Modular nanodevices for smart adaptable vaccines

Abstract

Modular nanoparticle vaccine compositions and methods of making and using the same have been developed. Modular nanoparticle vaccine compositions comprise an antigen encapsulated in a polymeric particle and adaptor elements which modularly couple functional elements to the particle. The modular design of these vaccine compositions, which involves flexible addition and subtraction of antigen, adjuvant, immune potentiators, molecular recognition and transport mediation elements, as well as intracellular uptake mediators, allows for exquisite control over variables that are important in optimizing an effective vaccine delivery system.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A composition comprising
 one or more antigens encapsulated in or incorporated into a polymeric nanoparticle that is surface modified with an adjuvant that is a bacterial or microbial derivative.   
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the bacterial or microbial derivative is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, immunostimulatory oligonucleotides, ADP-ribosylating toxins or detoxified derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising at least one protective layer, wherein the protective layer is one which decreases particle degradation relative to a particle without a protective layer upon administration to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the carbohydrates are or comprise lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the bacterial or microbial derivative is or comprises a cell wall component of a gram negative bacteria. 
     
     
         31 . The protective layer of  claim 28 , which is or comprises one or more of an enteric coating, a physically-protective layer, an environmentally-sensitive coating, and a pH-responsive coating. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more antigens are selected from the group consisting of viral, bacterial, parasitic, allergen, toxoid, tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 26 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or stabilizer. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is formulated as a vaccine composition. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a subject, the method comprising administering the composition of  claim 26  to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration occurs via a route selected from the group consisting of intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, sublingual, oral, inhalation, mucosal and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration results in an immune response to the one or more antigens that is biased toward cellular immunity. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein exposure of the subject to the one or more antigens alone would normally result in a humoral immune response. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more antigens is selected from the group consisting of viral, bacterial, parasitic, allergen, toxoid, tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more antigens are or comprise one or more allergens.