Abstract: The present invention generally relates to HIV compositions and methods of use. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an antigen preparation, the antigen preparation comprising an HIV polypeptide or fragment thereof and a Bacillus anthracis lethal factor (LF) polypeptide, such as a LFn polypeptide. In some embodiments, the LF polypeptide can be fused or otherwise associated with the HIV polypeptide. Other aspect of the present invention relate to use of vaccine comprising a HIV polypeptide and a Bacillus anthracis lethal factor (LF) polypeptide in methods to enhance efficacy traditional antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for promoting or stimulating a cell-mediated immune response to an antigen, by administering a target antigen (such as a protein) with a transport factor that contains a fragment of a bipartite protein exotoxin, but not the corresponding protective antigen. Preferred transport factors include the protective antigen binding domain of lethal factor (LFn) from B. anthracis, consisting of amino acids 1-255, preferably a fragment of at least 80 amino acids that shows at least 80% homology to LFn, and a fragment of about 105 amino acids from the carboxy portion that does not bind PA. The target antigen can include any molecule for which it would be desirable to elicit a CMI response, including viral antigens and tumor antigens.