Antigenic composition

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition comprising a T cell epitope or a mixture of T cell epitopes a polycationic peptide and a nucleic acid based on inosin and cytosin and its use as a vaccine.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising 
 at least one T cell epitope, said T cell epitope further defined as a peptide of 6 to 20 amino acid residues, or a mixture of such T cell epitopes;    a polycationic peptide; and    a nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine.    
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine is poly I: poly C, poly IC, poly dC: poly dI, or poly dIC.  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the polycationic peptide is polyarginine, polylysine, or a polypeptide containing at least 50% basic amino acid residues.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the polycationic peptide is a polypeptide containing least 50% arginine residues, lysine residues, or a combination of arginine and lysine residues.  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the polycationic peptide contains more than 5 residues.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the polycationic peptide contains between 10 and 1000 residues.  
   
   
       22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the polycationic peptide contains between 50 and 500 residues.  
   
   
       23 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the T cell epitope is derived from a human, animal or plant pathogen.  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the T cell epitope is derived from a viral or bacterial pathogen.  
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the T cell epitope is derived from a parasite or plant pathogen.  
   
   
       26 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the T cell epitope is further defined as a glycosylated peptide and/or a lipidated peptide.  
   
   
       27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the T cell epitope is further defined as a peptide of 7 to 15 amino acid residues.  
   
   
       28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the T cell epitope is further defined as a peptide of 8 to 11 amino acid residues.  
   
   
       29 . The composition of  claim 16 , further defined as comprising: 
 from 1 ng to 1 g T cell epitope;    from 1 ng to 1 g polycationic peptide; and    from 1 ng to 1 g nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine.    
   
   
       30 . The composition of  claim 29 , further defined as comprising from 1 to 10000 μg T cell epitope.  
   
   
       31 . The composition of  claim 29 , further defined as comprising from 0.1 to 1000 μg polycationic peptide.  
   
   
       32 . The composition of  claim 29 , further defined as comprising from 10 μg to 300 mg nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine.  
   
   
       33 . The composition of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one auxiliary substance or further effective substance.  
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 16 , further defined as a vaccine.  
   
   
       35 . A method of inducing a systemic immune response comprising: 
 obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising:    at least one T cell epitope, said T cell epitope further defined as a peptide of 6 to 20 amino acid residues, or a mixture of such T cell epitopes;    a polycationic peptide; and    a nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine; and    administering the pharmaceutical composition to a patient.    
   
   
       36 . A kit for vaccination comprising: 
 a component containing at least one T cell epitope, said T cell epitope further defined as a peptide of 6 to 20 amino acid residues, or a mixture of such T cell epitopes;    a polycationic peptide; and    a nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine.    
   
   
       37 . A method of eliciting an epitope specific T cell response comprising: 
 obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polycationic peptide and a nucleic acid based on inosine and cytosine; and    administering the pharmaceutical composition to a patient.