Abstract: Compositions that include a fusion protein comprising flagellin and at least one antigen that has an isoelectric point greater than about 7.0 and that is fused to at least one domain 3 of the flagellin activate Toll-like Receptor 5. Methods of stimulating an immune response, in particular, a protective immune response include administering a composition that includes an antigen fused to a loop of domain 3 of flagellin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved vaccines and the design and making of such vaccines that enhance immunogenicity of the vaccine and/or reduce reactogenicity to the vaccine when administered. In particular the vaccines and immunogenic compositions of the present invention relate to flagellin-antigen fusion proteins in which the spatial orientation of the flagellin to antigen and the charge distribution of the antigen is optimized to enhance immunogenicity and/or reduce reactogenicity and/or improve folding of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions and vaccines of flavivirus. In particular, the present invention relates to improved Dengue vaccines and the design and making of such vaccines that enhance immunogenicity of the vaccine. The vaccines and immunogenic compositions of the present invention relate to mixed head bivalent flagellin-dengue antigen fusion proteins which can be combined with other bivalent dengue antigen fusion proteins or monovalent dengue antigen fusion proteins to produce multivalent vaccine including tetravalent vaccines.

Abstract: Compositions that include a fusion protein comprising flagellin and at least one antigen that has an isoelectric point greater than about 7.0 and that is fused to at least one domain 3 of the flagellin activate Toll-like Receptor 5. Methods of stimulating an immune response, in particular, a protective immune response include administering a composition that includes an antigen fused to a loop of domain 3 of flagellin.

Abstract: Compositions that include at least a portion of at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a Den1 viral envelope protein, a Den2 viral envelope protein, a Den3 viral envelope protein and a Den4 viral envelope protein are employed in methods to stimulate a protective immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved vaccines and the design and making of such vaccines that enhance immunogenicity of the vaccine and/or reduce reactogenicity to the vaccine when administered. In particular the vaccines and immunogenic compositions of the present invention relate to flagellin-antigen fusion proteins in which the spatial orientation of the flagellin to antigen and the charge distribution of the antigen is optimized to enhance immunogenicity and/or reduce reactogenicity. The present invention also relates to methods of evaluating the vaccines by measuring the relative expression of certain gene markers. Altered expression of the genes relative to flagellin control sample may indicate that the vaccine is suitable to stimulate an adaptive immune response to the antigen component in the subject with minimal side effects.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprise at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one Dengue viral envelope protein. The fusion proteins are used to stimulate an immune response and protective immunity in a subject.

Abstract: Methods of making and compositions that stimulate a protective immune response in a subject include a portion of a protein from a naturally occurring viral hemagglutinin, wherein the protein portion includes at least a portion of a globular head and at least a portion of at least one secondary structure that causes the globular head to essentially retain its tertiary structure, and wherein the protein portion lacks a membrane fusion domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. Compositions can further include a Toll-like Receptor agonist and a carrier protein.

Abstract: Compositions that include Toll-like Receptor 5 agonists and at least a portion of at least one viral antigen can be employed in methods that stimulate an immune response in a subject, in particular, a protective immune response in a subject. Compositions can be associated with particles and employed in the methods in relatively low doses to provide protective immunity to viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for modulating the GluR2 receptor. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery, by X-ray crystallography, that a known GluR2 agonist binds to the receptor in two different orientations, thereby diminishing its potency. The present invention provides for structural alternatives in which alternative binding possibilities are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides comprise at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one integral membrane protein of an influenza viral antigen. The compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides are used to stimulate an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions comprise at least a portion of an antigen and at least a portion of a flagellin that lacks a hinge region. Compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides comprise at least a portion of at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one viral protein. The viral protein of the compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides of the invention are flaviviral proteins, including a West Nile flaviviral protein, a Dengue flaviviral protein, a Langat flaviviral protein, a Kunjin flaviviral protein, a Murray Valley encephalitis flaviviral protein, a Japanese encephalitis flaviviral protein, a Tick-borne encephalitis flaviviral protein, a Yellow fever flaviviral protein and a hepatitis C flaviviral protein. The compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides are used to stimulate an immune response and protective immunity in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for modulating the GluR2 receptor. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery, by X-ray crystallography, that a known GluR2 agonist binds to the receptor in two different orientations, thereby diminishing its potency. The present invention provides for structural alternatives in which alternative binding possibilities are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Methods of making and compositions that stimulate a protective immune response in a subject include a portion of a protein from a naturally occurring viral hemagglutinin, wherein the protein portion includes at least a portion of a globular head and at least a portion of at least one secondary structure that causes the globular head to essentially retain its tertiary structure, and wherein the protein portion lacks a membrane fusion domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. Compositions can further include a Toll-like Receptor agonist and a carrier protein.