IMMUNOLOGICAL REAGENT
The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a charged antigen electrostatically associated with a Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) targeting moiety. The TLR targeting moiety comprises a TLR-2 agonist covalently attached to polyethylene glycol and to a hyper-branched charged peptide.
1 . An immunogenic composition comprising a charged antigen electrostatically associated with a Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) targeting moiety, wherein the TLR targeting moiety comprises a TLR-2 agonist covalently attached to polyethylene glycol and to a hyper-branched charged peptide.
2 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the charged antigen comprises a cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) epitope.
3 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the charged antigen comprises a B-cell epitope and the antigen is present in the composition in a dose sparing amount.
4 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR2 agonist is selected from the group consisting of Pam 2 Cys, Pam 3 Cys, Ste 2 Cys, Lau 2 Cys and Oct 2 Cys.
5 . The composition according to claim 4 , wherein the TLR2 agonist is Pam 2 Cys.
6 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the PEG (polyethyleneglycol) has 5 to 22 ethylene oxide subunits.
7 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the PEG (polyethyleneglycol) is (PEG) 1 .
8 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the hyper-branched charged peptide comprises R4, R8, K4, K8, E4, E8, D4, D8, H4, or H8.
9 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
10 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
11 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
12 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
13 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
14 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
15 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
16 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the TLR targeting moiety is of the formula:
17 . The composition according to claim 2 , wherein the CTL epitope is derived from a pathogen or a tumour antigen.
18 . A method of eliciting a CD8 − response in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the composition according to claim 1 .
19 . (canceled)