Methods of using Fc-cytokine fusion proteins
AssigneeMerck Patent GmbH
InventorsStephen D. Gillies, Kin-Ming Lo, John S. Wesolowski, Jr.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the immunogenicity of a preselected protein or peptide antigen in a mammal. Immunogenicity is enhanced by fusing the preselected antigen to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region to produce an Fc-antigen fusion protein. The Fc-antigen fusion proteins bind Fc receptors on the surface of antigen presenting cells, thereby targeting the antigen to the antigen presenting cells in the mammal. In addition, disclosed is a family of adjuvants, for example, an Fc-adjuvant fusion protein, for use in combination with the Fc-antigen fusion proteins to enhance or modulate a particular immune response against the preselected antigen.
Claims6
An anti-viral method comprising administering an Fc-cytokine fusion protein whose ability to bind an Fc receptor is not modified by mutation, wherein the Fc-cytokine fusion protein lacks an immunoglobulin variable domain and comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region having two polypeptide chains, either one of which is linked to a cytokine.
An anti-viral method comprising administering an Fc-cytokine fusion protein whose ability to bind an Fc receptor is not modified by mutation, wherein the Fc-cytokine fusion protein lacks an immunoglobulin variable domain and comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region having two polypeptide chains, either one of which is linked to a cytokine, wherein the cytokine is interleukin-2.
An anti-viral method comprising administering an Fc-cytokine fusion protein whose ability to bind an Fc receptor is not modified by mutation, wherein the Fc- cytokine fusion protein lacks an immunoglobulin variable domain and comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region having two polypeptide chains, either one of which is linked to a cytokine, wherein the cytokine is an interferon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.