Mucin antigen vaccine
AssigneeMicroVAX, LLC
InventorsYucheng Tang, Albert Deisseroth
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Abstract
Provided are expression vectors for generating an immune response to a mucin. The vectors comprise a transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising a secretory signal, a mucin antigen and CD40 ligand. Also provided are methods of generating an immune response against cells expressing a mucin by administering an effective amount of the vector. Further provided are methods of generating an immune response against cancer cells expressing a mucin in an individual by administering an effective amount of the vector. Still further provided are methods of overcoming anergy to a mucin self antigen by administering an effective amount of the vector.
Claims30
An expression vector for generating an immunity against a mucin antigen, said vector comprising a transcription unit, said transcription unit comprising a nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter, said transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, said encoded polypeptide comprising from the amino terminus, a secretory signal sequence, the mucin antigen, and CD40 ligand, wherein (i) the mucin antigen and the CD40 ligand lack all or substantially all of their transmembrane domains;
- (ii) the mucin antigen is attached to the amino-terminus of the extracellular domain of said CD40 ligand;
- and (iii) said encoded polypeptide is configured to promote MHC Class I restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
A viral expression vector for generating an immunity against a mucin antigen, said vector comprising a transcription unit, said transcription unit comprising a nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter, said transcription unit encoding a secretable polypeptide, said encoded polypeptide comprising from the amino terminus, a secretory signal sequence, the mucin antigen, and CD40 ligand, wherein (i) the mucin antigen comprises a fragment thereof which lacks its transmembrane domain;
- (ii) the CD40 ligand lacks all or substantially all of its transmembrane domain;
- (iii) the mucin antigen is attached to the amino-terminus of the extracellular domain of said CD40 ligand;
- and (iv) said encoded polypeptide is capable of preventing growth of cancerous tumor cells bearing said mucin antigen and treating cancerous tumor cells bearing said mucin antigen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.