Vaccine compositions and method for induction of mucosal immune response via systemic vaccination

摘要

The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include, but are not limited to, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, biologically active Vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives which are capable of activating the intracellular Vitamin D.sub.3 receptor, all trans- retinoic acid, retinoic acid derivatives, retinol, retinol derivatives and glucocorticoid. The vaccine composition may further comprise an immune response augmenting agent. The immune response augmenting agent enhances T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include, but are not limited to, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA congeners and DHEA-derivatives. The invention also relates to a method for inducing an antigen-specific mucosal immune response in a subject vertebrate animal which comprises administering a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent to a site which drains into a peripheral lymph compartment. Alternatively, the method comprises separately administering the lymphoid organ modifying agent and a vaccine containing an antigen to the same site. The method may further comprise additionally administering an immune response augmenting agent which enhances T cell lymphokine production. The immune response augmenting agent may be administered sequentially or contemporaneously with the lymphoid organ modifying agent.