Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is co-delivered to non-immune cells at the site of delivery and also to immune cells which infiltrate the site of delivery. The responses of these two cell types to the same delivered RNA lead to two different effects, which interact to produce a strong immune response against the immunogen. The non-immune cells translate the RNA and express the immunogen. Infiltrating immune cells respond to the RNA by expressing type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines which produce a local adjuvant effect which acts on the immunogen-expressing non-immune cells to upregulate major histocompatibility complex expression, thereby increasing presentation of the translated protein to T cells. The effects on the immune and non-immune cells can be achieved by a single delivery of a single RNA e.g. by a single injection.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is co-delivered to non-immune cells at the site of delivery and also to immune cells which infiltrate the site of delivery. The responses of these two cell types to the same delivered RNA lead to two different effects, which interact to produce a strong immune response against the immunogen. The non-immune cells translate the RNA and express the immunogen. Infiltrating immune cells respond to the RNA by expressing type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines which produce a local adjuvant effect which acts on the immunogen-expressing non-immune cells to upregulate major histocompatibility complex expression, thereby increasing presentation of the translated protein to T cells. The effects on the immune and non-immune cells can be achieved by a single delivery of a single RNA e.g. by a single injection.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising benzonapthyridine small molecule immune potentiators (SMIPs) that are capable of stimulating or modulating an immune response in a subject that has had pre- or post-exposure to a pathogen such as hemorrhagic fever virus. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the SMIP compositions of the invention.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to immunogenic compositions that comprise an HIV RNA component and a HIV polypeptide component. Immunogenic compositions that deliver antigenic epitopes in two different forms—a first epitope from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in RNA-coded form; and a second epitope from HIV, in polypeptide form—are effective in inducing immune response to HIV. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an HIV RNA-based priming composition and an HIV polypeptide-based boosting composition. The kit may be used for sequential administration of the priming and the boosting compositions.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to immunogenic compositions that comprise an RNA component and a polypeptide component. Immunogenic compositions that deliver antigenic epitopes in two different forms—a first epitope from a pathogen, in RNA-coded form; and a second epitope from the same pathogen, in polypeptide form—are effective in inducing immune response to the pathogen. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an RNA-based priming composition and a polypeptide-based boosting composition. The kit may be used for sequential administration of the priming and the boosting compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for Eukaryotic Layered Vector Initiation Systems and Alphavirus replicon particles for introducing heterologous sequences into cells for generating immune responses.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is co-delivered to non-immune cells at the site of delivery and also to immune cells which infiltrate the site of delivery. The responses of these two cell types to the same delivered RNA lead to two different effects, which interact to produce a strong immune response against the immunogen. The non-immune cells translate the RNA and express the immunogen. Infiltrating immune cells respond to the RNA by expressing type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines which produce a local adjuvant effect which acts on the immunogen-expressing non-immune cells to upregulate major histocompatibility complex expression, thereby increasing presentation of the translated protein to T cells. The effects on the immune and non-immune cells can be achieved by a single delivery of a single RNA e.g. by a single injection.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is co-delivered to non-immune cells at the site of delivery and also to immune cells which infiltrate the site of delivery. The responses of these two cell types to the same delivered RNA lead to two different effects, which interact to produce a strong immune response against the immunogen. The non-immune cells translate the RNA and express the immunogen. Infiltrating immune cells respond to the RNA by expressing type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines which produce a local adjuvant effect which acts on the immunogen-expressing non-immune cells to upregulate major histocompatibility complex expression, thereby increasing presentation of the translated protein to T cells. The effects on the immune and non-immune cells can be achieved by a single delivery of a single RNA e.g. by a single injection.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising benzonapthyridine small molecule immune potentiators (SMIPs) that are capable of stimulating or modulating an immune response in a subject that has had pre- or post-exposure to a pathogen such as hemorrhagic fever virus. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the SMIP compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for Eukaryotic Layered Vector Initiation Systems and Alphavirus replicon particles for introducing heterologous sequences into cells for generating immune responses.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating immune responses utilizing alphavirus-based vector systems.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating immune responses utilizing alphavirus-based vector systems.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. Also provided are microparticles in the form of submicron emulsions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb polypeptides, such as antigens, and nucleic acids, such as ELVIS vectors and other vector constructs, containing heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active macromolecules, such as polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and uses of the microparticle compositions for vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(&agr;-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nomonic detergents. Also provided are microparticles in the form of submicron emulsions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb polypeptides, such as antigens, and nucleic acids, such as ELVIS vectors and other vector constructs, containing heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding biologically active macromolecules, such as polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and uses of the microparticle compositions for vaccines are also provided.