WO2013017568A1

WO2013017568A1 - INFECTIOUS cDNA CLONE OF EUROPEAN PRRS VIRUS AND USES THEREOF

Info

Publication number: WO2013017568A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/064888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiane Fetzer; Andreas GALLEI
Original assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2012-07-30
Publication date: 2013-02-07
Also published as: EP2737058A1; WO2013017570A1; EP2737059A1; US9315781B2; US20140314808A1

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and relates to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone useful for studying Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and in the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS.

Description

Infectious cDNA clone of European PRRS virus and uses thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and relates to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone. The invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid sequence of the infectious genotype I PRRS virus clone to study Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and in the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a member of the virus family Arteriviridae and belongs, together with the Coronaviridae, to the virus order Nidovirales. PRRSV is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of about 15 kilobases comprising nine open reading frames (ORFs), namely ORF1a, ORFlab, ORF2a, ORF 2ab, and ORFs 3 through ORF7. ORFs 1a and 1ab encode large polyproteins that are processed into the viral nonstructural proteins (nsp) by auto- and transcieavages of viral proteases nspl , nsp2, and nsp4 (Snijder and Meulenberg, 1998).

PRRSV is considered one of the economically most important infectious agents in pigs causing late-term reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disease in growing pigs. Often, PRRSV infection is complicated by secondary bacterial infections being attributed to the immunosuppressive nature of the virus. Also, PRRSV viremia lasts for weeks, and virus then still can be detected in lymphoid organs for several months, demonstrating difficulties or failure of the host's immune response to clear the virus (Allende et al., 2000).

There are two distinct viral PRRSV genotypes causing similar clinical symptoms that diverge by about 40 % on nucleotide sequence level, genotype I (EU) and genotype II (US). The North American (US) prototype strain is VR-2332, while the European (EU) prototype strain is Lelystad virus.

A growing number of infectious cDNA clones of the PRRS virus are becoming available to the scientific community, most of which are based on the US type of the virus. For the EU type, however, only one clone is published and has been used for basic research studies whose sequence is derived from Lelystad virus isolated in 1991.

Thus, there is a strong need for new infectious cDNA clones of European (genotype I) PRRS virus, for a better understanding of PRRS, for reproducing said diesease in its different forms, for comparative tests, and as platform for the development of new vaccines, medications and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The solution to the above technical problem is achieved by the description and the embodiments characterized in the claims.

Thus, the invention in its different aspects and embodiments is implemented according to the claims.

In one aspect, the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a genotype I PRRS virus and which is capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 , or wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises or consists of a RNA copy of a nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. The nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is preferably a DNA molecule. Preferably, said nucleic acid molecule is an isolated nucleic acid molecule.

The term "cells" or "cell", as mentioned herein, is preferably directed to mammalian cells, in particular porcine or simian cells, such as MA- 104 cells or MARC- 45 cells or Vera cells, more preferably it is understood that the term "cells" or "cell" is directed to the host cells of PRRS virus, namely to porcine macrophages. Hence, a cell, as mentioned herein, is preferably selected from the group consisting of porcine cell, simian cell, MA-104 cell, MARC-145 cell, Vero cell and porcine macrophage.

The term "infectious virus" according to the invention is particularly understood as a PRRS virus which infects swine, causing the associated disease, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

Said infection of swine by the PRRS virus produced by the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention in particular includes attachment of the virus to a host cell, entry of the virus into the cell, disassembly of the virion, replication and transcription of the viral genome, expression of viral proteins and assembly and release of new infectious viral particles. Said infection of swine by the PRRS virus produced by the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention further preferably includes the transcription of the cDNA sequence to yield a functional RNA molecule, transfection of cultured cells, preferably porcine cell, simian cell, MA-104 cell, MARC-145 cell, Vero cell and porcine macrophage, with said RNA molecule, generation of infectious virions by viral replication in said cultured cells, isolation of such virions and infection of swine.

In particular, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a pathogenic genotype I PRRS virus or, respectively, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is capable of producing infectious pathogenic virus when transfected into cells.

More particular the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a genotype I PRRS virus which is able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine or, respectively, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said infectious virus is able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine.

In one particular embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a genotype I PRRS virus which is able to induce reproductive symptoms in pregnant sows or, respectively, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said infectious virus is able to induce reproductive symptoms in pregnant sows.

Particularly, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a genotype I PRRS virus which is able to induce respiratory symptoms in piglets or, respectively, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said infectous virus is able to induce respiratory symptoms in piglets. In the context of the PRRS virus as decribed herein, it is understood that the term "genotype I" is equivalent to the terms "genotype or "type 1 " or "European (EU)" as frequently used in the literature in the context of PRRSV.

In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 95%, preferably at least 96%, more preferably at least 97%, still more preferably at least 98%, and in particular preferably at least 99% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. Sequence identity in the context of the invention is understood as being based on pairwise determined similarity between nucleotide sequences. The determination of percent identity between two sequences is preferably accomplished using a mathematical algorithm, in particular the well-known Smith-Waterman algorithm (Smith and Waterman, M. S. (1981 ) J Mol Biol, 147(1 ):195-197). For purposes of the present invention, percent sequence identity of a nucleotide sequence is determined using the Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using a gap open penalty of 25 and a gap extension penalty of 5. The Smith- Waterman homology search algorithm is taught in Smith and Waterman (1981 ) Adv. Appl. Math 2:482-489, herein incorporated by reference. Such a determination of sequence identity can be performed using, for example, the DeCypher Hardware Accelerator from TimeLogic Version G, or the sequence identity is determined with the software CLC MAIN WORKBENCH 4.1.1 (CLC BIO).

In a further exemplary embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 with the 14 nucleotide exchanges depicted in the following Table A, namely nucleotide 181 is T instead of C, nucleotide 623 is C instead of A, nucleotide 1561 is C instead of T, and so forth.

Table A: Nucleotide

preferred embodiment (Sequence "EUX") of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention.

Thus, compared to the original viral sequence from the field isolate ("EUX"), SEQ ID NO;1 contains the 14 nucleotide exchanges depicted in the above Table A, namely nucleotide 181 is C instead of T, nucleotide 623 is A instead of C, nucleotide 1561 is T instead of C, and so forth.

In a further examplary embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 , wherein the nucleotide 1561 is C instead of T, nucleotide 2699 is T instead of G, nucleotide 4989 is A instead of T, nucleotide 10817 is T instead of G and nucleotide 14909 is C instead of G (c.f. LoN96 in the Examples).

In a particular preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a genotype I PRRS virus which is not able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine or, respectively, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said infectious virus is not able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine. As used herein, the term "is not able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory

Syndrome (PRRS)" in particular refers to a reduction of the clinical signs of PRRS or of signs associated with PRRSV infection, respectively, such as elevated body temperature and/or PRRSV viremia, in comparison with a wild type PRRS virus. In one aspect, the genotype I PRRS virus which is not able to induce PRRS induce in swine is thus a virus showing one or more reduced clinical signs, such as a reduced elevation of body temperature, when administered to swine, in comparison with a wild type PRRS virus administered to swine. The term "wild type PRRS virus", as mentioned herein, in particular relates to a wild type genotype I PRRS virus. The present invention further provides a DNA construct comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to the invention, wherein said DNA construct is in particular a DNA vector such as a plasmid. DNA vectors or plasmids into which the nucleotide molecule of the present invention can be inserted will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. The DNA construct, as described herein, is preferably an isolated DNA construct. As used herein, the term "comprising the nucleic acid molecule" or "comprising a DNA molecule", respectively, is in particular understood to be equivalent to the term "comprising the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule" or "comprising the sequence of a DNA molecule", respectivley.

Further, the present invention provides a RNA transcript of the DNA construct described herein, wherein said RNA transcript is preferably an isolated RNA transcript. The present invention also provides a cell transfected with the DNA construct described herein, wherein said cell is preferably an isolated cell.

Thus, the present invention also provides genotype I PRRS virus produced by the aforementioned cell, wherein said genotype I PRRS virus is preferably an isolated genotype I PRRS virus. Further, the present invention provides a cell transfected with the RNA transcript mentioned herein, wherein said cell is preferably an isolated cell.

Hence, the present invention also provides genotype I PRRS virus produced by the aforementioned cell, wherein said genotype I PRRS virus is preferably an isolated genotype I PRRS virus. The present invention further provides a genotype I PRRS virus whose genome comprises the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or whose genome comprises an RNA molecule encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, wherein said genotype I PRRS virus is preferably an isolated genotype I PRRS virus.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a genotype I PRRS virus, said method comprising transfecting a cell with the DNA construct described herein. Moreover, the present invention provides a method for producing a genotype I PRRS virus, said method comprising transfecting a celt with the RNA transcript mentioned herein.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a composition, said composition comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to the invention suspended in a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

Production of the nucleic acid molecules described herein is within the skill in the art and can be carried out according to recombinant techniques described, among other places, in Sambrook et al., 2001 , Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Ausubel, et al., 2003, Current Protocols In Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates & Wiley Interscience, NY; Innis et al. (eds), 1995, PGR Strategies, Academic Press, Inc., San Diego; and Erlich (ed), 1994, PGR Technology, Oxford University Press, New York, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In still another aspect, the invention further relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule according to the invention or of the DNA construct described herein for producing an attenuated genotype I PRRS virus, wherein one or more mutations are introduced into the nucleic acid molecule or into the DNA construct.

The invention also provides a method of producing an attenuated genotype I PRRS virus comprising the step of introducing one or more mutations into the nucleic acid molecule according to the invention or into the DNA construct described herein.

Preferably, the one or more mutations described herein are introduced into the nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID

NO:1.

The term "attenuated PRRS virus", as described herein, is in particular directed to a PRRS virus which is attenuated in vitro and/or in vivo, more particular in susceptible celt lines and/or the host.

The term "host", as used herein, is in particular directed to animals infectable with PRRS virus, in particular swine, more particular pigs, such as domestic pigs.

As mentioned herein, "attenuated" particularly relates to a reduced virulence of a pathogen, in particular of a wild type PRRS virus, wherein "virulence" is understood to be the degree of pathogenicity, and wherein "pathogenicity" is directed to the ability of the pathogen to produce clinical signs in the host or the offspring of the host, such as elevated body temperature or reproductive failure.

The term "wild type PRRS virus" or "wild type PRRSV", respectively, as used herein, is in particular directed to an infectious pathogenic PRRS virus, which is particularly capable of causing PRRS in swine. In one particular preferred embodiment, the term "wild type PRRS virus" is directed to a PRRS virus whose genome comprises a RNA sequence or consists of a RNA polynucleotide, wherein said RNA sequence or RNA polynucleotide is a RNA copy of SEQ ID NO:1.

The term "body temperature", as used herein, in particular refers to the approximate average normal, internal temperature of an animal, for example about 38.5-39°C in pigs, whereas the body temperature associated with a PRRSV infection may be elevated up to 41 °C in pigs.

Preferably, the one or more mutations, as described herein, comprise or consist of one or more point mutations and/or one or more genomic deletions and/or one or more insertions.

Also, the invention provides an attenuated genotype I PRRS virus whose genome comprises an RNA molecule encoded by a nucleic acid molecule according to the invention but wherein said nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 contains one or more mutations that attenuate the encoded PRRS virus, and wherein said attenuated genotype I PRRS virus is preferably an isolated attenuated genotype I PRRS virus.

The invention further provides the use of the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus described herein for the preparation of a medicament, in particular of a vaccine or vaccine composition, for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, such as by reducing the clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, e.g. reducing the elevated body temperature and/or PRRSV viremia.

The term "preventing" or "reducing", respectively, as used herein, means, but is not limited to, a process which includes the administration of a PRRSV antigen, namely of the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus described herein, to an animal, wherein said PRRSV antigen, when administered to said animal elicits or is able to elicit an immune response in said animal against PRRSV. Altogether, such treatment results in reduction of the clinical signs of PRRS or of signs associated with PRRSV infection, respectively. More specifically, the term "preventing, as used herein, means generally a process of prophylaxis in which an animal is exposed to the immunogenic composition of the present invention prior to the induction or onset of the disease process (PRRS).

Herein, "reducing the clinical signs of a PRRSV infection" means, but is not limited to, reducing the number of infected subjects in a group, reducing or eliminating the number of subjects exhibiting clinical signs of infection, or reducing the severity of any clinical signs that are present in the subjects, in comparison to wild-type infection. For example, it should refer to any reduction of pathogen load, pathogen shedding, reduction in pathogen transmission, or reduction of any clinical sign typical of PRRSV infection, in particular of elevated body temperature or reproductive failure. Preferably these clinical signs are reduced in subjects receiving the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus of the present invention by at least 10% in comparison to subjects not receiving the composition and may become infected. More preferably, clinical signs are reduced in subjects receiving the composition of the present invention by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30%, more preferably by at least 40%, and even more preferably by at least 50%. Also, the elevated body temperature usually associated with the administration of an attenuated PRRSV vaccine to an animal is reduced in subjects receiving the composition of the present invention by at least 10% in comparison to subjects receiving a conventional attenuated PRRSV vaccine. More preferably, the elevated body temperature usually associated with the administration of an attenuated PRRSV vaccine is reduced in subjects receiving the composition of the present invention by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30%, more preferably by at least 40%, and even more preferably by at least 50%.

The term "subject", as mentioned herein, in particular relates to an animal.

The term "animal", as mentioned herein, is in particular directed to swine, more particular to a pig, preferably a domestic pig. The term "reducing of PRRSV viremia" means, but is not limited to, the reduction of PRRS virus entering the bloodstream of an animal, wherein the viremia level, i.e. the number of PRRSV RNA copies per mL of blood serum or the number of plaque forming colonies per deciliter of blood serum, is reduced in the blood serum of subjects receiving the composition of the present invention by at least 50% in comparison to subjects not receiving the composition and may become infected. More preferably the viremia level is reduced in subjects receiving the composition of the present invention by at least 90%, preferably by at least 99.9%, more preferably by at least 99.99%, and even more preferably by at least 99.999%. Also, the invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus described herein suspended in a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

The one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, as mentioned herein, are preferably selected from the group consisting of solvents, dispersion media, adjuvants, stabilizing agents, diluents, preservatives, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents, and adsorption delaying agents.

In a preferred aspect, the immunogenic composition of the invention comprises an amount of 10¹ to 10⁷ viral particles of the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus described herein per dose, preferably 10³ to 10⁶ particles per dose, more preferably 10⁴ to 10⁶ particles per dose.

In another preferred aspect, the immunogenic composition of the invention comprises an amount of the PRRS virus according to the invention which is equivalent to a virus titre of at least about 10³ TCID₅₀/mL per dose, preferably between 10³ to 10⁵ TClD₅₀/mL per dose

As used herein, the term "vaccine composition" in particular refers to a composition that will elicit an protective immune response in an animal that has been exposed to the composition. An immune response may include induction of antibodies and/or induction of a T-cell response.

Usually, an "immune response" includes but is not limited to one or more of the following effects: the production or activation of antibodies, B cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, and/or cytotoxic T cells, directed specifically to an antigen or antigens included in the composition or vaccine of interest. Preferably, the host will display either a therapeutic or a protective immunological (memory) response such that resistance to new infection will be enhanced and/or the clinical severity of the disease reduced. Such protection will be demonstrated by either a reduction in number or severity of, or lack of one or more of the clinical signs associated with the infection of the pathogen, in the delay of onset of viremia, in a reduced viral persistence, in a reduction of the overall viral load and/or in a reduction of viral excretion.

Thus, an "immune response" in particular means but is not limited to the development in a subset of a cellular and/or antibody-mediated immune response to the composition or vaccine of interest.

Further, the invention relates to the vaccine composition of the invention for use in a method for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, such as by reducing the clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, e.g. reducing the elevated body temperature and/or PRRSV viremia.

Moreover, the invention provides a method for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, such as by reducing the clinical signs of a PRRSV infection, e.g. reducing the elevated body temperature and/or PRRSV viremia, wherein said method comprises the step of administering the vaccine of the invention to an animal in need thereof.

EXAMPLES a) Generation of cDNA from a PRRS Virus from a piglet's lung

In the work leading to the invention, the generation of the infectious clones was started from a virus strain (EUX) recovered from the lungs of a piglet. Total RNA was extracted from a piglet's lung sample containing a PRRSV virus from a natural field infection, using a standard commercial RNA extraction kit. The viral RNA was reverse transcribed using AMV reverse transcriptase and virus-specific primers. The resulting cDNA was amplified by PGR with a proof-reading DNA polymerase using virus-specific primers and PGR conditions adapted to the expected amplificate length and primers. The primers used for reverse transcription and PGR are depicted in table 1 . The resulting PGR products were each about 2 kB in length and contained overlaps with internal restriction sites that could be used for cloning, and additional restriction sites designed into the amplification primers that also formed part of the cloning strategy.

Table 1 : Primers, RT-PCR product sizes and restriction sites used during the construction of the full-length clone. primer name primer sequence PGR product cloned fragment

RT EU-1 a-4943-as ACCAGGAGCTCATGGGCCAGGC

PGR EU-la-221-s ACGTTCTCCCGGTGCATGTGC 231 -2162 Muni - EcoRI

CM-EU-2150as GCACTCGTCCAGAGACACAGAC

RT EU-1 a-4943-as ACCAGGAGCTCATGGGCCAGGC

PGR EU-1 a-1562-s ACTCAGTACAACAGACCAGAGG 1572 -3939 EcoRI - Sspl

C -EU-3940as TGCCAAGAATGACACATAAGAGGC

RT panPRRSV-1 b-as6 GTRCAAGGKGTSACAGTTTGCC

PGR EU-1 a-3526-s GTCCATCAGTCATCGCCTCATGAC 3527 - 5465 Sspl - Sphl

EU-1 a-5443-as AGTGTGCATGCGGTTGTAGGAG

RT CM-EU-7805as CATGACACTATAGGGCACAGTAG

PGR EU-1 a-5322-s ACACCGTGAATGTTGTAGGCTC 5323 - 6712 Sphl - Apal

EU-1 a-6689-as ACGTCACCTATGTCAAGGGACGG

RT CM-EU-7805as CATGACACTATAGGGCACAGTAG PGR EU-1 a-6137-s TCTCTGGCGTTCTACGCACTCGG 6148 -7679 Apal - Sail EU-1 a-7658-as CATGCCCTGGTTGAATGCCGG

RT EU-2-12233-3S GCAAGAATCCGCYTCCACTGC

PGR CM-EU-7560S CACGCTGTTGTGGCAAACTTAT 7559 - 9160 Sail - Nrul

CM-EU-9100as GGAATTCTGTACAGGCAGCAGACGCAT

RT EU-2-12233-as GCAAGAATCCGCVTCCACTGC

PGR CM-EU-9040S ATCGAAGCAGGGCGACAGCTAGTC 9055-11060 Nrul - Mlul

CM-EU-1 1 025as TGGTGCCTTTGACATCGCCAATGA

RT EU-6-14426-as ACTTTCWACGTGRTGGGCAGG

PGR EU-1b-10777-s GCGTGGCCTGATCGACTTGTCG 10777 - 12990 lul - Ndel

EU-4-12969-as AGAAACCAYGATATGTTGAGC

RT PLR TCGCCCTAATTGAATAGGTG PGR EU-2-11786-S ATGCAATGGGGTCACTGTGG 11787 - 15089 Ndel - Hpal

C -EU-15150as TAATTTCGGTCACATGGTTCTCGC

b) Cloning of initial DNA fragments, assembly of the full-length clone

Initial PGR products were cloned into the commercial plasmid pBluescript II SK+. The cloned fragments were then assembled into larger fragments by transferring insert sequences from one plasmid to another, using natural internal restriction sites of the cDNA sequence and also the external restriction sites introduced by the PGR amplification primers. No mutations were introduced into the genome for cloning, instead the natural sequence was maintained over the full length of the cDNA clone. c) Completion of the 5' and 3' ends and introduction of regulatory sequences

The 3' end of the cDNA was amplified by use of 3 -RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) technology. A commercial RACE kit was used for this purpose. To this end, the antisense primer used for reverse transcription-PCR introduced a restriction site to the very 3' end of the amplified virus-derived sequence, followed by a poly-T-stretch of 60 nucleotides length that was intended to bind to the poly-A-tail of the viral RNA. The resulting RT-PCR product was re-amplified by a nested PGR and cloned directly into the plasmid that contained the adjacent virus-derived cDNA sequence, yielding a full-length 3' end with a poy-A-tail of 60 residues and a unique restriction site behind this poly-A-tail that could later be utilized for plasmid linearization (for optimized in vitro transcription).

The 5' end of the viral RNA was reverse-transcribed and amplified for sequencing using the RACE technology. Knowing the viral nucleotide sequence, a 5' sense primer was designed that contained a unique restriction site (for cloning) followed by an SP6 promoter sequence, before the first nucleotide of the viral genomic sequence. The RT-PCR product obtained using this primer was then cloned into a plasmid that already contained a subfragment of the adjacent 5' sequence of the virus-derived cDNA, yielding a full-length authentic 5' end preceded by the SPG promoter, the technical prerequisite for in vitro transcription. d) In vitro testing of the first full-length clone 'LoN82'

The first full-length clone, named LoN82, was tested in cell culture (description of the technique: see below paragraph (f)). The plasmid was linearized and in vitro transcribed using SP6 polymerase. The resulting RNA was transfected into BHK-21 cells using a commercial RNA transfection kit. The supernatant of the transfected cells was transferred to Ma104 cells 24 hours after transfection, and Ma 104 were checked daily for the onset of a cytopathic effect (CPE). BHK-21 cells showed a weak staining signal with a PRRSV specific monoclonal antibody 24 hours after transfection, but no CPE was detected on Ma 104 cells even after one week of incubation under optimal conditions. Consequently, the full-length clone was non-infectious and analyses were undertaken to determine the reason for this failure. e) Repair of mutations in clone LoN82

In the work leading to the invention, starting from a virus strain (EUX) recovered from the lungs of a piglet, the majority of mutations that had been present in the original full-length clone had been successfully repaired and thereby obtaining a clone named LoN82 which contained only 4 amino acid exchanges in the coding region (and two mutations in the 5'- UTR. However, this clone was found to be non-viable upon transfection in cell culture.

The decision for repairing a selected subset of these mutations was based on the following assumptions:

1. The two mutations in the S'-UTR (positions 13 and 181 of the genome):

The 5 -UTR plays a crucial role for the viral replication complex since it contains vital signals for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase both for full-length and subgenomic RNA synthesis, and possibly other essential signals. The secondary structure of this region is thought to be important for signal recognition. A mutation that influences the structure of the 5 -UTR is likely to impair the functioning of the viral replication machinery. RNA structure predictions performed with the program mfold (Mathews et al., J. Mol. Biol. 288 (91 1-940, 1999) showed that the C transversion at position 13 may result in such a structural switch, whereas the U→C transition at position 181 does not.

2. The two mutations in the nsp2 protein (positions 1561 and 2254 of the genome):

The non-structural nsp2 protein is the largest protein of PRRSV with 1078 amino acid residues in the EU type, and shares only 32% homology with PRRSV-US. It induces antibodies during natural infection, seems to play a crucial role for viral replication and is thought to have species-specific functions. In the related Equine Arteritis Virus, the C- Terminus was shown to induce architectural changes to membrane compartments of infected cells. Although details remain obscure, it seems clear that the correct functioning of this protein is vital for viral replication.

LoN82 contains two mutations that result in nsp2 amino acid exchanges. Amino acid position 447 lies within the cysteine protease region, which is essential for the processing of the viral polyprotein. The residue itself is conserved in 10 known isolates. It was therefore decided to repair it. On the other hand, the mutation at amino acid position 678 is present in many isolates and lies within a highly variable region that may even be deleted from the genome (e.g. in subclones of the Porcilis PRRS vaccine). This mutation was considered harmless.

3. The mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (position 7797 of the genome):

The amino acid exchange in ORF1 b affects a conserved residue in 5 known isolates. The function of this region is unknown, however, it is far upstream of the essential SDD polymerase motif. Notably, a valine residue is replaced by an alanine, which is a conservative exchange since these two amino acids are often interchangeable. This mutation was therefore considered harmless.

4. The mutation in the ORF5 (position 13575 of the genome):

The mutation in this open reading frame results in an amino acid exchange at position -2 of the signal peptidase cleavage site. Theoretically, the exchange (F for L) should not impair the cleavage of the signal sequence by cellular signalases. However, the phenylalanine residue is conserved in 137 out of 142 known PRRSV-EU sequences, and there is some debate about the biological function of the GP5 signal sequence. It was therefore considered necessary to repair the mutation.

To repair these mutations, the following steps were performed:

a) sub-clone: exchange of the SP6 RNA polymerase promoter for the T7 RNA polymerase promoter and exchange of nucleotide C at position 13 to G by PCR- directed mutagenesis (in one step), resulting in L0N88

b) sub-clone: repair of position 7797 (exchange of T for C) by site-directed mutagenesis resulting in LoN89

c) sub-clone: exchange of nucleotide C at position 13575 for T by site-directed mutagenesis, resulting in L0N86 From these piasmids, a new full-length clone was generated with standard cloning procedures (LoN82+86=LoN90, LoN90+88=LoN93, LoN93+89=LoN94) which was named LoN94. In this clone, position 1561 was repaired from T to C using site-directed mutagenesis, resulting in LoN96.

The clones Lo 94 and LoN96 were se uenced, and the result is shown in table 2.

In both clones, the mutation at position 13 of the 5^* UTR, the A→V mutation in ORF1 b and the F→L mutation in ORF5 were repaired. In LoN96, the T→M mutation in ORF1 a was also repaired. Unfortunately, both clones had acquired second-site mutations: LoN94 an M— >T exchange in ORF7, and LoN96 an L→M exchange in ORF1a and a D→Y exchange in ORF1 b.

LoN94 M→T [ORF71: the methionine residue is conserved in 79 out of 82 strains published in Genbank. The other three strains contain valine (2 strains) or leucine. The residue lies at position 17 of the protein, a stretch which may be involved in RNA interaction.

Said mutation was repaired (also named as clone LoN94-13).

LoN96 L- >M fORFIal: the leucine residue is conserved in the 7 known strain sequences. It lies at amino acid position 131 of the nsp3 coding region, its function is unknown.

LoN96 D→Y rORFI bl: the asparagic acid residue is conserved in the 8 known strain sequences. It lies at position 58 of the CP3 protein, a protein of unknown function. This residue is outside of the "CVL domain", a stretch which is highly conserved between the arteriviruses.

Since it was impossible to predict the effect of either mutation on a clone's viability, virulence and immunogenicity, therefore both clones were tested in cell culture in order to get a first hint on viral fitness by assessing the growth characteristics.

f) Transaction of BHK-21 and infection of Ma 104 cells

After in vitro transcription, the in vitro transcribed RNA was purified using sephadex G50 columns, followed by phenol-chloroform extraction. Transfection of BHK-2 cells was carried out according to standard protocols. A plasmid encoding the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) served as a positive control since it allowed easy assessment of the transfection efficiency in BHK-21 by determination of the percentage of green cells after 24 hours. 24 hours after transfection, the complete BHK-21 supernatant was transferred to Ma 104 cells in 2 aliquots of 500 μΙ. Cells were incubated at 37°C and 5% C0₂ for 6 days. The cells were checked microscopically (assessment of cytopathic effect) and by immunofluorescence.

Transfection efficiency for the GFP encoding plasmid, as measured by the percentage of green cells, was 40 to 70 % in all experiments.

BHK-21 cells transfected with the in vitro transcribed RNA from clone LoN94 showed a strong green staining signal in - 1 % of the cells after 24 hours and resulted in a CPE of > 50% on Ma 104 cells after 6 days. The resulting virus was named BIC97200/94 (EUX/94).

BHK-21 cells transfected with the in vitro transcribed RNA from clone LoN96 showed a strong green staining signal in ~ 3% of the cells after 24 hours and resulted in a CPE of > 50% on Ma104 cells after 4 days. The resulting virus was named B1C97200/96 (EUX/96).

g) Growth curves of BIC97200/94 (EUX/94) and BIC97200/96 (EUX/96) on Ma104 cells

Virus material from different transfections was tested for its growth behaviour on Ma 104 cells. The following materials were used:

first passage of three different transfections of LoN96

> first passage of two different transfections of LoN94

second passage of one transfection of LoN94

> second passage of the original isolate EUX

Ma 104 cells were infected with these viruses at an m.o.i. of 0, 1. Samples were taken at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post infection (except 2. passage of LoN94: 0-72 h). All samples were titrated on Ma104 cells at the same time and were incubated for 6 days. An immunofluorescence assay was carried out.

The growth curves for all transfections with the infectious clones LoN94 (EUX/94) and LoN96 (EUX/96) were highly similar to the growth curve of the wild type virus EUX. There was no indication of growth retardation for either clone-derived virus.

For this reason virus from both clones was amplified in cell culture for a feasibility study in sows. The samples were grown in 75 ccm flasks (first passage after transfection).

EUX 94 K1A1 flask 1 : 10⁵'⁷⁵

flask 2: 10⁵'⁷⁵ EUX/96 K3A flask 1 : 10⁶·³⁶

_{1 0}5,25

flask 2:

K5A flask 1 : 10⁵·²⁵

K5G flask 1 : _{1 0}A98 05,25

flask 2:

The virus EUX/94 was chosen for an animal study due to its higher and more consistent titres.

h) Animal studies

Two groups of six (6) PRRSV-negative pregnant gilts were included in the study. Pregnant gilts were at their 90th (± 3) day of gestation at the time of inoculation. Animals were treated intramuscularly with 1x10⁵ TCID50 / 2ml of the infectious clone (positive control) or with physiological saline (negative control), respectively. Clinical observation, rectal temperature, reproductive performances, and viremia were investigated in the gilts. Transplacental infection rate, weight gain, and survival rate up to weaning at 21 days of age were investigated in piglets. All dead animals were necropsied and tissue samples were collected

After inoculation, no increase in rectal temperature above one degree Celsius was observed in any of the groups during the two weeks following the inoculation.

At farrowing, the percentage of live born piglets was 88.75 % in the positive control group. Dead piglets at birth in the positive control group reached 11.25 % when compared to 3.75 % in the negative control group. At weaning, the survival rate was higher in the negative control group (88.31 %) than in the positive control group (69,01 %).

Four sows from the positive control group were still viraemic at the time of farrowing. By weaning, all gilts turned negative. In all litters from the positive control group at least one piglet was tested viraemic at birth. The mean transplacental infection rate was comprised 64.94 % in the positive control group. All litters had viraemic piglets at the time of weaning.

The weight gain over the suckling period in the negative control group and the positive control group were 4, 14 kg and 3,51 kg, respectively.

Gilts from the negative control group remained PRRSV negative throughout the study confirming that no break of biosecurity o ecu red during the study. Following inoculation with the parental infectious clone, gilts from the positive control group did not show any increase in rectal body temperature. Reproductive performances (88.75 % of born alive piglets) were not as severely impaired as usual after challenge of pregnant gilts with virulent EU PRRSV strains (1- Spanish isolate; 43 %, 2- Lelystad virus: 76 % and 3- Italian-like cluster: 56.6 %). Over the suckling period, the survival rate in the positive control group (69.01 %) was lower than in the negative control group (88.31 %). However, the survival rate at weaning was higher than in other clinical studies (1- Spanish isolate: 20 %, 2- Lelystad virus: 36 % and 3- Italian-like cluster: 23.3 %). In this study in contrast to what was observed in the past, virus derived from the full-length infectious clone demonstrated a low to mild virulence.

It was further shown that the infectious clone may also induce mild respiratory symptoms in piglets.

In the following, the use of the infectious clone (LoN94-13, the resulting virus (EUX/94) is also named virus/strain LoN94-13, hereinafter) for producing an attenuated PRRS virus confering significant protection from signs of PRRS disease by the introduction of mutations is examplarily described.

In these examples five viable, genetically designed PRRSV mutant strains are described which are based on the infectious EU PRRSV cDNA clone LoN94-13. These strains, delta nspl IX-10, delta nspl XVII-1 , delta nspl XVIII-12, delta nspl XIX-2 and delta nspl XX-9 (henceforth refered to as vaccine candidates), harbor genomic deletions of two, three, four, five, or six codons in their predicted nspl genes, respectively, resulting in deletions of two (motif P21 R22), three (motif R20P21 R22), four (motif G19R20P21 22), five (motif N18G19R20P21 R22), or six (motif (P17N18G19R20P21 R22) amino acids in their predicted ηερΐ β proteins, respectively (Figure 1).

Based on sequence alignments of parental strain LoN94~13 with PRRSV US and EU reference strains VR-2332 and Lelystad virus as well as with strain GD-XH, the deletions are located in the predicted ηερΐβ portion of nsp (Figure 2). In more detail, the deletion site for all vaccine candidates is located in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of nsplp and overlaps with aminoacids P23R24 of GD-XH nspl β; (Figure 2).

After transfection of synthetic transcripts of the vaccine candidates into BHK21 cells and transfer of cell culture supernatant from transfected BHK21 cells onto PRRSV-susceptible MA104 cells, plaque formation typical for PRRSV infection occurred (data not shown). PRRSV-specificity and viability for each of the vaccine strains then was demonstrated by subsequent cell culture passages on MA104 cells and PRRSV-specific immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies); data not shown.

After endpoint dilution and generation of virus stocks each derived from material of a single virus plaque, virus titers of the obtained virus stocks were determined for each vaccine candidate by serial virus titrations on 96-well plates containing MA104 cells followed by PRRSV-specific immunofluorescence analyses six to seven days post infection. Unlike experience with titrations of virus stocks from parental PRRSV LoN94-13 (data not shown), the first serial dilutions of vaccine candidates delta nspl XVII-1 and delta nspl XVHI-12 did not demonstrate a cytopathic effect and virus plaque formation, while at higher dilutions of the virus stocks a cytopathic effect was detectable. Moreover, when respective titrations were investigated by immunofluorescence, cell culture wells of the first serial dilutions were negative for PRRSV infection for both vaccine candidates, while wells infected with higher dilutions of the virus stocks showed PRRSV-specific immunofluorescence, respectively (Figure 3).

To determine whether the prepared vaccine candidate virus stocks contained type I IFN, a commercial ELISA specific for human IFNp (Invitrogen) was used. MA104 cells are epithelial Green Monkey kidney cells. According to the ELISA manufacturer, this Invitrogen ELISA is also suited for the detection of primate IFN other than human. For each vaccine candidate's virus stock, 100μΙ served as assay input, while a virus stock from parental strain LoN94-13, cell culture medium, and medium from noninfected cells served as controls. For quantification of the obtained results, a calibration curve was included using a positive control of the ELISA manufacturer. All samples were measured in duplicates. Unlike the negative controls, virus stocks of the vaccine candidates contained considerable levels of type I IFN, while the virus stock of the parental virus showed IFN levels as low as the negative controls (Figure 4).

To confirm the results obtained and to assess kinetics of type I IFN production in cells infected with the vaccine candidates, a time course experiment was performed using MA104 cells infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.001 , respectively. Parental strain LoN94- 13 served as negative control. While there were only very little and unaltered levels of type I IFN near background detectable for infection with parental strain LoN94-13, vaccine candidates delta nspl XVII-1 and delta nspl XVIII-12 induced considerable and increasing amounts of up to about 18 I.U. ΙΡΝβ per 25 μΙ sample volume from two days post infection on (Figure 5). It was experimentally assessed whether vaccine candidates containing genomic deletions in nspl demonstrate an increased sensitivity to type I IFN (Figure 6). 5x10⁵ MA104 cells were seeded into a well of a six-well plate and were either not infected (n.inf.) or infected with 800 infectious virus particles of one of the virus strains given on top, repectively. Cells then were either inoculated with 120 I.U. human IFNp (+IFNp, bottom row), respectively, or not (-IFN , top row). Three days post infection, immunofluorescence analysis specific for the PRRSV capsid protein was performed using monoclonal antibody SDOW17 (Rural Technologies). The total numbers of foci of PRRSV-infected cells per well are given below, respectively.

This experiment demonstrated that inoculation with type I IFN reduced the number of PRRSV infection events in cells after inoculation with a defined number of infectious virus particles, reflecting reduced viral infectivity of PRRSV when IFN was added. This reduction was 80-fold for wild type virus LoN94-13 (Figure 6). In addition, for infection with wild type virus, foci of infected cells were smaller than in the well not inoculated with IFN (Figure 6). However, for vaccine strains delta nspl XVI 1-1 and delta nspl XVIII-12, viral infectivity was reduced to zero when INF was added (Figure 6).

Thus, these vaccine candidates not only induce production of type I IFN in infected cells (Figures 4 and 5), but also demonstrate increased sensitivity to type I INF when compared to wild type PRRSV (Figure 6). This is reflected by their dramatically reduced viral infectivity when IFNp is present. Interestingly, the cells infected for the time course experiment summarized in Figure 5 not only produced considerable amounts of IFNp, but at the end of the experiment at six days post infection, cells infected with vaccine candidates delta nspl XVI 1-1 and delta nspl XVIII- 12 showed signs of recovery from usually lytical PRRSV infection. While cells infected with parental strain LoN94-13 were fully lysed, cells infected with the vaccine candidates grew in a partially (delta nspl XVIII-12) or completely intact monolayer (delta nspl XVII-1 ). For the latter, only weak signs of a PRRSV-induced cytopathic effect were still detectable. Thus, the interferon production of infected cells together with the observed sensitivity of vaccine candidates to type I IFN correlated with partial or almost complete recovery of infected cells over time. It is reasonable to expect that type I IFN induction by the vaccine candidates together with their increased sensitivity to type I IFN will contribute to a significantly attenuated viral phenotype in the natural host. In particular, expected features of the vaccine candidates' attenuation in pigs include stimulation of the innate and specific immunity, both humoral and cellular, and less shedding and/or shortened viremia of the vaccine viruses. To assess whether the PRRSV vaccine candidates are attenuated in the host, an animal experiment in piglets was performed as described in the following.

Three groups, each of ten animals, were infected at study day 0 either with wild-type parental EU PRRSV strain Lon94-13 (WT group), or with delta nspl XVIII-12 (nspl group), or were not infected (Ch control group). Infection was applied by intramuscular injection to the neck at dosages of 10⁶·⁵⁶ TCID₅₀ for LoN94-13 or 10⁶⁶ TCID₅₀for delta nspl XVIII-12, respectively. 21 days post vaccination, all animals were challenged with a virulent EU PRRSV strain being heterologous to LoN94-13 by intramuscular injection and intranasel inoculation at a total dosage of 3x10^6,52 TCID₅₀. Animals were kept until the end of the experiment at day 31 , ten days after challenge, and body temperatures were measured for all animals at days 0 (1 and 4 hours post vacciantion), 1 , 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 31.

Mean body temperatures were determined for each animal for the time after vaccination but before challenge using measured body temperature data from all timepoints from day 0 through day 20. Subsequently, mean body temperatures were determined for each group (Figure 7, blue (left-hand) columns). Error bars indicate standard deviations, respectively.

Following the same procedure, mean body temperatures and standard deviations were determined for all groups for the time after challenge using measured body temperature data from all timepoints from day 22 through 31 (Figure 7, brown (right-hand) columns).

Significant(ly) in the context of the following means either (i) p-values of 0.05 or lower as determined by the Dunnett test and obtained from comparing the nspl group with either the WT or the Ch control group for either of the two time periods investigated (before and after challenge) or (ii) p-values of 0.05 or lower when comparing the mean temperature change within a group and between the two time periods investigated (before and after challenge).

When comparing the determined mean body temperatures for the time after vaccination but before challenge (blue columns) in between the three groups, animals from the WT group demonstrated a rise in body temperature of more than 0.4 °C when compared to animals from the non infected Ch control group, thus demonstrating virulence of LoN94-13 in the infected host.

In contrast, the nspl group showed a significant reduction in mean body temperature of more than 0.2 °C when compared to the WT group. Thus, since vaccination dosages were the same for the WT and the nsp group, the considerable reduction in increase of body temperature compared to WT demonstrates that the described mutation in the genome of delta nspl XVIII-12 has significantly reduced virulence of the WT parental strain LoN94-13 in the infected animal.

The significant rise in the mean body temperature of the Ch control group from before challenge to after challenge of 0.4°C demonstrates virulence of the heterologous EU PRRSV challenge strain. The mean temperature of the WT group after challenge was slightly lower than before challenge, but not significantly reduced (Figure 7). In contrast, the mean body temperature of the nspl group after challenge was significantly reduced by almost 0.2 °C when compared to that before challenge. Moreover, the body temperature of the nspl group after challenge was significantly reduced by almost 0.4 °C when compared to the Ch control group after challenge. Also, mean body temperature of the nspl group after challenge was significantly lower that that of the WT group after challenge by more than 0.2°C. Taken together, this demonstrates that a measurable and significant degree of protection from signs of disease induced by the applied challenge virus was conferred to pigs by vaccination with delta nspl XVIII-12. Since parental PRRSV strain LoN94-13 did not confer significant protection, it is evident that the described mutation in the genome of delta nspl XVIII-12 is causative for the observed significant protective technical effect.

Analogous experiments, wherein the vaccination was performed with lower amounts (10⁵ TCID₅₀) of delta nspl XVIII-12 showed results similar to the above described results (data not shown). Thus, in practice, a preferred amount of 10³ to 10⁵ TCID₅₀ is sufficient for vaccination.

Taken together, the invention described also represents the first known viable PRRSV (EU) strains that contain mutations (deletions) in the nspl gene (ηερΐ ) that induce type I IFN (IFNp) production in susceptible cells (MA104) and that show increased sensitivity to type I IFN (IFN ). Moreover, the animal data demonstrates that (i) vaccine candidate delta nspl XVIII-12 is significantly attenuated in the host when compared to its parental PRRSV strain LoN94-13 and that (ii) vaccine candidate delta nspl XVIII-12 confers significant protection from signs of disease induced by challenge with a heterologous PRRSV strain while parental strain LoN94-13 does not. Thus, the described vaccine candidates or the described mutations therein, either alone or combined with other attenuating mutations, may serve as promising life attenuated PRRSV vaccines. LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 : Sequence alignment of η8ρ1 β protein sequences from parental EU PRRSV strain LoN94-13 and from vaccine candidates.

Figure 2: Sequence alignment of ηερΐ β proteins from PRRSV strains. Figure 3: PRRSV-specific immunofluorescence of virus stock titrations. (A) delta nspl XVII-1 ; (B) delta nspl XVIII-12.

Black, negative fluorescence; grey, few positive cells; light green, foci of positive cells; dark green, complete cell monolayer positive.

Figure 4: Virus stocks of vaccine candidates contain IFNp. Figure 5: Time course of ΙΡΝβ induction after infection of MA104 cells.

Figure 6: delta nspl mutants show increased sensitivity to type I IFN.

Figure 7: Mean body temperatures of vaccinated groups before and after challenge.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid molecule which encodes a genotype I PRRS virus and which is

capable of producing infectious virus when transfected into cells, wherein said molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 ,

2. The nucleic acid moiecule of claim 1 , wherein said virus is pathogenic and/or wherein said virus is able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine.

3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 or 2, wherein said virus is able to induce

reproductive symptoms in pregnant sows and/or respiratory symptoms in piglets.

4. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said molecule

comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 95 %, preferably at least 96%, more preferably at least 97%, still more preferably at least 98%, and in particular preferably at least 99% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

5. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said molecule

comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

6. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 or 4, wherein said virus is not able to induce Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine.

7. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said molecule is a DNA molecule.

8. A DNA construct comprising a DNA molecule according to claim 7.

9. An RNA transcript of the DNA construct of claim 8.

10. A cell transfected with the DNA construct of claim 8.

11. A cell transfected with the RNA transcript of claim 9.

12. A genotype I PRRS virus produced by the cell of claim 10.

13. A genotype I PRRS virus produced by the cell of claim 11.

14. A genotype I PRRS virus whose genome comprises a nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or whose genome comprises an RNA molecule encoded by a nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

15. A method for producing a genotype I PRRS virus comprising transfecting a cell with the DNA construct of claim 8.

16. A method for producing a genotype I PRRS virus comprising transfecting a host cell with the RNA transcript of claim 9.

17. A composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 6

suspended in a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

18. Use of the nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 5 or of the DNA construct of claim 8 for producing an attenuated genotype I PRRS virus, wherein one or more mutations are introduced into the nucleic acid molecule or into the DNA construct.

19. Method of producing an attenuated genotype I PRRS virus comprising the step of introducing one or more mutations into the nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 5 or into the DNA construct of claim 8.

20. An attenuated genotype I PRRS virus whose genome comprises an RNA molecule encoded by a nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 5 but wherein said nucleic acid sequence having at least 94% sequence identity with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 contains one or more mutations that attenuate the encoded PRRS virus.

21. Use of the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus of claim 20 for the preparation of a

medicament for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection.

22. A vaccine composition comprising the attenuated genotype I PRRS virus of claim 20 suspended in a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

23. The vaccine composition of claim 22 for use in a method for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection.

24. Method for preventing an animal from clinical signs of a PRRSV infection comprising the step of administering the vaccine composition of claim 23 to an animal in need thereof.