Inventors:
Raymond A. Daynes - Park City UT
Barbara A. Araneo - Salt Lake City UT
Assignee:
University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
A61K 3900, A61K 39145, A61K 39155, A61K 3907
Abstract:
The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include, but are not limited to, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D. sub. 3, biologically active Vitamin D. sub. 3 derivatives which are capable of activating the intracellular Vitamin D. sub. 3 receptor, all trans-retinoic acid, retinoic acid derivatives, retinol, retinol derivatives and glucocorticoid. The vaccine composition may further comprise an immune response augmenting agent. The immune response augmenting agent enhances T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include, but are not limited to, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA congeners and DHEA-derivatives. The invention also relates to a method for inducing an antigen-specific mucosal immune response in a subject vertebrate animal which comprises administering a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent to a site which drains into a peripheral lymph compartment. Alternatively, the method comprises separately administering the lymphoid organ modifying agent and a vaccine containing an antigen to the same site.