Recombinant protein bodies as immunogen-specific adjuvants

摘要

An immunogen-specific is adjuvant for a vaccine or inoculum is disclosed. The adjuvant is comprised of particulate recombinant protein body-like assemblies (RPBLAs) that contain a recombinant fusion protein that contains two portions peptide-linked together. A first portion is a protein body-inducing sequence (PBIS) and a second portion is a T-cell stimulating immunogenic polypeptide whose sequence is that of a pathogenic polypeptide sequence present in or induced by a vaccine or inoculum. The adjuvant, when used as an inoculum in a host animal without a prior priming vaccination or inoculation, does not induce production of antibodies or T cell activation to the pathogenic sequence.

主权项

1. A method for inducing a T-cell mediated immune response against an immunogenic peptide in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a vaccine comprising a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a recombinant fusion protein, said recombinant fusion protein comprising a protein body-inducing sequence (PBIS) and an immunogenic polypeptide, wherein the PBIS comprises a signal peptide sequence that directs the fusion protein towards the endoplasmic reticulum of the expressing cell and wherein the PBIS retains the fusion protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of the expressing cell.