Nanoparticles for treatment of allergy

Abstract

The present invention encompasses the surprising finding that nanoparticle compositions can have beneficial effects on allergy even when prepared without a known specific allergy therapeutic. The present invention provides such nanoparticle compositions. In some embodiments, provided nanoparticles are associated with functional elements that cause the nanoparticles to mimic bacterial cells. The present invention encompasses the surprising finding that provided nanoparticles may be useful for treatment and/or prevention of multiple different allergies in a single patient. The present invention encompasses the recognition that provided empty nanoparticles may be useful as a “pan-allergy” therapeutic and/or vaccine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising a population of nanoparticles, wherein the composition is substantially free of any allergy-specific antigen, and further wherein nanoparticles of the composition comprise at least one microbial mimic entity. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein all of the particles within the population contain identical microbial mimic entities. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the microbial mimic entity is selected from the group consisting of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (“LPS”), bacterial flagellin, lipoteichoic acid from gram positive bacteria, peptidoglycan, double-stranded RNAs (“dsRNAs”), unmethylated CpG motifs, characteristic portions thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the population contains at least two subpopulations of particles, wherein all of the particles within each subpopulation contain identical microbial mimic entities. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the first subpopulation of particles comprises a first microbial mimic entity, and the second subpopulation of particles comprises a second microbial mimic entity. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the first subpopulation of particles comprises a first set of microbial mimic entities, and the second subpopulation of particles comprises a second set of microbial mimic entities. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the first set of microbial mimic entities comprises two or more microbial mimic entities at specified ratios. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the second set of microbial mimic entities comprises two or more microbial mimic entities at specified ratios. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particles comprise a first set of microbial mimic entities that are encapsulated within the particles, and a second set of microbial mimic entities that are associated with the surface of the particles. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second sets of microbial mimic entities are present at specified ratios. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particles encapsulate the microbial mimic entities. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microbial mimic entities are associated with the surface of the particles. 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition of any one of the preceding claims and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising a step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9  to a subject suffering from or susceptible to allergy, such that the subject's symptoms of allergy are reduced or delayed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of administering is performed via a mode of administration selected from the group consisting of oral (PO), intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, subcutaneous (SQ), intraventricular, transdermal, interdermal, intradermal, rectal (PR), vaginal, intraperitoneal (IP), intragastric (IG), topical, transdermal, mucosal, intranasal, buccal, enteral, vitreal, sublingual administration, by intratracheal instillation, by bronchial instillation, and by inhalation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of administering is performed via oral administration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering multiple individual doses to the subject over a specified period of time.