Vaccine composition comprising an antigen and a peptide having adjuvant properties

Abstract

The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises at least one antigen and a peptide comprising a sequence R 1 -XZXZ N XZX-R 2 , whereby N is a whole number between 3 and 7, preferably 5, X is a positively charged natural and/or non-natural amino acid residue, Z is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of L, V, I, F and/or W, and R 1 and R 2 are selected independently one from the other from the group consisting of —H, —NH 2 , —COCH 3 , —COH, a peptide with up to 20 amino acid residues or a peptide reactive group or a peptide linker with or without a peptide; X-R 2 may also be an amide, ester or thioester of the C-terminal amino acid residue, as well as the use of said peptide for the preparation of an adjuvant for enhancing the immune response to at least one antigen.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the sequence H-KLKLLLLLKLK-H (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , further characterized as comprising at least one immunostimulatory nucleic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid is further defined as an oligodeoxynucleotide containing deoxyinosine, an oligodeoxynucleotide containing deoxyuridine, an oligodeoxynucleotide containing at least one CG motif, or an inosine and cytidine containing nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one antigen. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4  comprising one or more additional antigens. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4  wherein the antigen comprises a peptide or protein, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a glycolipid or a pathogen itself. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 6  wherein the peptide or protein is glycosylated, lipidated, glycolipidated or hydroxylated. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4  wherein the antigen is derived from a viral or bacterial pathogen, from a fungus or parasite, and/or wherein the antigen is a tumor antigen or an antigen with a putative role in autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 8  wherein the pathogen or fungus is selected from the group comprising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis A and B viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Influenza virus, Rotavirus,  Staphylococcus aureus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus anthracis, Vibrio cholerae, Plasmodium  sp.,  Aspergillus  sp. or  Candida albicans.    
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 5  wherein the antigens comprise peptides or proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, glycolipids or mixtures thereof, or pathogens themselves. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10  wherein the peptide or protein is glycosylated, lipidated, glycolipidated or hydroxylated. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 5  wherein the antigens are derived from viral or bacterial pathogens, from fungi or parasites, and/or wherein the antigens are tumor antigens or antigens with a putative role in autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12  wherein the pathogens or fungi are selected from the group comprising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis A and B viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Influenza virus, Rotavirus,  Staphylococcus aureus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus anthracis, Vibrio cholerae, Plasmodium  sp.,  Aspergillus  sp. or  Candida albicans.    
     
     
         14 . A method of production of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of stimulating an immune response by administration to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of conferring tolerance to proteins or protein fragments and peptides which are involved in autoimmune diseases by administration to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of vaccinating against tumor antigens by administration to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 .