The invention relates to immunogenic peptides comprising T-cell epitopes and oxidoreductase motifs with increased activity, and their use in regulating the immune response in subjects.

This disclosure provides cell surface anchoring antigen conjugates, formulations comprising cell surface anchoring antigen conjugates, and methods of using the same for treating cancer.

Mutated and/or truncated malarial circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) and associated nucleic acids that are more stable and highly expressed in mammalian cells are described. The mutated and/or truncated CSP and associated nucleic acids can be expressed to produce malaria vaccine antigens.

The invention relates to the design of rationally engineered Carrier Proteins (reCaPs) geared towards producing Multifunctional Chimeric recombinant Fusion Proteins (MCFPs) useful as vaccine candidates. The key components of the MCFPs are (i) genetically engineered carrier proteins; (ii) polypeptide antigens; (iii) linker peptides, optionally fused to heterologous T-cell epitopes; (iv) Dual Function Peptides (DFP) which can act as a purification aids as well having the non-covalent affinity to bind to an adjuvant. The present invention also relates to recombinantly expressed Self-Assembling Adjuvanted Nanoparticles (SAANPs), comprising reCaPs fused with various polypeptide and protein antigens, useful as vaccine candidates. The present invention also provides novel ‘integrated Multiple Conjugate Antigen displayed Adjuvanted Systems’ [iMCAAS], comprising rationally engineered Carrier Proteins, based on ‘Self Assembling Adjuvanted Nanoparticles’ [SAANPs]. These adjuvanted nanoparticles, eventually provide stronger antigen-antibody interactions compared to the low affinity interactions provided by the monovalent binding generated by single antigen immunogens.

In an aspect, the invention provides therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers that address challenges associated with conventional administration of free therapeutic peptides. In an embodiment, for example, the invention provides brush polymers incorporating one or more therapeutic peptides as side chain moieties. Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers and brush block copolymers. In an embodiment, brush polymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of making and using therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers.

The present invention is in the field of pneumococcal capsular saccharide conjugate vaccines. Specifically, an immunogenic composition for infants is provided comprising a multivalent Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine comprising 2 or more capsular saccharide conjugates from different serotypes, wherein the composition comprises a serotype 22F saccharide conjugate. Such a vaccine may be used in infant populations to reduce the incidence of elderly pneumococcal disease such as exacerbations of COPD and/or IPD.

A method is provided for increasing an immunological response to a target antigen in an animal by administering an immunogenic amount of a vaccine comprising a polypeptide conjugate comprising the target antigen conjugated to a carrier polypeptide by means of a linker polypeptide which is rich in predicted linear B-cell epitopes.

Several embodiments provided in the present disclosure relate to compositions that carry an antigen to which tolerance is desired, the antigen being coupled, bound, or otherwise joined to a targeting moiety, the targeting moiety configured to direct the composition to the liver of a subject. In several embodiments, the antigen in coupled to the targeting moiety by way of a polymeric linker. In several embodiments, the polymeric linker is configured to liberate the antigen in vivo. Methods of using the compositions to reduce and/or prevent unwanted immune responses against an antigen of interest are also provided.

This invention relates to chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) assembled from a polypeptide comprising a papilloma virus (PV) L1 protein or L1/L2 protein and a target peptide comprising a CD8+ T cell epitope derived from a human pathogen. This invention also relates to methods using the chimeric VLPs as antigen-specific redirectors of immune responses.

The present disclosure relates to extracellular vesicles, e.g., exosomes, comprising a cytokine, e.g., Interleukin-12 (IL-12), and, optionally, a TB antigen. Also provided herein are methods of inducing an immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an extracellular vesicle comprising a cytokine, e.g., IL-12, and, optionally, a TB antigen.