Use of allogenic or syngenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as universal adjuvants for vaccines against neoplastic disease, infection and autoimmune disease

摘要

The present invention is directed to the discovery that allogenic or syngenic adjuvant stimulation can cause local inflammation which increases the antigen presentation capability of cells in the vicinity of adjuvant stimulation. By discovering this phenomenon, the present invention provides a novel method for augmenting the immunogencity of an antigen by conjointly administering an allogenic or syngenic MHC molecule (as a universal adjuvant) to trigger a local inflammatory reaction to enhance antigen presentation at the site of delivery.

主权项

1. A method for augmenting an immune response to a malaria-specific antigen in a mammal comprising conjointly administering to the mammal: (i) the malaria-specific antigen in a first amount, and (ii) an a vector or a cell encoding allogenic MHC molecule in a second amount; the first and second amounts being effective in combination to augment the immune response mounted against the antigen by the mammal as compared to the immune response that the mammal could have mounted upon the administration of the first amount of the antigen without the conjoint administration of the vector or cell encoding the MHC molecule, wherein said MHC molecule induces an allo-reactive T cell response.