Emory University

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Indian Institute of Science

Dana-farber-cancer Institute Inc.

Harvard College

Rama Rao Amara

Harriet L Robinson

June Rothman Scott

Raghavan Varadarajan

Bernard Quigley

Venkateswarlu Chamcha

Andrew Jones

Gordon Freeman

Gordon James Freeman

Bernard Moss

Arlene Helen Sharpe

Thomas M Folks

Rafi Ahmed

Ted M Ross

Linda S Wyatt

Salvatore T Butera

Thomas M Shinnick

Bonnie B Plikaytis

James Smith

Sue Fen Kwa

Suraj Sable

Manl Cheruvu

Vijayakumar Velu

Rick A Bright

Kehmia Titanji

Dennis Ellenberger

Lilin Lai

James M Smith

Jian Hua

Rick Arthur Bright

Patricia Earl

This disclosure relates to methods of promoting immune responses against HIV and compositions related thereto. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of vaccinating for HIV comprising administering to the subject a priming composition followed by a boosting composition. In certain embodiments, the priming composition comprises a recombinant virus such as recombinant MVA that encodes an Env protein of HIV or segment thereof. In certain embodiments, the boosting composition comprises a trimeric cyclically permuted gp120 chimeric protein reported herein or DNA encoding the same.

Compositions and methods for promoting immune responses to human immunodeficiency virus

This disclosure relates to recombinant bacteria, e.g., expressing heterologous pili containing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens. In certain embodiments, the recombinant bacteria are administered in combination with other HIV antigens, nucleic acids encoding HIV antigens, recombinant virus encoding HIV antigens, anti-viral agents and/or adjuvants in an effective amount to elicit a mucosal immune response against HIV.

HIV immune stimulating compositions comprising recombinantly expressed pili on bacteria and methods related thereto

PD-1 antagonists are disclosed that can be used to reduce the expression or activity of PD-1 in a subject. An immune response specific to an infectious agent or to tumor cells can be enhanced using these PD-1 antagonists in conjunction with an antigen from the infectious agent or tumor. Thus, subjects with infections, such as persistent infections can be treated using PD-1 antagonists. In addition, subjects with tumors can be treated using the PD-1 antagonists. In several examples, subjects can be treated by transplanting a therapeutically effective amount of activated T cells that recognize an antigen of interest and by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PD-1 antagonist. Methods are also disclosed for determining the efficacy of a PD-1 antagonist in a subject administered the PD-1 antagonist. In some embodiments, these methods include measuring proliferation of memory B cells in a sample from a subject administered the PD-1 antagonist.

Methods for the treatment of infections and tumors

We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV clade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular clade or clades).

Compositions and methods for generating an immune response

The disclosure relates to vaccinating a subject against a viral infection, compositions, and methods related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to the use of CD40L expressed on viral like particle as an adjuvant, in combination with a viral antigen, to vaccinate a subject.

CD40L vaccines, compositions, and methods related thereto

A vaccine is provided wherein a polypeptide or combination of peptides fromis administered to a subject to elicit an immune response. The polypeptide vaccine is administered as part of a prime-boost strategy with BCG vaccine to increase the immunoprotection in a subject such that prevention or elimination of disease is achieved. Finally, a pharmaceutical package is provided that encompasses a polypeptide vaccine forthat when administered to a subject elicits immunoprotection.

Polypeptide vaccine and vaccination strategy against mycobacterium

The present invention relates to novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The present invention provides novel plasmids having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The present invention, however, is particularly useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types, thereby reducing the possibility of the targeted virus escaping the immune response. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to the patient for expression of the vaccine insert therein. Optionally, the immunization protocol may include a booster vaccination that may be a live vector vaccine such as a recombinant pox virus or modified vaccinia Arbora vector. The booster live vaccine vector includes a transcription cassette expressing the same vaccine insert as the primary immunizing vector.

DNA expression vectors and methods of use

Growing community of inventors

Decatur, GA, United States of America

Rama Rao Amara