INDUCING CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSES

摘要

The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing MHC class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in a mammalian host by immunization with non-replicating protein antigens. The compositions of the invention comprise a particulate-protein complex capable of inducing a class I-restricted CTL response to a protein antigen in a mammal, in which the particulate protein complex comprises a particulate component having an average diameter ranging in size from about .5νm to about 6νm, linked to a non-replicating protein antigen derived from a tumor cell or from pathogenic organism where CTL response is likely to play an important role in conferring protective immunity in a mammal, with the proviso that the particulate component is not a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, or a micellar, multimicellar, or liposome vesicle composed of detergents or lipids. The non-replicating protein antigen is attached to the particle component through a covalent or non-covalent association to form particulate protein antigen complexes and the complexes are administered to a mammalian host in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, in a CTL-stimulatory amount. The invention also provides non-replicating vaccines and methods of vaccinating a mammalian host against pathogenic diseases or tumors for CTL immunity.