Potentiation of the immune response

Abstract

A method for stimulating proliferation of T-cells containing cytoplasmic post-prolyl dipeptidase activity; the method, in one aspect, involves contacting the T-cells with an organic compound at a concentration below 10 −8 M, wherein the compound is characterized in that: (a) it is capable of crossing the membrane of T-cells to enter the cytoplasm, (b) it binds to the dipeptidase activity at a concentration of below 10 −8 M, and thus (c) stimulates proliferation of the T-cells at that concentration.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A method for stimulating an antigen-specific immune response in a subject comprising 
 administering to an HIV-negative subject in need thereof a pathogenic peptide antigen and a compound having the structure                          wherein each D 1  and D 2 , independently, is a hydroxyl group or a group which is capable of being hydrolyzed to a hydroxyl group in aqueous solution at physiological pH; and X comprises an amino acid or a peptide which mimics the site of the substrate recognized by a post-prolyl cleaving enzyme.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pathogenic peptide antigen is a viral peptide antigen.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the viral peptide antigen is derived from HIV, influenza virus, human papilloma virus, and herpes virus.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pathogenic peptide antigen is a bacterial peptide antigen.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the bacterial peptide antigen is derived from  E. coli.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pathogenic peptide antigen is a protozoan peptide antigen.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the protozoan peptide antigen is derived from a malaria causing agent or an amoebic dysentery causing agent.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject has an infection other than HIV infection.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is at risk of developing an infection.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the infection is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial infection, a viral infection or a protozoan infection.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the infection is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial infection, a viral infection or a protozoan infection.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the compound is administered orally.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of Ala-boroPro, Pro-boroPro, Gly-boroPro and Lys-boroPro.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the compound is Val-boroPro.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antigen-specific immune response is a cytolytic T lymphocyte response.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein X is an amino acid.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein X is a peptide.