This composition targets a subset of dendritic cells that mediate cyclic dinucleotide adjuvant activity, thereby improving mucosal surface protection and response to vaccines. In the 20th century, immunization has allowed us to control several life threatening diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and polio. However, infectious diseases still remain a major cause of illness, disability, and death. Many epidemiologically important, respiratory and gut pathogens enter through the mucosal surface, making it a first line of defense. Vaccines, with adjuvants capable of protecting mucosal surfaces can prevent the onset of disease, block early colonization, and reduce the risk of horizontal transmission. In addition, mucosal vaccines have the benefits of low cost and ease of administration. However, there are very few mucosal vaccines approved for use, largely due to problems with developing safe and effective mucosal adjuvants.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a new composition that enhances mucosal protection by targeting monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC). This new strategy is based on their earlier discovery that lung moDC mediates mucosal vaccine adjuvant activity of cyclic di-GMP in vivo. Cyclic di-GMP belongs to the family of small molecules cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). CDNs-based vaccines are currently in pre-clinical/clinical trial for infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy. Our researchers introduce a selective and efficient method to activate moDCs to enhance CDNs adjuvant efficacy in vivo, by using a fusion protein. The new vaccine strategy works even when a less immunogenic antigen is included in our subunit vaccine. Overall, this new moDC targeting vaccine strategy could improve the mucosal response and protection of both approved and experimental vaccines.
Compositions to enhance CDN vaccine adjuvant activity to improve mucosal protection, especially in the senior where current CDN vaccine adjuvant may not be effective
This vaccine strategy enhances mucosal protection by targeting activation of in vivo monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC), which mediate mucosal vaccine adjuvant activity of cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). CDNs-based vaccines are currently in pre-clinical/clinical trial for infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy. By targeting moDCs with a fusion protein the scientists have demonstrated enhanced vaccine response on the mucosal surface especially in the aged animals where current CDNs are not effective.