Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an immune response to an antigen is provided. The method involves augmenting the level of a TAP molecule in a target cell bearing the antigen. Preferably, the TAP molecules enhanced by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 molecule. The method is useful in treating infectious diseases and cancer.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for combating Pox viridae viral infections in living organisms such as mammals (including humans) comprises TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 to augment the antigen processing capability of infected cells and hence their immunogenicity. The composition may be used alone or, preferably, as an immunogenicity-enhancing adjuvant with a pox antigen-based vaccine, especially in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections such as smallpox.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an immune response to an antigen is provided. The method involves augmenting the level of a TAP molecule in a target cell bearing the antigen. Preferably, the TAP molecules enhanced by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 molecule. The method is useful in treating infectious diseases and cancer.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for combating Pox viridae viral infections in living organisms such as mammals (including humans) comprises TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 to augment the antigen processing capability of infected cells and hence their immunogenicity. The composition may be used alone or, preferably, as an immunogenicity-enhancing adjuvant with a pox antigen-based vaccine, especially in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections such as smallpox.

Abstract: Tapasin (Tpn) is a member of the MHC Class I loading complex and functions to bridge the TAP peptide transporter to MHC Class I molecules. Metastatic human carcinomas express low levels of the antigen processing components (APCs) tapasin and TAP, and display few functional surface MHC Class I molecules. As a result, carcinomas are often unrecognizable by effector cytolytic T cells (CTLs). Tpn alone can enhance survival and immunity of mammals against tumors, but additionally, Tpn and TAP can be used together as components of immunotherapeutic vaccine protocols to eradicate tumors.

Abstract: A safe and efficacious method of inducing protective immunity in animals against TAP-1 deficient metastatic melanoma is disclosed. The method involves treating the animals with relatively small amounts of a recombinant non-replicating adenovirus encoding human TAP-1 to promote and maintain long term anti-tumor survival, and enhanced memory T-cell subpopulations, even when the treatment effects only a small fraction of metastatic tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention provides processes and compositions for enhancing the immunogenicity of TAP-1 expression-deficient cells by increasing the presentation of MHC Class I surface molecules for detection by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte cells through increased TAP-1 expression, which comprises administering to the TAP-1 expression-deficient cells a TAP-1 expression increasing amount of a bio-acceptable substance that promotes transcription of TAP-1 gene in the cells to cause enhanced MHC Class I surface expression of the cells. The bio-acceptable substance may be a histone H3 deacetylase inhibitor, such as trichostatin A, a transcriptional co-activator having intrinsic histone acetyl transferase activity or a histone acetyl transferase comprising at least one member of the CBP/p300 protein family. The process and compositions increase the immunogenicity of the target cells to enhance their destruction by cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an immune response to an antigen is provided. The method involves augmenting the level of a TAP molecule in a target cell bearing the antigen. Preferably, the TAP molecules enhanced by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 molecule. The method is useful in treating infectious diseases and cancer.