Targeted vaccination in the liver

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a trapping vaccine composition comprising a trapping antigenic component, a protective component, and a liver cell-targeting component, wherein the trapping antigenic component comprises a nucleic acid molecule or a protein, the protective component comprises a synthetic or non-natural molecule or formation of synthetic or non-natural molecules, and wherein the liver cell-targeting component is capable of delivering the vaccine composition to a liver cell or liver tissue. The present disclosure additional provides vaccination methods comprising (i) administering a priming composition comprising a priming antigenic component or a first dose comprising the priming composition to the mammal; and (ii) administering a trapping composition comprising a trapping antigenic component, a protective component, and a liver cell-targeting component, or a second dose comprising the second composition to the mammal, wherein the priming and trapping compositions or doses are not administered concurrently and wherein the number of resident memory T cells in the liver are increased following administration of the trapping composition. In certain embodiments, vaccine compositions and regimes are provided that protect against liver-tropic pathogens, e.g., a malarial infection. In an embodiment, a vaccine composition and regimen are provided that protect against an infection caused byorsporozoites.