Compositions and Methods to Elicit Immune Responses Against Pathogenic Organisms Using Yeast Based Vaccines

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing infection due to a pathogen such as a fungal pathogen. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for vaccinations against or treatment for a fungal organism in a non-immunocompromised or immunocompromised subject.

1 . A non-viable fungal cell composition comprising, fungal cells that were heated at a temperature of about 56° C. for about one hour, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fungal cells comprise transgenic, non-transgenic or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fungal cells are selected from the group consisting of  Saccharomyces  spp.,  Aspergillus  spp.  Cryptococcus  spp.,  Coccidioides  spp.,  Neurospora  spp.,  Histoplasma  spp.,  Blastomyces  spp., and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fungal cells comprise  Saccharomyces  spp.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein fungal cells are spores, vegetative cells, germlings, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fungal cells comprise  Neurospora  spp.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the fungal cells are vegetative hyphae, aerial hyphae, macroconidia, microconidia, ascospores, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fungal cells further comprise a tag.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the transgenic fungal cells comprise an oligonucleotide, a peptide, a protein, a chimeric molecule or combination thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the transgenic fungal cells further comprise a virulence factor.  
     
     
         11 . A method of inducing an immune response against a fungus comprising: 
 administering a non-viable fungal composition to a subject, wherein administering the composition induces an immune response against a fungus in the subject and wherein the non-viable fungal composition comprises fungal cells that were heated at a temperature of about 56° C. for about one hour, or a derivative thereof.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-viable fungal composition is administered prophylactically to reduce or prevent a fungal infection.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-viable fungal composition is administered therapeutically to a subject with a fungal infection.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the subject is a mammal, bird or reptile.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the subject is a human.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-viable fungal composition induces an immune response against a fungus selected from the group consisting of  Saccharomyces  spp.,  Aspergillus  spp.  Cryptococcus  spp.,  Coccidioides  spp.,  Neurospora  spp.,  Histoplasma  spp.,  Blastomyces  spp., and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the subject is an immunocompromised subject.  
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a subject in need of an antifungal therapy comprising: 
 administering to a subject in need of such treatment a non-viable fungal composition comprising fungal cells that were heated at a temperature of about 56° C. for about one hour, or a derivative thereof.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fungal cells comprise transgenic, non-transgenic or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A method of preparing an immune response stimulating antifungal composition, said method comprising, heating fungal cells to about 56° C. for about one hour such that fungal cells are non-viable but are capable of inducing an immune response against a fungus when administered to a subject.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fungal cells comprise transgenic, non-transgenic or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fungal cells are selected from the group consisting of  Saccharomyces  spp.,  Aspergillus  spp.  Cryptococcus  spp.,  Coccidioides  spp.,  Neurospora  spp.,  Histoplasma  spp.,  Blastomyces  spp., and a combination thereof