Abstract: This disclosure relates to a GM-CSF and IL-4 conjugate fused to a glycolipid (GPI)-anchoring sequence that is incorporated into chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) enriched with a viral protein, e.g., viral envelope protein or HIV envelope protein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of immunization with the chimeric VLPs disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of immunization with disclosed HIV antigen containing VLPs through an intramuscular priming-intranasal boosting immunization route.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using EGFR pathway inhibitors in combination with compositions comprising an antigen to increase, elicit, or improve an antigen or vaccine-induced immune response. In certain embodiments, the EGFR pathway inhibitor is administered under conditions such that memory cells to the antigen are formed in a subject. In certain embodiments, the composition is a vaccine. In certain embodiments, the EGFR pathway inhibitor and vaccine are administered to the skin epidermis or dermis.

Abstract: Briefly described, virus-like particles, methods of preparing virus-like particles, immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles, and methods of eliciting an immune response using immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles are described herein. A virus-like particle (VLP) can include a viral core protein that can self assemble into the VLP core and at least one viral surface envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the VLP. The VLP can also optionally include at least one adjuvant molecule expressed on the surface of the VLP.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions and methods of enhancing an immune response to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to virus-like carries comprising a TLR5 agonist on the exterior without an antigen.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a GM-CSF and IL-4 conjugate fused to a glycolipid (GPI)-anchoring sequence that is incorporated into chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) enriched with a viral protein, e.g., viral envelope protein or HIV envelope protein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of immunization with the chimeric VLPs disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of immunization with disclosed HIV antigen containing VLPs through an intramuscular priming-intranasal boosting immunization route.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using EGFR pathway inhibitors in combination with compositions comprising an antigen to increase, elicit, or improve an antigen or vaccine-induced immune response. In certain embodiments, the EGFR pathway inhibitor is administered under conditions such that memory cells to the antigen are formed in a subject. In certain embodiments, the composition is a vaccine. In certain embodiments, the EGFR pathway inhibitor and vaccine are administered to the skin epidermis or dermis.

Abstract: Briefly described, virus-like particles, methods of preparing virus-like particles, immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles, and methods of eliciting an immune response using immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles are described herein. A virus-like particle (VLP) can include a viral core protein that can self assemble into the VLP core and at least one viral surface envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the VLP. The VLP can also optionally include at least one adjuvant molecule expressed on the surface of the VLP.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions and methods of enhancing an immune response to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to virus-like carries comprising a TLR5 agonist on the exterior without an antigen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure encompasses virus-like particles, methods of making virus-like particles, including expression vectors, wherein the virus-like particles may comprise enhanced levels of capsid-bound a chimeric HN-Env polypeptide compared to VLPs derived from unmodified HIV-env polypeptides. Embodiments of the virus-like particle may have Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface of the virus-like particle may specifically bind with an anti-HIV-Env specific antibody. Embodiments of the disclosure further includes methods of generating an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-Env polypeptide, comprising delivering to an animal or a human an effective amount of a suspension of virus-like particles comprising a chimeric HIV-Eny polypeptide, thereby inducing the formation of an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-1 eny polypeptide.

Abstract: A cross-protective influenza virus vaccine has been designed based on the incorporation of the genetically engineered, highly conserved M2 influenza viral protein optionally in combination with an adjuvant such as a bacterial flagellin protein incorporated into the membrane of a virosome or virus-like particles. Immunogenicity and the breadth of cross protection efficacy are significantly enhanced using multiple copies of the influenza M2 protein as a membrane bound tetramer and/or in combination with a membrane bound adjuvant. A method for vaccinating a subject for influenza A has also been developed that results in broad and improved cross-protection against multiple subtypes of influenza A virus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass compositions and methods for generating immune responses in an animal or human host. Embodiments of the compositions encompass proteins derived from the surface proteins of bacteria and protozoa, and in particular the flagellum component flagellin, and which have adjunctival properties when administered in conjunction with an immunogen. Embodiments of the compositions of the disclosure are modified to incorporate a heterologous transmembrane-cytoplasmic domain allowing the peptides to be incorporated into virus-like particles. Embodiments of the methods of generating an immunological response in an animal or human comprise exposing the immune system of an animal or human host to an immunogen and a virus-like particle comprising an adjuvant polypeptide including a host cell Toll-like receptor ligand polypeptide having a transmembrane-cytoplasmic tail polypeptide, and a heterologous signal peptide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure encompasses virus-like particles, methods of making virus-like particles, including expression vectors, wherein the virus-like particles may comprise enhanced levels of capsid-bound a chimeric HN-Env polypeptide compared to VLPs derived from unmodified HIV-env polypeptides. Embodiments of the virus-like particle may have Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the Env-specific epitopes exposed on the outer surface of the virus-like particle may specifically bind with an anti-HIV-Env specific antibody. Embodiments of the disclosure further includes methods of generating an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-Env polypeptide, comprising delivering to an animal or a human an effective amount of a suspension of virus-like particles comprising a chimeric HIV-Eny polypeptide, thereby inducing the formation of an antibody specific to an epitope of an HIV-1 eny polypeptide.

Abstract: Briefly described, virosomes, methods of preparing virosomes, immunogenic compositions that include virosomes, and methods of eliciting an immune response using immunogenic compositions that include virosomes are described herein. A virosome can include at least one viral surface envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the virosome. The virosome can also optionally include at least one adjuvant molecule expressed on the surface of the virosome.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inducing an immune response to an antigen, especially in an immunogenic composition comprising sialic acid where the antigen comprises sialic acid and wherein the immunogenic composition further comprises a sialic acid binding component, e.g., an inactivated or attenuated paramyxovirus or orthomyxovirus such as an influenza virus comprising a sialic acid binding component, e.g., a neuraminidase. The compositions comprising sialic acid and a sialic acid binding component effectively induce a humoral immune response even in a human or animal which is deficient in CD4+ T cells, due to a disease such as ARC or AIDS, and there is also an immunoglobulin class switching even in the absence of CD4+ T cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economical, nontraumatic and surprisingly effective method for producing a desired protein (especially a biologically active protein) or an antigen using nucleic acid molecules encoding the protein or antigen delivered to a mucosal surface of the animal or human. Expression of the antigen coding sequence exposes the immune system of the animal or human to the antigen with the result that an immune response results, especially an antigen-specific IgA response at mucosal surfaces. Desirably, the nucleic acid molecules are formulated with a bioadhesive agent in an amount sufficient to improve adherence to cells at the mucosal surfaces, thereby improving uptake of the nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present Specification discloses noninvasive, economical and easy methods for inducing an immune response against a particulate antigen; i.e., by transcutaneous administration of the particulate antigen such as a virus particle which has desirably been inactivated or attenuated so as not be result in a disease in the person or animal to which it has been administered. Advantageously, the immunogenic composition comprises a sialic binding component (such as a viral hemagglutinin) included as part of or in addition to the particulate antigen. One such example of a particulate virus is influenza virus, desirable having been formalin-inactivated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inducing an immune response to an antigen, especially in an immunogenic composition comprising sialic acid where the antigen comprises sialic acid and wherein the immunogenic composition further comprises a sialic acid binding component, e.g., an inactivated or attenuated paramyxovirus or orthomyxovirus such as an influenza virus comprising a sialic acid binding component, e.g., a neuraminidase. The compositions comprising sialic acid and a sialic acid binding component effectively induce a humoral immune response even in a human or animal which is deficient in CD4+ T cells, due to a disease such as ARC or AIDS, and there is also an immunoglobulin class switching even in the absence of CD4+ T cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides retrovirus-like particles which comprise retrovirus env proteins, immunogenic compositions comprising retrovirus-like particles, methods for the production of retrovirus-like particles and methods for the protection of an animal or a human from retrovirus infection using the retrovirus-like particles of the present invention.

Abstract: Method for immunizing against viral infection by administering intranasally an immunogenically effective amount of a viral envelope subunit vaccine comprising a glycoprotein complexed with a lipid.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting whether a test composition can inhibit cell fusion mediated by paramyxovirus infection. A method is also provided for identifying an antiviral peptide capable of inhibiting paramyxovirus-induced cell fusion. The methods are based on the discovery that the hemagglutination and fusion-inducing proteins of paramyxoviruses interact to form a complex termed HN:F, that is prerequisite to cell fusion. Antibodies to HN:F provide a novel means of providing improved immunity against paramyxovirus infection.