TARGETED CYTOSOLIC DELIVERY OF ANTIGENIC COMPOUNDS

摘要

The invention relates to engineered anthrax toxin compositions that can target antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Specifically, the compositions comprise (a) a native-receptor-ablated anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) fused to a receptor-binding moiety specific for a target receptor on a dendritic cell and (b) a lethal factor (LF) or a fragment thereof fused to an active moiety comprising at least one repeat of a disease-specific antigen. The invention also relates to methods of using these compositions for targeted delivery to dendritic cells, methods of enhancing CTL activation, and methods of inducing an immune response to cancers, bacteria, and/or viruses.