USING HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS TO INCREASE IMMUNE RESPONSE

摘要

The present invention provides for a method of using heat shock proteins (HSPs) to amplify the immune response initiated by a vaccine. HSPs can be introduced into a subject before, concurrently, or after the administration of a vaccine. The HSPs can also be used to activate antigen presenting cells which are then introduced into a subject in conjunction with a vaccine. The HSPs used in the methods of the invention can be unbound or can be covalentl y or noncovalently bound to a peptide that is unrelated to the vaccine. The subject is preferably mammalian, and most preferably human. It is shown by w ay of example herein that HSPs induces secretion of cytokines and surface expression of antigen-presenting and co-stimulatory molecules. The invention also encompasses methods of treatment and prevention of cancer and infectiou s diseases in a subject.