University of Pennsylvania

The Wistar Institute

Other

Bin Wang

David B Weiner

William Valentine Williams

Kenneth E Ugen

Methods of inducing mucosal immunity in individuals against proteins and peptides are disclosed. The methods comprise the step of administering topically or by lavage into mucosal tissue selected from the group consisting of rectal, vaginal, urethral, sublingual and buccal, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein or peptide that comprises an epitope against which mucosal immunity is desired. The methods may be used to immunize and individual against a pathogen infection, hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases using nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins and peptides that share an epitope with a pathogen antigen or protein associated with cells involved in hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases, respectively,

Methods of inducing mucosal immunity

Methods of introducing genetic material into cells of an individual and compositions and kits for practicing the same are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of contacting cells of an individual with a polynucleotide function enhancer and administering to the cells, a nucleic acid molecule that is free of retroviral particles. The nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein that comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen or an antigen associated with a hyperproliferative or autoimmune disease, a protein otherwise missing from the individual due to a missing, non-functional, or partially functioning gene, or a protein that produces a therapeutic effect on an individual. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against pathogens are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for practicing methods of the present invention are disclosed.

Compositions and methods for delivery of genetic material

Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being, expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for practicing methods of the present invention are disclosed.

Genetic immunization

Methods of inducing mucosal immunity in individuals against proteins and peptides are disclosed. The methods comprise the step of administering topically or by lavage into mucosal tissue selected from the group consisting of rectal, vaginal, urethral, sublingual and buccal, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein or peptide that comprises an epitope against which mucosal immunity is desired. The methods may be used to immunize an individual against a pathogen infection, hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases using nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins and peptides that share an epitope with a pathogen antigen or protein associated with cells involved in hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases, respectively.

A method of immunizing an individual against pathogen is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of treating an individual who has a hyperproliferative disease, or of treating an individual who is infected by a pathogen. Specifically, the individual is injected with bupivacaine along with DNA in an expressible form, the DNA encoding an antigen. The encoded antigen can be from a protein from the pathogen or from a protein associated with the hyperproliferative disease.

Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for practicing methods of the present invention are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Havertown, PA, United States of America

Bin Wang