Chemically programmable immunity
Methods and compositions for immediately immunizing an individual against any molecule or compound. The present invention comprises an immunity linker with at least two sites; (1) at least one first binding site that binds to an immune response component in an individual that has been pre-immunized with a universal immunogen, and (2) at least one second binding site that binds specifically to a desired compound or molecule, the target.
1. A method of establishing immediate immunity to a target in an individual comprising, administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more immunity linkers,
wherein the immunity linkers comprise at least one first binding site,
wherein the first binding site is an aptamer nucleic acid that binds to a pre-existing immune response component, wherein the pre-existing immune response component is a B-cell/humoral or a T-cell/cellular immune response component,
wherein the immunity linkers further comprise at least one second binding site,
wherein the second binding site is an aptamer nucleic acid that binds to the target, and
wherein the immunity is selected from a cellular immunity, and humoral immunity.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-existing immune response component is induced by administering to the individual a universal immunogen.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-existing immune response component is induced by administering to the individual a universal immunogen that is an immunological equivalent of the first binding site.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-existing immune response component exists in the individual without administration of a universal immunogen.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is a pathogen.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual is unable to mount an effective immune response to the target prior to administration of the immunity linker.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunity is a cellular immunity.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunity is a humoral immunity.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers comprising first binding sites that differ in
a. their specificity for different binding sites on the immune response component, or
b. their affinity for the same binding sites on the immune response component.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the immune response component comprises an antibody.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the antibody is an antibody to alpha galactosyl epitopes.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers comprising second binding sites that differ in
a. their specificity for different binding sites on the target, or
b. their affinity for the same binding site on the target.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunity linker molecule binds at the first binding site to an antibody previously induced in the individual and binds to the target at the second binding site thereby linking a pre-existing immunity to the target.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-existing immune response component results from an immunizing molecule being administered with an adjuvant and optionally with a booster.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is selected from bacteria, fungi, viruses, toxic substances or drugs.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers having more than one second binding site to a single target.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the more than one second binding sites have different affinities to a single target.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers having multiple second binding sites against multiple targets.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second binding sites are connected by a rigid or flexible spacer.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, orally, intravenously, or through mucosal membranes.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the aptamers contains 2′fluoro or 2′amino-2′ deoxypyrimidines.
22. A composition comprising one or more immunity linkers, wherein the immunity linkers comprise
at least one first binding site,
wherein the first binding site is an aptamer nucleic acid that binds to a pre-existing immune response component that is a B-cell/humoral or a T-cell/cellular immune response component, and further comprising
at least one second binding site,
wherein the second binding site is an aptamer nucleic acid that binds to a target.
23. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the pre-existing immune response component is an antibody to an alpha galactosyl epitope.
24. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the immunity linkers comprise second binding sites that differ in specificity and affinity for binding sites on the target.
25. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the immunity linkers comprise first binding sites that differ in specificity and affinity for binding sites on the immune response component.
26. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the target is selected from bacteria, fungi, viruses, toxic substances or drugs.
27. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers having more than one second binding site to a single target.
28. The composition of claim 27 , wherein the more than one second binding sites have different affinities to a single target.
29. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the composition comprises a population of immunity linkers having multiple second binding sites against multiple targets.
30. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the first and second binding sites are connected by a rigid or flexible spacer.
31. The composition of claim 22 , wherein at least one of the aptamers contains 2′fluoro or 2′amino-2′ deoxypyrimidines.