The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

The present invention provides HIV-1 vaccine immunogens. Some of the immunogens contain a soluble gp140-derived protein that harbors a modified N-terminus of the HR1 region in gp41. Some of the immunogens contain an HIV-1 Env-derived trimer protein that is presented on a nanoparticle platform. The invention also provides methods of using the HIV-1 vaccine immunogens for eliciting an immune response or treating HIV infections.

Nanoparticle-based vaccines, compositions, kits and methods are used for the effective delivery of one or more antigens in vivo for vaccination and antibody (e.g., monoclonal antibody) production, and for the effective delivery of peptides, proteins, siRNA, RNA or DNA to PAPCs or MHC class II positive cells (e.g. tumor cells). Antigens may be, for example, DNA that results in expression of the gene of interest and induction of a robust and specific immune response to the expressed protein in a subject (e.g., mammal). Antigens may also be immunogenic peptides or polypeptides that are processed and presented. In one embodiment, a nanoparticle-based method to deliver antigens in vivo as described herein includes injection of a vaccine composed of a DNA encoding at least one antigen, or at least one antigenic peptide or polypeptide conjugated to a charged dendrimer (e.g., PADRE-derivatized dendrimer) that is also conjugated to a T helper epitope (e.g., PADRE). Negatively-charged plasmids bind naturally to a positively-charged PADRE-dendrimer, while peptide or polypeptide antigens can be chemically linked to the PADRE-dendrimer if they are not negatively-charged. Alternatively, negatively-charged dendrimers may be used. The compositions, kits, vaccines and methods described herein have both prophylactic and treatment applications, i.e., can be used as a prophylactic to prevent onset of a disease or condition in a subject, as well as to treat a subject having a disease or condition. A vaccine as described herein can be used to mount an immune response against any infectious pathogen or cancer.

The technology provides immunogenic compositions comprising HIV-1 envelopes in supramolecular nanofiber complexes, which may also comprise a T-cell helper epitopes, and methods of using these compositions for induction of immune responses.

A recombinant protein expressing one or more human growth factors, tumor antigens, and/or receptors or epitopes thereof on or within an immunogenic expression creating a recombinant protein in which one or more epitopes are presented on the surface of the sequence in their natural configuration. The growth factor, tumor antigen, and/or receptor, sequence(s) may be expressed within the encoding sequence at appropriate internal positions or at the termini as single expressions or as two or more tandem repeats.

A cancer vaccine is provided including a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a self-activating chimeric signaling protein, and especially chimeric TNF family ligand-receptor proteins, and a tumor-associated antigen. In a preferred embodiment, the cancer vaccine may further include a nucleic acid segment encoding an IL-15 superagonist. In addition, the cancer vaccine can be co-administered with a genetically modified bacteria or yeast as an adjuvant to increase the payload expression of the cancer vaccine. Advantageously, cells expressing such combination of molecules will enhance immune reaction against tumor cells. Compositions and methods are presented that allow for an enhanced immune response against a vaccine composition, and particularly a recombinant adenoviral expression system that is used as a therapeutic agent. Most preferably, immune therapeutics are administered such that a protein or nucleotide are co-located with a therapeutic antigen, preferably via co-expression of the protein.

A vaccine composition includes an icosahedral-shaped plant virus or virus-like particle linked to a plurality of NY-ESO-1 antigens.

A recombinant protein expressing one or more human growth factors, tumor antigens, and/or receptors or epitopes thereof on or within an immunogenic expression creating a recombinant protein in which one or more epitopes are presented on the surface of the sequence in their natural configuration. The growth factor, tumor antigen, and/or receptor, sequence(s) may be expressed within the encoding sequence at appropriate internal positions or at the termini as single expressions or as two or more tandem repeats.

The invention relates to concatemeric peptide epitope RNAs, as well as methods and compositions thereof. mRNA vaccines are also provided according to the invention, including cancer vaccines.

A recombinant coronavirus vaccine is provided. Methods of making and delivering the coronavirus vaccine also are provided along with a method of generating and anti-coronavirus immune response. A microneedle array is provided, along with methods of making and using the microneedle array.