Vault compositions for immunization
Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity.
1. A method for stimulating a cellular immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a vaccine comprising a pathogen immunogenic peptide or a pathogen immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle, wherein the vault-like particle comprises MVP, thereby stimulating a cellular immune response.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pathogen immunogenic peptide is fused to INT.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pathogen immunogenic peptide is fused to MVP.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the pathogen immunogenic peptide is fused to the N-terminus of MVP.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of MVP molecules is 1-78.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of MVP molecules is 78.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vault-like particle further comprises VPARP or modified VPARP, or a portion of VPARP, or a modified portion of VPARP.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cellular immune response is induction of T cells.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the T cells comprise Th-1 cells.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cellular immune response is induction of CD4 + and/or CD8+ T-cells.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cellular immune response is production of INFγ.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vault-like particle is internalized by an antigen-presenting cell.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering is to a mucosal surface.