PACKAGED VIRUS PARTICLES IN COMBINATION WITH CPG FOR USE AS ADJUVANTIES WITH ALLERGENS. MANUFACTURING METHOD AND USE

摘要

The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded and packaged, respectively, with DNA oligonucleotides rich in non-methylated C and G (CpGs). If such CpG-VLPs are mixed with antigens, the immunogenicity of these antigens are dramatically enhanced. In addition, the T cell responses against the antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Surprisingly, no covalent linkage of the antigen to the VLP is required; it is sufficient to simply mix the VLPs with the adjuvants for co-administration. In addition, it was found that VLPs did not enhance immune responses unless they were loaded and packaged, respectively, with CpGs. Antigens mixed with CpG-packaged VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.