IL-12 as an adjuvant for Bordetella pertussis vaccines

Abstract

This invention provides a composition of at least one Bordetella antigen and an effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 (IL-12), and uses thereof as a vaccine against Bordetella infection. Methods for using IL-12 as an adjuvant in combination with vaccines against Bordetella are also provided.

1 - 43 . (canceled)  
     
     
         44 . A method for eliciting an immune response against  Bordetella  comprising administering simultaneously a first composition comprising at least one  Bordetella  antigen and a second composition comprising an effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12, wherein the at least one  Bordetella  antigen or effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing the at least one  Bordetella  antigen or effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one antigen is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing the at least one antigen in vivo.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the interleukin-12 is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing an effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one antigen and the interleukin-12 are administered as polynucleotides capable of expressing the at least one antigen and effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         48 . The method of any of claims  44 - 47 , wherein the at least one antigen is a  Bordetella pertussis  antigen.  
     
     
         49 . The method of any of claims  44 - 47 , wherein the at least one antigen is chosen from lipopolysaccharide, pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one antigen is adsorbed to alum.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the at least one antigen is adsorbed to alum.  
     
     
         52 . A method for stimulating clearance of  Bordetella  from a host comprising administering a composition comprising at least one  Bordetella  antigen and an effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12, wherein the at least one  Bordetella  antigen or effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing the at least one  Bordetella  antigen or effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one antigen is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing the at least one antigen in vivo.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the interleukin-12 is administered as a polynucleotide capable of expressing an effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one antigen and the interleukin-12 are administered as polynucleotides capable of expressing the at least one antigen and effective adjuvant amount of interleukin-12 in vivo.  
     
     
         56 . The method of any of claims  52 - 55 , wherein the at least one antigen is a  Bordetella pertussis  antigen.  
     
     
         57 . The method of any of claims  52 - 55 , wherein the at least one antigen is chosen from lipopolysaccharide, pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one antigen is adsorbed to alum.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one antigen is adsorbed to alum.