Streptococcus vaccine compositions and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present invention provides immunogenic nanoemulsion compositions and methods of using the same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity against a bacterial species of the genus Streptococcus (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae ))). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An immunogenic composition comprising a nanoemulsion and an immunogen, wherein said nanoemulsion comprises a non-ionic surfactant, ethanol, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), oil and water, and wherein said immunogen comprises killed whole cell  Streptococcus pneumoniae.    
     
     
         2 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 10 6  and 10 8  CFU of killed  Streptococcus pneumonia.    
     
     
         3 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 10 6  CFU of killed  Streptococcus pneumonia.    
     
     
         4 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 10 8  CFU of killed  Streptococcus pneumonia.    
     
     
         5 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  cells are killed via mixing with said nanoemulsion. 
     
     
         6 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  cells are killed via mixing with ethanol. 
     
     
         7 . An immunogenic composition comprising a nanoemulsion and a  Streptococcus pneumoniae  immunogen, wherein said nanoemulsion comprises a non-ionic surfactant, ethanol, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), oil and water. 
     
     
         8 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  immunogen is selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  polysaccharide,  Streptococcus pneumoniae  protein, killed whole cell  Streptococcus pneumonia , and a combination thereof.