The present invention provides, among other things, modified recombinant HA polypeptides with broadened immunogenic profile that extends coverage to antigenically distinct influenza strains and methods of making and using the same.

The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions using a polypeptide comprising at least one CXXC motif, such as Giardia parasite's variable surface proteins (VSP) or a fragment thereof to raise by oral or mucosal vaccination an immune response against a heterologous selected antigen, such as tumor antigen, microbial antigen or other antigen.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) of mammalian-hosted viruses, such as SARS-CoV and influenza viruses, have been recombinantly produced from Vero cells. The VLPs closely emulate the exterior of authentic virus particles and are highly immunogenic. They can elicit not only humoral but also cellular immune responses in a mammal. Compositions and methods related to the VLPs are also described.

This disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions and methods of enhancing an immune response to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to virus-like carries comprising a TLR5 agonist on the exterior without an antigen.

Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations. More specifically, this invention relates to the design and production of functional homotypic and heterotypic recombinant influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) comprised of recombinant structural proteins of human influenza virus type A/Sydney/5/94 (H3N2) and/or avian influenza virus type A/Hong Kong/1073/99 (H9N2) in baculovirus-infected insect cells and their application as a vaccine in the prevention of influenza infections and as a laboratory reagent for virus structural studies and clinical diagnostics.

The present invention includes a live attenuated virus and methods of making the same comprising an isolated virus comprising a viral genome that expresses one or more viral antigens; and one or more exogenous species-specific microRNAs inserted into the viral genome and expressed thereby, wherein the species-specific microRNAs are ubiquitously expressed in a viral target species cell but not in a viral propagation cell.

Disclosed herein are synthetic oligoribonucleotides that form hairpin loop structures. The oligoribonucleotides can be used in the treatment of viral infection including prophylactic treatments. The oligoribonucleotides can also be used as adjuvants.

This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

The present disclosure is directed to oral vaccine dosage forms and processes for producing the oral vaccine dosage forms. The dosage forms include lipid-based vesicles (e.g., virosomes, liposomes) harboring an immunogenic amount of at least one vaccinal target molecule, with or without adjuvant. Specifically, Applicants discovered a combination of the composition of the liquid virosome concentrates, the composition of the base matrix for the solid dosage form formulation (excluding the virosome concentrate), and the manufacturing conditions for the dosage forms that can produce a freeze dried sublingual dosage form having physical robustness, particle and antigen integrity and stability.

Provided herein are non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive, pan-epitopic antigens derived from H3 influenza virus that are immunogenic and are capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, such as a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, against H3 vims following introduction into a subject. Also provided are non-naturally, broadly reactive occurring immunogens, vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) and compositions comprising the immunogens and vaccines. Methods of generating an immune response in a subject by administering the immunogens, vaccines, VLPs, or compositions thereof are provided. In particular, the immunogens comprise the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of H3 influenza vims strains.