Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods that relate to Inflammasome Agonist Proteins (IAPS) that are used to stimulate immune responses. IAPS are used with Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) ligands, antigens, cell surface binding proteins, and binding partners that direct to IAPs or fusion proteins containing the IAP to a particular target. The IAP constructs can be used directly to stimulate immune responses, or in conjunction with other components such as antigens, whereby the IAPs function as adjuvants.

Abstract: The invention features vaccine adjuvants comprising prokaryotic mRNA, and methods of vaccination using the adjuvants.

Abstract: The invention features vaccine adjuvants comprising prokaryotic mRNA, and methods of vaccination using the adjuvants.

Abstract: The disclosure features vaccine adjuvants comprising prokaryotic mRNA, and methods of vaccination using the adjuvants. More specifically, the disclosure provides a vaccine composition comprising a nonviable immunogen (e.g., heat-killed bacterium), a tumor antigen, or an immunogenic peptide of microbial or mammalian origin, and an adjuvant, wherein adjuvant comprises prokaryotic mRNA (e.g., bacterial mRNA), as well as the methods of using the vaccine compositions. Further disclosed are the structural features of the prokaryotic mRNA used as the adjuvants.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing an anti-tumor immune response by immunizing a mammal with a composition comprising a tumor cell which expresses a NLR ligand and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein or with an activated DC which has internalized a tumor cell which expresses an NLR- and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of TH17 responses. The invention provides compositions for the induction of TH17 responses containing a TLR agonist and an apoptotic cell-associated agent or containing a microbe-infected apoptotic cell. The compositions of the present invention may also contain dendritic cells capable of inducing TH17 responses. In other embodiments, the invention provides compositions for the inhibition of TH17 responses containing one or more blocking agents. Methods and compositions for the modulation of TH17 responses and for the treatment of TH17-associated diseases and for cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing an anti-tumor immune response by immunizing a mammal with a composition comprising a tumor cell which expresses a NLR ligand and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein or with an activated DC which has internalized a tumor cell which expresses an NLR- and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein.

Abstract: The disclosure features vaccine adjuvants comprising prokaryotic mRNA, and methods of vaccination using the adjuvants. More specifically, the disclosure provides a vaccine composition comprising a nonviable immunogen (e.g., heat-killed bacterium), a tumor antigen, or an immunogenic peptide of microbial or mammalian origin, and an adjuvant, wherein adjuvant comprises prokaryotic mRNA (e.g., bacterial mRNA), as well as the methods of using the vaccine compositions. Further disclosed are the structural features of the prokaryotic mRNA used as the adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulation of TH17 responses. The invention provides compositions for the induction of TH17 responses containing a TLR agonist and an apoptotic cell-associated agent or containing a microbe-infected apoptotic cell. The compositions of the present invention may also contain dendritic cells capable of inducing TH17 responses. In other embodiments, the invention provides compositions for the inhibition of TH17 responses containing one or more blocking agents. Methods and compositions for the modulation of TH17 responses and for the treatment of TH17-associated diseases and for cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of TN 17 responses. The invention provides compositions for the induction of TN 17 responses containing a TLR agonist and an apoptotic cell-associated agent or containing a microbe-infected apoptotic cell. The compositions of the present invention may also contain dendritic cells capable inducing TN 17 responses. In other embodiments, the invention provides compositions for the inhibition of TN 17 responses containing one or more blocking agents. Methods and compositions for the modulation of TN 17 responses and for the treatment of TN 17-associated diseases and for cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing an anti-tumor immune response by immunizing a mammal with a composition comprising a tumor cell which expresses a NLR ligand and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein or with an activated DC which has internalized a tumor cell which expresses an NLR- and/or TLR ligand-TAA fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of TN 17 responses. The invention provides compositions for the induction of TN 17 responses containing a TLR agonist and an apoptotic cell-associated agent or containing a microbe-infected apoptotic cell. The compositions of the present invention may also contain dendritic cells capable inducing TN 17 responses. In other embodiments, the invention provides compositions for the inhibition of TN 17 responses containing one or more blocking agents. Methods and compositions for the modulation of TN 17 responses and for the treatment of TN 17-associated diseases and for cancer are also provided.