Influenza antigen delivery vectors and constructs

Abstract

The present invention relates to fluorocarbon vectors for the delivery of influenza antigens to immunoresponsive target cells. It further relates to fluorocarbon vector-influenza antigen constructs and the use of such vectors associated with antigens as vaccines and immunotherapeutics in animals, including humans.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A vector-peptide construct comprising:
 an immunogenic influenza peptide sequence covalently attached to a vector for intracellular delivery of the peptide, wherein the vector comprises structure C m X n —C y H x -(Sp)-R, wherein m=3 to 30, n<=2m+1, y=0 to 15, x<=2y, (m+y)=3 to 30, Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety, R is the immunogenic influenza peptide covalently linked via a terminal lysine to the vector and X is selected from a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; and wherein the immunogenic influenza peptide is up to 40 amino acids in length and comprises one or more CD8+ T cell epitopes and one or more CD4+ T cell epitopes.   
     
     
         35 . The vector-peptide construct of  claim 34 , wherein the vector is of structure C m F n —C y H x -(Sp)-R, wherein m=3 to 30, n<=2m+1, y=0 to 15, x<=2y, (m±y)=3 to 30, Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety and R is the immunogenic influenza peptide. 
     
     
         36 . The vector-antigen construct of  claim 34 , wherein the vector comprises structure 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety and R is the immunogenic influenza peptide. 
     
     
         37 . A pharmaceutical composition for intracellular delivery of an immunogenic peptide, the composition comprising an immunogenic influenza peptide sequence covalently attached to a vector for intracellular delivery of the peptide, wherein the vector comprises structure C m X n —C y H x -(Sp)-R, wherein m=3 to 30, n<=2m 1, y=0 to 15, x<=2y, (m+y)=3 to 30, Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety, R is the immunogenic influenza peptide covalently linked via a terminal lysine to the vector and X is selected from a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; and wherein the immunogenic influenza peptide is up to 40 amino acids in length and comprises one or more CD8+ T cell epitopes and one or more CD4+ T cell epitopes. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the vector is of structure C m F n —C y H x -(Sp)-R, wherein m=3 to 30, n<=2m+1, y=0 to 15, x<=2y, (m+y)=3 to 30, Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety and R is the immunogenic influenza, peptide. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the vector comprises structure 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where Sp is an optional chemical spacer moiety and R is the antigenic influenza peptide. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the composition comprises from 2 to 20 of the immunogenic influenza peptide sequences each covalently attached to a vector. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the composition comprises 5, 6, 7, or 8 of the immunogenic influenza peptide sequences each covalently attached to a vector. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 37 , further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents or adjuvants. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 37 , formulated for parenteral, oral, ocular, rectal, nasal, transdermal, topical or vaginal administration. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is in a form of a liquid, emulsion, solid, aerosol or gas. 
     
     
         45 . A method of stimulating an immune response, comprising administering the composition of  claim 37  to an animal. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the animal is a mammal, a bird or a human. 
     
     
         47 . A method of preparing a prophylactic or therapeutic pharmaceutical composition comprising combining the composition of  claim 37 , with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents or adjuvants.