Abstract: Recombinant polynucleotide that contains a plurality of first polynucleotides encoding an antigenic peptide are provided by this invention. The first polynucleotides are operatively linked to each other to enhance translation of the polynucleotides to the antigenic peptide and binding of the antigenic peptide to MHC molecules. In a further embodiment, the recombinant contains a plurality of a second polynucleotide encoding multiple copies of antigenic peptides having an amino acid sequence that is different from the peptides encoded by the first polynucleotides. The polynucleotides are useful as cancer vaccines or in adoptive immunotherapy. In these embodiments, the polynucleotides encode a antigenic peptide that will induce an immune response to a tumor or cancer. Alternatively, the polypeptides encodes antigens that induce T cell anergy for use in autoimmune disorders. Still further, the antigen is a pathogenic antigen to induce an immune response against a pathogen such a virus or bacterial pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention calls utilized genes differentially expressed in target cells to design vaccines to generate an immune response. Unlike prior art methods that seek to identify antigenic proteins from phenotypic analysis, the subject method applies functional genomics for antigen identification. The method is exemplified herein and therefore provides compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against gp 100 melanoma cells and for inducing an immune response against HER-2+cells. Cancer vaccines and adoptive immunotherapeutic methods to treat and prevent conditions associated with the presence of these cells in a subject also are provided. The methods can be practiced by administering the appropriate gene or cancer vaccine, antibody, protein, polypeptide, antigen-presenting cell or immune effector cell.

Abstract: This invention provides particulates of adenoviral particles comprised of individual adenovirus virions complexed to an insoluble micro-platform material and for such compositions further comprised of a polynucleotide encoding an antigenic peptide. The invention further provides method for forming such complexes such that the compositions are useful for transfecting phagocytic antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells and for vaccinating a subject against disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides several embodiments that ultimately result in the in vivo loading of endogenous antigenic peptides from a target cell. The invention also presents a method for inducing an immune response to an endogenous antigen in a subject by delivering an effective amount of an agent that stimulates in vivo loading of the endogenous antigen into an Antigenic Peptide Binding Protein (“APBP”). The APBP presents the endogenous antigen to a T cell in vivo. A polynucleotide encoding an APBP is delivered to a target cell under conditions such that the APBP is expressed in the target cell. Endogenous antigenic peptides bind the APBP forming an APBP:peptide complex. A cytotoxic agent also is administered to the subject and delivered to the target cell in an amount effective to lyse the target cell which releases the complexes. The complexes present the antigenic peptide to a T cell or an antigen presenting cell (APC) which mounts the immune response.