Modular antigen transportation molecules and uses thereof in animals

A method of prophylactically and/or therapeutically treating one or more allergic diseases in a cat or a dog comprising administering an effective amount of an improved MAT (iMAT) molecule, wherein said iMAT molecule comprises:

• (i) at least one first module, wherein said at least one first module comprises an amino acid sequence allowing the translocation of the iMAT molecule from the extracellular space into the interior of cells, wherein said at least one first module is selected from the group consisting of:
• (a) the amino acid sequence of HIV-tat, VP22, Antennapedia, or a partial sequence thereof,
• (ii) at least one second module, wherein said at least one second module comprises an amino acid sequence allowing species-specific intracellular targeting of the iMAT molecule to the cell organelles which are involved in the processing of antigens and/or the loading of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules with antigens, wherein said at least one second module is selected from the group consisting of:
• the invariant chain selected from the canine and/or feline species' or a partial sequence thereof;
• and
• (iii) at least one third module, wherein said at least one third module is an antigen module having an amino acid sequence of at least one epitope of at least one allergen eliciting an allergic disease in cats or dogs, wherein the allergic disease is selected from the group consisting of:
• allergies to flea bites, allergies to mite derived allergens, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis caused by flea bites, allergic asthma, allergic airway inflammation and/or obstruction;
• characterized in that in the entire iMAT molecule all cysteine residues are substituted with a different amino acid residue.