Novel, non-invasive vaccine strategy to elicit both systemic and mucosal immunity in typically poorly inductive sites

The invention describes methods of eliciting immune responses and treating disease based on novel vaccine compositions and vaccination strategies employing human papilloma virus (HPV) virus-like particles (VLPs), comprising L1 and L2 proteins.  These VLPs have the capacity to incorporate up to 8 kb of DNA into the shell and express only the target antigen.  These compositions are effective at eliciting an immune response to the transgene product expressed by the DNA when administered at epithelial surfaces including the mucosa (e.g. nasal or respiratory passages or genital tract) or skin in conjunction with disruption of the epithelial layer.  It is typically difficult to elicit an immune response in the genital tract, so this technology overcomes a previous deficiency.  Robust B and T cell responses were elicited in mice using the subject technology with representative DNA expressing M/M2 from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  This technology could be used in a prime-boost vaccination regimen as well to enhance the immune response.

 

Applications:

Vaccines against a number of pathogens, including HPV, HIV, HSV, HCV, and RSV.

 

Advantages:

•    Novel, non-invasive vaccine strategy to elicit both systemic and mucosal immunity in typically poorly inductive sites

•    Packaging system that can accommodate up to 8 kb of DNA

•    No expression of viral genes

•    Potential for multivalent vaccine development against heterologous pathogens

 

Development Status:

Animal (mouse) data available.

 

Publications:

1.     Meeting abstract from the Keystone Symposium on Viral Immunity 2008 can be provided upon request.

2.     CB Buck, DV Pastrana, DR Lowy, JT Schiller. Efficient intracellular assembly of papillomaviral  vectors. J. Virol. 2004 Jan;78(2):751-757.  [PubMed abs]

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/022,324 filed 19 Jan 2008 (HHS Reference No. E-077-2008/0-US-01)

 

Inventors:

Barney S. Graham et al. (NIAID) and John T. Schiller et al. (NCI)

 Licensees Sought:
Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:

The NIAID/OTD is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize HPV Virus-Like Particles for Delivery of Gene-Based Vaccines.  Please contact either Cecelia Pazman or Barry Buchbinder at +1 301 496 2644 for more information.