Duke University

Soman N Abraham

Herman F Staats

Ashley L St John

Kam W Leong

Salvatore Pizzo

Justin P Hart

James B McLachlan

Disclosed herein are methods of diagnosing and treating infectious disease characterized by a pathology that involves hemorrhaging or pathological vascular leakage.

Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of mast cell-induced vascular leakage

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.

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Soman N Abraham