Relay vaccine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and composition for raising an immune response in an animal. The method comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising a carrier and an antigen bound to a targeting moiety. The targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor that is upregulated on lymphocytes that home to MAdCAM + mucosal lymphoid tissue.

1 . A method of raising an immune response in an animal, the method comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising a carrier and an antigen bound to a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor, the receptor being characterised in that it is upregulated on lymphocytes that home to MAdCAM +  mucosal lymphoid tissues.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the targeting moiety binds to an integrin receptor.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the targeting moiety binds to the mucosal receptor lymphocyte Peyer's Patch adhesion molecule (LPAM).  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the targeting moiety is an antibody, an antibody fragment or an antibody-binding domain.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the antibody is DATK32.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered by haematogenous route.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the antigen is from  Salmonella , Cholera,  Helicobacter pylori , HIV,  Candida, P. gingivalis , enteropathogenic  Escherichia coli , gut parasites, gut associated toxins, gut hormones, gut hormone receptors or gut associated cancers.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the antigen is bound to the targeting moiety by affinity conjugation, chemical cross-linking or genetic fusions.  
   
   
       9 . A targeted antigen comprising an antigen bound to a targeting moiety wherein the targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor, the receptor being characterised in that it is upregulated on lymphocytes that home to MAdCAM +  mucosal lymphoid tissues.  
   
   
       10 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 9  wherein the targeting moiety binds to an integrin receptor.  
   
   
       11 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 9  wherein the targeting moiety binds to the mucosal receptor lymphocyte Peyer's Patch adhesion molecule (LPAM).  
   
   
       12 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 9  wherein the targeting moiety is an antibody, an antibody fragment or an antibody binding domain.  
   
   
       13 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 12  wherein the antibody is DATK32.  
   
   
       14 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 9  wherein the antigen is from  Salmonella , Cholera,  Helicobacter pylori , HIV,  Candida, P. gingivalis , enteropathogenic  Escherichia coli , guy parasites, gut associated toxins, gut hormone, gut hormone receptors or gut associated cancers.  
   
   
       15 . A targeted antigen according to  claim 9  wherein the antigen is bound to the targeting moiety by affinity conjugation, chemical cross-linking or genetic fusions.  
   
   
       16 . An antigenic composition, the composition comprising a carrier and a targeted antigen according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       17 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the targeted antigen according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       18 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 17  which is a DNA molecule.  
   
   
       19 . An antigenic composition comprising a carrier and an isolated nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 17 .  
   
   
       20 . A method of raising an immune response in an animal, the method comprising administering to the animal a composition according to  claim 19.