Abstract: Described are a method and a composition for delivery of a protein to an antigen presenting cell. The composition is composed of a polypeptide component, a buffering component and a particle to be phagocytized. In one embodiment, the antigen presenting cell is aa macrophage or a dendritic cell and the particle to be phagocytized is from a natural source, such as from a microbial source. The composition itself, or cells pretreated with the composition, are useful for strategies in vaccine development.

Abstract: Described are a method and a composition for transfecting monocytes, as well as use of the same for therapeutic purposes. The composition is composed of a nucleic acid component, a lysosome evading component and a digestible particle that can be phagocytized. Preferably, the monocyte is a macrophage and the digestible particle is from a natural source, such as from a microbial source. More preferably, the digestible particle is a yeast cell wall particle such as zymosan. The composition itself, or cells pretreated with the composition, are useful in all gene medicine applications, such as gene therapy, gene vaccination, cancer treatment as well as immunomodulation and tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeting a tumor cell comprising contacting the tumor cell with a composition comprising a macrophage and a factor that upregulates nuclear factor-kappa B (NF?B) activity.