The present application is generally directed to novel pneumococcal polypeptide antigens and nucleic acids encoding such antigens, and immunogenic compositions comprising such antigens for treating and preventing pneumococcal infection. The present invention further provides method of using the antigens to elicits an immune response (e.g., IL-17A response, a T cell-mediated and/or B-cell-mediated immune responses). The present invention also provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of pneumococcal-mediated diseases, such as sepsis, comprising administering an immunogenic composition including one or more of a combination of pneumococcal antigens or functional fragments thereof as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more pneumococcal antigens can be present in a polysaccharide conjugate. The compositions induce an anti-pneumococcus immune response when administered to a mammal. The compositions can be used prophylactically to vaccinate an individual and/or therapeutically to induce a therapeutic immune response to an infected individual.

The present invention relates to artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC) scaffolds to provide cells with specific functional stimulation to obtain phenotypic and functional properties ideal to mediate tumor regression or viral clearance. In particular, the scaffolds of the present invention comprise antigens, such as peptide-MHC (pMHC) class I molecules, and specific combinations of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules to allow effective expansion and functional stimulation of specific T cells.

An immune preparation includes an immune substance formed by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a non-antibiotic amino compound, polyethyleneimine, and at least one metal ion. The immune preparation does not include any antibiotics to prevent potential side effects. The amino compound may be chitosan oligosaccharide. The immune preparation is suitable for mucosal administration. The mucosal immune preparation facilitates mucosal immunity of human body allowing for the activation and proliferation of various immune cells.

Compositions and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 are described.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides therapeutic methods and compositions for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. In particular, methods are provided for increasing protective antibody levels induced by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide. Immunogenic compositions are also provided comprising one or more pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens and an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide.

Disclosed are methods, systems, components, and compositions for cell-free synthesis of glycosylated carrier proteins. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be utilized in vaccines, including anti-bacterial vaccines. The glycosylated carrier proteins may include a bacterial polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier, which may be utilized to generate an immune response in an immunized host against the polysaccharide conjugated to the carrier. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be synthesized in cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) systems using prokaryote cell lysates that are enriched in components for glycoprotein synthesis such as oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) including OSTs and LLOs associated with synthesis of bacterial O antigens.

Disclosed are methods, systems, components, and compositions for cell-free synthesis of glycosylated carrier proteins. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be utilized in vaccines, including anti-bacterial vaccines. The glycosylated carrier proteins may include a bacterial polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier, which may be utilized to generate an immune response in an immunized host against the polysaccharide conjugated to the carrier. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be synthesized in cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) systems using prokaryote cell lysates that are enriched in components for glycoprotein synthesis such as oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) including OSTs and LLOs associated with synthesis of bacterial O antigens.

The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising staphylococcal antigens, containing protein antigens and conjugates of capsular polysaccharides. Adjuvanted formulations are also provided. The invention may find use in the prevention and treatment of staphylococcal infections.

The present invention discloses a composite-type nano-vaccine particle, which comprises an active ingredient selected from spike RBD protein of COVID-19, two adjuvants as aluminium salt nanoparticle and synthetic oligonucleotides, and an amphiphilic alginate-based nanocarrier encapsulating the active ingredient and the two adjuvants. The composite-type nano-vaccine particle has a particle size ranging from 300 nm to 1400 nm in diameter.

The present invention relates to a biodegradable nanocomplex. The biodegradable nanocomplex comprises a first electrically charged substance, a charge-redistribution substance, a second electrically charged substance and a carried substance, for holding the carried substance inside. The first electrically charged substance and the carried substance have the same electrical polarity, and the biodegradable nanocomplex has a nonuniformally and positively charge distribution along a radial direction thereof. The nonuniformally and positively charge distribution comprises a first electrically charged portion having substantially electrical neutrality, a second electrically charged portion surrounding the first electrically charged portion, and a third electrically charged portion surrounding the second electrically charged portion, in which the third electrically charged portion comprises an outermost surface of the biodegradable nanocomplex, thereby modulating the carried substance towards the desired immune responses via the nonuniformally and positively charge distribution.