MOLECULAR VACCINE LINKING AN ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM CHAPERONE POLYPEPTIDE TO AN ANTIGEN

摘要

This invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancingimmune responses, such as antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)responses, using chimeric molecules comprising endoplasmic reticulum chaperonepolypeptides and antigenic peptides. In particular, the invention providescompositions and methods for enhancing immune responses induced bypolypeptides made in vivo by administered nucleic acid, such as naked DNA orexpression vectors, encoding the chimeric molecules. The invention provides amethod of inhibiting the growth of a tumor in an individual. The inventionalso provides novel self-replicating RNA virus constructs for enhancing immuneresponses induced by chimeric polypeptides made in vivo.