Disclosed herein is a Chlamydia-activated B cell (CAB) platform. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing a population of B cells, comprising exposing said B cells to Chlamydia spp. under conditions suitable to enhance the population of B cells, such that expansion and differentiation of said B cells takes place, and said B cells are exposed or crosslinked to an antigen. Also disclosed are methods of producing said CABs, and treating a subject in need thereof with said CABs.

Targeted disruption of a specific gene and its subsequent restoration in obligate intracellular bacteria remains extremely challenging due to their absolute requirement for residence inside a host cell to replicate. Here, targeted allelic exchange mutations were created to inactivate two genes and then to restore one of the two genes of a rickettsial pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. These methods were then also successfully utilized in Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocyophilum. The resultant mutated pathogens are useful in immunogenic compositions for reducing the incidence of or severity of infection with ricksettsial pathogens.

Targeted disruption of a specific gene and its subsequent restoration in obligate intracellular bacteria remains extremely challenging due to their absolute requirement for residence inside a host cell to replicate. Here, targeted allelic exchange mutations were created to inactivate two genes and then to restore one of the two genes of a rickettsial pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. These methods were then also successfully utilized in Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocyophilum. The resultant mutated pathogens are useful in immunogenic compositions for reducing the incidence of or severity of infection with ricksettsial pathogens.

The present application relates to the field of human immunology, in particular, a chlamydia vaccine. The subunit vaccine composition may comprise isolated antigens from chlamydia bacteria, fusion proteins or fragments thereof, live or attenuated bacteria, or other bacterial components mixed in varied combination with a nanoemulsion, which provides a potent immune enhancer.

The present application relates to the field of human immunology, in particular, a chlamydia vaccine. The subunit vaccine composition may comprise isolated antigens from chlamydia bacteria, fusion proteins or fragments thereof, live or attenuated bacteria, or other bacterial components mixed in varied combination with a nanoemulsion, which provides a potent immune enhancer.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits comprising nano-satellite complexes and/or serum albumin carrier complexes, which are used for modulating antigen-specific immune response (e.g., enhancing anti-tumor immunity). In certain embodiments, the nano-satellite complexes comprise: a) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core; b) at least one satellite particle attached to, or absorbed to, the biocompatible coating; and c) an antigenic component conjugated to, or absorbed to, the at least one satellite particle component. In certain embodiments, the complexes further comprise: d) an type I interferon agonist agent. In some embodiments, the serum albumin complexes comprise: a) at least part of a serum albumin protein, b) an antigenic component conjugated to the carrier protein, and c) a type I interferon agonist agent.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits comprising nano-satellite complexes and/or serum albumin carrier complexes, which are used for modulating antigen-specific immune response (e.g., enhancing anti-tumor immunity). In certain embodiments, the nano-satellite complexes comprise: a) a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core; b) at least one satellite particle attached to, or absorbed to, the biocompatible coating; and c) an antigenic component conjugated to, or absorbed to, the at least one satellite particle component. In certain embodiments, the complexes further comprise: d) an type I interferon agonist agent. In some embodiments, the serum albumin complexes comprise: a) at least part of a serum albumin protein, b) an antigenic component conjugated to the carrier protein, and c) a type I interferon agonist agent.

The invention relates to methods of modulating immune cells in a patient by altering microbiota of the patient. The invention also relates to methods of modulating treatments or therapies in a subject organism by altering microbiota of the subject. The invention also relates to cell populations, systems, arrays, cells, RNA, kits and other means for effecting this. In an example, advantageously selective targeting of a particular species in a human gut microbiota using guided nucleic acid modification is carried out to effect the alteration.

The present invention provides novel, recombinant Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, the invention provides recombinant Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., E. coli) lacking genes involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) biosynthesis (e.g., lacking genes required for core oligosaccharide biosynthesis) and also provides recombinant Gram-negative bacteria lacking genes involved in LPS biosynthesis that contain one or more exogenous KDO transferases and/or one or more exogenous heptosyltransferases (e.g., from one or more types and/or strains of bacteria). The invention further provides methods of generating and utilizing (e.g., as or in an immunogenic composition (e.g., as or in an adjuvant and/or vaccine)) the recombinant Gram-negative bacteria therapeutic, preventative, and/or research applications.

The disclosure relates to sexually transmitted disease ribonucleic acid vaccines and combination vaccines, as well as methods of using the vaccines and compositions comprising the vaccines.