HSV-2 Peptides for Stimulation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Reference #:

2008-142

Inventors/Contributors

Peter J. Wettstein, Ph.D., Nancy Borson, Ph.D., Michael A. Strausbauch

Description

Optimal immunization with an antigen vaccine is achieved when both the antigen and the adjuvant are delivered to the same antigen-presenting cell (APC) for simultaneous processing and presentation of the antigenic peptide. Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that the addition of cysteine and positively charged amino acids to either the N- or C-terminus of a vaccine peptide allows those peptides to bind to adjuvant CpG oligonucleotides and form a complex which is more rapidly taken up and more efficiently processed by APCs. Peptides modified with this method from a variety of viral and cancer antigens have demonstrated that the approach results in a significantly increased immune response to the vaccine peptide. Application This technology can be used to increase the immune response to peptide vaccines for a variety of conditions, including infectious diseases and cancer. Stage of Development Peptide complexed to CpG has been shown to increase APC uptake and presentation of vaccine peptides. An increased immune response to peptide-CpG complexes versus uncomplexed peptide and CpG has been demonstrated in vitro (ELISpot T-cell assays) and in vivo (transgenic mice expressing human major histocompatibility complex proteins).

Patent Status

Pending