 porcine flu NP gene (H1N1 PB095 PB096 porcine flu HA gene (H3N2 porcine flu NP gene (H3N2 SEQ ID No. 18: SEQ ID No.

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strain) 19: Oligonucleotide 20: Oligonucleotide AB055 AB056 12

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21: 22: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: 31: 32: 33: 34: 35: 36: 37: 38: 39: 40: 41: 42: 43: 44: 45: 46: 47: 48: Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide oligonucleo tide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotide Oligonucleotids Oligonucleotids Oligonucleotide ABO 01 ABO 02 AB1 AB1 71 AB1 72 AB1 73 ABOO7 AB126 AB127 AB118 AB11 9 PB174 PB1 89 PB190 PB175 PB17 6 PB1 91 PB1 92 PB1 77 PB278 PB279 PB280 PB 3 07 PB3 03 PB306 PB3 04 PB3

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Culture of the viru~ses The viru-ses are cultured on the appropriate cellular system until a cytopathic: effect is obtained.

The cellular systems to be used for each virus are well known to persons skilled in the art. Briefly, the cells sensitive to the virus used, which are cultured in Eagle's minimum essential mnedium. (MEM medium) or another appropriate medium, are inoculated with the viral strain studied using a multiplicity of infection of The 13 infected cells are then incubated at 37 0 C for the time necessary for the appearance of a complete cytopathic effect (on average 36 hours).

Example 2: Culture of the bacteria and extraction of the bacterial DNA The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae strains were cultured as described by A. Rycroft et al. Gen.

Microbiol., 1991, 137, 561-568). The high-molecular weight DNA (chromosomal DNA) was prepared according to the standard techniques described by J. Sambrook et al.

(Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1989).

Example 3: Extraction of the viral genomic DNAs: After culturing, the supernatant and the lysed cells are harvested and the entire viral suspension is centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 minutes at +4 0 C so as to remove the cellular debris. The viral particles are then harvested by ultracentrifugation at 400,000 g for 1 hour at +4 0 C. The pellet is taken up in a minimum volume of buffer (10 mM Tris, 1 mM EDTA; pH This concentrated viral suspension is treated with proteinase K (100 pg/ml final) in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) final) for 2 hours at 37 0 C. The viral DNA is then extracted with a phenol/chloroform mixture and then precipitated with 2 volumes of absolute ethanol. After leaving overnight at -20 0 C, the DNA is centrifuged at 10,000 g for 15 minutes at +4 0 C. The DNA pellet is dried and then taken up in a minimum volume of sterile ultrapure water. It can then be digested with restriction enzymes.

Example 4: Isolation of the viral genomic RNAs The RNA viruses were purified according to techniques well known to persons skilled in the art. The genomic viral RNA of each virus was then isolated using the "guanidium thiocyanate/phenol-chloroform" extraction 14 technique described by P. Chromczynski and N. Sacchi (Anal. Biochem., 1987, 162, 156-159).

Example 5: Molecular biology techniques All the constructions of plasmids were carried out using the standard molecular biology techniques described by J. Sambrook et al. (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1989). All the restriction fragments used for the present invention were isolated using the "Geneclean" kit (BIO 101 Inc. La Jolla, CA).

Example 6: RT-PCR technique Specific oligonucleotides (comprising restriction sites at their 5' ends to facilitate the cloning of the amplified fragments) were synthesized such that they completely cover the coding regions of the genes which are to be amplified (see specific examples). The reverse transcription (RT) reaction and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried out according to standard techniques Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1989). Each RT-PCR reaction was performed with a pair of specific amplimers and taking, as template, the viral genomic RNA extracted. The complementary DNA amplified was extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1) before being digested with restriction enzymes.

Example 7: plasmid pVR1012 The plasmid pVR1012 (Figure No. 1) was obtained from Vical Inc., San Diego, CA, USA. Its construction has been described in J. Hartikka et al. (Human Gene Therapy, 1996, 7, 1205-1217).

15 Example 8: Construction of the plasmid pAB090 (PRV gB gene) The plasmid pPR2.15 Riviere et al., J.

Virol., 1992, 66, 3424-3434) was digested with ApaI and NaeI in order to release a 2665 bp ApaI-NaeI fragment (fragment A) containing the gene encoding Aujeszky's disease virus (NIA3 strain) gB glycoprotein (Figure No. 2 and SEQ ID No. 1).

By hybridizing the following 2 oligonucleotides: AB166 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 2) 3' AB167 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 3) 3' a 33 bp fragment containing the sequence of the gD gene, from the initial ATG codon up to the Apal site, was reconstructed, with the creation of a PstI site in (fragment B).

By hybridizing the following 2 oligonucleotides: S* AB168 (45 mer) (SEQ ID No. 4) 5'GGCACTACCAGCGCCTCGAGAGCGAGGACCCCGACGCCCTGTAGG 3' AB169 (49 mer) (SEQ ID No. 5'GATCCCTACAGGGCGTCGGGGTCCTCGCTCTCGAGGCGCTGGTAGTGCC 3' a 45 bp fragment containing the sequence of the gD gene, from the NaeI site to the TAG stop codon was reconstructed, with the creation of a BamHI site in 3' (fragment C).

The fragments A, B and C were ligated together into the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB090 (7603 bp) (Figure No. 3).

Example 9: Construction of the plasmid pPB098 (PRV gD gene) The plasmid pPR29 Riviere et al., J. Virol., 1992, 66, 3424-3434) was digested with SalI and BglII in order to liberate a 711 bp SalI-BglII fragment (fragment A) containing the 3' part of the gene encoding the Aujeszky's disease virus (NIA3 strain) gD glycoprotein (Figure No. 4 and SEQ ID No. 6).

16 The plasmid pPR29 was digested with Eco47III and SalI in order to liberate a 498 bp Eco47III-SalI fragment containing the 5' part of the gene encoding the Aujeszky's disease virus (NIA3 strain) gD glycoprotein (fragment B).

By hybridizing the following 2 oligonucleotides: PB101 (15 mer) (SEQ ID No. 7) 3' PB102 (19 mer) (SEQ ID No. 8) 5'GCTGCGAGCAGCATCTGCA 3' a 15 bp fragment containing the 5' sequence of the gD gene, from the initial ATG codon up to the Eco47III site was reconstructed, with the creation of a PstI site in (fragment C).

After purification, the fragments A, B and C were ligated together into the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with PstI and BglII, to give the plasmid pPB098 (6076 bp) (Figure No. 20 Example 10: Construction of the plasmid pBP143 (porcine flu HA gene, H1N1 strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out in the porcine flu virus (SIV, H1N1 "SW" strain) genomic RNA, prepared 25 according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB107 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 9) 3' PB108 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 5' ATTGCGGCCGCTAGTAGAAACAAGGGTGTTTTT 3' so as to precisely isolate the gene encoding the HA protein from SIV H1N1 (Figure No. 6 and SEQ ID No. 11) in the form of a 1803 bp PCR fragment. After purification, this fragment was ligated with the vector PCRII-direct (Invitrogen Reference K2000-01), to give the vector pPB137 (5755 bp) The vector pPB137 was digested with EcoRV and NotI in order to liberate a 1820 bp EcoRV-NotI fragment containing the HA gene. This fragment was then ligated into the vector pVR1012 17 (Example previously digested with EcoRV and NotI, to give the plasmid pPB143 (6726 bp) (Figure No. 7).

Example 11: Construction of the plasmid pPB142 (porcine flu NP gene, H1N1 strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the porcine flu virus (SIV H1N1 "SW" strain) genomic RNA, prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB097 (36 mer) (SEQ ID No. 12) 3' PB098 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 13) 3' so as to precisely isolate the gene encoding the NP protein from SIV H1N1 (Figure No. 8 and SEQ ID No. 14) in the form of an SalI-NotI fragment. After purification, the 1566 bp RT-PCR product was ligated e with the vector PCRII-direct (Invitrogen Reference K2000-01), to give the vector pPB127 (5519 bp).

The vector pPB127 was digested with SalI and NotI in order to liberate a 1560 bp SalI-NotI fragment containing the NP gene. This fragment was then ligated into the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and NotI, to give the plasmid pPB142 (6451 bp) (Figure No. 9).

Example 12: Construction of the plasmid pPB144 (porcine flu HA gene, H3N2 strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the porcine flu virus (strain SIV H3N2 C6tes du Nord 1987) genomic RNA, prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and w:th the following oligonucleotides: PB095 (31 mer) (SEQ ID No. 3' PB096 (36 mer) (SEQ ID No. 16) 3' 18 so as to precisely isolate the gene encoding the HA protein from SIV H3N2 (Figure No. 10 and SEQ ID No. 17) in the form of a PstI-NotI fragment. After purification, the 1765 bp RT-PCR product was ligated with the vector PCRII-direct (Invitrogen Reference K2000-01) to give the vector pPB120 (5716 bp).

The vector pPB120 was digested with NotI in order to liberate a 1797 bp NotI-NotI fragment containing the HA gene. This fragment was then ligated into the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with NotI, to give the plasmid pPB144 (6712 bp) containing the H3N2 HA gene in the correct orientation relative to the promoter (Figure No. 11).

Example 13: Construction of the plasmid pPB132 (porcine flu NP gene, H3N2 strain) An RT-PCR reaction according. to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the porcine flu virus (strain SIV H3N2 C6tes du Nord 1987) genomic RNA, prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB097 (36 mer) (SEQ ID No. 12) 3' PB098 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 13) 5'TTGCGGCCGCTGTAGAAACAAGGGTATTTTTCT 3' so as to precisely isolate the gene encoding the NP protein from SIV H3N2 (Figure No. 12 and SEQ ID No. 18) in the form of a SalI-NotI fragment. After purification, the 1564 bp RT-PCR product was ligated with the vector PCRII-direct (Invitrogen Reference K2000-01) in order to give the vector pPB123 (5485 bp).

The vector pPB123 was digested with SalI and NotI in order to liberate a SalI-NotI fragment of 1558 bp containing the NP gene. This fragment was then ligated into the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and NotI, to give the plasmid pPB132 (6449 bp) (Figure No. 13).

19 Example 14: Construction of the plasmid pAB025 (PRRSV gene, Lelystad strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the PRRSV virus (Lelystad strain) genomic RNA Meulenberg et al., Virology, 1993, 19, 62-72), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB055 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 19) 5' ACGCGTCGACAATATGAGATGTTCTCACAAATTG 3' AB056 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. CGCGGATCCCGTCTAGGCCTCCCATTGCTCAGC 3' so as to precisely isolate the "ORF5" gene encoding the envelope glycoprotein E (gp25) from the PRRS virus, Lelystad strain. After purification, the 630 bp RT-PCR product was digested with SalI and BamHI in order to isolate a 617 bp SalI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with Sail and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB025 20 (5486 bp) (Figure No. 14).

Example 15: Construction of the plasmid pAB001 (PRRSV gene, USA strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the PRRSV virus (ATCC VR2332 strain) genomic RNA Murtaugh et al., Arch Virol., 1995, 140, 1451-1460), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB001 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 21) AACTGCAGATGTTGGAGAAATGCTTGACCG 3' AB002 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 22) CGGGATCCCTAAGGACGACCCCATTGTTCC 3' so as to precisely isolate the gene encoding the envelope glycoprotein E("gp25") from the PRRS virus, ATCC-VR2332 strain. After purification, the 620 bp RT- PCR product was digested with PstI and BamHI in order to isolate a 606 bp PstI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously 20 digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB001 (5463 bp) (Figure No. Example 16: Construction of the plasmid pAB091 (PPRSV ORF3 gene, Lelystad strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the PRRSV virus (Lelystad strain) genomic RNA Meulenberg et al., Virology, 1993, 19, 62-72), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB170 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 23) AAACTGCAGCAATGGCTCATCAGTGTGCACGC 3' AB171 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 24) 5' CGCGGATCCTTATCGTGATGTACTGGGGAG 3' o so as to precisely isolate the "ORF3" gene encoding the envelope glycoprotein "gp45" from the PRRS virus, Lelystad strain. After purification, the 818 bp RT-PCR product was digested with PstI and BamHI in order to isolate an 802 bp PstI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB091 (5660 bp) (Figure No. 16).

25 Example 17: Construction of the plasmid pAB092 (PPRSV ORF3 gene, USA strain) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the PRRSV virus (ATCC-VR2332 strain) genomic RNA Murtaugh et al., Arch Virol., 1995, 140, 1451-1460), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AN172 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. AAACTGCAGCAATGGTTAATAGCTGTACATTC 3' AB173 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 26) CGCGGATCCCTATCGCCGTACGGCACTGAGGG 3' so as to precisely isolate the "ORF3" gene encoding the envelope glycoprotein "gp45" from the PRRS virus, ATCC- VR2332 strain. After purification, the 785 bp RT-PCR 21 product was digested with PstI and BamHI in order to isolate a 769 bp Pst-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB092 (5627 bp) (Figure No. 17).

Example 18: Construction of the plasmid pABOO4 (porcine parvovirus VP2 gene) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the porcine parvovirus (NADL2 strain) genomic RNA Vasudevacharya et al., Virology, 1990, 178, 611-616), prepared according to.the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB007 (33 mer) SEQ ID No. 27) 5' AAAACTGCAGAATGAGTGAAAATGTGGAACAAC 3' AB010 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 28) 5' CGCGGATCCCTAGTATAATTTTCTTGGTATAAG 3' so as to amplify a 1757 bp fragment containing the gene encoding the porcine parvovirus VP2 protein. After purification, the RT-PCR product was digested with PstI and BamHI to give a 1740 bp PstI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB004 (6601 bp) (Figure No. 18).

Example 19: Construction of the plasmid pAB069 (hog chlolera HCV El gene) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the hog cholera virus (HCV) (Alfort strain) genomic

RNA

Meyers et al., Virology, 1989, 171, 18-27), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB126 (36 mer) (SEQ ID No. 29) ACGCGTCGACATGAAACTAGAAAAAGCCCTGTTGGC 3' AB127 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. CGCGGATCCTCATAGCCGCCCTTGTGCCCCGGTC 3' 22 so as to isolate the sequence encoding the El protein from the HCV virus in the form of a 1363 bp RT-PCR fragement. After purification, this fragment was digested with SalI and BamHI to give a 1349 bo Sall- BamHI fragment.

This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB069 (6218 bp) (Figure No. 19).

Example 20: Construction of the plasmid pAB061 (hog cholera HCV E2 gene) An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique described in Example 6 was carried out with the hog cholera virus (HCV) (Alfort strain) genomic RNA Meyers et al., Virology, 1989, 171, 18-27), prepared according to the technique described in Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides: AB118 (36 mer) (SEQ ID No. 31) 5' ACGCGTCGACATGTCAACTACTGCGTTTCTCATTTG 3' AB119 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 32) 5' CGCGGATCCTCACTGTAGACCAGCAGCGAGCTG 3' g so as to isolate the sequence encoding the E2 protein from the HCV virus in the form of a 1246 bp RT-PCR fragment. After purification, this fragment was digested with SalI and BamHI to give a 1232 bp Sall- BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with Sail and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB061 (6101 bp) (Figure No. Example 21: Construction of the plasmid pBP162 (deleted Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxl gene) The AcCi:obacillus pleuropneumoniae apxl gene was cloned so as to delete the glycine-rich amino acid region (involved in the binding of the calcium ion) which is between amino acids 719 and 846.

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 1) genomic 23 DNA Frey et al., Infect. Immun., 1991, 59, 3026- 3032), prepared according to the technique described in Examples 2 and 3, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB174 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 33) TTGTCGACGTAAATAGCTAAGGAGACAACATG 3' PB189 (29 mer) (SEQ ID No. 34) TTGAATTCTTCTTCAACAGAATGTAATTC 3' so as to amplify the 5' part of the apxl gene encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin I protein, in the form of a SalI-EcoRI fragment. After purification, the 2193 bp PCR product was digested with SalI and EcoRI in order to isolate a 2183 bp SalI-EcoRI fragment (fragment A).

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 1) genonic DNA Frey et al., Infect. Immun., 1991, 59, 3026- 3032) and with the following oligonucleotides: BP190 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 5' TTGAATTCTATCGCTACAGTAAGGAGTACGG 3' PB175 (31 mer) (SEQ ID No. 36) 5' TTGGATCCGCTATTTATCATCTAAAAATAAC 3' so as to amplify the 3' part of the apxl gene encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin I 25 protein, in the form of an EcoRI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 576 bp PCR product was digested with EcoRI and BamHI in order to isolate a 566 bp EcoRI- BamHI fragment (fragment The fragments A and B were ligated together with the vector pVR1012 (Example 7), previously digested with Sail and BamHI, to give the plasmid pPB162 (7619 bp) (Figure No. 21).

Example 22: Construction of the plasmid pPB163 (deleted Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxII gene) The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxII gene was cloned so as to delete the glycine-rich amino acid region (involved in the binding of the calcium ion) which is between amino acids 716 and 813.

24 A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 9) genomic DNA Smits et al., Infection and Immunity, 1991, 59, 4497-4504), prepared according to the technique described in Examples 2 and 3, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB176 (31 mer) (SEQ ID No. 37) TTGTCGACGATCAATTATATAAAGGAGACTC 3' PB191 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 38) 5' TTGAATTCCTCTTCAACTGATTTGAGTGAG 3' so as to amplify the 5' part of the apxII gene encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin II protein, in the form of an SalI-EcoRI fragment. After purification, the 2190 bp PCR product was digested with SalI and EcoRI in order to isolate a 2180 bp SalI-EcoRI fragment (fragment A).

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 9) genomic DNA Smits et al., Infection and Immunity, 1991, 59, 20 4497-4504) and with the following oligonucleotides: PB192 (29 mer) (SEQ ID No. 39) TTGAATTCGTAAATCTTAAAGACCTCACC 3' PB177 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. TTGGATCCACCATAGGATTGCTATGATTTG 3' 25 so as to amplify the 3' part of the apxII gene encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin II protein, in the form of an EcoRI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 473 bp PCR product was digested with EcoRI and BamHI in order to isolate a 463 bp EcoRI- BamHI fragment (fragment B).

The fragments A and B were ligated together with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pPB163 (7513 bp) (Figure No. 22).

25 Example 23: Construction of the plasmids pPB174', pPB189 and pPB190 (deleted Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxIII gene) First example of deletion in AxIII (plasmid pPB174'): The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxIII gene was cloned so as to delete the glycine-rich amino acid region (involved in the binding of the calcium ion) which is between amino acids 733 and 860.

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No. X68815), prepared according to the technique described in Examples 2 and 3, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB278 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 41) 5' TTTGTCGACATGAGTACTTGGTCAAGCATG 3' PB279 (28 mer) (SEQ ID No. 42) 5' TTTATCGATTCTTCTACTGAATGTAATTC 3' 20 so as to amplify the 5' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin III protein) in the form of an SalI and Clal fragment.

After purification, the 2216 bp PCR product was digested with SalI and Clal in order to isolate a 2205 bp SalI- 25 Clal fragment (fragment A).

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No. X68815) and with the following oligonucleotides: PB280 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 43) TTTATCGATTTATGTTTATCGTTCCACTTCAGG 3' PB307 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 44) TTGGATCCTTAAGCTGCTCTAGCTAGGTTACC 3' so as to amplify the 3' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin III protein) in the form of a ClaI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 596 bp PCR product was digested with Clal and BamHI in order to isolate a 583 bp ClaI-BamHI fragment (fragment B).

26 The fragments A and B were ligated together with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with Sail and BamHI, to give the plasmid pPB174' (7658 bp) (Figure No. 23).

Second example of deletion in ApxIII (plasmid pPB189): The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxIII gene was cloned so as to delete the glycine-rich amino acid region (involved in the binding of the calcium ion) which is between amino acids 705 and 886.

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No. X68815), prepared according to the technique described in Examples 2 and 3, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB278 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 41) 5. 5' TTTGTCGACATGAGTACTTGGTCAAGCATG 3' PB303 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 20 5' TTTATCGATTTCTTCACGTTTACCAACAGCAG 3' so as to amplify the 5' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin III protein) in the form of a SalI-ClaI fragment. After purification, the 2133 bp PCR product was digested with SalI and Clal in order to isolate a 2122 bp SalI-ClaI .fragment (fragment A).

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No.

X68815) and with the following oligonucleotides: PB306 (31 mer) (SEQ ID No. 46) TTTATCGATTCTGATTTTTCCTTCGATCGTC 3' PB307 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 44) TTGGATCCTTAAGCTGCTCTAGCTAGGTTACC 3' so as to amplify the 3' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin III protein) in the form of a ClaI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 518 bp PCR product was digested with 27 ClaI and BamHI in order to isolate a 506 bp ClaI-BamHI fragment (fragment B).

The fragments A and B were ligated together with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pPB189 (7496 bp) (Figure No. 24).

Third example of deletion in ApxIII (plasmid pPB190): The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae apxIII gene was cloned so as to delete the glycine-rich amino acid region (involved in the binding of the calcium ion) which is between amino acids 718 and 876.

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No.

X68815), prepared according to the technique described in Examples 2 and 3, and with the following oligonucleotides: PB278 (30 mer) (SEQ ID No. 41) 20 5' TTTGTCGACATGAGTACTTGGTCAAGCATG 3' PB304 (33. mer) (SEQ ID No. 47) 5' TTTATCGATACCTGATTGCGTTAATTCATAATC 3' *so as to amplify the 5' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin 25 III protein) in the form of a SalI-ClaI fragment. After purification, the 2172 bp PCR product was digested with SalI and Clal in order to isolate a 2161 bp SalI-ClaI fragment (fragment A).

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serotype 8) genomic DNA Smits, 1992, Genbank sequence accession No.

X68815) and with the following oligonucleotides: PB305 (31 mer) (SEQ ID No. 48) TTTATCGATAAATCTAGTGATTTAGATAAAC 3' PB307 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 44) TTGGATCCTTAAGCTGCTCTAGCTAGGTTACC 3' so as to amplify the 3' part of the apxIII gene (encoding the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae haemolysin III protein) in the form of a ClaI-BamHI fragment. After 28 purification, the 548 bp PCR product was digested with Clal and BamHI in order to isolate a 536 bp ClaI-BamHI fragment (fragment B).

The fragments A and B were ligated together with the vector pVR1012 (Example previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pPB190 (7565 bp) (Figure No. Example 24: Preparation and purification of the plasmids For the preparation of the plasmids intended for the vaccination of animals, any technique may be used which makes it possible to obtain a suspension of purified plasmids predominantly in.the supercoiled form.

These techniques are well known to persons skilled in the art. There may be mentioned in particular the alkaline lysis technique followed by two successive ultracentrifugations on a caesium chloride gradient in the presence of ethidium bromide as described in J. Sambrook et al. (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1989). Reference -may also be made to patent applications PCT WO 85/21250 and PCT WO 96/02658 which describe methods for producing, on an industrial scale, plasmids which can be used for S. 25 vaccination. For the purposes of the manufacture of vaccines (see Example 17), the purified plasmids are resuspended so as to obtain solutions at a high concentration 2 mg/ml) which are compatible with storage. To do this the plasmids are resuspended either in ultrapure water or in TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl; 1 mM EDTA, pH Example 25: Manufacture of the associated vaccines The various plasmids necessary for the manufacture of an associated vaccine are mixed starting with their concentrated solutions (Example 16). The mixtures are prepared such that the final concentration of each plasmid corresponds to the effective dose of each plasmid. The solutions which can be used to adjust 29 the final concentration of the vaccine may be either a 0.9% NaCI solution, or PBS buffer.

Specific formulations such as liposomes, cationic lipids, may also be used for the manufacture of the vaccines.

Example 26: Vaccination of pigs The pigs are vaccinated with doses of 100 jg, 250 pg or 500 pg per plasmid.

The injections can be performed with a needle by the intramuscular route. In this case, the vaccinal doses are administered in a volume of 2 ml.

The injections can be performed by the intradermal route using a liquid jet injection apparatus (with no needle) delivering a dose of 0.2 ml at 5 points (0.04 ml per point of injection) (for example "PIGJET" apparatus). In this case, the vaccinal doses are administered in 0.2 or 0.4 ml volumes, which corresponds S'to one or two administrations respectively. When two oo 20 successive administrations are performed by means of the PIGJET apparatus, these administrations are spaced out ~so that the two injection zones are separated from each other by a distance of about 1 to 2 centimetres.

25 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and •"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (15)

1. Porcine vaccine formula in particular against porcine reproductive and/or respiratory pathology, comprising at least 3 polynucleotide vaccine valencies each comprising a plasmid integrating, so as to express in vivo in the host cells, a gene with one porcine pathogen valency, these valencies being selected from the groups consisting of Aujeszky's disease virus, swine flu virus, pig mysterious disease virus, parvovirosis virus, hog cholera virus and bacterium responsible for actinobacillosis, the plasmids comprising, for each valency, one or more of the genes selected from the group consisting of gB and gD for the Aujeszky's disease virus, HA, NP and N for the swine flu virus, E, ORF3, M for the mysterious disease virus, VP2 for the parvovirosis virus, El, E2 for the hog cholera virus and apxl, apxII and apxIII for actinobacillosis. 20

2. Vaccine formula according to Claim 1, which comprises at least the Aujeszky and porcine flu valencies.

3. Vaccine formula according to Claim 2, which comprises in addition at least one of the valencies 25 selected from mysterious disease and actinobacillosis.

4. Vaccine formula according to Claim 3, which comprises the hog cholera valency.

5. Vaccine formula according to Claim 2, which comprises in addition at least one valency selected from the mysterious disease, parvovirosis and hog cholera valencies group.

6. Vaccine formula according to Claim 1, which comprises the hog cholera virus HA and/or NP gene.

7. Vaccine formula according to Claim 1, which comprises the mysterious disease virus E and/or ORF3 gene.

8. Vaccine formula according to Claim 1 or 2, which comprises gB and gD from Aujeszky. 31

9. Vaccine formula according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, which is provided in the form of a dose volume of between 0.1 and 10 ml, preferably between 1 and 5 ml.

Vaccine formula according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, which is suited to intradermal administration by liquid jet, preferably by multiple jets, in a dose volume of between 0.1 and 0.9 ml, in particular between 0.2 and 0.6 ml, preferably between 0.4 and 0.5 ml.

11. Vaccine formula according to Claim 10, which comprises between 10 ng and 1 mg, preferably between 100 ng and 500 pg, still more preferably between 1 pg and 250 pg per plasmid type.

12. Use of a vaccine formula according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, for the manufacture of a vaccine intended to vaccinate pigs first vaccinated by means of a first vaccine selected from the group consisting of a live whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, this first vaccine having the antigen encoded by the polynucleotide :i 20 vaccine or an antigen providing cross-protection.

13. Vaccination kit grouping together a vaccine formula according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, and a S. vaccine selected from the group consisting of a live whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, this first vaccine having the antigen encoded by the polynucleotide vaccine or an antigen providing cross-protection, for an administration of the latter in first vaccination or as a booster with the vaccine formula.

14. Vaccine formula according to any one of Claims 1 to II, accompanied by a leaflet indicating that this formula can be used as a booster for a first vaccine selected from the group consisting of whole live vaccine, whole inactivated vaccine, subunit vaccine, recombinant vaccine, the latter vaccine having the antigen encoded by the polynucleotide vaccine or an antigen providing cross-protection. 32 A porcine vaccine comprising a plasmid containing a gene from the Aujeszky's disease virus, the gene being chosen among the group consisting of gB and gD. 16 The vaccine according to claim 15, wherein the plasmid contains both the gB and gD genes. 17 The vaccine according to claim 15, wherein the plasmid contains the gB gene. 18 The vaccine according to claim 15, wherein the plasmid contains the gD gene. 19 The vaccine according to claim 15, which comprises a plasmid containing the gB gene and a plasmid containing the gD gene.

15 20 A porcine vaccine comprising a plasmid containing a gene from the PRRS virus, the gene being selected from the group consisting of E, ORF3 and M. 21 The vaccine according to claim 20, wherein the plasmid contains the E gene. 22 The vaccine according to claim 20, wherein the plasmid contains the ORF3 gene. 23 The vaccine according to claim 20, wherein the plasmid contains the M gene. 24 The vaccine according to claim 20, which comprises a plasmid containing a PRRS gene and another plasmid containing another PRRS gene, these PRRS genes being selected from the group consisting of E, ORF3 and M. A porcine vaccine comprising a plasmid containing a gene from the conventional hog cholera virus, the gene being selected from the group consisting of El and E2. 26 The vaccine according to claim 25, wherein the plasmid contains the El gene. 33 27 The vaccine according to claim 25, wherein the plasmid contains the E2 gene. 28 The vaccine according to claim 25, wherein the plasmid contains both the El and E2 genes. 29 The vaccine according to claim 25, which comprises a plasmid containing the El gene and a plasmid containing the E2 gene. 30 Use of a plasmid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding VP2 from parvovirus to prepare a porcine vaccine efficent against porcine parvovirosis. 31 A vaccine comprising a plasmid containing a gene from A. pleuropneumoniae, the gene being selected from the group consisting of apxl, apxll and apxlll. 32 The vaccine according to claim 31, wherein the plasmid contains two or three of said genes. 33 The vaccine according to claim 31, which comprises two or three different plasmids each containing a gene from A. pleuropneumoniae. 34 The vaccine or use according to any one of claims 15 to 33, wherein the plasmid comprises a promoter chosen among the group consisting of CMV-IE promoter, SV40 early promoter, SV40 late promoter, Rous sarcoma virus LTR promoter, and 25 promoter a cytoskeleton gene. The vaccine or use according to claim 34, wherein the plasmid comprises a cytomegalovirus early CMV-IE promoter. 36 The vaccine formula according to any one of claims 1 to 11 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or examples. 34 37 The vaccine according to any one of claims 15 to 29 and 30 to 35 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or examples. DATED this 10 t h day of May 2001 Merial by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicants *o oo *o