Chimeric LT-II toxins as adjuvant-carrier molecules

One of the factors limiting the commercial development of mucosal vaccines is the availability of appropriate, safe and effective adjuvants, or delivery systems that promote the desired kinds of immune responses.

The present invention provides m ethods of inducing immune responses by recombinant antigen-enterotoxin chimeric mucosal immunogens that contain the A2/B subunits of cholera toxin or heat-labile type II toxins. Adjuvants based on these subunits (A2/B) are likely to be safe, because B subunits, themselves, are not toxic; the same will be true for chimeric Ag-A2/B mucosal immunogens. These chimeric immunogens differentially enhance antibody secretion, cytokine production, as well as B7-dependent co-stimulation of T cells and CD4 0L expression on CD4.sup.+ T cells. As a result, this technology may enable the development of mucosal vaccines that afford protection against pathogenic microorganisms which gain access through the mucosal surfaces.

Categories: Therapeutic and Vaccines

Type of Offer: Licensing



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