Duke University

Other

Herman F Staats

Soman N Abraham

Kam W Leong

Ashley L St John

Barton F Haynes

Dhavalkumar D Patel

Salvatore Pizzo

Gregory D Sempowski

Richard S Dondero

James B McLachlan

Justin P Hart

Provided are nanoparticles comprising heparin, chitosan, and at least one immunomodulatory agent, e.g. a cytokine. The cytokine can be selected from the group consisting of TNF, IL-12, IL-2, IL-23, IL-1&#x3b1;, IL-10, IL-18, and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of making a nanoparticle comprising mixing a first composition comprising heparin with a second composition comprising chitosan in the presence of at least one cytokine to form a third composition. Further provided are methods of modulating an immune response comprising co-administering to a subject an antigen or vaccine with nanoparticles comprising heparin, chitosan, and at least one cytokine.

Lymph node-targeting nanoparticles

Method of treating food allergies by administering a nanoparticle comprising heparin and chitosan encapsulating IL-12

Provided herein are peptides that have activity as mast cell activating proteins (MCAP), as well as compositions, adjuvant compositions, vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations that include the peptides. Also provided are methods of using the peptides, including methods for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen in a mammal upon administration.

Peptide, adjuvants, vaccines, and methods of use

Compositions and methods for modulating an immune response

A composition for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen comprises an immunogen in combination with a mast cell membrane activator such as compound 48/80. Any suitable immunogen may be employed, such as an antibody-inducing determinant, a lipid, a peptide (e.g., an antibody-inducing peptide), a carbohydrate, an immunogen derived from a virus or cancer cell, etc. Methods of use are also described.

Adjuvant capable of specifically activating the adaptive immune response

A method of eliciting an immune response against an antigen in a vertebrate subject, the method comprising the steps of providing an antigen-adjuvant composition comprising the antigen and a substantially non-toxic adjuvant molecule having biological activity in mucosal tissues, and administering said antigen-adjuvant composition to the vertebrate subject in a manner such that initial contact occurs in mucosal tissue of the vertebrate subject, whereby an immune response is elicited. Cytokines are preferred adjuvants. Preferred cytokines are interleukin-1&#x3b1;(IL-1&#x3b1;) and interleukin-1&#x3b2; (IL-1&#x3b2;).

Substantially non-toxic biologically active mucosal adjuvants in vertebrate subjects

Interleukin-1 muteins useful as vaccine adjuvants

A method of eliciting an immune response against an antigen in a vertebrate subject, the method comprising the steps of providing an antigen-adjuvant composition comprising the antigen and a substantially non-toxic adjuvant molecule having biological activity in mucosal tissues, and administering said antigen-adjuvant composition to the vertebrate subject in a manner such that initial contact occurs in mucosal tissue of the vertebrate subject, whereby an immune response is elicited. Cytokines are preferred adjuvants. Preferred cytokines are interleukin-1&agr; (IL-1&agr;) and interleukin-1&bgr; (IL-1&bgr;).

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Herman F Staats