University of Saskatchewan

Mark J Redmond

Andrew A Potter

Bernard Laarveld

Manuel Campos

Huw P Hughes

Alberto Estrada

Lorraine M Sordillo

Michael D Parker

Timothy Zamb

Gilbert G Matte

Deborah M Haines

Marta Iris Sabara

Sylvia Van Littel-van Den Hurk

Mohammed K Ijaz

Patrick John Frenchick

Huw P A Hughes

James Elton Gilchrist

Roy N Kirkwood

Mohammad Khalid Ijaz

Philip A Thacker

New immunological carrier systems, DNA encoding the same, and the use of these systems, are disclosed. The carrier systems include chimeric proteins which comprise a leukotoxin polypeptide fused to a selected antigen. The leukotoxin functions to increase the immunogenicity of the antigen fused thereto.

Enhanced immunogenicity using leukotoxin chimeras

A number of subunits of various rotaviral proteins have been shown to be useful in diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of rotaviral infection. Specifically, the subunits represented by positions 40-60 of VP6, 232-255 and 240-248 of VP4, and 247-259 and 275-295 of VP7 are thus useful. Furthermore, the VP4 subunits have therapeutic value in competing with the native viral protein in an essential step in infection.

Rotavirus peptide compositions and methods of use

Adjuvant formulations are provided containing quaternary ammonium salts in conjunction with an oil component which may be a mineral oil, an animal oil, a vegetable oil, a mixture thereof, or an oil-in-water emulsion of one or more of such oils. These formulations are useful in conjunction with known immunological substances, e.g., viral or bacterial antigens in a vaccine composition, in order to enhance the immunogenic response. The compositions are also useful without an incorporated antigen as nonspecific immunostimulatory formulations.

Adjuvant formulation with enhanced immunogenic activity, and related

Novel Quinoa saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions are useful for enhancing mucosal absorption of a drug administered therewith.

Quinoa saponin compositions and methods of use

Novel Quinoa saponin pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions are useful as immunological adjuvants, to stimulate nonspecific immunity, as well as to enhance an immunological response to a selected antigen. The Quinoa saponin compositions can also be used to enhance mucosal absorption of a drug administered therewith.

Compositions and methods for preparing and delivering encapsulated biologically active agents to specific cell types are disclosed. Substances can be encapsulated in the VP6 inner capsid protein of rotavirus and delivered to selected cells, tissues and organs. Targeting agents can be linked to the surface of the VP6 sphere so that appropriate agents can be delivered to preselected cells and tissue types.

VP6 encapsulated drug delivery

Advantage is taken of the ability of rotaviral VP6 protein to home to macrophage and monocytes to provide label to these cells in either an in vitro or in vivo environment. Further, the ability to couple label to the VP6 protein and to couple VP6 to a targeting agent provides a mechanism for conducting label (or an effector moiety) to any desired target.

Rotavirus VP6 as a diagnostic and targeting agent

Assembled viral particles derived from rotavirus proteins are disclosed. The assembled particles include the inner capsid protein, VP6, in combination with either or both of the outer capsid proteins, VP4 and VP7. These assemblies can be used in vaccine compositions for the treatment and prevention of rotaviral disease.

Assembled viral particles and their use in a vaccine to rotaviral disease

Compositions and methods for modulating SRIF activity as well as enhancing the reproductive performance and immunological function in vertebrates are disclosed. Compositions containing SRIF-related peptides or antibodies thereto can be administered to animals to modulate endogenous SRIF-like activity. The SRIF-related peptides can be linked to a carrier such as ovalbumin, and administered in an Al(OH).sub.3 adjuvant, to enhance the immunogenicity of the SRIF-related peptides.

Growing community of inventors

Saskatoon, Canada

Mark J Redmond