US20110081343A1 - Vaccines directed to langerhans cells - Google Patents

Vaccines directed to langerhans cells Download PDF

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US20110081343A1
US20110081343A1 US12/882,052 US88205210A US2011081343A1 US 20110081343 A1 US20110081343 A1 US 20110081343A1 US 88205210 A US88205210 A US 88205210A US 2011081343 A1 US2011081343 A1 US 2011081343A1
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antibody
langerin
antigen
cancer
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Jacques F. Banchereau
Gerard Zurawski
Sandra Zurawski
Eynav Klechevsky
Sangkon Oh
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Baylor Research Institute
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Baylor Research Institute
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Publication of US20110081343A1 publication Critical patent/US20110081343A1/en
Priority to US13/863,131 priority patent/US9315580B2/en
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Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to the field of vaccines, and more particularly, to compositions and methods for targeting and delivering antigens to Langerhans cells for antigen presentation using high affinity anti-Langerin monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins therewith.
  • DCs Dendritic Cells
  • APCs professional antigen-presenting cells
  • DCs capture and present antigens to CD4 + T cells, which then determine the quantity and quality of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells.
  • DCs 1,2 including both myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs (mDCs and pDCs, respectively).
  • Prior Langerin related agents include those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,528, issued to Duvert-Frances, et al., which include polynucleotides encoding a mammalian Langerhans cell antigen, including purified mammalian DC cell surface protein, designated Langerin, nucleic acids encoding Langerin, and antibodies which specifically bind Langerin.
  • anti-DC related agents are taught in, e.g., United States Patent Application Publication No. 20060257412, filed by Bowdish, et al., which includes a method of treating autoimmune disease by inducing antigen presentation by tolerance inducing antigen presenting cells.
  • this application teaches that antibodies to antigen presenting cells may be utilized to interfere with the interaction of the antigen presenting cell and immune cells, including T cells.
  • Peptides may be linked to the antibodies thereby generating an immune response to such peptides, e.g., those peptides associated with autoimmunity.
  • the present invention includes compositions and methods for activating T and B cell responses by targeting antigens to antigen presenting cells along with the proper activation of the APC to activate T cell and B cells responses.
  • One embodiment is a vaccine comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
  • the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fc, or a ScFv fragment.
  • the antibody comprises one or more complementarity determining regions selected from: ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof.
  • the antigenic peptide is a cancer antigen selected from: MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9); LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10); LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11); NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12); SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13); IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14); ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15); YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.
  • the antigenic peptide is a viral antigen selected from: VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEKGGL (SEQ ID NO.: 31); HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL (SEQ ID NO.: 32); EKIRLRPGGKKKYKLKHIV (SEQ ID NO.: 33); NPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD (SEQ ID NO.: 34); AIFQSSMTKILEPFRKQNPDIVIYQYMDDLY (SEQ ID NO.: 35); DTICIGYHANNSTDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNLLEDSHNGKLCRLKGIAPLQLGKCNIAG WLLGNPECDPLLPVRSWSYIVETPNSENGICYPGDFIDYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEIFPKES SWPNHNTNGVTAACSHEGKSSFYRNLLWLTEKEGSYPKLKNSYVNKKGKEVLVLWGI HHPPNSK
  • the antigens are separated by one or more peptide linkers are selected from: SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP (SEQ ID NO.: 39); PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTATPTIKG (SEQ ID NO.: 40); TVTPTATATPSAIVTTITPTATTKP (SEQ ID NO.: 41); or TNGSITVAATAPTVTPTVNATPSAA (SEQ ID NO.: 42).
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention includes an isolated nucleic acid vector that expresses an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and two or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the light chain, the heavy chain or both the light and heavy chains of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the antigenic peptides are separated by the one or more peptide linkers that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), O-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen) 1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides are selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
  • neurological tumors such as a
  • the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Lipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA.
  • Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Lipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of enhancing T and B cell responses comprising: immunizing a subject in need of vaccination with an effective amount of a vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding portion thereof and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody.
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), ⁇ -catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10,
  • MUC
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias, lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
  • tumor associated antigens comprising anti
  • the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain (HA1-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Hipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA.
  • Yet another embodiment is a method of making an anti-Langerin-antigen fusion protein comprising: expressing an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof in a host cell, the fusion protein comprising one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof, wherein when two or more cancer peptides are present, the cancer peptides are separated by one or more linkers, at least one linker comprising a glycosylation site; and isolating the fusion protein.
  • fusion protein expressed in the host is further isolated and purified.
  • the host is a eukaryotic cell.
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC-related protein (Mucin) (MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), ⁇ -catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen) 1 , BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10,
  • the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
  • neurological tumors such as astro
  • the cancer peptides are selected from at least one of: MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9); LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10); LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11); NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12); SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13); IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14); ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15); YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.:
  • the invention includes a method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-cancer specific T cells or B cells.
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • the invention includes a tumor associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of tumor associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one infectious disease antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • Yet another embodiment includes a method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having an infection; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or ⁇ Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is an antigen of the infectious agent and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-infections agent specific T cells or B cells.
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • Another embodiment is a viral associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having a viral infection; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a viral associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of viral associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • Another embodiment is a therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one viral antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • the isolated antibody comprising one or more of complementarity determining regions selected from:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof.
  • the antibody is humanized. In another aspect, the antibody is 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852 and humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the antibody is 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7, and humanized derivatives thereof.
  • Yet another embodiment is an isolated isolated nucleic acid that encodes a 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 antibody, antibody binding fragment or a humanized derivative thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80; or binding fragments thereof respectively.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product from the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79; or binding fragments thereof, which are the 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 antibodies, respectively.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides attached to the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
  • the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fc, or a ScFv fragment.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
  • the composition further comprises an adjuvant.
  • the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutical excipients.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a therapeutic vaccine comprising a fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one viral antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • VH immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA SEQ ID NO.: 47; or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • the invention provides a single domain Langerin antibody comprising an isolated immunoglobulin light chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VL) as defined above.
  • the invention provides a single domain Langrin binding molecule comprising an isolated immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH) as defined above.
  • the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising a light chain (VL) variable domains in which the Langerin binding antibody comprises at least one antigen binding site comprising: an antibody light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising, the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); or SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • VH heavy chain variable domain
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10K Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to human IgG4, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3L Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3H Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA SEQ ID NO. 47;
  • the antibody is humanized.
  • the antibody is 15B10, 2G3 or humanized derivatives thereof.
  • the invention includes nucleic acids that encode the 15B10, the 2G3 antibody or humanized derivatives thereof.
  • FIG. 1 shows that two main DC differentiation pathways exist.
  • a myeloid pathway generates two subsets: Langerhans cells (LCs) found in stratified epithelia such as the skin, and interstitial DCs (intDCs) found in all other tissues.
  • LCs Langerhans cells
  • intDCs interstitial DCs
  • FIG. 2 shows that recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to cell surface Langerin.
  • FIG. 3 is a demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD4+T cells from a health donor.
  • FIG. 4 is a demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+T cells from a prostate cancer patient.
  • FIG. 5 shows that anti-Langerin preferentially targets epidermal LCs.
  • FIG. 6 shows the differential expression of Langerin by human skin DCs.
  • FIG. 7 shows that the anti-Langerin antibody (15B10) specifically stains human Langerhans cells.
  • FIG. 8 shows the binding results of the anti-Langerin antibodies against a non-human primate target.
  • FIG. 9 shows the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain to evoke potent antigen-specific antibody production in NHP.
  • FIG. 10 shows that recombinant fusion proteins of anti-human DC receptors and antigens induce antigen-specific immune responses in NHP.
  • FIG. 11 shows that the Anti-Langerin G3 antibody specifically stains NHP Langerhans cells.
  • FIG. 12 shows the antibody titers for anti-HIV-gag antibodies in NHP vaccination with a gag-microparticle, an anti-hIGG4-gag antibody, an anti-DCIR-gag vaccine and an anti-Langerin-gag-p24 vaccine, all with or without poly I:C as an adjuvant.
  • FIG. 13 shows FACS analysis on Langerin clones: 293F cells were transiently transfected with vectors directing the expression of full-length (cell surface) Langerin from human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse.
  • FIG. 14 show the results of ELISA binding analysis in two formats—direct (antigen bound to plate directly and bound antibody detected with an anti-mouse IgG-HRP conjugate) and capture (antibody bound to plate.
  • DCs Dendritic Cells
  • a myeloid pathway generates two subsets: Langerhans cells (LCs) found in stratified epithelia such as the skin, and interstitial DCs (intDCs) found in all other tissues.
  • LCs Langerhans cells
  • intDCs interstitial DCs
  • a plasmacytoid pathway generates plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), which secrete large amounts of IFN ⁇ after viral infection 3 and efficiently present viral antigens in a novel mechanism 4 ( FIG. 1 ).
  • DCs and their precursors show remarkable functional plasticity.
  • pDCs form a first barrier to the expansion of intruding viruses, thereby acting, through the release of interferon, as part of the innate immune response 5,6 .
  • Monocytes can differentiate into either macrophages, which act as scavengers, or DCs that induce specific immune responses 7,8 .
  • Different cytokines skew the in vitro differentiation of monocytes into DCs with different phenotypes and functions.
  • monocytes when activated (e.g., by GM-CSF) monocytes encounter IL-4, they yield IL-4DCs 9-11 .
  • activated monocytes will differentiate into IFNDCs 12-15 , TNFDCs 8 , or IL-15DCs 16 .
  • Each of these DC subsets has common as well as unique biological functions, determined by a unique combination of cell-surface molecules and cytokines
  • IL-4DCs are a homologous population of immature cells devoid of LCs
  • large portions of IFNDCs express CD1a and Langerin 8 .
  • the invention includes also variants and other modification of an antibody (or “Ab”) of fragments thereof, e.g., anti-Langerin fusion protein (antibody is used interchangeably with the term “immunoglobulin”).
  • antibody is used interchangeably with the term “immunoglobulin”.
  • the term “antibodies or binding fragments thereof,” includes whole antibodies or binding fragments of an antibody, e.g., Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fc, and single chain Fv fragments (ScFv) or any biologically effective fragments of an immunoglobulins that binds specifically to, e.g., Langerin.
  • Antibodies from human origin or humanized antibodies have lowered or no immunogenicity in humans and have a lower number or no immunogenic epitopes compared to non-human antibodies.
  • Antibodies and their fragments will generally be selected to have a reduced level or no antigenicity in humans.
  • the terms “Ag” or “antigen” refer to a substance capable of either binding to an antigen binding region of an immunoglobulin molecule or of eliciting an immune response, e.g., a T cell-mediated immune response by the presentation of the antigen on Major Histocompatibility Antigen (MHC) cellular proteins.
  • antigen includes, but is not limited to, antigenic determinants, haptens, and immunogens, which may be peptides, small molecules, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids or combinations thereof.
  • the term “antigen” refers to those portions of the antigen (e.g., a peptide fragment) that is a T cell epitope presented by MHC to the T cell receptor.
  • the portion of the antigen that binds to the complementarity determining regions of the variable domains of the antibody (light and heavy) the bound portion may be a linear or three-dimensional epitope.
  • the term antigen is used on both contexts, that is, the antibody is specific for a protein antigen (Langerin), but also carries one or more peptide epitopes for presentation by MHC to T cells.
  • the antigens delivered by the vaccine or fusion protein of the present invention are internalized and processed by antigen presenting cells prior to presentation, e.g., by cleavage of one or more portions of the antibody or fusion protein.
  • antigenic peptide refers to that portion of a polypeptide antigen that is specifically recognized by either B-cells or T-cells.
  • B-cells respond to foreign antigenic determinants via antibody production, whereas T-lymphocytes are the mediate cellular immunity.
  • antigenic peptides are those parts of an antigen that are recognized by antibodies, or in the context of an MHC, by T-cell receptors.
  • epitopic determinants refers to any protein determinant capable of specific binding to an immunoglobulin or of being presented by a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) protein (e.g., Class I or Class II) to a T-cell receptor.
  • MHC Major Histocompatibility Complex
  • Epitopic determinants are generally short peptides 5-30 amino acids long that fit within the groove of the MHC molecule that presents certain amino acid side groups toward the T cell receptor and has certain other residues in the groove, e.g., due to specific charge characteristics of the groove, the peptide side groups and the T cell receptor.
  • an antibody specifically binds to an antigen when the dissociation constant is 1 mM, 100 nM or even 10 nM.
  • a vector is used in two different contexts.
  • a vector is used to describe a non-antigenic portion that is used to direct or deliver the antigenic portion of the vaccine.
  • an antibody or binding fragments thereof may be bound to or form a fusion protein with the antigen that elicits the immune response.
  • the vector for delivery and/or presentation of the antigen is the antigen presenting cell, which is delivered by the cell that is loaded with antigen.
  • the cellular vector itself may also process and present the antigen(s) to T cells and activate an antigen-specific immune response.
  • a “vector” refers a construct that is capable of delivering, and preferably expressing, one or more genes or polynucleotide sequences of interest in a host cell.
  • vectors include, but are not limited to, viral vectors, naked DNA or RNA expression vectors, DNA or RNA expression vectors associated with cationic condensing agents, DNA or RNA expression vectors encapsulated in liposomes, and certain eukaryotic cells, such as producer cells.
  • compositions and methods of the present invention can be used with a wide variety of peptides and/or protein in which the antibody or binding fragment thereof and the peptide linker or “PL” create a protein that is stable and/or soluble.
  • compositions and methods use an anti-Langerin antigen delivery vector comprising the formula:
  • Ab is an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof;
  • PL is at least one Peptide Linker comprising at least one glycosylation site;
  • Ag is at least one antigen; and
  • x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • the terms “stable” and “unstable” when referring to proteins is used to describe a peptide or protein that maintains its three-dimensional structure and/or activity (stable) or that loses immediately or over time its three-dimensional structure and/or activity (unstable).
  • the term “insoluble” refers to those proteins that when produced in a cell (e.g., a recombinant protein expressed in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell or in vitro) are not soluble in solution absent the use of denaturing conditions or agents (e.g., heat or chemical denaturants, respectively).
  • the antibody or binding fragment thereof and the linkers taught herein have been found to convert antibody fusion proteins with the peptides from insoluble and/or unstable into proteins that are stable and/or soluble.
  • Another example of stability versus instability is when the domain of the protein with a stable conformation has a higher melting temperature (T m ) than the unstable domain of the protein when measured in the same solution.
  • a domain is stable compared to another domain when the difference in the T m is at least about 2° C., more preferably about 4° C., still more preferably about 7° C., yet more preferably about 10° C., even more preferably about 15° C., still more preferably about 20° C., even still more preferably about 25° C., and most preferably about 30° C., when measured in the same solution.
  • polynucleotide or “nucleic acid” refers to a strand of deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides in either a single- or a double-stranded form (including known analogs of natural nucleotides).
  • a double-stranded nucleic acid sequence will include the complementary sequence.
  • the polynucleotide sequence may encode variable and/or constant region domains of immunoglobulin that are formed into a fusion protein with one or more linkers.
  • multiple cloning sites may be engineered into the locations at the carboxy-terminal end of the heavy and/or light chains of the antibodies to allow for in-frame insertion of peptide for expression between the linkers.
  • isolated polynucleotide refers to a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA, or synthetic origin or some combination thereof.
  • the “isolated polynucleotide” (1) is not associated with all or a portion of a polynucleotide in which the “isolated polynucleotides” are found in nature, (2) is operably linked to a polynucleotide which it is not linked to in nature, or (3) does not occur in nature as part of a larger sequence.
  • the skilled artisan will recognize that to design and implement a vector having the formula Ab-(PL-Ag)x or Ab-(Ag-PL)x, can be manipulated at the nucleic acid level by using techniques known in the art, such as those taught in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2007 by John Wiley and Sons, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference.
  • the Ab, Ag and PL encoding nucleic acid sequences can be inserted using polymerase chain reaction, enzymatic insertion of oligonucleotides or polymerase chain reaction fragments in a vector, which may be an expression vector.
  • a vector which may be an expression vector.
  • MCS multiple cloning site
  • polypeptide refers to a polymer of amino acids and does not refer to a specific length of the product; thus, peptides, oligopeptides, and proteins are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term also does not refer to or exclude post expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations and the like. Included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), polypeptides with substituted linkages, as well as other modifications known in the art, both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring.
  • domain refers to that sequence of a polypeptide that folds into a single globular region in its native conformation, and that may exhibit discrete binding or functional properties.
  • fusion protein refers to a hybrid protein expressed by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotide sequences of at least two genes into a protein.
  • a fusion protein can comprise at least part of anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof fused with one or more antigen and/or one or more linkers if more than one antigen is fused with the antibody or fragment thereof.
  • a polypeptide or amino acid sequence “derived from” a designated nucleic acid sequence refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence identical to that of a polypeptide encoded in the sequence, or a portion thereof wherein the portion consists of at least 3-5 amino acids, preferably at least 4-7 amino acids, more preferably at least 8-10 amino acids, and even more preferably at least 11-15 amino acids, or which is immunologically identifiable with a polypeptide encoded in the sequence.
  • This terminology also includes a polypeptide expressed from a designated nucleic acid sequence.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier refers to any material that when combined with an immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein of the present invention allows the Ig to retain biological activity and is generally non-reactive with the subject's immune system.
  • examples include, but are not limited to, standard pharmaceutical carriers such as a phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as an oil/water emulsion, and various types of wetting agents.
  • Certain diluents may be used with the present invention, e.g., for aerosol or parenteral administration, that may be phosphate buffered saline or normal (0.85%) saline.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • VH immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA SEQ ID NO.: 47; or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • the invention provides a single domain Langerin antibody comprising an isolated immunoglobulin light chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VL) as defined above.
  • the invention provides a single domain Langerin binding molecule comprising an isolated immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH) as defined above.
  • the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising a light chain (VL) variable domains in which the Langerin binding antibody comprises at least one antigen binding site comprising: an antibody light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising, the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); or SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • VH heavy chain variable domain
  • any polypeptide chain is herein described as having an amino acid sequence starting at the N-terminal end and ending at the C-terminal end.
  • the antigen binding site comprises both the VH and VL domains, these may be located on the same polypeptide molecule or, preferably, each domain may be on a different chain, the VH domain being part of an immunoglobulin heavy chain or binding fragment thereof and the VL being part of an immunoglobulin light chain or binding fragment thereof.
  • the term “Langerin binding molecule” or “Langerin binding antibody” refer to any molecule capable of binding to the Langerin antigen either alone or associated with other molecules having one or more the VL and VH CDRs taught herein, in some cases 2, 3, 4, 5, or all 6 CDRs.
  • the binding reaction may be shown by standard methods (qualitative assays) including, for example, a bioassay for determining by blocking the binding of other molecules to Langerin or any kind of binding or activity assays (e.g., activation, reduction or modulation of an immune response), with reference to a negative control test in which an antibody of unrelated specificity but of the same isotype, e.g., an anti-CD25 or anti-CD80 antibody, is used.
  • the present invention may also be made into a single chain antibody having the variable domains of the heavy and light chains of an antibody covalently bound by a peptide linker usually including from 10 to 30 amino acids, preferably from 15 to 25 amino acids. Therefore, such a structure does not include the constant part of the heavy and light chains and it is believed that the small peptide spacer should be less antigenic than a whole constant part.
  • chimeric antibody refers to an antibody in which the constant regions of heavy or light chains or both are of human origin while the variable domains of both heavy and light chains are of non-human (e.g., mouse, hamster or rat) origin or of human origin but derived from a different human antibody.
  • CDR-grafted antibody refers to an antibody in which the hypervariable complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are derived from a donor antibody, such as a non-human (e.g., mouse) antibody or a different human antibody, while all or substantially all the other parts of the immunoglobulin (e.g., the conserved regions of the variable domains, i.e., framework regions), are derived from an acceptor antibody (in the case of a humanized antibody—an antibody of human origin).
  • a CDR-grafted antibody may include a few amino acids of the donor sequence in the framework regions, for instance in the parts of the framework regions adjacent to the hypervariable regions.
  • human antibody refers to an antibody in which the constant and variable regions of both the heavy and light chains are all of human origin, or substantially identical to sequences of human origin, not necessarily from the same antibody and includes antibodies produced by mice in which the mouse, hamster or rat immunoglobulin variable and constant part genes have been replaced by their human counterparts, e.g. as described in general terms in EP 0546073 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,806, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,825, U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,126, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,425, U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,016, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,429, EP Patent No. 0 438-474 B1 and EP Patent No. 0 463151 B1, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference.
  • the Langerin binding antibodies of the invention include humanized antibodies that comprise the CDRs obtained from the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody.
  • One example of a chimeric antibody includes the variable domains of both heavy and light chains are of human origin, for instance those of the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody.
  • the constant region domains preferably also comprise suitable human constant region domains, for instance as described in “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest”, Kabat E. A. et al, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institute of Health.
  • Hypervariable regions may be associated with any kind of framework regions, e.g., of human origin. Suitable framework regions were described Kabat E. A.
  • One heavy chain framework is a heavy chain framework, for instance those of the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody, includes sequences for the light chain framework regions: FR1L, FR2L, FR3L and
  • the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 heavy chain framework that includes the sequence of FR1H, FR2H, FR3H and FR4H regions.
  • the CDRs may be added to a human antibody framework, such as those described in 7,456,260, issued to Rybak, et al., which teach new human variable chain framework regions and humanized antibodies comprising the framework regions, relevant portions and framework sequences incorporated herein by reference.
  • the present invention also includes the underlying nucleic acid sequences for the VL AND VH regions as well as the complete antibodies and the humanized versions thereof.
  • nucleic acid sequences of the present invention include the anti-Langerin antibody light and the heavy chains, respectively, as well as those nucleic acid sequences that include variable codon usage for the same amino acid sequences and conservative variations thereof having 85, 90, 95 or 100% sequence identity at the nucleic or amino acid level.
  • the CDRs may have 85, 90, 95 or 100% sequence identity at the nucleic or amino acid level, individually, in groups or 2, 3, 4 or 5 or all together.
  • Monoclonal antibodies raised against a protein naturally found in all humans are typically developed in a non-human system e.g. in mice, and as such are typically non-human proteins.
  • a xenogenic antibody as produced by a hybridoma when administered to humans, elicits an undesirable immune response that is predominantly mediated by the constant part of the xenogenic immunoglobulin.
  • Xenogeneic antibodies tend to elicit a host immune response, thereby limiting the use of such antibodies as they cannot be administered over a prolonged period of time. Therefore, it is particularly useful to use single chain, single domain, chimeric, CDR-grafted, or especially human antibodies that are not likely to elicit a substantial allogenic response when administered to humans.
  • the present invention includes antibodies with minor changes in an amino acid sequence such as deletion, addition or substitution of one, a few or even several amino acids which are merely allelic forms of the original protein having substantially identical properties.
  • the inhibition of the binding of Langerin to its receptor may be conveniently tested in various assays including such assays are described hereinafter in the text.
  • assays including such assays are described hereinafter in the text.
  • the reference and the equivalent molecules exhibit, on a statistical basis, essentially identical Langerin binding inhibition curves in one of the assays referred to above.
  • the assay used may be an assay of competitive inhibition of binding of Langerin by the binding molecules of the invention.
  • the human anti-Langerin antibody comprises at least: (a) one light chain which comprises a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the 15B10 or 2G3 antibody starting with the amino acid at position 1 and ending with the amino acid at position 107 and the constant part of a human light chain; and (b) one heavy chain which comprises a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the 15B10 or 2G3 antibody and the constant part of a human heavy chain.
  • the constant part of a human heavy chain may be of the ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, ⁇ 3, ⁇ 4, ⁇ , ⁇ 2, or ⁇ or ⁇ type, preferably of the ⁇ -type, whereas the constant part of a human light chain may be of the ⁇ or ⁇ type (which includes the ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2 and ⁇ 3 subtypes) but is preferably of the ⁇ type.
  • the amino acid sequences of the general locations of the variable and constant domains are well known in the art and generally follow the Kabat nomenclature.
  • a Langerin binding molecule of the invention may be produced by recombinant DNA techniques. In view of this, one or more DNA molecules encoding the binding molecule must be constructed, placed under appropriate control sequences and transferred into a suitable host organism for expression.
  • a method for constructing a variable domain gene is for example described in EPA 239 400, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, a gene encoding a variable domain of a MAb is cloned. The DNA segments encoding the framework and hypervariable regions are determined and the DNA segments encoding the hypervariable regions are removed so that the DNA segments encoding the framework regions are fused together with suitable restriction sites at the junctions. The restriction sites may be generated at the appropriate positions by mutagenesis of the DNA molecule by standard procedures.
  • Double stranded synthetic CDR cassettes are prepared by DNA synthesis according to the sequences given in for 15B10 or 2G3 (amino acid and nucleic acid sequences, respectively). These cassettes are often provided with sticky ends so that they can be ligated at the junctions of the framework.
  • PCT application WO 90/07861 gives full instructions for the production of an antibody by recombinant DNA techniques given only written information as to the nucleotide sequence of the gene, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the method comprises the synthesis of a number of oligonucleotides, their amplification by the PCR method, and their splicing to give the desired DNA sequence.
  • Expression vectors comprising a suitable promoter or genes encoding heavy and light chain constant parts are publicly available. Thus, once a DNA molecule of the invention is prepared it may be conveniently transferred in an appropriate expression vector. DNA molecules encoding single chain antibodies may also be prepared by standard methods, for example, as described in WO 88/1649. In view of the foregoing, no hybridoma or cell line deposit is necessary to comply with the criteria of sufficiency of description.
  • first and second DNA constructs are made that bind specifically to Langerin.
  • a first DNA construct encodes a light chain of an antibody, CDRs or binding fragments thereof and comprises a) a first part which encodes a variable domain comprising alternatively framework and hypervariable regions, the hypervariable regions being in sequence CDR1L, CDR2L and CDR3L the amino acid sequences of which are found in SEQ ID NOs.
  • this first part starting with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the variable domain and ending with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the variable domain, and b) a second part encoding a light chain constant part or binding fragment thereof which starts with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the constant part of the heavy chain and ends with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the constant part or binding fragment thereof, followed by a stop codon.
  • the first part encodes a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the amino acid sequences of 15B10 or 2G3.
  • a second part encodes the constant part of a human heavy chain, more preferably the constant part of the human yl chain. This second part may be a DNA fragment of genomic origin (comprising introns) or a cDNA fragment (without introns).
  • the second DNA construct encodes a heavy chain or binding fragment thereof and comprises a) a first part which encodes a variable domain comprising alternatively framework and hypervariable regions; the hypervariable regions being CDR1H and optionally CDR2H and CDR3H, the amino acid sequences of 15B10 or 2G3; this first part starting with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the variable domain and ending with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the variable domain, and b) a second part encoding a heavy chain constant part or binding fragment thereof which starts with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the constant part of the light chain and ends with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the constant part or binding fragment thereof followed by a stop codon.
  • the first part encodes a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of 15B10 or 2G3.
  • the first part has the nucleotide sequence of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies starting with the nucleotide at position 1 and ending with the nucleotide at position 321.
  • the second part encodes the constant part of a human light chain, more preferably the constant part of the human ⁇ chain.
  • the invention also includes Langerin binding molecules in which one or more of the residues of CDR1L, CDR2L, CDR3L, CDR1H, CDR2H or CDR3H or the frameworks, typically only a few (e.g. FR1-4L or H), are changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies; by, e.g., site directed mutagenesis of the corresponding DNA sequences.
  • the invention includes the DNA sequences coding for such changed Langerin binding molecules.
  • the invention includes a Langerin binding molecules in which one or more residues of CDR1L, CDR2L and/or CDR3L have been changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies and one or more residues of CDR1H, CDR2H and/or CDR3H have been changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies.
  • Each of the DNA constructs are placed under the control of suitable control sequences, in particular under the control of a suitable promoter.
  • Any kind of promoter may be used, provided that it is adapted to the host organism in which the DNA constructs will be transferred for expression. However, if expression is to take place in a mammalian cell, an immunoglobulin gene promoter may be used in B cells.
  • the first and second parts may be separated by an intron, and, an enhancer may be conveniently located in the intron between the first and second parts. The presence of such an enhancer that is transcribed but not translated, may assist in efficient transcription.
  • the first and second DNA constructs comprise the enhancer of, e.g., a heavy chain human gene.
  • the antibody or binding fragments thereof can be isolated, purified, and stored using any method known in the art.
  • the binding fragments retain the specific binding activity of the intact antibody, and can be used for any application that employs the intact antibody (e.g., therapeutics, diagnostic assays, competitive binding assays, etc.).
  • the invention provides an antibody or binding fragment generated by the above-described method, and may further include a half-life extending vehicle, such as those known to those skilled in the art.
  • a half-life extending vehicle such as those known to those skilled in the art.
  • vehicles include, but are not limited to, linear polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polylysine, dextran, etc.); branched-chain polymers (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,872; U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,490; WO 93/21259); a lipid; a cholesterol group (such as a steroid); a carbohydrate or polysaccharide; or any natural or synthetic protein, polypeptide or peptide.
  • one or more Fc regions can also be employed with the invention to increase half-life.
  • the vehicle can be linked to the antibody or binding fragment by way of various techniques known in the art including, for example, covalent linkage.
  • the desired antibody may be produced in an animal as an ascites, in cell culture or in a transgenic animal.
  • a suitable transgenic animal may be obtained according to standard methods that include micro injecting into eggs the first and second DNA constructs placed under suitable control sequences transferring the so prepared eggs into appropriate pseudo-pregnant females and selecting a descendant expressing the desired antibody.
  • the invention also provides an expression vector able to replicate in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell line, which comprises at least one of the DNA constructs above described.
  • Each expression vector containing a DNA construct is then transferred into a suitable host organism.
  • a suitable host organism may be a bacterium, a yeast or a mammalian cell line, this latter being preferred.
  • the mammalian cell line is of lymphoid origin, e.g., a myeloma, hybridoma or a normal immortalized B-cell, which conveniently does not express any endogenous antibody heavy or light chain.
  • the DNA constructs When the antibody chains are produced in a cell culture, the DNA constructs must first be inserted into either a single expression vector or into two separate but compatible expression vectors, the latter possibility being preferred.
  • the coding sequence of the Langerin binding molecule is integrated into the host cell DNA within a locus which permits or favors high level expression of the Langerin binding molecule.
  • a process for the product of a Langerin binding molecule that comprises: (i) culturing an organism which is transformed with an expression vector as defined above; and (ii) recovering the Langerin binding molecule from the culture.
  • the anti-Langerin antibodies 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof appear to have binding specificity for the antigenic epitope of human Langerin. It is therefore most surprising that antibodies to this epitope, e.g. the anti-Langerin 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof, are capable of delivering antigen efficiently into dendritic cells (DCs).
  • DCs dendritic cells
  • Antibodies, in particular chimeric and CDR-grafted antibodies and especially human antibodies, which have binding specificity for the antigenic epitope of mature human Langerin; and use of such antibodies for DC antigen loading are novel and are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • the appropriate dosage will, of course, vary depending upon, for example, the antibody disclosed herein to be employed, the host, the mode of administration and the nature and severity of the condition being treated. However, in prophylactic use, satisfactory results are generally found at dosages from about 0.05 mg to about 10 mg per kilogram body weight more usually from about 0.1 mg to about 5 mg per kilogram body weight.
  • the frequency of dosing for prophylactic uses will normally be in the range from about once per week up to about once every 3 months, more usually in the range from about once every 2 weeks up to about once every 10 weeks, e.g., once every 4 to 8 weeks.
  • the anti-Langerin antibody of the present can be administered parenterally, intravenously, e.g., into the antecubital or other peripheral vein, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.
  • compositions of the invention may be manufactured in conventional manner, e.g., in a lyophilized form.
  • a suitable aqueous carrier for example sterile water for injection or sterile buffered physiological saline.
  • a suitable aqueous carrier for example sterile water for injection or sterile buffered physiological saline.
  • human serum albumin or the patient's own heparinized blood into the saline at the time of formulation.
  • the presence of an excess of such physiologically inert protein prevents loss of antibody by adsorption onto the walls of the container and tubing used with the infusion solution.
  • albumin a suitable concentration is from 0.5 to 4.5% by weight of the saline solution.
  • an immunoconjugate comprising a humanized antibody of the invention, e.g., a humanized anti-Langerin antibody, linked to one or more effector molecules, antigen(s) and/or a detectable label(s).
  • the effector molecule is a therapeutic molecule such as, for example, one or more peptides that comprise one or more T cell epitopes, a toxin, a small molecule, a cytokine or a chemokine, an enzyme, or a radiolabel.
  • Exemplary toxins include, but are not limited to, Pseudomonas exotoxin or diphtheria toxin.
  • small molecules include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic compounds such as taxol, doxorubicin, etoposide, and bleiomycin.
  • Exemplary cytokines include, but are not limited to, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-12, IL-17, and IL-25.
  • Exemplary enzymes include, but are not limited to, RNAses, DNAses, proteases, kinases, and caspases.
  • Exemplary radioisotopes include, but are not limited to, 32P and 125I.
  • epitopes refers to a molecule or substance capable of stimulating an immune response.
  • epitopes include but are not limited to a polypeptide and a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide, wherein expression of the nucleic acid into a polypeptide is capable of stimulating an immune response when the polypeptide is processed and presented on a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule.
  • MHC Major Histocompatibility Complex
  • epitopes include peptides presented on the surface of cells non-covalently bound to the binding groove of Class I or Class II MHC, such that they can interact with T cell receptors and the respective T cell accessory molecules.
  • Epitopes that are displayed by MHC on antigen presenting cells are cleavage peptides or products of larger peptide or protein antigen precursors.
  • protein antigens are often digested by proteasomes resident in the cell. Intracellular proteasomal digestion produces peptide fragments of about 3 to 23 amino acids in length that are then loaded onto the MHC protein. Additional proteolytic activities within the cell, or in the extracellular milieu, can trim and process these fragments further. Processing of MHC Class II epitopes generally occurs via intracellular proteases from the lysosomal/endosomal compartment.
  • the present invention includes, in one embodiment, pre-processed peptides that are attached to the anti-Langerin antibody (or binding fragment thereof) that directs the peptides against which an enhanced immune response is sought directly to antigen presenting cells.
  • the present invention includes methods for specifically identifying the epitopes within antigens most likely to lead to the immune response sought for the specific sources of antigen presenting cells and responder T cells.
  • the present invention allows for a rapid and easy assay for the identification of those epitopes that are most likely to produce the desired immune response using the patient's own antigen presenting cells and T cell repertoire.
  • the compositions and methods of the present invention are applicable to any protein sequence, allowing the user to identify the epitopes that are capable of binding to MHC and are properly presented to T cells that will respond to the antigen. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular target or medical condition, but instead encompasses and MHC epitope(s) from any useful source.
  • the term “veneered” refers to a humanized antibody framework onto which antigen-binding sites or CDRs obtained from non-human antibodies (e.g., mouse, rat or hamster), are placed into human heavy and light chain conserved structural framework regions (FRs), for example, in a light chain or heavy chain polynucleotide to “graft” the specificity of the non-human antibody into a human framework from, e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 45-48 or the nucleic acids that encode those sequences, as will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan.
  • non-human antibodies e.g., mouse, rat or hamster
  • FRs structural framework regions
  • the polynucleotide expression vector or vectors that express the veneered antibodies can be transfected mammalian cells for the expression of recombinant human antibodies which exhibit the antigen specificity of the non-human antibody and will undergo posttranslational modifications that will enhance their expression, stability, solubility, or combinations thereof.
  • retroviral antigens examples include, but are not limited to, e.g., HIV, HCV, CMV, adenoviruses, retroviruses, picornaviruses, etc.
  • retroviral antigens such as retroviral antigens from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens such as gene products of the gag, pol, and env genes, the Nef protein, reverse transcriptase, and other HIV components
  • hepatitis viral antigens such as the S, M, and L proteins of hepatitis B virus, the pre-S antigen of hepatitis B virus, and other hepatitis, e.g., hepatitis A, B, and C, viral components such as hepatitis C viral RNA
  • influenza viral antigens such as hemagglutinin and neuraminidase and other influenza viral components
  • measles viral antigens such as the measles virus fusion protein and
  • the at least one viral antigen may be peptides from an adenovirus, retrovirus, picornavirus, herpesvirus, rotaviruses, hantaviruses, coronavirus, togavirus, flavirvirus, rhabdovirus, paramyxovirus, orthomyxovirus, bunyavirus, arenavirus, reovirus, papilomavirus, parvovirus, poxvirus, hepadnavirus, or spongiform virus.
  • the at least one viral antigen are peptides obtained from at least one of HIV, CMV, hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza, measles, polio, smallpox, rubella; respiratory syncytial, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, Epstein-Barr, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, flu, and/or cold viruses.
  • the one or more of the antigenic peptides are selected from at least one of: Nef (66-97): VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEKGGL (SEQ ID NO.: 31); Nef (116-145): HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL (SEQ ID NO.: 32); Gag p17 (17-35): EKIRLRPGGKKKYKLKHIV (SEQ ID NO.: 33); Gag p17-p24 (253-284): NPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD (SEQ ID NO.: 34); or Pol 325-355 (R T 158-188) is: AIFQSSMTKILEPFRKQNPDIVIYQYMDDLY (SEQ ID NO.: 35).
  • the fusion protein peptides are separated by one or more linkers selected from:
  • SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP; (SEQ ID NO.: 39) PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTATPTIKG; (SEQ ID NO.: 40) TVTPTATATPSAIVTTITPTATTKP; (SEQ ID NO.: 41) or T NGS ITVAATAPTVTPTV NAT PSAA. (SEQ ID NO.: 42)
  • Antigenic targets that may be delivered using the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines of the present invention include genes encoding antigens such as viral antigens, bacterial antigens, fungal antigens or parasitic antigens.
  • Pathogens include trypanosomes, tapeworms, roundworms, helminthes, malaria.
  • Tumor markers such as fetal antigen or prostate specific antigen, may be targeted in this manner.
  • Other examples include: HIV env proteins and hepatitis B surface antigen.
  • Administration of a vector according to the present invention for vaccination purposes would require that the vector-associated antigens be sufficiently non-immunogenic to enable long-term expression of the transgene, for which a strong immune response would be desired.
  • vaccination of an individual may only be required infrequently, such as yearly or biennially, and provide long-term immunologic protection against the infectious agent.
  • organisms, allergens and nucleic and amino sequences for use in vectors and ultimately as antigens with the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,011, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference, in particular, the tables that match organisms and specific sequences that may be used with the present invention.
  • Bacterial antigens for use with the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, e.g., bacterial antigens such as pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, FIM2, FIM3, adenylate cyclase and other pertussis bacterial antigen components; diptheria bacterial antigens such as diptheria toxin or toxoid and other diptheria bacterial antigen components; tetanus bacterial antigens such as tetanus toxin or toxoid and other tetanus bacterial antigen components; streptococcal bacterial antigens such as M proteins and other streptococcal bacterial antigen components; gram-negative bacilli bacterial antigens such as lipopolysaccharides and other gram-negative bacterial antigen components, Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterial antigens such as mycoli
  • Partial or whole pathogens may also be: haemophilus influenza; Plasmodium falciparum; neisseria meningitidis; streptococcus pneumoniae; neisseria gonorrhoeae; salmonella serotype typhi; shigella; vibrio cholerae ; Dengue Fever; Encephalitides; Japanese Encephalitis; lyme disease; Yersinia pestis ; west nile virus; yellow fever; tularemia; hepatitis (viral; bacterial); RSV (respiratory syncytial virus); HPIV 1 and HPIV 3; adenovirus; small pox; allergies and cancers.
  • Fungal antigens for use with compositions and methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, e.g., candida fungal antigen components; histoplasma fungal antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and other histoplasma fungal antigen components; cryptococcal fungal antigens such as capsular polysaccharides and other cryptococcal fungal antigen components; coccidiodes fungal antigens such as spherule antigens and other coccidiodes fungal antigen components; and tinea fungal antigens such as trichophytin and other coccidiodes fungal antigen components.
  • candida fungal antigen components histoplasma fungal antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and other histoplasma fungal antigen components
  • cryptococcal fungal antigens such as capsular polysaccharides and other cryptococcal fungal antigen components
  • coccidiodes fungal antigens such as spherule antigen
  • protozoal and other parasitic antigens include, but are not limited to, e.g., plasmodium falciparum antigens such as merozoite surface antigens, sporozoite surface antigens, circumsporozoite antigens, gametocyte/gamete surface antigens, blood-stage antigen pf 155/RESA and other plasmodial antigen components; toxoplasma antigens such as SAG-1, p30 and other toxoplasmal antigen components; schistosomae antigens such as glutathione-S-transferase, paramyosin, and other schistosomal antigen components; leishmania major and other leishmaniae antigens such as gp63, lipophosphoglycan and its associated protein and other leishmanial antigen components; and trypanosoma cruzi antigens such as the 75-77 kDa antigen, the 56 kDa antigen and other trypanosomal antigen
  • Antigen that can be targeted using the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines of the present invention will generally be selected based on a number of factors, including: likelihood of internalization, level of immune cell specificity, type of immune cell targeted, level of immune cell maturity and/or activation and the like.
  • the antibodies may be mono- or bi-specific antibodies that include one anti-Langerin binding domain and one binding domain against a second antigen, e.g., cell surface markers for dendritic cells such as, MHC class I, MHC Class II, B7-2, CD18, CD29, CD31, CD43, CD44, CD45, CD54, CD58, CD83, CD86, CMRF-44, CMRF-56, DCIR and/or Dectin-1 and the like; while in some cases also having the absence of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD 19, CD20, CD56, and/or CD57.
  • a second antigen e.g., cell surface markers for dendritic cells such as, MHC class I, MHC Class II, B7-2, CD18, CD29, CD31, CD43, CD44, CD45, CD54, CD58, CD83, CD86, CMRF-44, CMRF-56, DCIR and/or Dectin-1 and the like; while
  • cell surface markers for antigen presenting cells include, but are not limited to, MHC class I, MHC Class II, CD45, B7-1, B7-2, IFN- ⁇ receptor and IL-2 receptor, ICAM-1 and/or Fc ⁇ receptor.
  • cell surface markers for T cells include, but are not limited to, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD 14, CD20, CD11b, CD16, CD45 and HLA-DR.
  • Target antigens on cell surfaces for delivery include those characteristic of tumor antigens typically will be derived from the cell surface, cytoplasm, nucleus, organelles and the like of cells of tumor tissue.
  • tumor targets for the antibody portion of the present invention include, without limitation, hematological cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors such as gastric or colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system,
  • antigens examples include tumor proteins, e.g., mutated oncogenes; viral proteins associated with tumors; and tumor mucins and glycolipids.
  • the antigens may be viral proteins associated with tumors would be those from the classes of viruses noted above.
  • Certain antigens may be characteristic of tumors (one subset being proteins not usually expressed by a tumor precursor cell), or may be a protein that is normally expressed in a tumor precursor cell, but having a mutation characteristic of a tumor.
  • Other antigens include mutant variant(s) of the normal protein having an altered activity or subcellular distribution, e.g., mutations of genes giving rise to tumor antigens.
  • tumor antigens for use in an anti-Langerin-fusion protein vaccine include, e.g., CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, PRAME (melanoma antigen), ⁇ -catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, MAGE, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), DAGE, EBNA (Mucin) (
  • the immunogenic molecule can be an autoantigen involved in the initiation and/or propagation of an autoimmune disease, the pathology of which is largely due to the activity of antibodies specific for a molecule expressed by the relevant target organ, tissue, or cells, e.g., SLE or MG.
  • a Th2-type immune response to the relevant autoantigen towards a cellular (i.e., a Th1-type) immune response.
  • Autoantigens of interest include, without limitation: (a) with respect to SLE, the Smith protein, RNP ribonucleoprotein, and the SS-A and SS-B proteins; and (b) with respect to MG, the acetylcholine receptor.
  • examples of other miscellaneous antigens involved in one or more types of autoimmune response include, e.g., endogenous hormones such as luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, testosterone, growth hormone, prolactin, and other hormones.
  • Antigens involved in autoimmune diseases, allergy, and graft rejection can be used in the compositions and methods of the invention.
  • an antigen involved in any one or more of the following autoimmune diseases or disorders can be used in the present invention: diabetes, diabetes mellitus, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis), multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, dermatitis (including atopic dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis), psoriasis, Sjogren's Syndrome, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca secondary to Sjogren's Syndrome, alopecia greata, allergic responses due to arthropod bite reactions, Crohn's disease, aphthous ulcer, ulceris, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, ulcerative colitis, asthma,
  • antigens involved in autoimmune disease include glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD 65), native DNA, myelin basic protein, myelin proteolipid protein, acetylcholine receptor components, thyroglobulin, and the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor.
  • GID 65 glutamic acid decarboxylase 65
  • native DNA myelin basic protein
  • myelin proteolipid protein myelin proteolipid protein
  • acetylcholine receptor components acetylcholine receptor components
  • thyroglobulin thyroglobulin
  • TSH thyroid stimulating hormone
  • antigens involved in allergy include pollen antigens such as Japanese cedar pollen antigens, ragweed pollen antigens, rye grass pollen antigens, animal derived antigens such as dust mite antigens and feline antigens, histocompatiblity antigens, and penicillin and other therapeutic drugs.
  • antigens involved in graft rejection include antigenic components of the graft to be transplanted into the graft recipient such as heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, and neural graft components.
  • the antigen may be an altered peptide ligand useful in treating an autoimmune disease.
  • any protein effector molecule may be altered in a manner that does not substantially affect the functional advantages of the effector protein.
  • glycine and alanine are typically considered to be interchangeable as are aspartic acid and glutamic acid and asparagine and glutamine.
  • effector sequences will encode effectors with roughly the same activity as the native effector.
  • the effector molecule and the antibody may be conjugated by chemical or by recombinant means as described above. Chemical modifications include, for example, derivitization for the purpose of linking the effector molecule and the antibody to each other, either directly or through a linking compound, by methods that are well known in the art of protein chemistry. Both covalent and noncovalent attachment methods may be used with the humanized antibodies of the present invention.
  • polypeptides typically contain a variety of functional groups; e.g., carboxylic acid (COOH), free amine (—NH 2 ) or sulfhydryl (—SH) groups, which are available for reaction with a suitable functional group on an antibody to result in the binding of the effector molecule.
  • the antibody can be derivatized to expose or to attach additional reactive functional groups, e.g., by attachment of any of a number of linker molecules such as those available from Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford Ill.
  • the linker is capable of forming covalent bonds to both the antibody and to the effector molecule.
  • Suitable linkers are well known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, or peptide linkers.
  • the linkers may be joined to the constituent amino acids through their side groups (e.g., through a disulfide linkage to cysteine).
  • the linkers will be joined to the alpha carbon amino and carboxyl groups of the terminal amino acids.
  • immunoconjugates will comprise linkages that are cleavable in the vicinity of the target site. Cleavage of the linker to release the effector molecule from the antibody may be prompted by enzymatic activity or conditions to which the immunoconjugate is subjected either inside the target cell or in the vicinity of the target site.
  • a linker that is cleavable under conditions present at the tumor site e.g. when exposed to tumor-associated enzymes or acidic pH
  • Exemplary chemical modifications of the effector molecule and the antibody of the present invention also include derivitization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to extend time of residence in the circulatory system and reduce immunogenicity, according to well known methods (See for example, Lisi, et al., Applied Biochem. 4:19 (1982); Beauchamp, et al., Anal Biochem. 131:25 (1982); and Goodson, et al., Bio/Technology 8:343 (1990)).
  • PEG polyethylene glycol
  • the present invention contemplates vaccines for use in both active and passive immunization embodiments.
  • Immunogenic compositions proposed to be suitable for use as a vaccine, may be prepared most readily directly from immunogenic T-cell stimulating peptides prepared in a manner disclosed herein. The final vaccination material is dialyzed extensively to remove undesired small molecular weight molecules and/or lyophilized for more ready formulation into a desired vehicle.
  • the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to manufacture a cellular vaccine, e.g., the antigen-delivering anti-Langerin binding portion of the antibody is used to direct the antigen(s) to an antigen presenting cell, which then “loads” the antigen onto MHC proteins for presentation.
  • the cellular vaccine is, therefore, the antigen presenting cell that has been loaded using the compositions of the present invention to generate antigen-loaded antigen presenting cells.
  • these “active ingredients” can be made into vaccines using methods understood in the art, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,608,251; 4,601,903; 4,599,231; 4,599,230; and 4,578,770, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference.
  • such vaccines are prepared as injectables, e.g., as liquid solutions or suspensions or solid forms suitable for re-suspension in liquid prior to injection. The preparation may also be emulsified.
  • the active immunogenic ingredient is often mixed with excipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active ingredient.
  • Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like and combinations thereof.
  • the vaccine may contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, or adjuvants that enhance the effectiveness of the vaccines.
  • the vaccines are administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in such amount as will be therapeutically effective and immunogenic.
  • the quantity to be administered depends on the subject to be treated, including, e.g., the capacity of the individual's immune system to generate an immune response. Precise amounts of cells or active ingredient required to be administered depend on the judgment of the practitioner. However, suitable dosage ranges are of the order of a few thousand cells (to millions of cells) for cellular vaccines. For standard epitope or epitope delivery vaccines then the vaccine may be several hundred micrograms active ingredient per vaccination. Suitable regimes for initial administration and booster shots are also variable, but are typified by an initial administration followed by subsequent inoculations or other administrations.
  • any of the conventional methods for administration of a vaccine are applicable.
  • the dosage of the vaccine will depend on the route of administration and will vary according to the size of the host.
  • the vaccine In many instances, it will be desirable to have multiple administrations of the vaccine, e.g., four to six vaccinations provided weekly or every other week. A normal vaccination regimen will often occur in two to twelve week intervals or from three to six week intervals. Periodic boosters at intervals of 1-5 years, usually three years, may be desirable to maintain protective levels of the immune response or upon a likelihood of a remission or re-infection.
  • the course of the immunization may be followed by assays for, e.g., T cell activation, cytokine secretion or even antibody production, most commonly conducted in vitro. These immune response assays are well known and may be found in a wide variety of patents and as taught herein.
  • the vaccine of the present invention may be provided in one or more “unit doses” depending on whether the nucleic acid vectors are used, the final purified proteins, or the final vaccine form is used.
  • Unit dose is defined as containing a predetermined-quantity of the therapeutic composition calculated to produce the desired responses in association with its administration, i.e., the appropriate route and treatment regimen.
  • the quantity to be administered, and the particular route and formulation, are within the skill of those in the clinical arts.
  • the subject to be treated may also be evaluated, in particular, the state of the subject's immune system and the protection desired.
  • a unit dose need not be administered as a single injection but may include continuous infusion over a set period of time.
  • Unit dose of the present invention may conveniently be described in terms of DNA/kg (or protein/Kg) body weight, with ranges between about 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 10, 50, 100, 1,000 or more mg/DNA or protein/kg body weight are administered.
  • the amount of anti-Langerin-antigen vaccine delivered can vary from about 0.2 to about 8.0 mg/kg body weight.
  • 0.4 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 3.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.5 mg, 6.0 mg, 6.5 mg, 7.0 mg and 7.5 mg of the vaccine may be delivered to an individual in vivo.
  • the dosage of vaccine to be administered depends to a great extent on the weight and physical condition of the subject being treated as well as the route of administration and the frequency of treatment.
  • compositions that includes a naked polynucleotide prebound to a liposomal or viral delivery vector may be administered in amounts ranging from 1 ⁇ g to 1 mg polynucleotide to 1 ⁇ g to 100 mg protein.
  • particular compositions may include between about 1 ⁇ g, 5 ⁇ g, 10 ⁇ g, 20 ⁇ g, 30 ⁇ g, 40 ⁇ g, 50 ⁇ g, 60 ⁇ g, 70 ⁇ g, 80 ⁇ g, 100 ⁇ g, 150 ⁇ g, 200 ⁇ g, 250 ⁇ g, 500 ⁇ g, 600 ⁇ g, 700 ⁇ g, 800 ⁇ g, 900 ⁇ g or 1,000 ⁇ g polynucleotide or protein that is bound independently to 1 ⁇ g, 5 ⁇ g, 10 ⁇ g, 20 ⁇ g, 3.0 ⁇ g, 40 ⁇ g 50 ⁇ g, 60 ⁇ g, 70 ⁇ g, 80 ⁇ g, 100 ⁇ g, 150 ⁇ g, 200 ⁇ g, 250 ⁇ g, 500
  • Antibodies of the present invention may optionally be covalently or non-covalently linked to a detectable label.
  • Detectable labels suitable for such use include any composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical methods.
  • Useful labels in the present invention include magnetic beads (e.g.
  • DYNABEADSTM fluorescent dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescent protein, and the like), radiolabels (e.g., 3 H, 125 I, 35 S, 14 C, or 32 P), enzymes (e.g., horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and others commonly used in an ELISA), and colorimetric labels such as colloidal gold or colored glass or plastic (e.g. polystyrene, polypropylene, latex, etc.) beads.
  • fluorescent dyes e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescent protein, and the like
  • radiolabels e.g., 3 H, 125 I, 35 S, 14 C, or 32 P
  • enzymes e.g., horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and others commonly used in an ELISA
  • radiolabels may be detected using photographic film or scintillation counters
  • fluorescent markers may be detected using a photodetector to detect emitted illumination
  • Enzymatic labels are typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrate and detecting the reaction product produced by the action of the enzyme on the substrate, and colorimetric labels are detected by simply visualizing the colored label.
  • the antibody and/or immunoconjugate compositions of this invention are particularly useful for parenteral administration, such as intravenous administration or administration into a body cavity.
  • the compositions for administration will commonly comprise a solution of the antibody and/or immunoconjugate dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier preferably an aqueous carrier.
  • aqueous carriers can be used, e.g., buffered saline and the like. These solutions are sterile and generally free of undesirable matter.
  • These compositions may be sterilized by conventional, well-known sterilization techniques.
  • compositions may contain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required to approximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, toxicity adjusting agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium lactate and the like.
  • concentration of fusion protein in these formulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like in accordance with the particular mode of administration selected and the patient's needs.
  • a typical pharmaceutical immunoconjugate composition of the present invention for intravenous administration would be about 0.1 to 10 mg per patient per day. Dosages from 0.1 up to about 100 mg per patient per day may be used. Actual methods for preparing administrable compositions will be known or apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in more detail in such publications as R EMINGTON′S P HARMACEUTICAL S CIENCE, 19 TH E D ., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1995).
  • compositions of the present invention can be administered for therapeutic treatments.
  • compositions are administered to a patient suffering from a disease, in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially arrest the disease and its complications.
  • An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a “therapeutically effective dose.” Amounts effective for this use will depend upon the severity of the disease and the general state of the patient's health. An effective amount of the compound is that which provides either subjective relief of a symptom(s) or an objectively identifiable improvement as noted by the clinician or other qualified observer.
  • compositions are administered depending on the dosage and frequency as required and tolerated by the patient.
  • the composition should provide a sufficient quantity of the proteins of this invention to effectively treat the patient.
  • the dosage is administered once but may be applied periodically until either a therapeutic result is achieved or until side effects warrant discontinuation of therapy.
  • the dose is sufficient to treat or ameliorate symptoms or signs of disease without producing unacceptable toxicity to the patient.
  • Controlled release parenteral formulations of the immunoconjugate compositions of the present invention can be made as implants, oily injections, or as particulate systems.
  • Particulate systems include microspheres, microparticles, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanospheres, and nanoparticles.
  • Microcapsules contain the therapeutic protein as a central core. In microspheres the therapeutic is dispersed throughout the particle.
  • Particles, microspheres, and microcapsules smaller than about 1 ⁇ m are generally referred to as nanoparticles, nanospheres, and nanocapsules, respectively.
  • Capillaries have a diameter of approximately 5 ⁇ m so that only nanoparticles are administered intravenously.
  • Microparticles are typically around 100 ⁇ m in diameter and are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
  • Polymers can be used for ion-controlled release of immunoconjugate compositions of the present invention.
  • Various degradable and non-degradable polymeric matrices for use in controlled drug delivery are known in the art (Langer, R., Accounts Chem. Res. 26:537-542 (1993)).
  • the block copolymer, poloxamer 407® exists as a viscous yet mobile liquid at low temperatures but forms a semisolid gel at body temperature
  • hydroxyapatite has been used as a microcarrier for controlled release of proteins
  • liposomes may be used for controlled release as well as drug targeting of the lipid-capsulated drug.
  • Numerous additional systems for controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.
  • immunoconjugates of the invention are included a variety of disease conditions caused by specific human cells that may be eliminated by the toxic action of the fusion protein.
  • humanized Anti-Langerin antibodies e.g., 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and binding fragments thereof, disclosed herein.
  • one application for immunoconjugates is the treatment of malignant cells expressing Langerin.
  • Exemplary malignant cells include those of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia.
  • kits for the delivery of antigens e.g., Langerin or an immunoreactive fragment thereof, conjugated or in the form of a fusion protein with one or more T cell or B cell epitopes.
  • a “biological sample” as used herein is a sample of biological tissue or fluid that contains the antigen. Such samples include, but are not limited to, tissue from biopsy, blood, and blood cells (e.g., white cells). Preferably, the cells are lymphocytes, e.g., dendritic cells. Biological samples also include sections of tissues, such as frozen sections taken for histological purposes.
  • a biological sample is typically obtained from a multicellular eukaryote, preferably a mammal such as rat, mouse, cow, dog, guinea pig, or rabbit, and more preferably a primate, such as a macaque, chimpanzee, or human. Most preferably, the sample is from a human.
  • the antibodies of the invention may also be used in vivo, for example, as a diagnostic tool for in vivo imaging.
  • Kits will typically comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an antibody of the present invention (or binding fragment thereof) with one or more framework portions or multiple cloning sites at the carboxy-terminal end into which the coding sequences for one or more antigens may be inserted.
  • the antibody will be a humanized anti-Langerin Fv fragment, such as an scFv or dsFv fragment.
  • the kits will typically include instructional materials disclosing methods of use of an antibody of the present invention (e.g. for loading into dendritic cells prior to immunization with the dendritic cells, which can be autologous dendritic cells).
  • the kits may also include additional components to facilitate the particular application for which the kit is designed.
  • the kit may additionally contain methods of detecting the label (e.g. enzyme substrates for enzymatic labels, filter sets to detect fluorescent labels, appropriate secondary labels such as a sheep anti-mouse-HRP, or the like).
  • the kits may additionally include buffers and other reagents routinely used for the practice of a particular method. Such kits and appropriate contents are well known to those of skill in the art.
  • immunoconjugates targeted by antibodies of the invention can be used to purge targeted cells from a population of cells in a culture.
  • the immunoconjugates of the present invention may be used to enrich a population of T cells having the opposite effect of the on-going immune response.
  • cells cultured from a patient having a cancer can be purged of cancer cells by providing the patient with dendritic cells that were antigen loaded using the antibodies of the invention as a targeting moiety for the antigens that will trigger an immune response against the cancer, virus or other pathogen.
  • the immunoconjugates can be used to increase the population of regulatory T cells or drive the immune response toward or away from a cytotoxic T cell response or even drive a B cell response.
  • LCs and intDCs derived from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells differ in their capacity to activate lymphocytes ( FIG. 1 ).
  • IntDCs induce the differentiation of na ⁇ ve B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells and differentiation of CD4+T cells into follicular helper T cells (TFH) 17,18 , while LCs are particularly efficient activators of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes (CTLs).
  • CTLs cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes
  • interstitial DCs produce IL-10 and their enzymatic activity, which might be fundamental for the selection of peptides that will be presented to T cells, is not the same.
  • DC subsets play an important role in determining CD4+T cell responses. Either polarized DCs or distinct DC subsets provide T cells with different signals that determine the types of immune response (Type 1 versus Type 2) 21 .
  • Type 1 versus Type 2 the types of immune response
  • mice splenic CD8+DCs prime na ⁇ ve CD4+T cells to make Th1 cytokines in a process involving IL-12, whereas splenic CD8+DCs prime na ⁇ ve CD4+T cells to make Th2 cytokines 22,23 .
  • FIG. 2 Recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to cell surface Langerin.
  • CHO S cells were stably transfected with a plasmid directing the expression of full-length human Langerin.
  • thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Hipo5), were titrated against the Langerin-CHO cells. After incubation on ice, the cells were washed and treated with an anti-human Fc-PE reagent. After further incubation on ice, the cells were washed and analyzed on a FACS Array instrument to determine the amount of cell-bound florescence (expressed as % MFI compared to untransfected CHO—S cells).
  • FIG. 3 demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD4+T cells from a health donor.
  • FIG. 3 a compares delivering PSA to DCs through CD40 and Langerin induces IFN ⁇ -producing PSA-specific CD4+T cells.
  • CD4+T cells from healthy donors were co-cultured with IFNDCs targeted with anti-CD40-PSA or anti-Langerin-PSA for 8 days. Cells were stimulated with individual peptides (59 peptides of 15-mers) of PSA (5 ⁇ M). After 2 days, culture supernatants were analyzed for measuring IFN ⁇ . Dotted lines represent upper limits of average ⁇ SD for no peptides and responses above this line are considered significant.
  • FIG. 3 b shows that CD4+T cells were stained for measuring the frequency of peptide-specific intracellular IFN ⁇ + cells.
  • an anti-Langerin vaccine bearing a cancer antigen can prime a potent antigen-specific anti-CD4+T cell response in vitro using immune cells from a normal individual.
  • this agent is as potent as an anti-CD40 based vaccine—these DCs express both receptors.
  • an anti-Langerin-based vaccine would target antigen only to Langerhans cells (LCs), and based on recent research [Immunity, Volume 29, Issue 3, 497-510, 19 Sep.
  • LCs preferentially induce the differentiation of CD4+T cells secreting T helper 2 (Th2) cell cytokines and are particularly efficient at priming and cross priming naive CD8+T cells—the latter characteristic is particularly desirable for evoking anti-cancer CTL responses.
  • anti-CD40 targeting agents would deliver antigen to a much broader array of APC in vivo.
  • FIG. 4 demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+T cells from a prostate cancer patient.
  • DCs targeted with anti-CD40-PSA and anti-Langerin-PSA targeted to DCs induces PSA-specific CD8+T cell responses.
  • IFNDCs were targeted with 1 mg mAb fusion proteins with PSA. Purified autologous CD8+T cells were co-cultured for 10 days. Cells were stained with anti-CD8 and PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer. Cells are from HLA-A*0201 positive prostate cancer patients.
  • the PSA tetramer reagent identified T cells bearing T cell receptors specifically reactive with HLA-A*0201 complexes bearing the PSA KLQCVDLHV peptide.
  • an anti-Langerin vaccine bearing a cancer antigen can prime a potent antigen-specific anti-CD8+T cell response in vitro using immune cells from a prostate cancer.
  • this agent is as potent as a anti-CD40 based vaccine—these DCs express both receptors.
  • an anti-Langerin-based vaccine would target antigen only to Langerhans cells (LCs), and based on recent research [Immunity, Volume 29, Issue 3, 497-510, 19 Sep.
  • LCs preferentially induce the differentiation of CD4+T cells secreting T helper 2 (Th2) cell cytokines and are particularly efficient at priming and cross priming naive CD8+T cells—the latter characteristic is particularly desirable for evoking anti-cancer CTL responses.
  • anti-CD40 targeting agents would deliver antigen to a much broader array of APC in vivo.
  • FIG. 5 Anti-Langerin preferentially targets epidermal LCs.
  • Purified skin DC subsets (Epidermal LCs, dermal CD1a+DCs and CD14+DCs) from HLA-A201 donor were cultured with 8 nM anti-Langerin, IgG4 conjugates mAbs, free FluMP or without antigen for 3 h.
  • Syngeneic purified CD8+T cells were cultured with the antigen-pulsed DCs at a DC/T ratio 1:20.
  • CD40L 100 ng/ml; R&D
  • CD40-ligation enhances crosspresentation by DCs.
  • the cocultures were incubated at 37° C. for 8-10 days.
  • the response of FluMP-specific CD8+T cells was evaluated using HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer.
  • FIG. 5A 2D FACs-plots showing FluMP-specific CD8+T cell expansion as evaluated by specific HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) tetramer staining demonstrating that targeting antigen via anti-Langerin elicits antigen-specific CD8+T cell expansion only through LCs, which is more robust than other methods of antigen delivery such as free FluMP.
  • FIG. 5C IFN- ⁇ levels in the culture supernatants of human LCs that were culture for 8 days with either Langerin-FluMP, control IgG4-FluMP, free FluMP or no antigen after 8 days.
  • FIG. 6 shows the differential expression of Langerin by human skin DCs.
  • FIG. 6A shows the expression of Langerin on isolated human skin DC subsets. Data show restricted expression of Langerin on human LCs, but not on dermal CD1a+ or CD14+DCs.
  • FIG. 6B show a gene expression analysis of Langerin by skin DCs isolated from 3 different specimens. RNA was prepared from sorted migrated skin mDC subsets: epidermal LCs, dermal CD1a+DCs and CD14+DCs.
  • FIG. 6C shows the immunofluorescent staining of normal human skin using Langerin and HLA-DR mAbs.
  • FIG. 7 Anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody (produced by hybridoma ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852) specifically stains human Langerhans cells. Human epithelial sheet was prepared and stained with Alexa568 [red]-labeled anti-Langerin 15B10 and a commercial anti-HLA antibody labeled green. The top image shows the red and green image superimposed highlighting the co-localization of these two markers.
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10K Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to human IgG4, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3L produced by hybridoma ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3H Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • FIG. 8 shows the binding of recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to beads decorated with human and non-human primate (NHP) Langerin ectodomain proteins.
  • Luminex beads of different colors were covalently linked to cellulose binding protein fused to dockerin. The beads were then mixed with either human Langerin ectodomain fused to cohesin, or with NHP (Rhesus macaque) Langerin ectodomain fused to cohesin.
  • the beads were washed and mixed, then incubated with serial dilutions of various pure recombinant anti-Langerin 2G3 or 15B10 mouse V region-human IgG4 chimeric antibodies or the same antibodies with C-terminal fusions to human prostate specific antigen (PSA), or control pure recombinant anti-CD40 12E12 mouse V region-human IgG4 chimeric antibody.
  • PSA prostate specific antigen
  • the beads were incubated with an anti-human Fc-PE reagent, washed again, and then read on a BioPlex instrument to detect florescence bound to the different colored beads (expressed as % MFI relative to the maximal signal seen on each bead type.
  • FIG. 9 shows the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain to evoke potent antigen-specific antibody production in NHP.
  • NHP were injected intramuscularly (im) with 10E6 pr8 Flu virus and subcutaneously (sc) HIV gag p24 protein (First boost); ⁇ 2 months later the NHP were again injected with HIV gag p24 protein (Second boost); about 6 weeks and 4 months later, the NHP were injected intradermal (id) with 100 ⁇ g anti-Langerin 15B10 HA1-1 fusion protein with poly IC as adjuvant, or with anti-DCIR HA1-1 fusion protein with poly IC, or with a standard dose of commercial Vaccigrip Flu vaccine and 10E6 pr8 Flu virus.
  • FIG. 10 shows that recombinant fusion proteins of anti-human DC receptors and antigens induce antigen-specific immune responses in NHP: Rhesus macaques (4 animals in each group) immunized i.m. with live influenza virus (A/PR8, H1N1) and HIVgag-derived p24-PLA on day 0. On day 28, animals were boosted with p24-PLA alone. On day 77 and day 119, each group of animals was immunized as described in FIG. 18 (below). Anti-Langerin-HA1 response in Rhesus macaque—IFN- ⁇ response measured by ELISPOT after ex vivo stimulation with HA peptides.
  • Control group (4 animals) were immunized i.m. with live influenza virus and commercial flu vaccine, VACCIGRIP, with 100 ug poly I:C per animal.
  • Experimental group (4 animals) were boosted i.d. with anti-DCIR-HA1 (100 ⁇ g/animals) with 100 ⁇ g of poly I:C per animal.
  • the data above show that anti-Langerin-HA1 elicited potent HA1-specific T cells responses as measured by IFN ⁇ ELISPOT.
  • FIG. 11 shows that the Anti-Langerin G3 antibody specifically stains NHP Langerhans cells.
  • Rhesus macaque skin sections were prepared and stained with anti-Langerin 2G3 and then Texas Red-labeled goat ant-mouse reagent. Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI [blue]. This shows specific staining of NHP LC demonstrating the specific cross-reactivity of this anti-human Langerin antibody with NHP Langerin.
  • the 15B10.3 hydridoma has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty with the U.S. American Type Culture Collection and received Deposit No. PTA-9852; and the 2G3.6 hybridoma received Deposit No. PTA-9853.
  • FIG. 12 shows the antibody titers for anti-HIV-gag antibodies in NHP vaccination with a gag-microparticle, an anti-hIGG4-gag antibody, an anti-DCIR-gag vaccine and an anti-Langerin-gag-p24 vaccine, all with or without poly I:C as an adjuvant.
  • NHP non-human primates
  • FIG. 12 shows represents ELISA assay for antigen-specific anti-gag p24 titers of serum samples taken 2 weeks after the third injection.
  • FIG. 12 shows serial dilutions of the sera graphed for each individual monkey [graph lines shown in blue]. A parallel group of monkeys were co-injected with the p24 proteins and poly I:C adjuvant [graph lines shown in red].
  • FIG. 13 FACS analysis on Langerin clones: 293F cells were transiently transfected with vectors directing the expression of full-length (cell surface) langerin from human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse. Cells were stained with a dilution series of the pure monoclonal antibodies, washed, then counterstained with an anti-mouse IgG-PE conjugate, then washed again. Cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The data are expressed as % cells giving a positive cell surface staining signal relative to the control untransfected cells.
  • FIG. 14 ELISA analysis in two formats—direct (antigen bound to plate directly and bound antibody detected with an anti-mouse IgG-HRP conjugate) and capture (antibody bound to plate, capturing a fixed concentration of biotinylated Langerin ectodomain protein, detected with a neutravidin-HRP reagent). ELISA data for human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse Langerin ectodomain proteins are shown.
  • compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.
  • the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
  • the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention.
  • the phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim except for, e.g., impurities ordinarily associated with the element or limitation.
  • A, B, C, or combinations thereof refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term.
  • “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB.
  • expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth.
  • BB BB
  • AAA AAA
  • MB BBC
  • AAABCCCCCC CBBAAA
  • CABABB CABABB
  • words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about”, “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present.
  • the extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature.
  • a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least ⁇ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.
  • compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Abstract

The present invention includes isolated anti-Langerin vaccines, methods for making and using an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the isolated anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the peptides are separated by the one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site. The present invention also includes isolated vectors for the expression of the anti-Langerin antigen delivery vectors and their manufactures and use.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/242,283, filed Sep. 14, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH
  • This invention was made with U.S. Government support under Contract No. 1U19AI057234-0100003 awarded by the NIH. The government has certain rights in this invention.
  • TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates in general to the field of vaccines, and more particularly, to compositions and methods for targeting and delivering antigens to Langerhans cells for antigen presentation using high affinity anti-Langerin monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins therewith.
  • INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS FILED ON COMPACT DISC
  • None.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with antigen presentation.
  • Dendritic Cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that induce and sustain immune responses and are fundamental in establishing both tolerance and immunity. DCs capture and present antigens to CD4+ T cells, which then determine the quantity and quality of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. There are subsets of DCs1,2, including both myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs (mDCs and pDCs, respectively).
  • Prior Langerin related agents include those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,528, issued to Duvert-Frances, et al., which include polynucleotides encoding a mammalian Langerhans cell antigen, including purified mammalian DC cell surface protein, designated Langerin, nucleic acids encoding Langerin, and antibodies which specifically bind Langerin.
  • Other anti-DC related agents are taught in, e.g., United States Patent Application Publication No. 20060257412, filed by Bowdish, et al., which includes a method of treating autoimmune disease by inducing antigen presentation by tolerance inducing antigen presenting cells. Briefly, this application teaches that antibodies to antigen presenting cells may be utilized to interfere with the interaction of the antigen presenting cell and immune cells, including T cells. Peptides may be linked to the antibodies thereby generating an immune response to such peptides, e.g., those peptides associated with autoimmunity.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • In one embodiment, the present invention includes compositions and methods for activating T and B cell responses by targeting antigens to antigen presenting cells along with the proper activation of the APC to activate T cell and B cells responses. One embodiment is a vaccine comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site. In one aspect, the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fc, or a ScFv fragment. In another aspect, the antibody comprises one or more complementarity determining regions selected from: ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof. In another aspect, the antigenic peptide is a cancer antigen selected from: MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9); LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10); LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11); NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12); SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13); IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14); ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15); YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.: 16); YLEPGPVTA (SEQ ID NO.: 17); KTWGQYWQV (SEQ ID NO.: 18); APLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILL GRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLSEPAELTD AVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVISNDVCAQVHPQKV TKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALPERPSLYTKVVHYR KWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 19); DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTKVPRNQDWLGVSRQLRTKAWNRQLYPEWTEAQRLDCWRG GQVSLKVSNDGPTLIGANASFSIALNFPGSQKVLPDGQVIWVNNTIINGSQVWGGQPVY PQETDDACIFPDGGPCPSGSWSQKRSFVYVWKTWGQYWQVLGGPVSGLSIGTGRAML GTHTMEVTVYHRRGSQSYVPLAHSSSAFTITDQVPFSVSVSQLRALDGGNKHFLRNQ (SEQ ID NO.: 20); PLTFALQLHDPSGYLAEADLSYTWDFGDSSGTLISRAXVVTHTYLEPGPVTAQVVLQA AIPLTSCGSSPVPAS (SEQ ID NO.: 21); GTTDGHRPTAEAPNTTAGQVPTTEVVGTTPGQAPTAEPSGTTSVQVPTTEVISTAPVQM PTAESTGMTPEKVPVSEVMGTTLAEMSTPEATGMTPAEVSIVVLSGTTAA (SEQ ID NO. 22); QVTTTEWVETTARELPIPEPEGPDASSIMSTESITGSLGPLLDGTATLRLVKRQVPLDCVL YRYGSFSVTLDIVQ (SEQ ID NO.: 23); GIESAEILQAVPSGEGDAFELTVSCQGGLPKEACMEISSPGCQPPAQRLCQPVLPSPACQ LVLHQILKGGSGTYCLNVSLADTNSLAVVSTQLIVPGILLTGQEAGLGQ (SEQ ID NO.: 24); MEMKILRALNFGLGRPLPLHFLRRASKIGEVDVEQHTLAKYLMELTMLDY (SEQ ID NO.: 25); DWLVQVQMKFRLLQETMYMTVSIIDRFMQNNCVPKK (SEQ ID NO.: 26); MEHQLLCCEVETIRRAYPDANLLNDRVLRAMLKAEETCAPSVSYFKCV (SEQ ID NO.: 27); QKEVLPSMRKIVATWMLEVCEEQKCEEEVFPLAMNYLDRFLSLEPVKKSRLQLLGATC MFVASKMKETIPLTAEKLCIYTDNSIRPEELLQMELL (SEQ ID NO.: 28); LVNKLKWNLAAMTPHDFIEHFLSKMPEAEENKQIIRKHAQTFVALCATDVKFISNPPSM V (SEQ ID NO.: 29); or AAGSVVAAVQGLNLRSPNNFLSYYRLTRFLSRVIKCDPDCLRACQEQIEALLESSLRQA QQNMDPKAAEEEEEEEEEVDLACTPTDVRDVDI (SEQ ID NO.: 30), or binding fragments thereof. In another aspect, the antigenic peptide is a viral antigen selected from: VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEKGGL (SEQ ID NO.: 31); HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL (SEQ ID NO.: 32); EKIRLRPGGKKKYKLKHIV (SEQ ID NO.: 33); NPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD (SEQ ID NO.: 34); AIFQSSMTKILEPFRKQNPDIVIYQYMDDLY (SEQ ID NO.: 35); DTICIGYHANNSTDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNLLEDSHNGKLCRLKGIAPLQLGKCNIAG WLLGNPECDPLLPVRSWSYIVETPNSENGICYPGDFIDYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEIFPKES SWPNHNTNGVTAACSHEGKSSFYRNLLWLTEKEGSYPKLKNSYVNKKGKEVLVLWGI HHPPNSKEQQNLYQNENAYVSVVTSNYNRRFTPEIAERPKVRDQAGRMNYYWTLLKP GDTIIFEANGNLIAPMYAFALSRGFGSGIITSNASMHECNTKCQTPLGAINSSLPYQNIHP VTIGECPKYVRSAKLRMV (SEQ ID NO.: 36); DQICIGYHANNSTEQVDTIMEKNTVTHAQDILEKKHNGKLCDLDGVKPLILRDCSVA GWLLGNPMCDEFINVPEWSYIVEKANPVNDLCYPGDFNDYEELKHLLSRINHFEKIQIIP KSSWSSHEASLGVSSACPYQGKSSFFRNVVWLIKKNSTYPTIKRSYNNTNQEDLLVLW GIHHPNDAAEQTKLYQNPTTYISVGTSTLNQRLVPRIATRSKVNGQSGRMEFFWTILKP NDAINFESNGNFIAPEYAYKIVKKGDSTIMKSELEYGNCNTKCQTPMGAINSSMPFHNIH PLTIGECPKYVKSNRLVLA (SEQ ID NO.: 37); or PIVQNIQGQMVHQAISPRTLNAWVKVVEEKAFSPEVIPMFSALSEGATPQDLNTMLNTV GGHQAAMQMLKETINEEAAEWDRVHPVHAGPIAPGQMREPRGSDIAGTTSTLQEQIG WMTNNPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILDIRQGPKEPFRDYVDRFYKTLRAEQ ASQEVKNWMTETLLVQNANPDCKTILKALGPAATLEEMMTACQGVGGPGHKARVL (SEQ ID NO.: 38). In another aspect, when two or more antigens are present, the antigens are separated by one or more peptide linkers are selected from: SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP (SEQ ID NO.: 39); PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTATPTIKG (SEQ ID NO.: 40); TVTPTATATPSAIVTTITPTATTKP (SEQ ID NO.: 41); or TNGSITVAATAPTVTPTVNATPSAA (SEQ ID NO.: 42). In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention includes an isolated nucleic acid vector that expresses an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and two or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the light chain, the heavy chain or both the light and heavy chains of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the antigenic peptides are separated by the one or more peptide linkers that comprise at least one glycosylation site. In one aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), O-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen) 1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides are selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Lipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of enhancing T and B cell responses comprising: immunizing a subject in need of vaccination with an effective amount of a vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding portion thereof and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody. In one aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias, lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain (HA1-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Hipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA.
  • Yet another embodiment is a method of making an anti-Langerin-antigen fusion protein comprising: expressing an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof in a host cell, the fusion protein comprising one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof, wherein when two or more cancer peptides are present, the cancer peptides are separated by one or more linkers, at least one linker comprising a glycosylation site; and isolating the fusion protein. In one aspect, fusion protein expressed in the host is further isolated and purified. In another aspect, the host is a eukaryotic cell. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC-related protein (Mucin) (MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67. In another aspect, the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. In another aspect, the cancer peptides are selected from at least one of: MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9); LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10); LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11); NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12); SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13); IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14); ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15); YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.: 16); YLEPGPVTA (SEQ ID NO.: 17); KTWGQYWQV (SEQ ID NO.: 18); APLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILL GRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLSEPAELTD AVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVISNDVCAQVHPQKV TKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALPERPSLYTKVVHYR KWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 19); DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTKVPRNQDWLGVSRQLRTKAWNRQLYPEWTEAQRLDCWRG GQVSLKVSNDGPTLIGANASFSIALNFPGSQKVLPDGQVIWVNNTIINGSQVWGGQPVY PQETDDACIFPDGGPCPSGSWSQKRSFVYVWKTWGQYWQVLGGPVSGLSIGTGRAML GTHTMEVTVYHRRGSQSYVPLAHSSSAFTITDQVPFSVSVSQLRALDGGNKHFLRNQ (SEQ ID NO.: 20); PLTFALQLHDPSGYLAEADLSYTWDFGDSSGTLISRAXVVTHTYLEPGPVTAQVVLQA AIPLTSCGSSPVPAS (SEQ ID NO.: 21); GTTDGHRPTAEAPNTTAGQVPTTEVVGTTPGQAPTAEPSGTTSVQVPTTEVISTAPVQM PTAESTGMTPEKVPVSEVMGTTLAEMSTPEATGMTPAEVSIVVLSGTTAA (SEQ ID NO.: 22); QVTTTEWVETTARELPIPEPEGPDASSIMSTESITGSLGPLLDGTATLRLVKRQVPLDCVL YRYGSFSVTLDIVQ (SEQ ID NO.: 23); GIESAEILQAVPSGEGDAFELTVSCQGGLPKEACMEISSPGCQPPAQRLCQPVLPSPACQ LVLHQILKGGSGTYCLNVSLADTNSLAVVSTQLIVPGILLTGQEAGLGQ (SEQ ID NO.: 24); MEMKILRALNFGLGRPLPLHFLRRASKIGEVDVEQHTLAKYLMELTMLDY (SEQ ID NO.: 25); DWLVQVQMKFRLLQETMYMTVSIIDRFMQNNCVPKK (SEQ ID NO.: 26); MEHQLLCCEVETIRRAYPDANLLNDRVLRAMLKAEETCAPSVSYFKCV (SEQ ID NO.: 27); QKEVLPSMRKIVATWMLEVCEEQKCEEEVFPLAMNYLDRFLSLEPVKKSRLQLLGATC MFVASKMKETIPLTAEKLCIYTDNSIRPEELLQMELL (SEQ ID NO.: 28); LVNKLKWNLAAMTPHDFIEHFLSKMPEAEENKQIIRKHAQTFVALCATDVKFISNPPSM V (SEQ ID NO.: 29); or AAGSVVAAVQGLNLRSPNNFLSYYRLTRFLSRVIKCDPDCLRACQEQIEALLESSLRQA QQNMDPKAAEEEEEEEEEVDLACTPTDVRDVDI (SEQ ID NO.: 30), or immunogenic fragments thereof.
  • In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-cancer specific T cells or B cells.
  • In yet another embodiment, the invention includes a tumor associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of tumor associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one infectious disease antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • Yet another embodiment includes a method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having an infection; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or αLangerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is an antigen of the infectious agent and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-infections agent specific T cells or B cells. Another embodiment is a viral associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising: isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having a viral infection; incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a viral associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20; expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines; harvesting the cells; and assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of viral associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
  • Another embodiment is a therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one viral antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20. In one example, the isolated antibody comprising one or more of complementarity determining regions selected from:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof. In one aspect, the antibody is humanized. In another aspect, the antibody is 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852 and humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the antibody is 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7, and humanized derivatives thereof.
  • Yet another embodiment is an isolated isolated nucleic acid that encodes a 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 antibody, antibody binding fragment or a humanized derivative thereof. In one aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80; or binding fragments thereof respectively. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product from the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79; or binding fragments thereof, which are the 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 antibodies, respectively.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides attached to the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site. In one aspect, the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fc, or a ScFv fragment. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein. In another aspect, the composition further comprises an adjuvant. In another aspect, the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutical excipients.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a therapeutic vaccine comprising a fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one viral antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • The invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • Accordingly the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • The invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • Accordingly the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • In one aspect the invention provides a single domain Langerin antibody comprising an isolated immunoglobulin light chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VL) as defined above. In another aspect the invention provides a single domain Langrin binding molecule comprising an isolated immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH) as defined above.
  • In another aspect the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising a light chain (VL) variable domains in which the Langerin binding antibody comprises at least one antigen binding site comprising: an antibody light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • In another aspect the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising, the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); or SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10K—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 49)
    ATGAAGTTGCCTGTTAGGCTGTTGGTGCTGATGTTCTGGATTCCTG
    CTTCCAGCAGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCC
    TGTCCGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCAGATCTAGTCAG
    AGCCTTGTACACAGTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGC
    AGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCAAAGCTCCTGATCTACAAAGTTTCCAA
    CCGATTTTCTGGGGTCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCAGGG
    ACAAATTTCACACTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGG
    GACTTTATTTCTGCTCTCAAAGTACACATGTTCCGTACACGTTCGG
    AGGGGGGACCAAGCTGGAAATAAAACGGGCTGATGCTGCACCAACT
    GTATCCATCTTCCCACCATCCAGTGAGCAGTTAACATCTGGAGGTG
    CCTCAGTCGTGTGCTTCTTGAACAACTTCTACCCCAAAGACATCAA
    TGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGCAGTGAACGACAAAATGGCGTCCTG
    AACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAGCAAAGACAGCACCTACAGCATGA
    ACAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGACGAGTATGAACGACATAACAG
    CTATACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACATCAACTTCACCCATCGTC
    AAGAGCTTCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTAG
    (SEQ ID NO. 50)
    DVVMTQTPLSLPVRLGDQASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPG
    QSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTLKISRVEAEDLGLYF
    CSQSTHVPYTFGGGTKLEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVV
    CFLNNFYPKDINVKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMNSTL
    TLTKDEYERHNSYTCEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to human IgG4, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 51)
    ATGGAATGGAGGATCTTTCTCTTCATCCTGTCAGGAACTGCAGGTG
    TCCACTCCCAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGACCTGAGCTGGTGAA
    GCCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACA
    TTTACTGACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGAACTGGACAGG
    GCCTTGAGTGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGTTATTCTTT
    CTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCAGACAAA
    TCCTCCACCACAGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGG
    ACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTTGC
    TTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACA
    ACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCT
    CCGAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCC
    CGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGC
    GTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCC
    TCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGAC
    CTACACCTGCAACGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGAC
    AAGAGAGTTGAGTCCAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAG
    CACCTGAGTTCGAAGGGGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAA
    ACCCAAGGACACTCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGC
    GTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACT
    GGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCG
    GGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACC
    GTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGG
    TCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAA
    AGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCA
    TCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGG
    TCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAA
    TGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGAC
    TCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTGGACAAGA
    GCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGA
    GGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCTG
    GGTAAAGCTAGCTGA
    (SEQ ID NO. 52)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLE
    WIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSA
    VYFCATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSES
    TAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSS
    VVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPE
    FEGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYV
    DGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSN
    KGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKG
    FYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRW
    QEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGKAS
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3L—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 53)
    ATGGCCTGGATTTCACTTATACTCTCTCTCCTGGCTCTCAGCTCAGGG
    GCCATTTCCCAGGCTGTTGTGACTCAGGAATCTGCACTCACCACATCA
    CCTGGTGAAACAGTCACACTCACTTGTCGCTCAAGTACTGGGGCTGTT
    ACAACTAGTAACTATGCCAACTGGGTCCAAGAAAAACCAGATCATTTA
    TTCACTGGTCTAATAGGTGGTACCAACAACCGAGTTTCAGGTGTTCCT
    GCCAGATTCTCAGGCTCCCTGATTGGAGACAAGGCTGCCCTCACCATC
    ACAGGGGCACAGACTGAGGATGAGGCAATATATTTCTGTGCTCTATGG
    TACAGCAACCATTGGGTGTTCGGTGGAGGAACCAAACTGACTGTCCTA
    GGCCAGCCCAAGTCTTCGCCATCAGTCACCCTGTTTCCACCTTCCTCT
    GAAGAGCTCGAGACTAACAAGGCCACACTGGTGTGTACGATCACTGAT
    TTCTACCCAGGTGTGGTGACAGTGGACTGGAAGGTAGATGGTACCCCT
    GTCACTCAGGGTATGGAGACAACCCAGCCTTCCAAACAGAGCAACAAC
    AAGTACATGGCTAGCAGCTACCTGACCCTGACAGCAAGAGCATGGGAA
    AGGCATAGCAGTTACAGCTGCCAGGTCACTCATGAAGGTCACACTGTG
    GAGAAGAGTTTGTCCCGTGCTGACTGTTCCTAG
    (SEQ ID NO. 54)
    QAVVTQESALTTSPGETVTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTG
    LIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALTITGAQTEDEAIYFCALWYSN
    HWVFGGGTKLTVLGQPKSSPSVTLFPPSSEELETNKATLVCTITDFYP
    GVVTVDWKVDGT
    PVTQGMETTQPSKQSNNKYMASSYLTLTARAWERHSSYSCQVTHEGHT
    VEKSLSRADCS
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3H—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 55)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAAGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGACA
    CCCCCATCTGTCTATCCACTGGCCCCTGGATCTGCTGCCCAAACTAAC
    TCCATGGTGACCCTGGGATGCCTGGTCAAGGGCTATTTCCCTGAGCCA
    GTGACAGTGACCTGGAACTCTGGATCCCTGTCCAGCGGTGTGCACACC
    TTCCCAGCTGTCCTGCAGTCTGACCTCTACACTCTGAGCAGCTCAGTG
    ACTGTCCCCTCCAGCACCTGGCCCAGCGAGACCGTCACCTGCAACGTT
    GCCCACCCGGCCAGCAGCACCAAGGTGGACAAGAAAATTGTGCCCAGG
    GATTGTGGTTGTAAGCCTTGCATATGTACAGTCCCAGAAGTATCATCT
    GTCTTCATCTTCCCCCCAAAGCCCAAGGATGTGCTCACCATTACTCTG
    ACTCCTAAGGTCACGTGTGTTGTGGTAGACATCAGCAAGGATGATCCC
    GAGGTCCAGTTCAGCTGGTTTGTAGATGATGTGGAGGTGCACACAGCT
    CAGACGCAACCCCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACTTTCCGCTCAGTC
    AGTGAACTTCCCATCATGCACCAGGACTGGCTCAATGGCAAGGAGTTC
    AAATGCAGGGTCAACAGTGCAGCTTTCCCTGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACC
    ATCTCCAAAACCAAAGGCAGACCGAAGGCTCCACAGGTGTACACCATT
    CCACCTCCCAAGGAGCAGATGGCCAAGGATAAAGTCAGTCTGACCTGC
    ATGATAACAGACTTCTTCCCTGAAGACATTACTGTGGAGTGGCAGTGG
    AATGGGCAGCCAGCGGAGAACTACAAGAACACTCAGCCCATCATGGAC
    ACAGATGGCTCTTACTTCGTCTACAGCAAGCTCAATGTGCAGAAGAGC
    AACTGGGAGGCAGGAAATACTTTCACCTGCTCTGTGTTACATGAGGGC
    CTGCACAACCACCATACTGAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCACTCTCCTGGTAAA
    GCTAGCTGA
    (SEQ ID NO. 56)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV
    ARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMY
    YCVGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTPPSVYPLAPGSAAQTNSMVTLGC
    LVKGYFPEPVTVTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVPSSTW
    PSETVTCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPK
    PKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVDISKDDPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREE
    QFNSTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLNGKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTISKTKGR
    PKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSLTCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAEN
    YKNTQPIMDTDGSYFVYSKLNVQKSNWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTE
    KSLSHSPGKAS
  • In another embodiment the invention includes an antibody comprising one or more of the complementarity determining regions selected from:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47);
  • SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof. In one aspect, the antibody is humanized. In another aspect, the antibody is 15B10, 2G3 or humanized derivatives thereof. In another aspect, the invention includes nucleic acids that encode the 15B10, the 2G3 antibody or humanized derivatives thereof.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows that two main DC differentiation pathways exist. A myeloid pathway generates two subsets: Langerhans cells (LCs) found in stratified epithelia such as the skin, and interstitial DCs (intDCs) found in all other tissues.
  • FIG. 2 shows that recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to cell surface Langerin.
  • FIG. 3 is a demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD4+T cells from a health donor.
  • FIG. 4 is a demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+T cells from a prostate cancer patient.
  • FIG. 5 shows that anti-Langerin preferentially targets epidermal LCs.
  • FIG. 6 shows the differential expression of Langerin by human skin DCs.
  • FIG. 7 shows that the anti-Langerin antibody (15B10) specifically stains human Langerhans cells.
  • FIG. 8 shows the binding results of the anti-Langerin antibodies against a non-human primate target.
  • FIG. 9 shows the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain to evoke potent antigen-specific antibody production in NHP.
  • FIG. 10 shows that recombinant fusion proteins of anti-human DC receptors and antigens induce antigen-specific immune responses in NHP.
  • FIG. 11 shows that the Anti-Langerin G3 antibody specifically stains NHP Langerhans cells.
  • FIG. 12 shows the antibody titers for anti-HIV-gag antibodies in NHP vaccination with a gag-microparticle, an anti-hIGG4-gag antibody, an anti-DCIR-gag vaccine and an anti-Langerin-gag-p24 vaccine, all with or without poly I:C as an adjuvant.
  • FIG. 13 shows FACS analysis on Langerin clones: 293F cells were transiently transfected with vectors directing the expression of full-length (cell surface) Langerin from human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse.
  • FIG. 14 show the results of ELISA binding analysis in two formats—direct (antigen bound to plate directly and bound antibody detected with an anti-mouse IgG-HRP conjugate) and capture (antibody bound to plate.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
  • To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.
  • Subsets of Dendritic Cells (DCs). The present inventors have discovered that two main DC differentiation pathways exist. A myeloid pathway generates two subsets: Langerhans cells (LCs) found in stratified epithelia such as the skin, and interstitial DCs (intDCs) found in all other tissues. A plasmacytoid pathway generates plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), which secrete large amounts of IFNαβ after viral infection3 and efficiently present viral antigens in a novel mechanism4 (FIG. 1). DCs and their precursors show remarkable functional plasticity. For example, pDCs form a first barrier to the expansion of intruding viruses, thereby acting, through the release of interferon, as part of the innate immune response5,6. Monocytes can differentiate into either macrophages, which act as scavengers, or DCs that induce specific immune responses7,8. Different cytokines skew the in vitro differentiation of monocytes into DCs with different phenotypes and functions. Thus, when activated (e.g., by GM-CSF) monocytes encounter IL-4, they yield IL-4DCs9-11. By contrast, after encountering IFNα, TNFα, or IL-15, activated monocytes will differentiate into IFNDCs12-15, TNFDCs8, or IL-15DCs16. Each of these DC subsets has common as well as unique biological functions, determined by a unique combination of cell-surface molecules and cytokines For example, whereas IL-4DCs are a homologous population of immature cells devoid of LCs, large portions of IFNDCs express CD1a and Langerin8.
  • The invention includes also variants and other modification of an antibody (or “Ab”) of fragments thereof, e.g., anti-Langerin fusion protein (antibody is used interchangeably with the term “immunoglobulin”). As used herein, the term “antibodies or binding fragments thereof,” includes whole antibodies or binding fragments of an antibody, e.g., Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fc, and single chain Fv fragments (ScFv) or any biologically effective fragments of an immunoglobulins that binds specifically to, e.g., Langerin. Antibodies from human origin or humanized antibodies have lowered or no immunogenicity in humans and have a lower number or no immunogenic epitopes compared to non-human antibodies. Antibodies and their fragments will generally be selected to have a reduced level or no antigenicity in humans.
  • As used herein, the terms “Ag” or “antigen” refer to a substance capable of either binding to an antigen binding region of an immunoglobulin molecule or of eliciting an immune response, e.g., a T cell-mediated immune response by the presentation of the antigen on Major Histocompatibility Antigen (MHC) cellular proteins. As used herein, “antigen” includes, but is not limited to, antigenic determinants, haptens, and immunogens, which may be peptides, small molecules, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids or combinations thereof. The skilled immunologist will recognize that when discussing antigens that are processed for presentation to T cells, the term “antigen” refers to those portions of the antigen (e.g., a peptide fragment) that is a T cell epitope presented by MHC to the T cell receptor. When used in the context of a B cell mediated immune response in the form of an antibody that is specific for an “antigen”, the portion of the antigen that binds to the complementarity determining regions of the variable domains of the antibody (light and heavy) the bound portion may be a linear or three-dimensional epitope. In the context of the present invention, the term antigen is used on both contexts, that is, the antibody is specific for a protein antigen (Langerin), but also carries one or more peptide epitopes for presentation by MHC to T cells. In certain cases, the antigens delivered by the vaccine or fusion protein of the present invention are internalized and processed by antigen presenting cells prior to presentation, e.g., by cleavage of one or more portions of the antibody or fusion protein.
  • As used herein, the term “antigenic peptide” refers to that portion of a polypeptide antigen that is specifically recognized by either B-cells or T-cells. B-cells respond to foreign antigenic determinants via antibody production, whereas T-lymphocytes are the mediate cellular immunity. Thus, antigenic peptides are those parts of an antigen that are recognized by antibodies, or in the context of an MHC, by T-cell receptors.
  • As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to any protein determinant capable of specific binding to an immunoglobulin or of being presented by a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) protein (e.g., Class I or Class II) to a T-cell receptor. Epitopic determinants are generally short peptides 5-30 amino acids long that fit within the groove of the MHC molecule that presents certain amino acid side groups toward the T cell receptor and has certain other residues in the groove, e.g., due to specific charge characteristics of the groove, the peptide side groups and the T cell receptor. Generally, an antibody specifically binds to an antigen when the dissociation constant is 1 mM, 100 nM or even 10 nM.
  • As used herein, the term “vector” is used in two different contexts. When using the term “vector” with reference to a vaccine, a vector is used to describe a non-antigenic portion that is used to direct or deliver the antigenic portion of the vaccine. For example, an antibody or binding fragments thereof may be bound to or form a fusion protein with the antigen that elicits the immune response. For cellular vaccines, the vector for delivery and/or presentation of the antigen is the antigen presenting cell, which is delivered by the cell that is loaded with antigen. In certain cases, the cellular vector itself may also process and present the antigen(s) to T cells and activate an antigen-specific immune response. When used in the context of nucleic acids, a “vector” refers a construct that is capable of delivering, and preferably expressing, one or more genes or polynucleotide sequences of interest in a host cell. Examples of vectors include, but are not limited to, viral vectors, naked DNA or RNA expression vectors, DNA or RNA expression vectors associated with cationic condensing agents, DNA or RNA expression vectors encapsulated in liposomes, and certain eukaryotic cells, such as producer cells.
  • The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used with a wide variety of peptides and/or protein in which the antibody or binding fragment thereof and the peptide linker or “PL” create a protein that is stable and/or soluble.
  • As used herein, the compositions and methods use an anti-Langerin antigen delivery vector comprising the formula:

  • Ab-(PL-Ag)x or Ab-(Ag-PL)x;
  • wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof;
    PL is at least one Peptide Linker comprising at least one glycosylation site;
    Ag is at least one antigen; and
    x is an integer from 1 to 20.
  • As used herein, the terms “stable” and “unstable” when referring to proteins is used to describe a peptide or protein that maintains its three-dimensional structure and/or activity (stable) or that loses immediately or over time its three-dimensional structure and/or activity (unstable). As used herein, the term “insoluble” refers to those proteins that when produced in a cell (e.g., a recombinant protein expressed in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell or in vitro) are not soluble in solution absent the use of denaturing conditions or agents (e.g., heat or chemical denaturants, respectively). The antibody or binding fragment thereof and the linkers taught herein have been found to convert antibody fusion proteins with the peptides from insoluble and/or unstable into proteins that are stable and/or soluble. Another example of stability versus instability is when the domain of the protein with a stable conformation has a higher melting temperature (Tm) than the unstable domain of the protein when measured in the same solution. A domain is stable compared to another domain when the difference in the Tm is at least about 2° C., more preferably about 4° C., still more preferably about 7° C., yet more preferably about 10° C., even more preferably about 15° C., still more preferably about 20° C., even still more preferably about 25° C., and most preferably about 30° C., when measured in the same solution.
  • As used herein, “polynucleotide” or “nucleic acid” refers to a strand of deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides in either a single- or a double-stranded form (including known analogs of natural nucleotides). A double-stranded nucleic acid sequence will include the complementary sequence. The polynucleotide sequence may encode variable and/or constant region domains of immunoglobulin that are formed into a fusion protein with one or more linkers. For use with the present invention, multiple cloning sites (MCS) may be engineered into the locations at the carboxy-terminal end of the heavy and/or light chains of the antibodies to allow for in-frame insertion of peptide for expression between the linkers. As used herein, the term “isolated polynucleotide” refers to a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA, or synthetic origin or some combination thereof. By virtue of its origin the “isolated polynucleotide” (1) is not associated with all or a portion of a polynucleotide in which the “isolated polynucleotides” are found in nature, (2) is operably linked to a polynucleotide which it is not linked to in nature, or (3) does not occur in nature as part of a larger sequence. The skilled artisan will recognize that to design and implement a vector having the formula Ab-(PL-Ag)x or Ab-(Ag-PL)x, can be manipulated at the nucleic acid level by using techniques known in the art, such as those taught in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2007 by John Wiley and Sons, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the Ab, Ag and PL encoding nucleic acid sequences can be inserted using polymerase chain reaction, enzymatic insertion of oligonucleotides or polymerase chain reaction fragments in a vector, which may be an expression vector. To facilitate the insertion of (PL-Ag)x or (Ag-PL)x at the carboxy terminus of the antibody light chain, the heavy chain, or both, a multiple cloning site (MCS) may be engineered in sequence with the antibody sequences.
  • As used herein, the term “polypeptide” refers to a polymer of amino acids and does not refer to a specific length of the product; thus, peptides, oligopeptides, and proteins are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term also does not refer to or exclude post expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations and the like. Included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), polypeptides with substituted linkages, as well as other modifications known in the art, both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring. The term “domain,” or “polypeptide domain” refers to that sequence of a polypeptide that folds into a single globular region in its native conformation, and that may exhibit discrete binding or functional properties. As used herein, the term “fusion protein” refers to a hybrid protein expressed by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotide sequences of at least two genes into a protein. For example, a fusion protein can comprise at least part of anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof fused with one or more antigen and/or one or more linkers if more than one antigen is fused with the antibody or fragment thereof.
  • A polypeptide or amino acid sequence “derived from” a designated nucleic acid sequence refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence identical to that of a polypeptide encoded in the sequence, or a portion thereof wherein the portion consists of at least 3-5 amino acids, preferably at least 4-7 amino acids, more preferably at least 8-10 amino acids, and even more preferably at least 11-15 amino acids, or which is immunologically identifiable with a polypeptide encoded in the sequence. This terminology also includes a polypeptide expressed from a designated nucleic acid sequence.
  • As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to any material that when combined with an immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein of the present invention allows the Ig to retain biological activity and is generally non-reactive with the subject's immune system. Examples include, but are not limited to, standard pharmaceutical carriers such as a phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as an oil/water emulsion, and various types of wetting agents. Certain diluents may be used with the present invention, e.g., for aerosol or parenteral administration, that may be phosphate buffered saline or normal (0.85%) saline.
  • The invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • Accordingly the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (15B10) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • The invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises at least one immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); or and direct equivalent thereof.
  • Accordingly the invention provides a Langerin binding antibody (2G3) that comprises an antigen binding site comprising at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence encoding:
  • SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • In one aspect the invention provides a single domain Langerin antibody comprising an isolated immunoglobulin light chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VL) as defined above. In another aspect the invention provides a single domain Langerin binding molecule comprising an isolated immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH) as defined above.
  • In another aspect the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising a light chain (VL) variable domains in which the Langerin binding antibody comprises at least one antigen binding site comprising: an antibody light chain variable domain (VL) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences encoding:
  • ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45); or VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • In another aspect the invention also provides a Langerin binding antibody comprising, the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy chain variable domain (VH) which comprises in sequence hypervariable regions obtained from: SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46); or SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); and direct equivalents thereof.
  • Unless otherwise indicated, any polypeptide chain is herein described as having an amino acid sequence starting at the N-terminal end and ending at the C-terminal end. When the antigen binding site comprises both the VH and VL domains, these may be located on the same polypeptide molecule or, preferably, each domain may be on a different chain, the VH domain being part of an immunoglobulin heavy chain or binding fragment thereof and the VL being part of an immunoglobulin light chain or binding fragment thereof.
  • As used herein, the term “Langerin binding molecule” or “Langerin binding antibody” refer to any molecule capable of binding to the Langerin antigen either alone or associated with other molecules having one or more the VL and VH CDRs taught herein, in some cases 2, 3, 4, 5, or all 6 CDRs. The binding reaction may be shown by standard methods (qualitative assays) including, for example, a bioassay for determining by blocking the binding of other molecules to Langerin or any kind of binding or activity assays (e.g., activation, reduction or modulation of an immune response), with reference to a negative control test in which an antibody of unrelated specificity but of the same isotype, e.g., an anti-CD25 or anti-CD80 antibody, is used.
  • The present invention may also be made into a single chain antibody having the variable domains of the heavy and light chains of an antibody covalently bound by a peptide linker usually including from 10 to 30 amino acids, preferably from 15 to 25 amino acids. Therefore, such a structure does not include the constant part of the heavy and light chains and it is believed that the small peptide spacer should be less antigenic than a whole constant part.
  • As used herein, the term “chimeric antibody” refers to an antibody in which the constant regions of heavy or light chains or both are of human origin while the variable domains of both heavy and light chains are of non-human (e.g., mouse, hamster or rat) origin or of human origin but derived from a different human antibody.
  • As used herein, the term “CDR-grafted antibody” refers to an antibody in which the hypervariable complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are derived from a donor antibody, such as a non-human (e.g., mouse) antibody or a different human antibody, while all or substantially all the other parts of the immunoglobulin (e.g., the conserved regions of the variable domains, i.e., framework regions), are derived from an acceptor antibody (in the case of a humanized antibody—an antibody of human origin). A CDR-grafted antibody may include a few amino acids of the donor sequence in the framework regions, for instance in the parts of the framework regions adjacent to the hypervariable regions.
  • As used herein, the term “human antibody” refers to an antibody in which the constant and variable regions of both the heavy and light chains are all of human origin, or substantially identical to sequences of human origin, not necessarily from the same antibody and includes antibodies produced by mice in which the mouse, hamster or rat immunoglobulin variable and constant part genes have been replaced by their human counterparts, e.g. as described in general terms in EP 0546073 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,806, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,825, U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,126, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,425, U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,016, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,429, EP Patent No. 0 438-474 B1 and EP Patent No. 0 463151 B1, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference.
  • The Langerin binding antibodies of the invention include humanized antibodies that comprise the CDRs obtained from the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody. One example of a chimeric antibody includes the variable domains of both heavy and light chains are of human origin, for instance those of the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody. The constant region domains preferably also comprise suitable human constant region domains, for instance as described in “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest”, Kabat E. A. et al, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institute of Health.
  • Hypervariable regions may be associated with any kind of framework regions, e.g., of human origin. Suitable framework regions were described Kabat E. A. One heavy chain framework is a heavy chain framework, for instance those of the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 antibody, includes sequences for the light chain framework regions: FR1L, FR2L, FR3L and
  • FR4L regions. In a similar manner, the anti-Langerin 15B10 or 2G3 heavy chain framework that includes the sequence of FR1H, FR2H, FR3H and FR4H regions. The CDRs may be added to a human antibody framework, such as those described in 7,456,260, issued to Rybak, et al., which teach new human variable chain framework regions and humanized antibodies comprising the framework regions, relevant portions and framework sequences incorporated herein by reference. To accomplish the engraftment at a genetic level, the present invention also includes the underlying nucleic acid sequences for the VL AND VH regions as well as the complete antibodies and the humanized versions thereof. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention include the anti-Langerin antibody light and the heavy chains, respectively, as well as those nucleic acid sequences that include variable codon usage for the same amino acid sequences and conservative variations thereof having 85, 90, 95 or 100% sequence identity at the nucleic or amino acid level. Likewise, the CDRs may have 85, 90, 95 or 100% sequence identity at the nucleic or amino acid level, individually, in groups or 2, 3, 4 or 5 or all together.
  • Monoclonal antibodies raised against a protein naturally found in all humans are typically developed in a non-human system e.g. in mice, and as such are typically non-human proteins. As a direct consequence of this, a xenogenic antibody as produced by a hybridoma, when administered to humans, elicits an undesirable immune response that is predominantly mediated by the constant part of the xenogenic immunoglobulin. Xenogeneic antibodies tend to elicit a host immune response, thereby limiting the use of such antibodies as they cannot be administered over a prolonged period of time. Therefore, it is particularly useful to use single chain, single domain, chimeric, CDR-grafted, or especially human antibodies that are not likely to elicit a substantial allogenic response when administered to humans. The present invention includes antibodies with minor changes in an amino acid sequence such as deletion, addition or substitution of one, a few or even several amino acids which are merely allelic forms of the original protein having substantially identical properties.
  • The inhibition of the binding of Langerin to its receptor may be conveniently tested in various assays including such assays are described hereinafter in the text. By the term “to the same extent” is meant that the reference and the equivalent molecules exhibit, on a statistical basis, essentially identical Langerin binding inhibition curves in one of the assays referred to above. For example, the assay used may be an assay of competitive inhibition of binding of Langerin by the binding molecules of the invention.
  • Generally, the human anti-Langerin antibody comprises at least: (a) one light chain which comprises a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the 15B10 or 2G3 antibody starting with the amino acid at position 1 and ending with the amino acid at position 107 and the constant part of a human light chain; and (b) one heavy chain which comprises a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the 15B10 or 2G3 antibody and the constant part of a human heavy chain. The constant part of a human heavy chain may be of the γ1, γ2, γ3, γ4, μ, β2, or δ or ε type, preferably of the γ-type, whereas the constant part of a human light chain may be of the κ or λ type (which includes the λ1, λ2 and λ3 subtypes) but is preferably of the κ type. The amino acid sequences of the general locations of the variable and constant domains are well known in the art and generally follow the Kabat nomenclature.
  • A Langerin binding molecule of the invention may be produced by recombinant DNA techniques. In view of this, one or more DNA molecules encoding the binding molecule must be constructed, placed under appropriate control sequences and transferred into a suitable host organism for expression.
  • In a very general manner, there are accordingly provided: (i) DNA molecules encoding a single domain Langerin binding molecule of the invention, a single chain Langerin binding molecule of the invention, a heavy or light chain or binding fragments thereof of a Langerin binding molecule of the invention; and (ii) the use of the DNA molecules of the invention for the production of a Langerin binding molecule of the invention by recombinant methods.
  • The present state of the art is such that the skilled worker in the art can synthesize the DNA molecules of the invention given the information provided herein, i.e., the amino acid sequences of the hypervariable regions and the DNA sequences coding for them. A method for constructing a variable domain gene is for example described in EPA 239 400, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, a gene encoding a variable domain of a MAb is cloned. The DNA segments encoding the framework and hypervariable regions are determined and the DNA segments encoding the hypervariable regions are removed so that the DNA segments encoding the framework regions are fused together with suitable restriction sites at the junctions. The restriction sites may be generated at the appropriate positions by mutagenesis of the DNA molecule by standard procedures. Double stranded synthetic CDR cassettes are prepared by DNA synthesis according to the sequences given in for 15B10 or 2G3 (amino acid and nucleic acid sequences, respectively). These cassettes are often provided with sticky ends so that they can be ligated at the junctions of the framework.
  • It is not necessary to have access to the mRNA from a producing hybridoma cell line in order to obtain a DNA construct coding for the Langerin binding molecules of the invention. For example, PCT application WO 90/07861 gives full instructions for the production of an antibody by recombinant DNA techniques given only written information as to the nucleotide sequence of the gene, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the method comprises the synthesis of a number of oligonucleotides, their amplification by the PCR method, and their splicing to give the desired DNA sequence.
  • Expression vectors comprising a suitable promoter or genes encoding heavy and light chain constant parts are publicly available. Thus, once a DNA molecule of the invention is prepared it may be conveniently transferred in an appropriate expression vector. DNA molecules encoding single chain antibodies may also be prepared by standard methods, for example, as described in WO 88/1649. In view of the foregoing, no hybridoma or cell line deposit is necessary to comply with the criteria of sufficiency of description.
  • For example, first and second DNA constructs are made that bind specifically to Langerin. Briefly, a first DNA construct encodes a light chain of an antibody, CDRs or binding fragments thereof and comprises a) a first part which encodes a variable domain comprising alternatively framework and hypervariable regions, the hypervariable regions being in sequence CDR1L, CDR2L and CDR3L the amino acid sequences of which are found in SEQ ID NOs. 45-48; this first part starting with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the variable domain and ending with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the variable domain, and b) a second part encoding a light chain constant part or binding fragment thereof which starts with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the constant part of the heavy chain and ends with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the constant part or binding fragment thereof, followed by a stop codon.
  • The first part encodes a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the amino acid sequences of 15B10 or 2G3. A second part encodes the constant part of a human heavy chain, more preferably the constant part of the human yl chain. This second part may be a DNA fragment of genomic origin (comprising introns) or a cDNA fragment (without introns).
  • The second DNA construct encodes a heavy chain or binding fragment thereof and comprises a) a first part which encodes a variable domain comprising alternatively framework and hypervariable regions; the hypervariable regions being CDR1H and optionally CDR2H and CDR3H, the amino acid sequences of 15B10 or 2G3; this first part starting with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the variable domain and ending with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the variable domain, and b) a second part encoding a heavy chain constant part or binding fragment thereof which starts with a codon encoding the first amino acid of the constant part of the light chain and ends with a codon encoding the last amino acid of the constant part or binding fragment thereof followed by a stop codon.
  • The first part encodes a variable domain having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of 15B10 or 2G3. The first part has the nucleotide sequence of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies starting with the nucleotide at position 1 and ending with the nucleotide at position 321. Also preferably the second part encodes the constant part of a human light chain, more preferably the constant part of the human κ chain.
  • The invention also includes Langerin binding molecules in which one or more of the residues of CDR1L, CDR2L, CDR3L, CDR1H, CDR2H or CDR3H or the frameworks, typically only a few (e.g. FR1-4L or H), are changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies; by, e.g., site directed mutagenesis of the corresponding DNA sequences. The invention includes the DNA sequences coding for such changed Langerin binding molecules. In particular the invention includes a Langerin binding molecules in which one or more residues of CDR1L, CDR2L and/or CDR3L have been changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies and one or more residues of CDR1H, CDR2H and/or CDR3H have been changed from the residues of the 15B10 or 2G3 antibodies.
  • Each of the DNA constructs are placed under the control of suitable control sequences, in particular under the control of a suitable promoter. Any kind of promoter may be used, provided that it is adapted to the host organism in which the DNA constructs will be transferred for expression. However, if expression is to take place in a mammalian cell, an immunoglobulin gene promoter may be used in B cells. The first and second parts may be separated by an intron, and, an enhancer may be conveniently located in the intron between the first and second parts. The presence of such an enhancer that is transcribed but not translated, may assist in efficient transcription. In particular embodiments the first and second DNA constructs comprise the enhancer of, e.g., a heavy chain human gene.
  • The antibody or binding fragments thereof can be isolated, purified, and stored using any method known in the art. The binding fragments retain the specific binding activity of the intact antibody, and can be used for any application that employs the intact antibody (e.g., therapeutics, diagnostic assays, competitive binding assays, etc.).
  • In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody or binding fragment generated by the above-described method, and may further include a half-life extending vehicle, such as those known to those skilled in the art. Such vehicles include, but are not limited to, linear polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polylysine, dextran, etc.); branched-chain polymers (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,872; U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,490; WO 93/21259); a lipid; a cholesterol group (such as a steroid); a carbohydrate or polysaccharide; or any natural or synthetic protein, polypeptide or peptide. Additionally, it will be appreciated that one or more Fc regions, can also be employed with the invention to increase half-life. It will be appreciated that the vehicle can be linked to the antibody or binding fragment by way of various techniques known in the art including, for example, covalent linkage.
  • The desired antibody may be produced in an animal as an ascites, in cell culture or in a transgenic animal. A suitable transgenic animal may be obtained according to standard methods that include micro injecting into eggs the first and second DNA constructs placed under suitable control sequences transferring the so prepared eggs into appropriate pseudo-pregnant females and selecting a descendant expressing the desired antibody.
  • The invention also provides an expression vector able to replicate in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell line, which comprises at least one of the DNA constructs above described. Each expression vector containing a DNA construct is then transferred into a suitable host organism. When the DNA constructs are separately inserted on two expression vectors, they may be transferred separately, i.e. one type of vector per cell, or co-transferred, this latter possibility being preferred. A suitable host organism may be a bacterium, a yeast or a mammalian cell line, this latter being preferred. More preferably, the mammalian cell line is of lymphoid origin, e.g., a myeloma, hybridoma or a normal immortalized B-cell, which conveniently does not express any endogenous antibody heavy or light chain.
  • When the antibody chains are produced in a cell culture, the DNA constructs must first be inserted into either a single expression vector or into two separate but compatible expression vectors, the latter possibility being preferred. For expression in mammalian cells it is preferred that the coding sequence of the Langerin binding molecule is integrated into the host cell DNA within a locus which permits or favors high level expression of the Langerin binding molecule.
  • In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the product of a Langerin binding molecule that comprises: (i) culturing an organism which is transformed with an expression vector as defined above; and (ii) recovering the Langerin binding molecule from the culture.
  • In accordance with the present invention it has been found that the anti-Langerin antibodies 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof, appear to have binding specificity for the antigenic epitope of human Langerin. It is therefore most surprising that antibodies to this epitope, e.g. the anti-Langerin 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof, are capable of delivering antigen efficiently into dendritic cells (DCs). Antibodies, in particular chimeric and CDR-grafted antibodies and especially human antibodies, which have binding specificity for the antigenic epitope of mature human Langerin; and use of such antibodies for DC antigen loading are novel and are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • To use the anti-Langerin antibody of the present invention for treatment indications, the appropriate dosage will, of course, vary depending upon, for example, the antibody disclosed herein to be employed, the host, the mode of administration and the nature and severity of the condition being treated. However, in prophylactic use, satisfactory results are generally found at dosages from about 0.05 mg to about 10 mg per kilogram body weight more usually from about 0.1 mg to about 5 mg per kilogram body weight. The frequency of dosing for prophylactic uses will normally be in the range from about once per week up to about once every 3 months, more usually in the range from about once every 2 weeks up to about once every 10 weeks, e.g., once every 4 to 8 weeks. The anti-Langerin antibody of the present can be administered parenterally, intravenously, e.g., into the antecubital or other peripheral vein, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be manufactured in conventional manner, e.g., in a lyophilized form. For immediate administration it is dissolved in a suitable aqueous carrier, for example sterile water for injection or sterile buffered physiological saline. If it is considered desirable to make up a solution of larger volume for administration by infusion rather as a bolus injection, it is advantageous to incorporate human serum albumin or the patient's own heparinized blood into the saline at the time of formulation. The presence of an excess of such physiologically inert protein prevents loss of antibody by adsorption onto the walls of the container and tubing used with the infusion solution. If albumin is used, a suitable concentration is from 0.5 to 4.5% by weight of the saline solution.
  • One embodiment of the present invention provides an immunoconjugate comprising a humanized antibody of the invention, e.g., a humanized anti-Langerin antibody, linked to one or more effector molecules, antigen(s) and/or a detectable label(s). Preferably, the effector molecule is a therapeutic molecule such as, for example, one or more peptides that comprise one or more T cell epitopes, a toxin, a small molecule, a cytokine or a chemokine, an enzyme, or a radiolabel.
  • Exemplary toxins include, but are not limited to, Pseudomonas exotoxin or diphtheria toxin. Examples of small molecules include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic compounds such as taxol, doxorubicin, etoposide, and bleiomycin. Exemplary cytokines include, but are not limited to, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-12, IL-17, and IL-25. Exemplary enzymes include, but are not limited to, RNAses, DNAses, proteases, kinases, and caspases. Exemplary radioisotopes include, but are not limited to, 32P and 125I.
  • As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to a molecule or substance capable of stimulating an immune response. In one example, epitopes include but are not limited to a polypeptide and a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide, wherein expression of the nucleic acid into a polypeptide is capable of stimulating an immune response when the polypeptide is processed and presented on a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule. Generally, epitopes include peptides presented on the surface of cells non-covalently bound to the binding groove of Class I or Class II MHC, such that they can interact with T cell receptors and the respective T cell accessory molecules.
  • Proteolytic Processing of Antigens. Epitopes that are displayed by MHC on antigen presenting cells are cleavage peptides or products of larger peptide or protein antigen precursors. For MHC I epitopes, protein antigens are often digested by proteasomes resident in the cell. Intracellular proteasomal digestion produces peptide fragments of about 3 to 23 amino acids in length that are then loaded onto the MHC protein. Additional proteolytic activities within the cell, or in the extracellular milieu, can trim and process these fragments further. Processing of MHC Class II epitopes generally occurs via intracellular proteases from the lysosomal/endosomal compartment. The present invention includes, in one embodiment, pre-processed peptides that are attached to the anti-Langerin antibody (or binding fragment thereof) that directs the peptides against which an enhanced immune response is sought directly to antigen presenting cells.
  • To identify epitopes potentially effective as immunogenic compounds, predictions of MHC binding alone are useful but often insufficient. The present invention includes methods for specifically identifying the epitopes within antigens most likely to lead to the immune response sought for the specific sources of antigen presenting cells and responder T cells.
  • The present invention allows for a rapid and easy assay for the identification of those epitopes that are most likely to produce the desired immune response using the patient's own antigen presenting cells and T cell repertoire. The compositions and methods of the present invention are applicable to any protein sequence, allowing the user to identify the epitopes that are capable of binding to MHC and are properly presented to T cells that will respond to the antigen. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular target or medical condition, but instead encompasses and MHC epitope(s) from any useful source.
  • As used herein, the term “veneered” refers to a humanized antibody framework onto which antigen-binding sites or CDRs obtained from non-human antibodies (e.g., mouse, rat or hamster), are placed into human heavy and light chain conserved structural framework regions (FRs), for example, in a light chain or heavy chain polynucleotide to “graft” the specificity of the non-human antibody into a human framework from, e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 45-48 or the nucleic acids that encode those sequences, as will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan. The polynucleotide expression vector or vectors that express the veneered antibodies can be transfected mammalian cells for the expression of recombinant human antibodies which exhibit the antigen specificity of the non-human antibody and will undergo posttranslational modifications that will enhance their expression, stability, solubility, or combinations thereof.
  • Antigens.
  • Examples of viral antigens for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, e.g., HIV, HCV, CMV, adenoviruses, retroviruses, picornaviruses, etc. Non-limiting example of retroviral antigens such as retroviral antigens from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens such as gene products of the gag, pol, and env genes, the Nef protein, reverse transcriptase, and other HIV components; hepatitis viral antigens such as the S, M, and L proteins of hepatitis B virus, the pre-S antigen of hepatitis B virus, and other hepatitis, e.g., hepatitis A, B, and C, viral components such as hepatitis C viral RNA; influenza viral antigens such as hemagglutinin and neuraminidase and other influenza viral components; measles viral antigens such as the measles virus fusion protein and other measles virus components; rubella viral antigens such as proteins E1 and E2 and other rubella virus components; rotaviral antigens such as VP7sc and other rotaviral components; cytomegaloviral antigens such as envelope glycoprotein B and other cytomegaloviral antigen components; respiratory syncytial viral antigens such as the RSV fusion protein, the M2 protein and other respiratory syncytial viral antigen components; herpes simplex viral antigens such as immediate early proteins, glycoprotein D, and other herpes simplex viral antigen components; varicella zoster viral antigens such as gpI, gpII, and other varicella zoster viral antigen components; Japanese encephalitis viral antigens such as proteins E, M-E, M-E-NS1, NS1, NS1-NS2A, 80% E, and other Japanese encephalitis viral antigen components; rabies viral antigens such as rabies glycoprotein, rabies nucleoprotein and other rabies viral antigen components. See Fundamental Virology, Second Edition, eds. Fields, B. N. and Knipe, D. M. (Raven Press, New York, 1991) for additional examples of viral antigens. The at least one viral antigen may be peptides from an adenovirus, retrovirus, picornavirus, herpesvirus, rotaviruses, hantaviruses, coronavirus, togavirus, flavirvirus, rhabdovirus, paramyxovirus, orthomyxovirus, bunyavirus, arenavirus, reovirus, papilomavirus, parvovirus, poxvirus, hepadnavirus, or spongiform virus. In certain specific, non-limiting examples, the at least one viral antigen are peptides obtained from at least one of HIV, CMV, hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza, measles, polio, smallpox, rubella; respiratory syncytial, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, Epstein-Barr, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, flu, and/or cold viruses.
  • In one aspect, the one or more of the antigenic peptides are selected from at least one of: Nef (66-97): VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEKGGL (SEQ ID NO.: 31); Nef (116-145): HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL (SEQ ID NO.: 32); Gag p17 (17-35): EKIRLRPGGKKKYKLKHIV (SEQ ID NO.: 33); Gag p17-p24 (253-284): NPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD (SEQ ID NO.: 34); or Pol 325-355 (RT 158-188) is: AIFQSSMTKILEPFRKQNPDIVIYQYMDDLY (SEQ ID NO.: 35). In one aspect, the fusion protein peptides are separated by one or more linkers selected from:
  • SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP; (SEQ ID NO.: 39)
    PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTATPTIKG; (SEQ ID NO.: 40)
    TVTPTATATPSAIVTTITPTATTKP; (SEQ ID NO.: 41)
    or
    TNGSITVAATAPTVTPTVNATPSAA. (SEQ ID NO.: 42)
  • Antigenic targets that may be delivered using the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines of the present invention include genes encoding antigens such as viral antigens, bacterial antigens, fungal antigens or parasitic antigens. Pathogens include trypanosomes, tapeworms, roundworms, helminthes, malaria. Tumor markers, such as fetal antigen or prostate specific antigen, may be targeted in this manner. Other examples include: HIV env proteins and hepatitis B surface antigen. Administration of a vector according to the present invention for vaccination purposes would require that the vector-associated antigens be sufficiently non-immunogenic to enable long-term expression of the transgene, for which a strong immune response would be desired. In some cases, vaccination of an individual may only be required infrequently, such as yearly or biennially, and provide long-term immunologic protection against the infectious agent. Specific examples of organisms, allergens and nucleic and amino sequences for use in vectors and ultimately as antigens with the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,011, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference, in particular, the tables that match organisms and specific sequences that may be used with the present invention.
  • Bacterial antigens for use with the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, e.g., bacterial antigens such as pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, FIM2, FIM3, adenylate cyclase and other pertussis bacterial antigen components; diptheria bacterial antigens such as diptheria toxin or toxoid and other diptheria bacterial antigen components; tetanus bacterial antigens such as tetanus toxin or toxoid and other tetanus bacterial antigen components; streptococcal bacterial antigens such as M proteins and other streptococcal bacterial antigen components; gram-negative bacilli bacterial antigens such as lipopolysaccharides and other gram-negative bacterial antigen components, Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterial antigens such as mycolic acid, heat shock protein 65 (HSP65), the 30 kDa major secreted protein, antigen 85A and other mycobacterial antigen components; Helicobacter pylori bacterial antigen components; pneumococcal bacterial antigens such as pneumolysin, pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides and other pneumococcal bacterial antigen components; haemophilus influenza bacterial antigens such as capsular polysaccharides and other haemophilus influenza bacterial antigen components; anthrax bacterial antigens such as anthrax protective antigen and other anthrax bacterial antigen components; rickettsiae bacterial antigens such as rompA and other rickettsiae bacterial antigen component. Also included with the bacterial antigens described herein are any other bacterial, mycobacterial, mycoplasmal, rickettsial, or chlamydial antigens. Partial or whole pathogens may also be: haemophilus influenza; Plasmodium falciparum; neisseria meningitidis; streptococcus pneumoniae; neisseria gonorrhoeae; salmonella serotype typhi; shigella; vibrio cholerae; Dengue Fever; Encephalitides; Japanese Encephalitis; lyme disease; Yersinia pestis; west nile virus; yellow fever; tularemia; hepatitis (viral; bacterial); RSV (respiratory syncytial virus); HPIV 1 and HPIV 3; adenovirus; small pox; allergies and cancers.
  • Fungal antigens for use with compositions and methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, e.g., candida fungal antigen components; histoplasma fungal antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and other histoplasma fungal antigen components; cryptococcal fungal antigens such as capsular polysaccharides and other cryptococcal fungal antigen components; coccidiodes fungal antigens such as spherule antigens and other coccidiodes fungal antigen components; and tinea fungal antigens such as trichophytin and other coccidiodes fungal antigen components.
  • Examples of protozoal and other parasitic antigens include, but are not limited to, e.g., plasmodium falciparum antigens such as merozoite surface antigens, sporozoite surface antigens, circumsporozoite antigens, gametocyte/gamete surface antigens, blood-stage antigen pf 155/RESA and other plasmodial antigen components; toxoplasma antigens such as SAG-1, p30 and other toxoplasmal antigen components; schistosomae antigens such as glutathione-S-transferase, paramyosin, and other schistosomal antigen components; leishmania major and other leishmaniae antigens such as gp63, lipophosphoglycan and its associated protein and other leishmanial antigen components; and trypanosoma cruzi antigens such as the 75-77 kDa antigen, the 56 kDa antigen and other trypanosomal antigen components.
  • Antigen that can be targeted using the anti-Langerin-antigen vaccines of the present invention will generally be selected based on a number of factors, including: likelihood of internalization, level of immune cell specificity, type of immune cell targeted, level of immune cell maturity and/or activation and the like. In this embodiment, the antibodies may be mono- or bi-specific antibodies that include one anti-Langerin binding domain and one binding domain against a second antigen, e.g., cell surface markers for dendritic cells such as, MHC class I, MHC Class II, B7-2, CD18, CD29, CD31, CD43, CD44, CD45, CD54, CD58, CD83, CD86, CMRF-44, CMRF-56, DCIR and/or Dectin-1 and the like; while in some cases also having the absence of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD 19, CD20, CD56, and/or CD57. Examples of cell surface markers for antigen presenting cells include, but are not limited to, MHC class I, MHC Class II, CD45, B7-1, B7-2, IFN-γ receptor and IL-2 receptor, ICAM-1 and/or Fcγ receptor. Examples of cell surface markers for T cells include, but are not limited to, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD 14, CD20, CD11b, CD16, CD45 and HLA-DR.
  • Target antigens on cell surfaces for delivery include those characteristic of tumor antigens typically will be derived from the cell surface, cytoplasm, nucleus, organelles and the like of cells of tumor tissue. Examples of tumor targets for the antibody portion of the present invention include, without limitation, hematological cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors such as gastric or colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
  • Examples of antigens that may be delivered alone or in combination to immune cells for antigen presentation using the present invention includes tumor proteins, e.g., mutated oncogenes; viral proteins associated with tumors; and tumor mucins and glycolipids. The antigens may be viral proteins associated with tumors would be those from the classes of viruses noted above. Certain antigens may be characteristic of tumors (one subset being proteins not usually expressed by a tumor precursor cell), or may be a protein that is normally expressed in a tumor precursor cell, but having a mutation characteristic of a tumor. Other antigens include mutant variant(s) of the normal protein having an altered activity or subcellular distribution, e.g., mutations of genes giving rise to tumor antigens.
  • Specific non-limiting examples of tumor antigens for use in an anti-Langerin-fusion protein vaccine include, e.g., CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, MAGE, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), DAGE, EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, Ki-67, Cyclin B1, gp100, Survivin, and NYESO-1.
  • In addition, the immunogenic molecule can be an autoantigen involved in the initiation and/or propagation of an autoimmune disease, the pathology of which is largely due to the activity of antibodies specific for a molecule expressed by the relevant target organ, tissue, or cells, e.g., SLE or MG. In such diseases, it can be desirable to direct an ongoing antibody-mediated (i.e., a Th2-type) immune response to the relevant autoantigen towards a cellular (i.e., a Th1-type) immune response. Alternatively, it can be desirable to prevent onset of or decrease the level of a Th2 response to the autoantigen in a subject not having, but who is suspected of being susceptible to, the relevant autoimmune disease by prophylactically inducing a Th1 response to the appropriate autoantigen. Autoantigens of interest include, without limitation: (a) with respect to SLE, the Smith protein, RNP ribonucleoprotein, and the SS-A and SS-B proteins; and (b) with respect to MG, the acetylcholine receptor. Examples of other miscellaneous antigens involved in one or more types of autoimmune response include, e.g., endogenous hormones such as luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, testosterone, growth hormone, prolactin, and other hormones.
  • Antigens involved in autoimmune diseases, allergy, and graft rejection can be used in the compositions and methods of the invention. For example, an antigen involved in any one or more of the following autoimmune diseases or disorders can be used in the present invention: diabetes, diabetes mellitus, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis), multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, dermatitis (including atopic dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis), psoriasis, Sjogren's Syndrome, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca secondary to Sjogren's Syndrome, alopecia greata, allergic responses due to arthropod bite reactions, Crohn's disease, aphthous ulcer, iritis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, ulcerative colitis, asthma, allergic asthma, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vaginitis, proctitis, drug eruptions, leprosy reversal reactions, erythema nodosum leprosum, autoimmune uveitis, allergic encephalomyelitis, acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy, idiopathic bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss, aplastic anemia, pure red cell anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, polychondritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, chronic active hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, idiopathic sprue, lichen planus, Crohn's disease, Graves ophthalmopathy, sarcoidosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, uveitis posterior, and interstitial lung fibrosis. Examples of antigens involved in autoimmune disease include glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD 65), native DNA, myelin basic protein, myelin proteolipid protein, acetylcholine receptor components, thyroglobulin, and the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor.
  • Examples of antigens involved in allergy include pollen antigens such as Japanese cedar pollen antigens, ragweed pollen antigens, rye grass pollen antigens, animal derived antigens such as dust mite antigens and feline antigens, histocompatiblity antigens, and penicillin and other therapeutic drugs. Examples of antigens involved in graft rejection include antigenic components of the graft to be transplanted into the graft recipient such as heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, and neural graft components. The antigen may be an altered peptide ligand useful in treating an autoimmune disease.
  • It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the sequence of any protein effector molecule may be altered in a manner that does not substantially affect the functional advantages of the effector protein. For example, glycine and alanine are typically considered to be interchangeable as are aspartic acid and glutamic acid and asparagine and glutamine. One of skill in the art will recognize that many different variations of effector sequences will encode effectors with roughly the same activity as the native effector. The effector molecule and the antibody may be conjugated by chemical or by recombinant means as described above. Chemical modifications include, for example, derivitization for the purpose of linking the effector molecule and the antibody to each other, either directly or through a linking compound, by methods that are well known in the art of protein chemistry. Both covalent and noncovalent attachment methods may be used with the humanized antibodies of the present invention.
  • The procedure for attaching an effector molecule to an antibody will vary according to the chemical structure of the moiety to be attached to the antibody. Polypeptides typically contain a variety of functional groups; e.g., carboxylic acid (COOH), free amine (—NH2) or sulfhydryl (—SH) groups, which are available for reaction with a suitable functional group on an antibody to result in the binding of the effector molecule. Alternatively, the antibody can be derivatized to expose or to attach additional reactive functional groups, e.g., by attachment of any of a number of linker molecules such as those available from Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford Ill.
  • The linker is capable of forming covalent bonds to both the antibody and to the effector molecule. Suitable linkers are well known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, or peptide linkers. Where the antibody and the effector molecule are polypeptides, the linkers may be joined to the constituent amino acids through their side groups (e.g., through a disulfide linkage to cysteine). However, in a preferred embodiment, the linkers will be joined to the alpha carbon amino and carboxyl groups of the terminal amino acids.
  • In some circumstances, it is desirable to free the effector molecule from the antibody when the immunoconjugate has reached its target site. Therefore, in these circumstances, immunoconjugates will comprise linkages that are cleavable in the vicinity of the target site. Cleavage of the linker to release the effector molecule from the antibody may be prompted by enzymatic activity or conditions to which the immunoconjugate is subjected either inside the target cell or in the vicinity of the target site. When the target site is a tumor, a linker that is cleavable under conditions present at the tumor site (e.g. when exposed to tumor-associated enzymes or acidic pH) may be used.
  • Exemplary chemical modifications of the effector molecule and the antibody of the present invention also include derivitization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to extend time of residence in the circulatory system and reduce immunogenicity, according to well known methods (See for example, Lisi, et al., Applied Biochem. 4:19 (1982); Beauchamp, et al., Anal Biochem. 131:25 (1982); and Goodson, et al., Bio/Technology 8:343 (1990)).
  • The present invention contemplates vaccines for use in both active and passive immunization embodiments. Immunogenic compositions, proposed to be suitable for use as a vaccine, may be prepared most readily directly from immunogenic T-cell stimulating peptides prepared in a manner disclosed herein. The final vaccination material is dialyzed extensively to remove undesired small molecular weight molecules and/or lyophilized for more ready formulation into a desired vehicle. In certain embodiment of the present invention, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to manufacture a cellular vaccine, e.g., the antigen-delivering anti-Langerin binding portion of the antibody is used to direct the antigen(s) to an antigen presenting cell, which then “loads” the antigen onto MHC proteins for presentation. The cellular vaccine is, therefore, the antigen presenting cell that has been loaded using the compositions of the present invention to generate antigen-loaded antigen presenting cells.
  • When the vaccine is the anti-Langerin binding protein itself, e.g., a complete antibody or binding fragments thereof, then these “active ingredients” can be made into vaccines using methods understood in the art, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,608,251; 4,601,903; 4,599,231; 4,599,230; and 4,578,770, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Typically, such vaccines are prepared as injectables, e.g., as liquid solutions or suspensions or solid forms suitable for re-suspension in liquid prior to injection. The preparation may also be emulsified. The active immunogenic ingredient is often mixed with excipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active ingredient. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired, the vaccine may contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, or adjuvants that enhance the effectiveness of the vaccines.
  • The vaccines are administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in such amount as will be therapeutically effective and immunogenic. The quantity to be administered depends on the subject to be treated, including, e.g., the capacity of the individual's immune system to generate an immune response. Precise amounts of cells or active ingredient required to be administered depend on the judgment of the practitioner. However, suitable dosage ranges are of the order of a few thousand cells (to millions of cells) for cellular vaccines. For standard epitope or epitope delivery vaccines then the vaccine may be several hundred micrograms active ingredient per vaccination. Suitable regimes for initial administration and booster shots are also variable, but are typified by an initial administration followed by subsequent inoculations or other administrations.
  • The manner of application may vary widely, however, certain embodiments herein will most likely be delivered intravenously or at the site of a tumor or infection directly. Regardless, any of the conventional methods for administration of a vaccine are applicable. The dosage of the vaccine will depend on the route of administration and will vary according to the size of the host.
  • In many instances, it will be desirable to have multiple administrations of the vaccine, e.g., four to six vaccinations provided weekly or every other week. A normal vaccination regimen will often occur in two to twelve week intervals or from three to six week intervals. Periodic boosters at intervals of 1-5 years, usually three years, may be desirable to maintain protective levels of the immune response or upon a likelihood of a remission or re-infection. The course of the immunization may be followed by assays for, e.g., T cell activation, cytokine secretion or even antibody production, most commonly conducted in vitro. These immune response assays are well known and may be found in a wide variety of patents and as taught herein.
  • The vaccine of the present invention may be provided in one or more “unit doses” depending on whether the nucleic acid vectors are used, the final purified proteins, or the final vaccine form is used. Unit dose is defined as containing a predetermined-quantity of the therapeutic composition calculated to produce the desired responses in association with its administration, i.e., the appropriate route and treatment regimen. The quantity to be administered, and the particular route and formulation, are within the skill of those in the clinical arts. The subject to be treated may also be evaluated, in particular, the state of the subject's immune system and the protection desired. A unit dose need not be administered as a single injection but may include continuous infusion over a set period of time. Unit dose of the present invention may conveniently be described in terms of DNA/kg (or protein/Kg) body weight, with ranges between about 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 10, 50, 100, 1,000 or more mg/DNA or protein/kg body weight are administered.
  • Likewise, the amount of anti-Langerin-antigen vaccine delivered can vary from about 0.2 to about 8.0 mg/kg body weight. Thus, in particular embodiments, 0.4 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 3.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.5 mg, 6.0 mg, 6.5 mg, 7.0 mg and 7.5 mg of the vaccine may be delivered to an individual in vivo. The dosage of vaccine to be administered depends to a great extent on the weight and physical condition of the subject being treated as well as the route of administration and the frequency of treatment. A pharmaceutical composition that includes a naked polynucleotide prebound to a liposomal or viral delivery vector may be administered in amounts ranging from 1 μg to 1 mg polynucleotide to 1 μg to 100 mg protein. Thus, particular compositions may include between about 1 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg, 20 μg, 30 μg, 40 μg, 50 μg, 60 μg, 70 μg, 80 μg, 100 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 250 μg, 500 μg, 600 μg, 700 μg, 800 μg, 900 μg or 1,000 μg polynucleotide or protein that is bound independently to 1 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg, 20 μg, 3.0 μg, 40 μg 50 μg, 60 μg, 70 μg, 80 μg, 100 μg, 150 μg, 200 μg, 250 μg, 500 μg, 600 μg, 700 μg, 800 μg, 900 μg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 90 mg or 100 mg vector.
  • Antibodies of the present invention may optionally be covalently or non-covalently linked to a detectable label. Detectable labels suitable for such use include any composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical methods. Useful labels in the present invention include magnetic beads (e.g. DYNABEADS™), fluorescent dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescent protein, and the like), radiolabels (e.g., 3H, 125I, 35S, 14C, or 32P), enzymes (e.g., horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and others commonly used in an ELISA), and colorimetric labels such as colloidal gold or colored glass or plastic (e.g. polystyrene, polypropylene, latex, etc.) beads.
  • Methods of detecting such labels are well known to those of skill in the art. Thus, for example, radiolabels may be detected using photographic film or scintillation counters, fluorescent markers may be detected using a photodetector to detect emitted illumination. Enzymatic labels are typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrate and detecting the reaction product produced by the action of the enzyme on the substrate, and colorimetric labels are detected by simply visualizing the colored label.
  • The antibody and/or immunoconjugate compositions of this invention are particularly useful for parenteral administration, such as intravenous administration or administration into a body cavity. The compositions for administration will commonly comprise a solution of the antibody and/or immunoconjugate dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier. A variety of aqueous carriers can be used, e.g., buffered saline and the like. These solutions are sterile and generally free of undesirable matter. These compositions may be sterilized by conventional, well-known sterilization techniques. The compositions may contain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required to approximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, toxicity adjusting agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium lactate and the like. The concentration of fusion protein in these formulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like in accordance with the particular mode of administration selected and the patient's needs.
  • Thus, a typical pharmaceutical immunoconjugate composition of the present invention for intravenous administration would be about 0.1 to 10 mg per patient per day. Dosages from 0.1 up to about 100 mg per patient per day may be used. Actual methods for preparing administrable compositions will be known or apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in more detail in such publications as REMINGTON′S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, 19TH ED., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1995).
  • The compositions of the present invention can be administered for therapeutic treatments. In therapeutic applications, compositions are administered to a patient suffering from a disease, in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially arrest the disease and its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a “therapeutically effective dose.” Amounts effective for this use will depend upon the severity of the disease and the general state of the patient's health. An effective amount of the compound is that which provides either subjective relief of a symptom(s) or an objectively identifiable improvement as noted by the clinician or other qualified observer.
  • Single or multiple administrations of the compositions are administered depending on the dosage and frequency as required and tolerated by the patient. In any event, the composition should provide a sufficient quantity of the proteins of this invention to effectively treat the patient. Preferably, the dosage is administered once but may be applied periodically until either a therapeutic result is achieved or until side effects warrant discontinuation of therapy. Generally, the dose is sufficient to treat or ameliorate symptoms or signs of disease without producing unacceptable toxicity to the patient.
  • Controlled release parenteral formulations of the immunoconjugate compositions of the present invention can be made as implants, oily injections, or as particulate systems. For a broad overview of protein delivery systems see, Banga, A. J., THERAPEUTIC PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS: FORMULATION, PROCESSING, AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS, Technomic Publishing Company, Inc., Lancaster, Pa., (1995) incorporated herein by reference. Particulate systems include microspheres, microparticles, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanospheres, and nanoparticles. Microcapsules contain the therapeutic protein as a central core. In microspheres the therapeutic is dispersed throughout the particle. Particles, microspheres, and microcapsules smaller than about 1 μm are generally referred to as nanoparticles, nanospheres, and nanocapsules, respectively. Capillaries have a diameter of approximately 5 μm so that only nanoparticles are administered intravenously. Microparticles are typically around 100 μm in diameter and are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
  • Polymers can be used for ion-controlled release of immunoconjugate compositions of the present invention. Various degradable and non-degradable polymeric matrices for use in controlled drug delivery are known in the art (Langer, R., Accounts Chem. Res. 26:537-542 (1993)). For example, the block copolymer, poloxamer 407® exists as a viscous yet mobile liquid at low temperatures but forms a semisolid gel at body temperature, hydroxyapatite has been used as a microcarrier for controlled release of proteins, and/or liposomes may be used for controlled release as well as drug targeting of the lipid-capsulated drug. Numerous additional systems for controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,055,303, 5,188,837, 4,235,871, 4,501,728, 4,837,028 4,957,735 and 5,019,369, 5,055,303; 5,514,670; 5,413,797; 5,268,164; 5,004,697; 4,902,505; 5,506,206, 5,271,961; 5,254,342 and 5,534,496, relevant portions of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • Among various uses of the immunoconjugates of the invention are included a variety of disease conditions caused by specific human cells that may be eliminated by the toxic action of the fusion protein. For example, for the humanized Anti-Langerin antibodies, e.g., 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and binding fragments thereof, disclosed herein. For example, one application for immunoconjugates is the treatment of malignant cells expressing Langerin. Exemplary malignant cells include those of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia.
  • In another embodiment, this invention provides kits for the delivery of antigens, e.g., Langerin or an immunoreactive fragment thereof, conjugated or in the form of a fusion protein with one or more T cell or B cell epitopes. A “biological sample” as used herein is a sample of biological tissue or fluid that contains the antigen. Such samples include, but are not limited to, tissue from biopsy, blood, and blood cells (e.g., white cells). Preferably, the cells are lymphocytes, e.g., dendritic cells. Biological samples also include sections of tissues, such as frozen sections taken for histological purposes. A biological sample is typically obtained from a multicellular eukaryote, preferably a mammal such as rat, mouse, cow, dog, guinea pig, or rabbit, and more preferably a primate, such as a macaque, chimpanzee, or human. Most preferably, the sample is from a human. The antibodies of the invention may also be used in vivo, for example, as a diagnostic tool for in vivo imaging.
  • Kits will typically comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an antibody of the present invention (or binding fragment thereof) with one or more framework portions or multiple cloning sites at the carboxy-terminal end into which the coding sequences for one or more antigens may be inserted. In some embodiments, the antibody will be a humanized anti-Langerin Fv fragment, such as an scFv or dsFv fragment. In addition the kits will typically include instructional materials disclosing methods of use of an antibody of the present invention (e.g. for loading into dendritic cells prior to immunization with the dendritic cells, which can be autologous dendritic cells). The kits may also include additional components to facilitate the particular application for which the kit is designed. Thus, for example, the kit may additionally contain methods of detecting the label (e.g. enzyme substrates for enzymatic labels, filter sets to detect fluorescent labels, appropriate secondary labels such as a sheep anti-mouse-HRP, or the like). The kits may additionally include buffers and other reagents routinely used for the practice of a particular method. Such kits and appropriate contents are well known to those of skill in the art.
  • In another set of uses for the invention, immunoconjugates targeted by antibodies of the invention can be used to purge targeted cells from a population of cells in a culture. For example, if a specific population of T cells is preferred, the immunoconjugates of the present invention may be used to enrich a population of T cells having the opposite effect of the on-going immune response. Thus, for example, cells cultured from a patient having a cancer can be purged of cancer cells by providing the patient with dendritic cells that were antigen loaded using the antibodies of the invention as a targeting moiety for the antigens that will trigger an immune response against the cancer, virus or other pathogen. Likewise, the immunoconjugates can be used to increase the population of regulatory T cells or drive the immune response toward or away from a cytotoxic T cell response or even drive a B cell response.
  • Differential functions of DC subsets: The present inventors have demonstrated that LCs and intDCs derived from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells differ in their capacity to activate lymphocytes (FIG. 1). IntDCs induce the differentiation of naïve B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells and differentiation of CD4+T cells into follicular helper T cells (TFH)17,18, while LCs are particularly efficient activators of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes (CTLs). In addition, only interstitial DCs produce IL-10 and their enzymatic activity, which might be fundamental for the selection of peptides that will be presented to T cells, is not the same. Indeed, different enzymes are likely to degrade a antigen into different peptide repertoires, as shown for HIV nef protein19. This will lead to different sets of MHC/peptide complexes being presented and to a distinct antigen-specific T-cell repertoire. Dudziak, et al.20 have shown that antigens delivered to DCs through the subset-specific lectin Dectin-1 were presented differentially on MHC class II, while those presented through DEC-205 were mostly on MHC Class I and this difference was intrinsic to the DC subsets.
  • DC subsets play an important role in determining CD4+T cell responses. Either polarized DCs or distinct DC subsets provide T cells with different signals that determine the types of immune response (Type 1 versus Type 2)21. Thus, in mice, splenic CD8+DCs prime naïve CD4+T cells to make Th1 cytokines in a process involving IL-12, whereas splenic CD8+DCs prime naïve CD4+T cells to make Th2 cytokines22,23. Furthermore, different signals from the same DCs can induce different T-cell polarization, as shown by the induction of IL-12 production and Th1-cell polarization when DCs are activated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but no IL-12 production and Th2-cell polarization when DCs are exposed to LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis 24. CD40-ligand (CD40L)-activated DCs prime Th1 responses through an IL-12-dependent mechanism, whereas pDCs activated with IL-3 and CD40L have been shown to secrete negligible amounts of IL-12 and prime Th2 responses25. Soares, et al. also reported that two DC subsets that express different lectins have innate propensities to differentially affect the Th1/Th2 balance in vivo by distinct mechanisms. More interestingly, we have found that delivering the same antigens to the same type of DCs, but through different DC-receptors, induces a different quality of CD4+T cell responses (see preliminary data). Thus, both DC subsets and activation signals to which DCs are exposed are important factors determining the nature of immune outcome.
  • FIG. 2—Recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to cell surface Langerin. CHO—S cells were stably transfected with a plasmid directing the expression of full-length human Langerin. Pure recombinant anti-Langerin 2G3 or 15B10 mouse V region-human IgG4 chimeric antibodies or the same antibodies with C-terminal fusions to Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 domain from Avian Flu (HA5-1), Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain (HA1-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Hipo5), were titrated against the Langerin-CHO cells. After incubation on ice, the cells were washed and treated with an anti-human Fc-PE reagent. After further incubation on ice, the cells were washed and analyzed on a FACS Array instrument to determine the amount of cell-bound florescence (expressed as % MFI compared to untransfected CHO—S cells).
  • This data shows that addition of antigen to the H-chain C-termini does not affect the binding of the antibody to cell surface Langerin and also demonstrates that these anti-Langerin antibodies serve as effective vehicles to bring antigen to the surface of cells bearing human Langerin.
  • FIG. 3—demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD4+T cells from a health donor. FIG. 3 a compares delivering PSA to DCs through CD40 and Langerin induces IFNγ-producing PSA-specific CD4+T cells. CD4+T cells from healthy donors were co-cultured with IFNDCs targeted with anti-CD40-PSA or anti-Langerin-PSA for 8 days. Cells were stimulated with individual peptides (59 peptides of 15-mers) of PSA (5 μM). After 2 days, culture supernatants were analyzed for measuring IFNγ. Dotted lines represent upper limits of average±SD for no peptides and responses above this line are considered significant. FIG. 3 b shows that CD4+T cells were stained for measuring the frequency of peptide-specific intracellular IFNγ+ cells.
  • These data show that an anti-Langerin vaccine bearing a cancer antigen can prime a potent antigen-specific anti-CD4+T cell response in vitro using immune cells from a normal individual. In this in vitro culture system this agent is as potent as an anti-CD40 based vaccine—these DCs express both receptors. In vivo, an anti-Langerin-based vaccine would target antigen only to Langerhans cells (LCs), and based on recent research [Immunity, Volume 29, Issue 3, 497-510, 19 Sep. 2008] LCs preferentially induce the differentiation of CD4+T cells secreting T helper 2 (Th2) cell cytokines and are particularly efficient at priming and cross priming naive CD8+T cells—the latter characteristic is particularly desirable for evoking anti-cancer CTL responses. In contrast, anti-CD40 targeting agents would deliver antigen to a much broader array of APC in vivo.
  • FIG. 4—demonstration of the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin antibody fused to the human prostate specific cancer antigen to elicit the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+T cells from a prostate cancer patient. DCs targeted with anti-CD40-PSA and anti-Langerin-PSA targeted to DCs induces PSA-specific CD8+T cell responses. (a) IFNDCs were targeted with 1 mg mAb fusion proteins with PSA. Purified autologous CD8+T cells were co-cultured for 10 days. Cells were stained with anti-CD8 and PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer. Cells are from HLA-A*0201 positive prostate cancer patients. The PSA tetramer reagent identified T cells bearing T cell receptors specifically reactive with HLA-A*0201 complexes bearing the PSA KLQCVDLHV peptide.
  • These data show that an anti-Langerin vaccine bearing a cancer antigen can prime a potent antigen-specific anti-CD8+T cell response in vitro using immune cells from a prostate cancer. In this in vitro culture system this agent is as potent as a anti-CD40 based vaccine—these DCs express both receptors. In vivo, an anti-Langerin-based vaccine would target antigen only to Langerhans cells (LCs), and based on recent research [Immunity, Volume 29, Issue 3, 497-510, 19 Sep. 2008] LCs preferentially induce the differentiation of CD4+T cells secreting T helper 2 (Th2) cell cytokines and are particularly efficient at priming and cross priming naive CD8+T cells—the latter characteristic is particularly desirable for evoking anti-cancer CTL responses. In contrast, anti-CD40 targeting agents would deliver antigen to a much broader array of APC in vivo.
  • FIG. 5—Anti-Langerin preferentially targets epidermal LCs. Purified skin DC subsets (Epidermal LCs, dermal CD1a+DCs and CD14+DCs) from HLA-A201 donor were cultured with 8 nM anti-Langerin, IgG4 conjugates mAbs, free FluMP or without antigen for 3 h. Syngeneic purified CD8+T cells were cultured with the antigen-pulsed DCs at a DC/T ratio 1:20. CD40L (100 ng/ml; R&D) was added to the culture after 24 h. CD40-ligation enhances crosspresentation by DCs. The cocultures were incubated at 37° C. for 8-10 days. IL-2 (10 U/ml) was added at day 3. The response of FluMP-specific CD8+T cells was evaluated using HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer.
  • The data in panel FIG. 5A: 2D FACs-plots showing FluMP-specific CD8+T cell expansion as evaluated by specific HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) tetramer staining demonstrating that targeting antigen via anti-Langerin elicits antigen-specific CD8+T cell expansion only through LCs, which is more robust than other methods of antigen delivery such as free FluMP. Some response is induced by the dermal CD1a+DCs, in concordance with the ability of these cells to upregulate Langerin in culture. FIG. 5B summarizes the data in a graph shows mean±sd, N=3. FIG. 5C. IFN-γ levels in the culture supernatants of human LCs that were culture for 8 days with either Langerin-FluMP, control IgG4-FluMP, free FluMP or no antigen after 8 days.
  • FIG. 6 shows the differential expression of Langerin by human skin DCs. FIG. 6A shows the expression of Langerin on isolated human skin DC subsets. Data show restricted expression of Langerin on human LCs, but not on dermal CD1a+ or CD14+DCs. FIG. 6B show a gene expression analysis of Langerin by skin DCs isolated from 3 different specimens. RNA was prepared from sorted migrated skin mDC subsets: epidermal LCs, dermal CD1a+DCs and CD14+DCs. FIG. 6C shows the immunofluorescent staining of normal human skin using Langerin and HLA-DR mAbs.
  • FIG. 7—Anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody (produced by hybridoma ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852) specifically stains human Langerhans cells. Human epithelial sheet was prepared and stained with Alexa568 [red]-labeled anti-Langerin 15B10 and a commercial anti-HLA antibody labeled green. The top image shows the red and green image superimposed highlighting the co-localization of these two markers.
  • Constructs.
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10K—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 1)
    ATGAAGTTGCCTGTTAGGCTGTTGGTGCTGATGTTCTGGATTCCTGCT
    TCCAGCAGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCCTGTC
    CGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCAGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTT
    GTACACAGTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGCAGAAGCCA
    GGCCAGTCTCCAAAGCTCCTGATCTACAAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCT
    GGGGTCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCAGGGACAAATTTCACA
    CTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGGGACTTTATTTCTGC
    TCTCAAAGTACACATGTTCCGTACACGTTCGGAGGGGGGACCAAGCTG
    GAAATAAAACGGGCTGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCCATCTTCCCACCA
    TCCAGTGAGCAGTTAACATCTGGAGGTGCCTCAGTCGTGTGCTTCTTG
    AACAACTTCTACCCCAAAGACATCAATGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGC
    AGTGAACGACAAAATGGCGTCCTGAACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAGC
    AAAGACAGCACCTACAGCATGAACAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGAC
    GAGTATGAACGACATAACAGCTATACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACA
    TCAACTTCACCCATCGTCAAGAGCTTCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTAG
    (SEQ ID NO. 2)
    DVVMTQTPLSLPVRLGDQASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQS
    PKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTLKISRVEAEDLGLYFCSQS
    THVPYTFGGGTKLEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVVCFLNNF
    YPKDINVKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMNSTLTLTKDEYE
    RHNSYTCEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC
  • mAnti-Langerin15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of the mouse anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to human IgG4, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 3)
    ATGGAATGGAGGATCTTTCTCTTCATCCTGTCAGGAACTGCAGGTGTC
    CACTCCCAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGACCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCT
    GGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACATTTACT
    GACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGAACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAG
    TGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGTTATTCTTTCTACAATGAG
    AACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCACCACA
    GCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTAT
    TTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTTGCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGG
    ACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTC
    CCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTG
    GGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGG
    AACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTA
    CAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCC
    AGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAACGTAGATCACAAGCCC
    AGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCCAAATATGGTCCCCCA
    TGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGGGGACCATCAGTCTTC
    CTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCT
    GAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTC
    CAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACA
    AAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTC
    CTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGC
    AAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCC
    AAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCA
    TCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTC
    AAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGG
    CAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGAC
    GGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGG
    CAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCAC
    AACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC
    TGA
    (SEQ ID NO. 4)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3L (produced by hybridoma ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853)—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the light chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 5)
    ATGGCCTGGATTTCACTTATACTCTCTCTCCTGGCTCTCAGCTCAGGG
    GCCATTTCCCAGGCTGTTGTGACTCAGGAATCTGCACTCACCACATCA
    CCTGGTGAAACAGTCACACTCACTTGTCGCTCAAGTACTGGGGCTGTT
    ACAACTAGTAACTATGCCAACTGGGTCCAAGAAAAACCAGATCATTTA
    TTCACTGGTCTAATAGGTGGTACCAACAACCGAGTTTCAGGTGTTCCT
    GCCAGATTCTCAGGCTCCCTGATTGGAGACAAGGCTGCCCTCACCATC
    ACAGGGGCACAGACTGAGGATGAGGCAATATATTTCTGTGCTCTATGG
    TACAGCAACCATTGGGTGTTCGGTGGAGGAACCAAACTGACTGTCCTA
    GGCCAGCCCAAGTCTTCGCCATCAGTCACCCTGTTTCCACCTTCCTCT
    GAAGAGCTCGAGACTAACAAGGCCACACTGGTGTGTACGATCACTGAT
    TTCTACCCAGGTGTGGTGACAGTGGACTGGAAGGTAGATGGTACCCCT
    GTCACTCAGGGTATGGAGACAACCCAGCCTTCCAAACAGAGCAACAAC
    AAGTACATGGCTAGCAGCTACCTGACCCTGACAGCAAGAGCATGGGAA
    AGGCATAGCAGTTACAGCTGCCAGGTCACTCATGAAGGTCACACTGTG
    GAGAAGAGTTTGTCCCGTGCTGACTGTTCCTAG
    (SEQ ID NO. 6)
    QAVVTQESALTTSPGETVTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTG
    LIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALTITGAQTEDEAIYFCALWYSN
    HWVFGGGTKLTVLGQPKSSPSVTLFPPSSEELETNKATLVCTITDFYP
    GVVTVDWKVDGTPVTQGMETTQPSKQSNNKYMASSYLTLTARAWERHS
    SYSCQVTHEGHTVEKSLSRADCS
  • mAnti-Langerin2G3H—Nucleotide and mature protein amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of the mouse anti-Langerin 2G3 antibody cDNA, respectively. The variable region residues are underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 7)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAAGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGACA
    CCCCCATCTGTCTATCCACTGGCCCCTGGATCTGCTGCCCAAACTAAC
    TCCATGGTGACCCTGGGATGCCTGGTCAAGGGCTATTTCCCTGAGCCA
    GTGACAGTGACCTGGAACTCTGGATCCCTGTCCAGCGGTGTGCACACC
    TTCCCAGCTGTCCTGCAGTCTGACCTCTACACTCTGAGCAGCTCAGTG
    ACTGTCCCCTCCAGCACCTGGCCCAGCGAGACCGTCACCTGCAACGTT
    GCCCACCCGGCCAGCAGCACCAAGGTGGACAAGAAAATTGTGCCCAGG
    GATTGTGGTTGTAAGCCTTGCATATGTACAGTCCCAGAAGTATCATCT
    GTCTTCATCTTCCCCCCAAAGCCCAAGGATGTGCTCACCATTACTCTG
    ACTCCTAAGGTCACGTGTGTTGTGGTAGACATCAGCAAGGATGATCCC
    GAGGTCCAGTTCAGCTGGTTTGTAGATGATGTGGAGGTGCACACAGCT
    CAGACGCAACCCCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACTTTCCGCTCAGTC
    AGTGAACTTCCCATCATGCACCAGGACTGGCTCAATGGCAAGGAGTTC
    AAATGCAGGGTCAACAGTGCAGCTTTCCCTGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACC
    ATCTCCAAAACCAAAGGCAGACCGAAGGCTCCACAGGTGTACACCATT
    CCACCTCCCAAGGAGCAGATGGCCAAGGATAAAGTCAGTCTGACCTGC
    ATGATAACAGACTTCTTCCCTGAAGACATTACTGTGGAGTGGCAGTGG
    AATGGGCAGCCAGCGGAGAACTACAAGAACACTCAGCCCATCATGGAC
    ACAGATGGCTCTTACTTCGTCTACAGCAAGCTCAATGTGCAGAAGAGC
    AACTGGGAGGCAGGAAATACTTTCACCTGCTCTGTGTTACATGAGGGC
    CTGCACAACCACCATACTGAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCACTCTCCTGGTAAA
    GCTAGCTGA
    (SEQ ID NO. 8)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV
    ARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMY
    YCVGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTPPSVYPLAPGSAAQTNSMVTLGC
    LVKGYFPEPVTVTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVPSSTW
    PSETVTCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPK
    PKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVDISKDDPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREE
    QFNSTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLNGKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTISKTKGR
    PKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSLTCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAEN
    YKNTQPIMDTDGSYFVYSKLNVQKSNWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTE
    KSLSHSPGKAS
  • C84 rAB-pIRES2 [mAnti-Langerin2G3H-LV-hIgG4H-C-Dockerin] The coding region for this H chain-dockerin fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 57)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAGGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGAAG
    GGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAG
    AGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCG
    GTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACC
    TTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTG
    GTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAAC
    GTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCC
    AAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGG
    GGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATG
    ATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAG
    GAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTG
    CATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTAC
    CGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGC
    AAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATC
    GAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTG
    TACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGC
    CTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAG
    TGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC
    GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTG
    GACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATG
    CATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCT
    CTGGGTAAAGCTAGC AATTCTCCTCAAAATGAAGTACTGTACGGAGAT
    GTGAATGATGACGGAAAAGTAAACTCCACTGACTTGACTTTGTTAAAA
    AGATATGTTCTTAAAGCCGTCTCAACTCTCCCTTCTTCCAAAGCTGAA
    AAGAACGCAGATGTAAATCGTGACGGAAGAGTTAATTCCAGTGATGTC
    ACAATACTTTCAAGATATTTGATAAGGGTAATCGAGAAATTACCAATA
    TAA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C84 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and dockerin is underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 58)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV
    ARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMY
    YCVGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS NSPQNEVLYGDVNDDGKVNSTDLTLLKRYVLKAV
    STLPSSKAEKNADVNRDGRVNSSDVTILSRYLIRVIEKLPI
  • C85 rAB-pIRES2 [mAnti-Langerin2G3H-LV-hIgG4H-C-Flex-FluHA1-1-6xHis] The coding region for this H chain-Flu HA1-1 fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 59)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAGGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGAAG
    GGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAG
    AGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCG
    GTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACC
    TTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTG
    GTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAAC
    GTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCC
    AAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGG
    GGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATG
    ATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAG
    GAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTG
    CATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTAC
    CGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGC
    AAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATC
    GAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTG
    TACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGC
    CTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAG
    TGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC
    GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTG
    GACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATG
    CATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCT
    CTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACACCT
    GTAACAACAGACACAATATGTATAGGCTACCATGCGAACAATTCAACC
    GACACTGTTGACACAGTACTCGAGAAGAATGTGACAGTGACACACTCT
    GTTAACCTGCTCGAAGACAGCCACAACGGAAAACTATGTAGATTAAAA
    GGAATAGCCCCACTACAATTGGGGAAATGTAACATCGCCGGATGGCTC
    TTGGGAAACCCAGAATGCGACCCACTGCTTCCAGTGAGATCATGGTCC
    TACATTGTAGAAACACCAAACTCTGAGAATGGAATATGTTATCCAGGA
    GATTTCATCGACTATGAGGAGCTGAGGGAGCAATTGAGCTCAGTGTCA
    TCATTCGAAAGATTCGAAATATTTCCCAAAGAAAGCTCATGGCCCAAC
    CACAACACAAACGGAGTAACGGCAGCATGCTCCCATGAGGGGAAAAGC
    AGTTTTTACAGAAATTTGCTATGGCTGACGGAGAAGGAGGGCTCATAC
    CCAAAGCTGAAAAATTCTTATGTGAACAAAAAAGGGAAAGAAGTCCTT
    GTACTGTGGGGTATTCATCACCCGCCTAACAGTAAGGAACAACAGAAT
    CTCTATCAGAATGAAAATGCTTATGTCTCTGTAGTGACTTCAAATTAT
    AACAGGAGATTTACCCCGGAAATAGCAGAAAGACCCAAAGTAAGAGAT
    CAAGCTGGGAGGATGAACTATTACTGGACCTTGCTAAAACCCGGAGAC
    ACAATAATATTTGAGGCAAATGGAAATCTAATAGCACCAATGTATGCT
    TTCGCACTGAGTAGAGGCTTTGGGTCCGGCATCATCACCTCAAACGCA
    TCAATGCATGAGTGTAACACGAAGTGTCAAACACCCCTGGGAGCTATA
    AACAGCAGTCTCCCTTACCAGAATATACACCCAGTCACAATAGGAGAG
    TGCCCAAAATACGTCAGGAGTGCCAAATTGAGGATGGTTCACCATCA
    CCATCACCAT TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C85 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and Flu HA1-1 is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 60)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV
    ARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMY
    YCVGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTT DTICIGYHANNSTDTVDTVL
    EKNVTVTHSVNLLEDSHNGKLCRLKGIAPLQLGKCNIAGWLLGNPECD
    PLLPVRSWSYIVETPNSENGICYPGDFIDYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEI
    FPKESSWPNHNTNGVTAACSHEGKSSFYRNLLWLTEKEGSYPKLKNSY
    VNKKGKEVLVLWGIHHPPNSKEQQNLYQNENAYVSVVTSNYNRRFTPE
    IAERPKVRDQAGRMNYYWTLLKPGDTIIFEANGNLIAPMYAFALSRGF
    GSGIITSNASMHECNTKCQTPLGAINSSLPYQNIHPVTIGECPKYVRS
    AKLRMVHHHHHH
  • C86 rAB-pIRES2 [mAnti-Langerin2G3H-LV-hIgG4H-C-Flex-FluHA5-1-6xHis] The coding region for this H chain-Flu HA5-1 fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 61)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAGGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGAAG
    GGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAG
    AGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCG
    GTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACC
    TTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTG
    GTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAAC
    GTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCC
    AAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGG
    GGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATG
    ATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAG
    GAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTG
    CATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTAC
    CGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGC
    AAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATC
    GAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTG
    TACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGC
    CTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAG
    TGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC
    GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTG
    GACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATG
    CATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCT
    CTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACACCT
    GTAACAACAGATCAGATTTGCATTGGTTACCATGCAAACAACTCGACA
    GAGCAGGTTGACACAATAATGGAAAAGAACGTTACTGTTACACATGCC
    CAAGACATACTGGAAAAGAAACACAACGGGAAGCTCTGCGATCTAGAT
    GGAGTGAAGCCTCTAATTTTGAGAGATTGTAGCGTAGCTGGATGGCTC
    CTCGGAAACCCAATGTGTGACGAATTCATCAATGTGCCGGAATGGTCT
    TACATAGTGGAGAAGGCCAATCCAGTCAATGACCTCTGTTACCCAGGG
    GATTTCAATGACTATGAAGAATTGAAACACCTATTGAGCAGAATAAAC
    CATTTTGAGAAAATTCAGATCATCCCCAAAAGTTCTTGGTCCAGTCAT
    GAAGCCTCATTAGGGGTGAGCTCAGCATGTCCATACCAGGGAAAGTCC
    TCCTTTTTCAGAAATGTGGTATGGCTTATCAAAAAGAACAGTACATAC
    CCAACAATAAAGAGGAGCTACAATAATACCAACCAAGAAGATCTTTTG
    GTACTGTGGGGGATTCACCATCCTAATGATGCGGCAGAGCAGACAAAG
    CTCTATCAAAACCCAACCACCTATATTTCCGTTGGGACATCAACACTA
    AACCAGAGATTGGTACCAAGAATAGCTACTAGATCCAAAGTAAACGGG
    CAAAGTGGAAGGATGGAGTTCTTCTGGACAATTTTAAAGCCGAATGAT
    GCAATCAACTTCGAGAGTAATGGAAATTTCATTGCTCCAGAATATGCA
    TACAAAATTGTCAAGAAAGGGGACTCAACAATTATGAAAAGTGAATTG
    GAATATGGTAACTGCAACACCAAGTGTCAAACTCCAATGGGGGCGATA
    AACTCTAGCATGCCATTCCACAATATACACCCTCTCACCATTGGGGAA
    TGCCCCAAATATGTGAAATCAAACAGATTAGTCCTTGCGCACCATCAC
    CATCACCAT TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C86 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and Flu HA5-1 is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 62)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV
    ARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMY
    YCVGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTT DQICIGYHANNSTEQVDTIM
    EKNVTVTHAQDILEKKHNGKLCDLDGVKPLILRDCSVAGWLLGNPMCD
    EFINVPEWSYIVEKANPVNDLCYPGDFNDYEELKHLLSRINHFEKIQI
    IPKSSWSSHEASLGVSSACPYQGKSSFFRNVVWLIKKNSTYPTIKRSY
    NNTNQEDLLVLWGIHHPNDAAEQTKLYQNPTTYISVGTSTLNQRLVPR
    IATRSKVNGQSGRMEFFWTILKPNDAINFESNGNFIAPEYAYKIVKKG
    DSTIMKSELEYGNCNTKCQTPMGAINSSMPFHNIHPLTIGECPKYVKS
    NRLVLAHHHHHH
  • C804 rAB-cetHS-puro [mAnti-L angerin2 G3H-LV-hIgGK-C-Flex-hPSA] The coding region for this H chain-PSA fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 63)
    ATGACATTGAACATGCTGTTGGGGCTGAAGTGGGTTTTCTTTGTTGTT
    TTTTATCAAGGTGTGCATTGTGAGGTGCAGCTTGTTGAGTCTGGTGGA
    GGATTGGTGCAGCCTAAAGGGTCATTGAAACTCTCATGTGCAGCCTCT
    GGATTAACCTTCAATATCTACGCCATGAACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
    GGAAAGGGTTTGGAATGGGTTGCTCGCATAAGAAATAAAAGTAATAAT
    TATGCAACATATTATGCCGATTCAGTGAAAGACAGGTTCACCATCTCC
    AGAGATGATTCACAAAGCTTGCTCTATCTGCAAATGAACAACTTGAAA
    ACTGAGGACACAGCCATGTATTACTGTGTGGGACGGGACTGGTTTGAT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACGAAG
    GGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGA
    GAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACC
    GGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACAC
    CTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGT
    GGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAA
    CGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTC
    CAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGG
    GGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCAT
    GATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCA
    GGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGT
    GCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTA
    CCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGG
    CAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCAT
    CGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGT
    GTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAG
    CCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGA
    GTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCC
    CGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGT
    GGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGAT
    GCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTC
    TCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACACC
    TGTAACAACACCGACAACAACACTTCTAGCGCCCCTCATCCTGTCTCG
    GATTGTGGGAGGCTGGGAGTGCGAGAAGCATTCCCAACCCTGGCAGGT
    GCTTGTGGCCTCTCGTGGCAGGGCAGTCTGCGGCGGTGTTCTGGTGCA
    CCCCCAGTGGGTCCTCACAGCTGCCCACTGCATCAGGAACAAAAGCGT
    GATCTTGCTGGGTCGGCACAGCCTGTTTCATCCTGAAGACACAGGCCA
    GGTATTTCAGGTCAGCCACAGCTTCCCACACCCGCTCTACGATATGAG
    CCTCCTGAAGAATCGATTCCTCAGGCCAGGTGATGACTCCAGCCACGA
    CCTCATGCTGCTCCGCCTGTCAGAGCCTGCCGAGCTCACGGATGCTGT
    GAAGGTCATGGACCTGCCCACCCAGGAGCCAGCACTGGGGACCACCTG
    CTACGCCTCAGGCTGGGGCAGCATTGAACCAGAGGAGTTCTTGACCCC
    AAAGAAACTTCAGTGTGTGGACCTCCATGTTATTTCCAATGACGTGTG
    TGCGCAAGTTCACCCTCAGAAGGTGACCAAGTTCATGCTGTGTGCTGG
    ACGCTGGACAGGGGGCAAAAGCACCTGCTCGGGTGATTCTGGGGGCCC
    ACTTGTCTGTAATGGTGTGCTTCAAGGTATCACGTCATGGGGCAGTGA
    ACCATGTGCCCTGCCCGAAAGGCCTTCCCTGTACACCAAGGTGGTGCA
    TTACCGGAAGTGGATCAAGGACACCATCGTGGCCAACCCC TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C804 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and PSA is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 64)
    EVQLVESGGGLVQPKGSLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVA
    RIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISRDDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC
    VGRDWFDYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVK
    DYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTK
    TYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFPPKPK
    DTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFN
    STYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP
    QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTP
    PVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLS
    LGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTLL APLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVL
    VASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVF
    QVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVM
    DLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVISNDVCAQVH
    PQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP
    ERPSLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP
  • C87 rAB-pIRES2 [mAnti-Langerin15B10H-SLAML-V-hIgG4H-Flex-FluHA5-1-6xHis] The coding region for this H chain-Flu HA5-1 fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 65)
    ATGGACCCCAAAGGCTCCCTTTCCTGGAGAATACTTCTGTTTCTCTCC
    CTGGCTTTTGAGTTGTCGTACGGACAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGA
    CCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCT
    TCTGGATACACATTTACTGACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGA
    ACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGT
    TATTCTTTCTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCA
    GACAAATCCTCCACCACAGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCT
    GAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTT
    GCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACA
    ACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCC
    GAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA
    CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCAC
    ACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGC
    GTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGC
    AACGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAG
    TCCAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAA
    GGGGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTC
    ATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGC
    CAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAG
    GTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACG
    TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAAC
    GGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCC
    ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAG
    GTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTC
    AGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTG
    GAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCT
    CCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACC
    GTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTG
    ATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG
    TCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACA
    CCTGTAACAACAGATCAGATTTGCATTGGTTACCATGCAAACAACTCG
    ACAGAGCAGGTTGACACAATAATGGAAAAGAACGTTACTGTTACACAT
    GCCCAAGACATACTGGAAAAGAAACACAACGGGAAGCTCTGCGATCTA
    GATGGAGTGAAGCCTCTAATTTTGAGAGATTGTAGCGTAGCTGGATGG
    CTCCTCGGAAACCCAATGTGTGACGAATTCATCAATGTGCCGGAATGG
    TCTTACATAGTGGAGAAGGCCAATCCAGTCAATGACCTCTGTTACCCA
    GGGGATTTCAATGACTATGAAGAATTGAAACACCTATTGAGCAGAATA
    AACCATTTTGAGAAAATTCAGATCATCCCCAAAAGTTCTTGGTCCAGT
    CATGAAGCCTCATTAGGGGTGAGCTCAGCATGTCCATACCAGGGAAAG
    TCCTCCTTTTTCAGAAATGTGGTATGGCTTATCAAAAAGAACAGTACA
    TACCCAACAATAAAGAGGAGCTACAATAATACCAACCAAGAAGATCTT
    TTGGTACTGTGGGGGATTCACCATCCTAATGATGCGGCAGAGCAGACA
    AAGCTCTATCAAAACCCAACCACCTATATTTCCGTTGGGACATCAACA
    CTAAACCAGAGATTGGTACCAAGAATAGCTACTAGATCCAAAGTAAAC
    GGGCAAAGTGGAAGGATGGAGTTCTTCTGGACAATTTTAAAGCCGAAT
    GATGCAATCAACTTCGAGAGTAATGGAAATTTCATTGCTCCAGAATAT
    GCATACAAAATTGTCAAGAAAGGGGACTCAACAATTATGAAAAGTGAA
    TTGGAATATGGTAACTGCAACACCAAGTGTCAAACTCCAATGGGGGCG
    ATAAACTCTAGCATGCCATTCCACAATATACACCCTCTCACCATTGGG
    GAATGCCCCAAATATGTGAAATCAAACAGATTAGTCCTTGCGCACCAT
    CACCATCACCAT TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C87 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and Flu HA5-1 is underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 66)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTT DQICIGYHANNSTEQVDTIM
    EKNVTVTHAQDILEKKHNGKLCDLDGVKPLILRDCSVAGWLLGNPMCD
    EFINVPEWSYIVEKANPVNDLCYPGDFNDYEELKHLLSRINHFEKIQI
    IPKSSWSSHEASLGVSSACPYQGKSSFFRNVVWLIKKNSTYPTIKRSY
    NNTNQEDLLVLWGIHHPNDAAEQTKLYQNPTTYISVGTSTLNQRLVPR
    IATRSKVNGQSGRMEFFWTILKPNDAINFESNGNFIAPEYAYKIVKKG
    DSTIMKSELEYGNCNTKCQTPMGAINSSMPFHNIHPLTIGECPKYVKS
    NRLVLAHHHHHH
  • C88 rAB-pIRES2 [mAnti-Langerin15B10H-SLAML-V-hIgG4H-C-Dockerin] The coding region for this H chain-dockerin fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 67)
    ATGGACCCCAAAGGCTCCCTTTCCTGGAGAATACTTCTGTTTCTCTCC
    CTGGCTTTTGAGTTGTCGTACGGACAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGA
    CCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCT
    TCTGGATACACATTTACTGACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGA
    ACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGT
    TATTCTTTCTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCA
    GACAAATCCTCCACCACAGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCT
    GAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTT
    GCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACA
    ACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCC
    GAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA
    CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCAC
    ACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGC
    GTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGC
    AACGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAG
    TCCAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAA
    GGGGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTC
    ATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGC
    CAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAG
    GTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACG
    TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAAC
    GGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCC
    ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAG
    GTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTC
    AGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTG
    GAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCT
    CCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACC
    GTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTG
    ATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG
    TCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC AATTCTCCTCAAAATGAAGTACTGTACGGA
    GATGTGAATGATGACGGAAAAGTAAACTCCACTGACTTGACTTTGTTA
    AAAAGATATGTTCTTAAAGCCGTCTCAACTCTCCCTTCTTCCAAAGCT
    GAAAAGAACGCAGATGTAAATCGTGACGGAAGAGTTAATTCCAGTGAT
    GTCACAATACTTTCAAGATATTTGATAAGGGTAATCGAGAAATTACCA
    ATA TAA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C88 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and dockerin is shaded grey. A flexible linker joining sequence is underlined.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 68)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSL
    GTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFP
    PKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPR
    EEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAK
    GQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPE
    NNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY
    TQKSLSLSLGKAS NSPQNEVLYGDVNDDGKVNSTDLTLLKRYVLKAVS
    TLPSSKAEKNADVNRDGRVNSSDVTILSRYLIRVIEKLPI
  • C89 rAB-pIRES2[mAnti-Langerin15B10H-SLAML-V-hIgG4H-Flex-FluHA1-1-6xHis] The coding region for this H chain-Flu HA1-1 fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 69)
    ATGGACCCCAAAGGCTCCCTTTCCTGGAGAATACTTCTGTTTCTCTCC
    CTGGCTTTTGAGTTGTCGTACGGACAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGA
    CCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCT
    TCTGGATACACATTTACTGACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGA
    ACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGT
    TATTCTTTCTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCA
    GACAAATCCTCCACCACAGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCT
    GAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTT
    GCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACA
    ACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCC
    GAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA
    CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCAC
    ACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGC
    GTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGC
    AACGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAG
    TCCAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAA
    GGGGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTC
    ATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGC
    CAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAG
    GTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACG
    TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAAC
    GGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCC
    ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAG
    GTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTC
    AGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTG
    GAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCT
    CCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACC
    GTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTG
    ATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG
    TCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACA
    CCTGTAACAACAGACACAATATGTATAGGCTACCATGCGAACAATTCA
    ACCGACACTGTTGACACAGTACTCGAGAAGAATGTGACAGTGACACAC
    TCTGTTAACCTGCTCGAAGACAGCCACAACGGAAAACTATGTAGATTA
    AAAGGAATAGCCCCACTACAATTGGGGAAATGTAACATCGCCGGATGG
    CTCTTGGGAAACCCAGAATGCGACCCACTGCTTCCAGTGAGATCATGG
    TCCTACATTGTAGAAACACCAAACTCTGAGAATGGAATATGTTATCCA
    GGAGATTTCATCGACTATGAGGAGCTGAGGGAGCAATTGAGCTCAGTG
    TCATCATTCGAAAGATTCGAAATATTTCCCAAAGAAAGCTCATGGCCC
    AACCACAACACAAACGGAGTAACGGCAGCATGCTCCCATGAGGGGAAA
    AGCAGTTTTTACAGAAATTTGCTATGGCTGACGGAGAAGGAGGGCTCA
    TACCCAAAGCTGAAAAATTCTTATGTGAACAAAAAAGGGAAAGAAGTC
    CTTGTACTGTGGGGTATTCATCACCCGCCTAACAGTAAGGAACAACAG
    AATCTCTATCAGAATGAAAATGCTTATGTCTCTGTAGTGACTTCAAAT
    TATAACAGGAGATTTACCCCGGAAATAGCAGAAAGACCCAAAGTAAGA
    GATCAAGCTGGGAGGATGAACTATTACTGGACCTTGCTAAAACCCGGA
    GACACAATAATATTTGAGGCAAATGGAAATCTAATAGCACCAATGTAT
    GCTTTCGCACTGAGTAGAGGCTTTGGGTCCGGCATCATCACCTCAAAC
    GCATCAATGCATGAGTGTAACACGAAGTGTCAAACACCCCTGGGAGCT
    ATAAACAGCAGTCTCCCTTACCAGAATATACACCCAGTCACAATAGGA
    GAGTGCCCAAAATACGTCAGGAGTGCCAAATTGAGGATGGTTCACCAT
    CACCATCACCAT TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C89 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and Flu HA1-1 is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 70)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTT DTICIGYHANNSTDTVDTVL
    EKNVTVTHSVNLLEDSHNGKLCRLKGIAPLQLGKCNIAGWLLGNPECD
    PLLPVRSWSYIVETPNSENGICYPGDFIDYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEI
    FPKESSWPNHNTNGVTAACSHEGKSSFYRNLLWLTEKEGSYPKLKNSY
    VNKKGKEVLVLWGIHHPPNSKEQQNLYQNENAYVSVVTSNYNRRFTPE
    IAERPKVRDQAGRMNYYWTLLKPGDTIIFEANGNLIAPMYAFALSRGF
    GSGIITSNASMHECNTKCQTPLGAINSSLPYQNIHPVTIGECPKYVRS
    AKLRMVHHHHHH
  • C246 rAB-pIRES2[mAnti-Langerin15B10H-SLAML-V-hIgG4H-Viralgag] The coding region for this H chain-gag fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 71)
    ATGGACCCCAAAGGCTCCCTTTCCTGGAGAATACTTCTGTTTCTCTCC
    CTGGCTTTTGAGTTGTCGTACGGACAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGA
    CCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCT
    TCTGGATACACATTTACTGACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGA
    ACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGT
    TATTCTTTCTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCA
    GACAAATCCTCCACCACAGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCT
    GAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTT
    GCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACA
    ACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCC
    GAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA
    CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCAC
    ACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGC
    GTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGC
    AACGTAGATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAG
    TCCAAATATGGTCCCCCATGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAA
    GGGGGACCATCAGTCTTCCTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTC
    ATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGC
    CAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTCCAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAG
    GTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACG
    TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAAC
    GGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCC
    ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAG
    GTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTC
    AGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTG
    GAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCT
    CCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACC
    GTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTG
    ATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG
    TCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC GACATGGCCAAGAAGGAGACAGTCTGGAGG
    CTCGAGGAGTTCGGTAGGCCTATAGTGCAGAACATCCAGGGGCAAATG
    GTACATCAGGCCATATCACCTAGAACTTTAAATGCATGGGTAAAAGTA
    GTAGAAGAGAAGGCTTTCAGCCCAGAAGTAATACCCATGTTTTCAGCA
    TTATCAGAAGGAGCCACCCCACAAGATTTAAACACCATGCTAAACACA
    GTGGGGGGACATCAAGCAGCCATGCAAATGTTAAAAGAGACCATCAAT
    GAGGAAGCTGCAGAATGGGATAGAGTACATCCAGTGCATGCAGGGCCT
    ATTGCACCAGGCCAGATGAGAGAACCAAGGGGAAGTGACATAGCAGGA
    ACTACTAGTACCCTTCAGGAACAAATAGGATGGATGACAAATAATCCA
    CCTATCCCAGTAGGAGAAATTTATAAAAGATGGATAATCCTGGGATTA
    AATAAAATAGTAAGAATGTATAGCCCTACCAGCATTCTGGACATAAGA
    CAAGGACCAAAAGAACCTTTTAGAGACTATGTAGACCGGTTCTATAAA
    ACTCTAAGAGCCGAGCAAGCTTCACAGGAGGTAAAAAATTGGATGACA
    GAAACCTTGTTGGTCCAAAATGCGAACCCAGATTGTAAGACTATTTTA
    AAAGCATTGGGACCAGCGGCTACACTAGAAGAAATGATGACAGCATGT
    CAGGGAGTAGGAGGACCCGGCCATAAGGCAAGAGTTTTG TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C89 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and Gag p24 is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 72)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DMAKKETVWRLEEFGR PIVQNIQGQMVHQAISPR
    TLNAWVKVVEEKAFSPEVIPMFSALSEGATPQDLNTMLNTVGGHQAAM
    QMLKETINEEAAEWDRVHPVHAGPIAPGQMREPRGSDIAGTTSTLQEQ
    IGWMTNNPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILDIRQGPKEPFR
    DYVDRFYKTLRAEQASQEVKNWMTETLLVQNANPDCKTILKALGPAAT
    LEEMMTACQGVGGPGHKARVL
  • C742 rAB-cetHS-puro [mAnti-Langerin-15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C-Flex-hPSA] The coding region for this H chain-PSA fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGC restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 73)
    ATGGAATGGAGGATCTTTCTCTTCATCCTGTCAGGAACTGCAGGTGTC
    CACTCCCAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGACCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCT
    GGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACATTTACT
    GACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGAACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAG
    TGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGTTATTCTTTCTACAATGAG
    AACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCACCACA
    GCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTAT
    TTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTTGCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGG
    ACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTC
    CCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTG
    GGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGG
    AACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTA
    CAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCC
    AGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAACGTAGATCACAAGCCC
    AGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCCAAATATGGTCCCCCA
    TGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGGGGACCATCAGTCTTC
    CTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCT
    GAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTC
    CAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACA
    AAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTC
    CTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGC
    AGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCA
    AAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCAT
    CCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCA
    AAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGC
    AGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACG
    GCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGC
    AGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACA
    ACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGC G
    ATACAACAGAACCTGCAACACCTACAACACCTGTAACAACACCGACAA
    CAACACTTCTAGCGCCCCTCATCCTGTCTCGGATTGTGGGAGGCTGGG
    AGTGCGAGAAGCATTCCCAACCCTGGCAGGTGCTTGTGGCCTCTCGTG
    GCAGGGCAGTCTGCGGCGGTGTTCTGGTGCACCCCCAGTGGGTCCTCA
    CAGCTGCCCACTGCATCAGGAACAAAAGCGTGATCTTGCTGGGTCGGC
    ACAGCCTGTTTCATCCTGAAGACACAGGCCAGGTATTTCAGGTCAGCC
    ACAGCTTCCCACACCCGCTCTACGATATGAGCCTCCTGAAGAATCGAT
    TCCTCAGGCCAGGTGATGACTCCAGCCACGACCTCATGCTGCTCCGCC
    TGTCAGAGCCTGCCGAGCTCACGGATGCTGTGAAGGTCATGGACCTGC
    CCACCCAGGAGCCAGCACTGGGGACCACCTGCTACGCCTCAGGCTGGG
    GCAGCATTGAACCAGAGGAGTTCTTGACCCCAAAGAAACTTCAGTGTG
    TGGACCTCCATGTTATTTCCAATGACGTGTGTGCGCAAGTTCACCCTC
    AGAAGGTGACCAAGTTCATGCTGTGTGCTGGACGCTGGACAGGGGGCA
    AAAGCACCTGCTCGGGTGATTCTGGGGGCCCACTTGTCTGTAATGGTG
    TGCTTCAAGGTATCACGTCATGGGGCAGTGAACCATGTGCCCTGCCCG
    AAAGGCCTTCCCTGTACACCAAGGTGGTGCATTACCGGAAGTGGATCA
    AGGACACCATCGTGGCCAACCCC TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C742 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequence AS is bold and PSA is underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 74)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTLL APLILSRIVGGWEC
    EKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHS
    LFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLS
    EPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVD
    LHVISNDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVL
    QGITSWGSEPCALPERPSLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP 
  • C1011 rAB-cetHS-puro [mAnti-Langerin15B10H-LV-hIgG4H-C-Flex-v1-Pep-gag17-f1-gag253-f2-nef116-f3-nef66-f4-pol 158] a.k.a. Anti-Langerin15B10H-HIPO5. The coding region for this H chain-HIV peptides fusion protein is shown below. Start and stop codons are in bold, as is the joining GCTAGT restriction site.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 75)
    ATGGAATGGAGGATCTTTCTCTTCATCCTGTCAGGAACTGCAGGTGTC
    CACTCCCAGGTTCAGCTGCGGCAGTCTGGACCTGAGCTGGTGAAGCCT
    GGGGCTTCAGTGAAGATGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACATTTACT
    GACTATGTTATAAGTTGGGTGAAGCAGAGAACTGGACAGGGCCTTGAG
    TGGATTGGAGATATTTATCCTGGAAGTGGTTATTCTTTCTACAATGAG
    AACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCACCACA
    GCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTAT
    TTCTGTGCAACCTACTATAACTACCCTTTTGCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGG
    ACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACGGGCCCATCCGTCTTC
    CCCCTGGCGCCCTGCTCCAGGAGCACCTCCGAGAGCACAGCCGCCCTG
    GGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGG
    AACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTA
    CAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCC
    AGCAGCTTGGGCACGAAGACCTACACCTGCAACGTAGATCACAAGCCC
    AGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGTCCAAATATGGTCCCCCA
    TGCCCACCCTGCCCAGCACCTGAGTTCGAAGGGGGACCATCAGTCTTC
    CTGTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACTCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCT
    GAGGTCACGTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCAGGAAGACCCCGAGGTC
    CAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGATGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACA
    AAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTTCAACAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTC
    CTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAACGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGC
    AAGGTCTCCAACAAAGGCCTCCCGTCCTCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCC
    AAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAGCCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCA
    TCCCAGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTC
    AAAGGCTTCTACCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGG
    CAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGAC
    GGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAGGCTAACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGG
    CAGGAGGGGAATGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCAC
    AACCACTACACACAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGT
    CAGACCCCCACCAACACCATCAGCGTGACCCCCACCAACAACAGCACC
    CCCACCAACAACAGCAACCCCAAGCCCAACCCCGCTAGTGAGAAGATC
    CGGCTGCGGCCCGGCGGCAAGAAGAAGTACAAGCTGAAGCACATCGTG
    GCTAGTAGCAGCGTGAGCCCCACCACCAGCGTGCACCCCACCCCCACC
    AGCGTGCCCCCCACCCCCACCAAGAGCAGCCCCGCTAGTAACCCCCCC
    ATCCCCGTGGGCGAGATCTACAAGCGGTGGATCATCCTGGGCCTGAAC
    AAGATCGTGCGGATGTACAGCCCCACCAGCATCCTGGACGCTAGTCCC
    ACCAGCACCCCCGCCGACAGCAGCACCATCACCCCCACCGCCACCCCC
    ACCGCCACCCCCACCATCAAGGGCGCTAGTCACACCCAGGGCTACTTC
    CCCGACTGGCAGAACTACACCCCCGGCCCCGGCGTGCGGTACCCCCTG
    ACCTTCGGCTGGCTGTACAAGCTGGCTAGTACCGTGACCCCCACCGCC
    ACCGCCACCCCCAGCGCCATCGTGACCACCATCACCCCCACCGCCACC
    ACCAAGCCCGCTAGTGTGGGCTTCCCCGTGACCCCCCAGGTGCCCCTG
    CGGCCCATGACCTACAAGGCCGCCGTGGACCTGAGCCACTTCCTGAAG
    GAGAAGGGCGGCCTGGCTAGTACCAACGGCAGCATCACCGTGGCCGCC
    ACCGCCCCCACCGTGACCCCCACCGTGAACGCCACCCCCAGCGCCGCC
    GCTAGTGCCATCTTCCAGAGCAGCATGACCAAGATCCTGGAGCCCTTC
    CGGAAGCAGAACCCCGACATCGTGATCTACCAGTACATGGACGACCTG
    TACGCTAGC TGA
  • The mature H chain sequence for C1011 heavy chain is shown below. Joining sequences AS are bold and HIV peptides are underlined. A flexible linker joining sequence is italicized.
  • (SEQ ID NO. 76)
    QVQLRQSGPELVKPGASVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWI
    GDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADKSSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFC
    ATYYNYPFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGC
    LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSS
    LGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLF
    PPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP
    REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKA
    KGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP
    ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH
    YTQKSLSLSLGKAS QTPTNTISVTPTNNSTPTNNSNPKPNP AS EKIRL
    RPGGKKKYKLKHIV AS SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP AS NPPIP
    VGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD AS PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTA
    TPTIKG AS HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL AS TVTPTATA
    TPSAIVTTITPTATTKP AS VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEK
    GGL AS TNGSITVAATAPTVTPTVNATPSAA AS AIFQSSMTKILEPFRK
    QNPDIVIYQYMDDLY AS
  • FIG. 8 shows the binding of recombinant anti-Langerin antibodies fused to antigens retain their ability to bind to beads decorated with human and non-human primate (NHP) Langerin ectodomain proteins. Luminex beads of different colors were covalently linked to cellulose binding protein fused to dockerin. The beads were then mixed with either human Langerin ectodomain fused to cohesin, or with NHP (Rhesus macaque) Langerin ectodomain fused to cohesin. The beads were washed and mixed, then incubated with serial dilutions of various pure recombinant anti-Langerin 2G3 or 15B10 mouse V region-human IgG4 chimeric antibodies or the same antibodies with C-terminal fusions to human prostate specific antigen (PSA), or control pure recombinant anti-CD40 12E12 mouse V region-human IgG4 chimeric antibody. After washing, the beads were incubated with an anti-human Fc-PE reagent, washed again, and then read on a BioPlex instrument to detect florescence bound to the different colored beads (expressed as % MFI relative to the maximal signal seen on each bead type.
  • FIG. 9 shows the ability of recombinant anti-Langerin 15B10 antibody fused to Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain to evoke potent antigen-specific antibody production in NHP. NHP were injected intramuscularly (im) with 10E6 pr8 Flu virus and subcutaneously (sc) HIV gag p24 protein (First boost); ˜2 months later the NHP were again injected with HIV gag p24 protein (Second boost); about 6 weeks and 4 months later, the NHP were injected intradermal (id) with 100 μg anti-Langerin 15B10 HA1-1 fusion protein with poly IC as adjuvant, or with anti-DCIR HA1-1 fusion protein with poly IC, or with a standard dose of commercial Vaccigrip Flu vaccine and 10E6 pr8 Flu virus. At the indicated dates, serum samples were taken and pooled (4 NHP per group) and serial dilutions were tested for HA1-1 specific IgG antibodies by a baed-based assay. The data shows that the anti-Langerin-HA1-1 vaccine raises potent high titer anti-HA1-1 antibody responses in NHP—the titers observed were 1-2 logs higher than observed with the Vaccigrip control group.
  • These data show that both anti-Langerin 15B10 and 2G3 recombinant antibodies or such antibodies linked to a cancer antigen retain significant binding to NHP Langerin—a very desirable property for commercial development of these antibodies as antigen-targeting vaccines [this enables mechanism-based preclinical testing of safety and efficacy in NHP models].
  • FIG. 10 shows that recombinant fusion proteins of anti-human DC receptors and antigens induce antigen-specific immune responses in NHP: Rhesus macaques (4 animals in each group) immunized i.m. with live influenza virus (A/PR8, H1N1) and HIVgag-derived p24-PLA on day 0. On day 28, animals were boosted with p24-PLA alone. On day 77 and day 119, each group of animals was immunized as described in FIG. 18 (below). Anti-Langerin-HA1 response in Rhesus macaque—IFN-γ response measured by ELISPOT after ex vivo stimulation with HA peptides. Red arrows indicate priming injections with live influenza virus (A/PR8, H1N1). Blue arrows indicate boost injections. Control group (4 animals) were immunized i.m. with live influenza virus and commercial flu vaccine, VACCIGRIP, with 100 ug poly I:C per animal. Experimental group (4 animals) were boosted i.d. with anti-DCIR-HA1 (100 μg/animals) with 100 μg of poly I:C per animal. The data above show that anti-Langerin-HA1 elicited potent HA1-specific T cells responses as measured by IFNγ ELISPOT.
  • FIG. 11 shows that the Anti-Langerin G3 antibody specifically stains NHP Langerhans cells. Rhesus macaque skin sections were prepared and stained with anti-Langerin 2G3 and then Texas Red-labeled goat ant-mouse reagent. Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI [blue]. This shows specific staining of NHP LC demonstrating the specific cross-reactivity of this anti-human Langerin antibody with NHP Langerin.
  • The 15B10.3 hydridoma has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty with the U.S. American Type Culture Collection and received Deposit No. PTA-9852; and the 2G3.6 hybridoma received Deposit No. PTA-9853.
  • FIG. 12 shows the antibody titers for anti-HIV-gag antibodies in NHP vaccination with a gag-microparticle, an anti-hIGG4-gag antibody, an anti-DCIR-gag vaccine and an anti-Langerin-gag-p24 vaccine, all with or without poly I:C as an adjuvant. Briefly, non-human primates (NHP) were immunized and anti-Langerin-gag24 antibody responses were determined. It was found that more potent were possible with the anti-Langerin-gagp24 constructs than with gag p24 on a microcarrier or control antibody-p24. Unlike anti-DCIR targeting, it was found that anti-Langerin-Ag vaccination is relatively independent of poly I:C adjuvant. Each curve is an individual monkey, the assay is serum dilutions tested for antibodies against p24. Cynomolgus macaques were injected i.d. with 250 ug of each antibody-HIV gag p24 vaccine or gag p24 attached to a microcarrier (p24 amount was normalized to correspond to the actual amount of p24 mass injected). The animals were then injected twice more at 6 week intervals. The FIG. 12 graph shows represents ELISA assay for antigen-specific anti-gag p24 titers of serum samples taken 2 weeks after the third injection. FIG. 12 shows serial dilutions of the sera graphed for each individual monkey [graph lines shown in blue]. A parallel group of monkeys were co-injected with the p24 proteins and poly I:C adjuvant [graph lines shown in red].
  • FIG. 13—FACS analysis on Langerin clones: 293F cells were transiently transfected with vectors directing the expression of full-length (cell surface) langerin from human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse. Cells were stained with a dilution series of the pure monoclonal antibodies, washed, then counterstained with an anti-mouse IgG-PE conjugate, then washed again. Cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The data are expressed as % cells giving a positive cell surface staining signal relative to the control untransfected cells.
  • FIG. 14—ELISA analysis in two formats—direct (antigen bound to plate directly and bound antibody detected with an anti-mouse IgG-HRP conjugate) and capture (antibody bound to plate, capturing a fixed concentration of biotinylated Langerin ectodomain protein, detected with a neutravidin-HRP reagent). ELISA data for human, Rhesus macaque, and mouse Langerin ectodomain proteins are shown.
  • TABLE 1
    Immunogenicity in cynomolgus macaques of anti-Langerin-
    Gag and anti-DCIR-Gag fusion protein, for FIG. 12.
    Group 1 (n = 6) 0.25 mg anti-Langerin-Gag
    Group 2 (n = 6) 0.25 mg anti-Langerin-Gag + 0.25 mg PolyIC
    Group 3 (n = 6) 0.25 mg anti-DCIR-Gag
    Group 4 (n = 6) 0.25 mg anti-DCIR-Gag + 0.25 mg PolyIC
    Group 5 (n = 3) 0.25 mg IgG4-Gag
    Group 6 (n = 3) 0.25 mg IgG4-Gag + 0.25 mg PolyIC
    Group 7 (n = 3) 0.0635 mg Gag
    Group 8 (n = 3) 0.0635 mg Gag + 0.25 mg PolyIC
    Timepoints Blood
    (weeks) Micor- Rectal
    post priming PBMC array Plasma Wash
    −3 X X X
    −2 X X X
    −1 X X
    Vaccination 0 X X
    2 X X X
    Vaccination 6 X X X
    8 X X X X
    10 X X
    Vaccination 12 X X
    13 X X X
    14 X X X
    15 X X X
    16 X X X
    18 X X X
    22 X X X X
  • mAnti-Langerin 91E7K light chain sequence
    (SEQ ID NO.: 51)
    ATGGATTTTCAGATGCAGATTATCAGCTTGCTGCTAATCAGTGTCACA
    GTCATAGTGTCTAATGGAGAAATTGTGCTCACCCAGTCTCCAACCACC
    ATGGCTGCATCTCCCGGGGAGAAGATCACTATCACCTGCAGTGCCAGC
    TCAAGTATAAGTTCCCATTACTTACATTGGTATCAGCAGAAGCCAGGA
    TTCTCCCCTAAACTCTTGATTTATAGGACATCCAATCTGGCTTCTGGA
    GTCCCAGCTCGCTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTCTGGGACCTCTTACTCTCTC
    ACAATTGACACCATGGAGGCTGAAGATGTTGCCACTTACTACTGCCAG
    CAGGGTAGTAGTATACCATTCACGTTCGGCTCGGGGACAAAGTTGGAA
    ATAAAACGGGCTGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCCATCTTCCCACCATCC
    AGTGAGCAGTTAACATCTGGAGGTGCCTCAGTCGTGTGCTTCTTGAAC
    AACTTCTACCCCAAAGACATCAATGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGCAGT
    GAACGACAAAATGGCGTCCTGAACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAGCAAA
    GACAGCACCTACAGCATGAGCAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGACGAG
    TATGAACGACATAACAGCTATACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACATCA
    ACTTCACCCATCGTCAAGAGCTTCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTAG 
    mAnti-Langerin 91E7K light chain sequence
    (SEQ ID NO.: 52)
    EIVLTQSPTTMAASPGEKITITCSASSSISSHYLHWYQQKPGFSPKWY
    RTSNLASGVPARFSGSGSGTSYSLTIDTMEAEDVATYYCQQGSSIPFT
    FGSGTKLEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVVCFLNNFYPKDIN
    VKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMSSTLTLTKDEYERHNSYT
    CEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC
    mAnti-Langerin 91E7H [mouse IgG2a] heavy chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 53)
    ATGAGATCACTGTTCTCTTTACAGTTACTGAGCACACAGGACCTCGCC
    ATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCCTCTTCTTGGTAGCAACAGCTACAGGT
    GTCCACTCTCAGGTCCAACTGCAGCAGCCTGGGGCTGAACTTGTGAAG
    CCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGCTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGCTACACCTTC
    ACCAGTTACTGGATGCAGTGGGTAAAGCAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTT
    GAGTGGATCGGAGAGATTGATCCTTCTGATAGCTATACTAACTACAAT
    CAAAGGTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACATTGACTGTGGACACATCCTCCAGC
    ACAGCCTACATACAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACGTCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTC
    TGTTTCTGTGCAAGACGCTACTATGGTAACTACGATGGGTTTGCTTAC
    TGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACAGCC
    CCATCGGTCTATCCACTGGCCCCTGTGTGTGGAGGTACAACTGGCTCC
    TCGGTGACTCTAGGATGCCTGGTCAAGGGTTATTTCCCTGAGCCAGTG
    ACCTTGACCTGGAACTCTGGATCCCTGTCCAGTGGTGTGCACACCTTC
    CCAGCTCTCCTGCAGTCTGGCCTCTACACCCTCAGCAGCTCAGTGACT
    GTAACCTCGAACACCTGGCCCAGCCAGACCATCACCTGCAATGTGGCC
    CACCCGGCAAGCAGCACCAAAGTGGACAAGAAAATTGAGCCCAGAGTG
    CCCATAACACAGAACCCCTGTCCTCCACTCAAAGAGTGTCCCCCATGC
    GCAGCTCCAGACCTCTTGGGTGGACCATCCGTCTTCATCTTCCCTCCA
    AAGATCAAGGATGTACTCATGATCTCCCCGAGCCCCATGGTCACATGT
    GTGGTGGTGGATGTGAGCGAGGATGACCCAGACGTCCAGATCAGCTGG
    TTTGTGAACAACGTGGAAGTACACACAGCTCAGACACAAACCCATAGA
    GAGGATTACAACAGTACTCTCCGGGTGGTCAGTGCCCTCCCCATCCAG
    CACCAGGACTGGATGAGTGGCAAGGAGTTCAAATGCAAGGTCAACAAC
    AGAGCCCTCCCATCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCAAAACCCAGAGGG
    CCAGTAAGAGCTCCACAGGTATATGTCTTGCCTCCACCAGCAGAAGAG
    ATGACTAAGAAAGAGTTCAGTCTGACCTGCATGATCACAGGCTTCTTA
    CCTGCCGAAATTGCTGTGGACTGGACCAGCAATGGGCGTACAGAGCAA
    AACTACAAGAACACCGCAACAGTCCTGGACTCTGATGGTTCTTACTTC
    ATGTACAGCAAGCTCAGAGTACAAAAGAGCACTTGGGAAAGAGGAAGT
    CTTTTCGCCTGCTCAGTGGTCCACGAGGGTCTGCACAATCACCTTACG
    ACTAAGACCATCTCCCGGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGCTGA
    [GCTAGC in bold is for the in-frame fusion of
    antigens at the H-chain C-terminus]
    mAnti-Langerin 91E7H [mouse IgG2a] Mature H 
    heavy chain sequence
    (SEQ ID NO.: 54)
    QVQLQQPGAELVKPGASVKLSCKASGYTFTSYWMQWVKQRPGQGLEWI
    GEIDPSDSYTNYNQRFKGKATLTVDTSSSTAYIQLSSLTSEDSAVCFC
    ARRYYGNYDGFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTAPSVYPLAPVCGGTTGSSVT
    LGCLVKGYFPEPVTLTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPALLQSGLYTLSSSVTVTS
    NTWPSQTITCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRVPITQNPCPPLKECPPCAAP
    DLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISPSPMVTCVVVDVSEDDPDVQISWFVN
    NVEVHTAQTQTHREDYNSTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNRAL
    PSPIEKTISKPRGPVRAPQVYVLPPPAEEMTKKEFSLTCMITGFLPAE
    IAVDWTSNGRTEQNYKNTATVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVQKSTWERGSLFA
    CSVVHEGLHNHLTTKTISRSLGKAS
    mAnti-Langerin 37C1K light chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 55)
    ATGAGGGCCCCTGCTCAGTTTTTTGGGATCTTGTTGCTCTGGTTTCCA
    GGTATCAGATGTGACATCAAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCATGTAT
    GCATCGCTGGGAGAGAGAGTCACTATTACTTGCAAGGCGAGTCAGGAC
    ATTAAAAGCTATTTAACTTGGTACCAGCAGAAACCATGGAAATCTCCT
    AAGACCCTGATCAATTATGCAACAAGCTTGGCAGATGGGGTCCCATCA
    AGATTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCTGGACAAGATTATTCTCTAACCATCAGC
    AGCCTGGAGTCTGACGATACAGCAACTTATTACTGTCTACAGCATGGT
    CAGAGTCCGTTCACGTTCGGAGGGGGGACCAGGCTGGAGATAAAACGG
    GCTGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCCATCTTCCCACCATCCAGTGAGCAG
    TTAACATCTGGAGGTGCCTCGGTCGTGTGCTTCTTGAACAACTTCTAC
    CCCAAAGACATCAATGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGCAGTGAACGACAA
    AATGGCGTCCTGAACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAGCAAAGACAGCACC
    TACAGCATGAGCAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGACGAGTATGAACGA
    CATAACAGCTATACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACATCAACTTCACCC
    ATCGTCAAGAGCTTCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTAG
    mAnti-Langerin 37C1K light chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 56)
    DIKMTQSPSSMYASLGERVTITCKASQDIKSYLTWYQQKPWKSPKTLI
    NYATSLADGVPSRFSGSGSGQDYSLTISSLESDDTATYYCLQHGQSPF
    TFGGGTRLEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVVCFLNNFYPKDI
    NVKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMSSTLTLTKDEYERHNSY
    TCEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC
    mAnti-Langerin 37C1H [mouse IgG2a] heavy chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 57)
    ATGAGATCACTGTTCTCTTTACAGTTACTGAGCACACAGGACCTCGCC
    ATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCCTCTTCTTGGTAGCAACAGCTACAGGT
    GTCCACTCTCAGGTCCAACTGCAGCAGCCTGGGGCTGAGCTTGTGAAG
    CCTGGGGCTTCAGTGAAGCTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGCTACACCTTC
    ACCAGTTACTGGATGCAGTGGGTAAAGCAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTT
    GAGTGGACCGGAGAGATTGATCCTTCTGATAGCTATACTAACTACAAT
    CAAAGGTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCACATTGACTGTGGACACATCCTCCAGC
    ACAGCCTACACACAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACGTCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTC
    CATTTCTGTGCAAGACGCTACTATGGTAACTACGATGGGTTTGCTTAC
    TGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACAGCC
    CCATCGGTCTATCCACTGGCCCCTGTGTGTGGAGGTACAACTGGCTCC
    TCGGTGACTCTAGGATGCCTGGTCAAGGGTTATTTCCCTGAGCCAGTG
    ACCTTGACCTGGAACTCTGGATCCCTGTCCAGTGGTGTGCACACCTTC
    CCAGCTCTCCTGCAGTCTGGCCTCTACACCCTCAGCAGCTCAGTGACT
    GTAACCTCGAACACCTGGCCCAGCCAGACCATCACCTGCAATGTGGCC
    CACCCGGCAAGCAGCACCAAAGTGGACAAGAAAATTGAGCCCAGAGTG
    CCCATAACACAGAACCCCTGTCCTCCACTCAAAGAGTGTCCCCCATGC
    GCAGCTCCAGACCTCTTGGGTGGACCATCCGTCTTCATCTTCCCTCCA
    AAGGTCAAGGATGTACTCATGATCTCCCTGAGCCCCATGGTCACATGT
    GTGGTGGTGGATGTGAGCGAGGATGACCCAGACGTCCAGATCAGCTGG
    TTTGTGAACAACGTGGAAGTACACACAGCTCAGACACAAACCCATAGA
    GAGGATTACAACAGTACTCTCCGGGTGGTCAGTGCCCTCCCCATCCAG
    CACCAGGACTGGATGAGTGGCAAGGAGTTCAAATGCAAGGTCAACAAC
    AGAGCCCTCCCATCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCAAAACCCAGAGGG
    CCAGTAAGAGCTCCACAGGTATATGTCTTGCCTCCACCAGCAGAAGAG
    ATGACTAAGAAAGAGTTCAGTCTGACCTGCATGATCACAGGCTTCTTA
    CCTGCCGAAATTGCTGTGGACTGGACCAGCAATGGGCGTACAGAGCAA
    AACTACAAGAACACCGCAACAGTCCTGGACTCTGATGGTTCTTACTTC
    ATGTACAGCAAGCTCAGAGTACAAAAGAGCACTTGGGAAAGAGGAAGT
    CTTTTCGCCTGCTCAGTGGTCCACGAGGGTCTGCACAATCACCTTACG
    ACTAAGACCATCTCCCGGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGCTGA
    mAnti-Langerin 37C1H [mouse IgG2a] heavy chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 58)
    QVQLQQPGAELVKPGASVKLSCKASGYTFTSYWMQWVKQRPGQGLEWT
    GEIDPSDSYTNYNQRFKGKATLTVDTSSSTAYTQLSSLTSEDSAVHFC
    ARRYYGNYDGFAYWGQGTLVTVSAAKTTAPSVYPLAPVCGGTTGSSVT
    LGCLVKGYFPEPVTLTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPALLQSGLYTLSSSVTVTS
    NTWPSQTITCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRVPITQNPCPPLKECPPCAAP
    DLLGGPSVFIFPPKVKDVLMISLSPMVTCVVVDVSEDDPDVQISWFVN
    NVEVHTAQTQTHREDYNSTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNRAL
    PSPIEKTISKPRGPVRAPQVYVLPPPAEEMTKKEFSLTCMITGFLPAE
    IAVDWTSNGRTEQNYKNTATVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVQKSTWERGSLFA
    CSVVHEGLHNHLTTKTISRSLGKAS
    mAnti-Langerin 4C7K (light chain)
    (SEQ ID NO.: 77)
    ATGGATTTTCAAGTGCAGATTTTCAGCTTCCTGCTAATCAGTGCTTCA
    GTCATAATGTCCAGAGGACAAATTGTTCTCTCCCAGTCTCCAGCAATC
    CTGTCTGCATCTCCAGGGGAGAAGGTCACAATGACTTGCAGGGCCAGC
    TCAAGTGTAAGTTACATGCACTGGTACCAGCGGAAGCCAGGATCCTCC
    CCCAAACCCTGGATTTATGCCACATCCAACCTGGCTTCTGGAGTCCCT
    GCTCGCTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTCTGGGACCTCTTATTCTCTCACAATC
    AGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAAGATGCTGCCACTTATTACTGCCAGCAGTGG
    AGTAGTAACCCGCTCACGTTCGGTGCTGGGACCAAGCTGGAGCTGAAA
    CGGGCTGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCCATCTTCCCACCATCCAGTGAG
    CAGTTAACATCTGGAGGTGCCTCAGTCGTGTGCTTCTTGAACAACTTC
    TACCCCAAAGACATCAATGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGCAGTGAACGA
    CAAAATGGCGTCCTGAACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAGCAAAGACAGC
    ACCTACAGCATGAGCAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGACGAGTATGAA
    CGACATAACAGCTATACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACATCAACTTCA
    CCCATCGTCAAGAGCTTCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTAG
    (SEQ ID NO.: 78)
    QIVLSQSPAILSASPGEKVTMTCRASSSVSYMHWYQRKPGSSPKPWIY
    ATSNLASGVPARFSGSGSGTSYSLTISRVEAEDAATYYCQQWSSNPLT
    FGAGTKLELKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVVCFLNNFYPKDIN
    VKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMSSTLTLTKDEYERHNSYT
    CEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC
    mAnti-Langerin 4C7H [mouse IgG2a] Heavy Chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 79)
    ATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTCTTTCTCTTCCTCCTGTCAGTAATTGCAGGT
    GTCCAATCCCAGGTTCAGCTGCAGCAGTCTGGGGCTGAGCTGGTGAGG
    CCTGGGGCTTCAGTGACGCTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCGGGCTACACATTT
    ATTGACCATGATATGCACTGGGTGCAGCAGACACCTGTGTATGGCCTG
    GAATGGATCGGAGCTATTGATCCTGAAACTGGTGATACTGGCTACAAT
    CAGAAGTTCAAGGGCAAGGCCATACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCAGG
    ACAGCCTACATGGAACTCCGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCCGTC
    TATTACTGTACAATCCCCTTCTACTATAGTAACTACAGCCCGTTTGCT
    TACTGGGGCCAAGGGGCTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCAGCCAAAACAACA
    GCCCCATCGGTCTATCCACTGGCCCCTGTGTGTGGAGGTACAACTGGC
    TCCTCGGTGACTCTAGGATGCCTGGTCAAGGGTTATTTCCCTGAGCCA
    GTGACCTTGACCTGGAACTCTGGATCCCTGTCCAGTGGTGTGCACACC
    TTCCCAGCTCTCCTGCAGTCTGGCCTCTACACCCTCAGCAGCTCAGTG
    ACTGTAACCTCGAACACCTGGCCCAGCCAGACCATCACCTGCAATGTG
    GCCCACCCGGCAAGCAGCACCAAAGTGGACAAGAAAATTGAGCCCAGA
    GTGCCCATAACACAGAACCCCTGTCCTCCACTCAAAGAGTGTCCCCCA
    TGCGCAGACCTCTTGGGTGGACCATCCGTCTTCATCTTCCCTCCAAAG
    ATCAAGGATGTACTCATGATCTCCCTGAGCCCCATGGTCACATGTGTG
    GTGGTGGATGTGAGCGAGGATGACCCAGACGCCCAGATCAGCTGGTTT
    GTGAACAACGTGGAAGTACACACAGCTCAGACACAAACCCATAGAGAG
    GATTACAACAGTACTCTCCGGGTGGTCAGTGCCCTCCCCATCCAGCAC
    CAGGACTGGATGAGTGGCAAGGAGTTCAAATGCAAGGTCAACAACAGA
    GCCCTCCCATCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCAAAACCCAGAGGGCCA
    GTAAGAGCTCCACAGGTATATGTCTTGCCTCCACCAGCAGAAGAGATG
    ACTAAGAAAGAGTTCAGTCTGACCTGCATGATCACAGGCTTCTTACCT
    GCCGAAATTGCTGTGGACTGGACCAGCAATGGGCGTACAGAGCAAAAC
    TACAAGAACACCGCAACAGTCCTGGACTCTGATGGTTCTTACTTCATG
    TACAGCAAGCTCAGAGTACAAAAGAGCACTTGGGAAAGAGGAAGTCTT
    TTCGCCTGCTCAGTGGTCCACGAGGGTCTGCACAATCACCTTACGACT
    AAGACCATCTCCCGGTCTCTGGGTAAAGCTAGCTGA
    mAnti-Langerin 4C7H [mouse IgG2a] Heavy Chain
    (SEQ ID NO.: 80)
    QVQLQQSGAELVRPGASVTLSCKASGYTFIDHDMHWVQQTPVYGLEWI
    GAIDPETGDTGYNQKFKGKAILTADKSSRTAYMELRSLTSEDSAVYYC
    TIPFYYSNYSPFAYWGQGALVTVSAAKTTAPSVYPLAPVCGGTTGSSV
    TLGCLVKGYFPEPVTLTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPALLQSGLYTLSSSVTVT
    SNTWPSQTITCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRVPITQNPCPPLKECPPCAD
    LLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPMVTCVVVDVSEDDPDAQISWFVNN
    VEVHTAQTQTHREDYNSTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNRALP
    SPIEKTISKPRGPVRAPQVYVLPPPAEEMTKKEFSLTCMITGFLPAEI
    AVDWTSNGRTEQNYKNTATVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVQKSTWERGSLFAC
    SVVHEGLHNHLTTKTISRSLGKAS
  • It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method, kit, reagent, or composition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.
  • It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.
  • All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
  • The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.
  • As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim except for, e.g., impurities ordinarily associated with the element or limitation.
  • The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.
  • As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about”, “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.
  • All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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Claims (48)

1. A vaccine comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
2. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fc, or a ScFv fragment.
3. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises one or more complementarity determining regions selected from:
ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45);
SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46);
VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47);
SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof.
4. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the antigenic peptide is a cancer antigen selected from:
MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9);
LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10);
LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11);
NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12);
SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13);
IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14);
ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15);
YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.: 16);
YLEPGPVTA (SEQ ID NO.: 17);
KTWGQYWQV (SEQ ID NO.: 18);
APLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILL GRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLSEPAELTD AVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVISNDVCAQVHPQKV TKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALPERPSLYTKVVHYR KWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 19);
DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTKVPRNQDWLGVSRQLRTKAWNRQLYPEWTEAQRLDCWRG GQVSLKVSNDGPTLIGANASFSIALNFPGSQKVLPDGQVIWVNNTIINGSQVWGGQPVY PQETDDACIFPDGGPCPSGSWSQKRSFVYVWKTWGQYWQVLGGPVSGLSIGTGRAML GTHTMEVTVYHRRGSQSYVPLAHSSSAFTITDQVPFSVSVSQLRALDGGNKHFLRNQ (SEQ ID NO.: 20);
PLTFALQLHDPSGYLAEADLSYTWDFGDSSGTLISRAXVVTHTYLEPGPVTAQVVLQA AIPLTSCGSSPVPAS (SEQ ID NO.: 21);
GTTDGHRPTAEAPNTTAGQVPTTEVVGTTPGQAPTAEPSGTTSVQVPTTEVISTAPVQM PTAESTGMTPEKVPVSEVMGTTLAEMSTPEATGMTPAEVSIVVLSGTTAA (SEQ ID NO.: 22);
QVTTTEWVETTARELPIPEPEGPDASSIMSTESITGSLGPLLDGTATLRLVKRQVPLDCVL YRYGSFSVTLDIVQ (SEQ ID NO.: 23);
GIESAEILQAVPSGEGDAFELTVSCQGGLPKEACMEISSPGCQPPAQRLCQPVLPSPACQ LVLHQILKGGSGTYCLNVSLADTNSLAVVSTQLIVPGILLTGQEAGLGQ (SEQ ID NO.: 24);
MEMKILRALNFGLGRPLPLHFLRRASKIGEVDVEQHTLAKYLMELTMLDY (SEQ ID NO.: 25);
DWLVQVQMKFRLLQETMYMTVSIIDRFMQNNCVPKK (SEQ ID NO.: 26);
MEHQLLCCEVETIRRAYPDANLLNDRVLRAMLKAEETCAPSVSYFKCV (SEQ ID NO.: 27);
QKEVLPSMRKIVATWMLEVCEEQKCEEEVFPLAMNYLDRFLSLEPVKKSRLQLLGATC MFVASKMKETIPLTAEKLCIYTDNSIRPEELLQMELL (SEQ ID NO.: 28);
LVNKLKWNLAAMTPHDFIEHFLSKMPEAEENKQIIRKHAQTFVALCATDVKFISNPPSM V (SEQ ID NO.: 29); or
AAGSVVAAVQGLNLRSPNNFLSYYRLTRFLSRVIKCDPDCLRACQEQIEALLESSLRQA QQNMDPKAAEEEEEEEEEVDLACTPTDVRDVDI (SEQ ID NO.: 30), or binding fragments thereof.
5. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the antigenic peptide is a viral antigen selected from:
(SEQ ID NO.: 31) VGFPVTPQVPLRPMTYKAAVDLSHFLKEKGGL; (SEQ ID NO.: 32) HTQGYFPDWQNYTPGPGVRYPLTFGWLYKL; (SEQ ID NO.: 33) EKIRLRPGGKKKYKLKHIV;  (SEQ ID NO.: 34) NPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRMYSPTSILD; (SEQ ID NO.: 35) AIFQSSMTKILEPFRKQNPDIVIYQYMDDLY; (SEQ ID NO.: 36) DTICIGYHANNSTDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNLLEDSHNGKLCRLKGIA PLQLGKCNIAGWLLGNPECDPLLPVRSWSYIVETPNSENGICYPGDFI DYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEIFPKESSWPNHNTNGVTAACSHEGKSSFY RNLLWLTEKEGSYPKLKNSYVNKKGKEVLVLWGIHHPPNSKEQQNLYQ NENAYVSVVTSNYNRRFTPEIAERPKVRDQAGRMNYYWTLLKPGDTII FEANGNLIAPMYAFALSRGFGSGIITSNASMHECNTKCQTPLGAINSS LPYQNIHPVTIGECPKYVRSAKLRMV; (SEQ ID NO.: 37) DQICIGYHANNSTEQVDTIMEKNVTVTHAQDILEKKHNGKLCDLDGVK PLILRDCSVAGWLLGNPMCDEFINVPEWSYIVEKANPVNDLCYPGDFN DYEELKHLLSRINHFEKIQIIPKSSWSSHEASLGVSSACPYQGKSSFF RNVVWLIKKNSTYPTIKRSYNNTNQEDLLVLWGIHHPNDAAEQTKLYQ NPTTYISVGTSTLNQRLVPRIATRSKVNGQSGRMEFFWTILKPNDAIN FESNGNFIAPEYAYKIVKKGDSTIMKSELEYGNCNTKCQTPMGAINSS MPFHNIHPLTIGECPKYVKSNRLVLA; or (SE0 ID NO.: 38) PIVQNIQGQMVHQAISPRTLNAWVKVVEEKAFSPEVIPMFSALSEGAT PQDLNTMLNTVGGHQAAMQMLKETINEEAAEWDRVHPVHAGPIAPGQM REPRGSDIAGTTSTLQEQIGWMTNNPPIPVGEIYKRWIILGLNKIVRM YSPTSILDIRQGPKEPFRDYVDRFYKTLRAEQASQEVKNWMTETLLVQ NANPDCKTILKALGPAATLEEMMTACQGVGGPGHKARVL.
6. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the one or more peptide linkers are selected from:
SSVSPTTSVHPTPTSVPPTPTKSSP; (SEQ ID NO.: 39) PTSTPADSSTITPTATPTATPTIKG; (SEQ ID NO.: 40) TVTPTATATPSAIVTTITPTATTKP; (SEQ ID NO.: 41) or TNGSITVAATAPTVTPTVNATPSAA. (SEQ ID NO.: 42)
7. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
8. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
9. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
10. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
11. An isolated nucleic acid vector that expresses an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and two or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the light chain, the heavy chain or both the light and heavy chains of the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigenic peptides are present, the antigenic peptides are separated by the one or more peptide linkers that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
12. The vector of claim 11, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67.
13. The vector of claim 11, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides are selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
14. The vector of claim 11, wherein the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Lipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA.
15. The vector of claim 11, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
16. The vector of claim 11, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
17. The vector of claim 11, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
18. The vector of claim 11, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
19. A method of enhancing T and B cell responses comprising:
immunizing a subject in need of vaccination with an effective amount of a vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding portion thereof and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC (Mucin) (e.g., MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias, lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the antigenic peptides are selected from Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain, HLA-A201-FluMP (58-66) peptide (GILGFVFTL) tetramer, Avian Flu (HA5-1), Influenza A Hemagglutinin HA-1 from a H1N1 Flu strain (HA1-1), dockerin domain from C. thermocellum (doc), HIV gag p24 (gag), or a string of HIV peptides (Hipo5), PSA (KLQCVDLHV)-tetramer, or an HIVgag-derived p24-PLA.
23. A method of making an anti-Langerin-antigen fusion protein comprising:
expressing an isolated fusion protein comprising an anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof in a host cell, the fusion protein comprising one or more antigenic peptides at the carboxy-terminus of the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof, wherein when two or more cancer peptides are present, the cancer peptides are separated by one or more linkers, at least one linker comprising a glycosylation site; and
isolating the fusion protein.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the fusion protein expressed in the host is further purified.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the host is a eukaryotic cell.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens selected from CEA, prostate specific antigen (PSA), HER-2/neu, BAGE, GAGE, MAGE 1-4, 6 and 12, MUC-related protein (Mucin) (MUC-1, MUC-2, etc.), GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, ras, myc, tyrosinase, MART (melanoma antigen), MARCO-MART, cyclin B1, cyclin D, Pmel 17(gp100), GnT-V intron V sequence (N-acetylglucoaminyltransferase V intron V sequence), Prostate Ca psm, prostate serum antigen (PSA), PRAME (melanoma antigen), β-catenin, MUM-1-B (melanoma ubiquitous mutated gene product), GAGE (melanoma antigen)1, BAGE (melanoma antigen) 2-10, c-ERB2 (Her2/neu), EBNA (Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen) 1-6, gp75, human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7, p53, lung resistance protein (LRP), Bcl-2, and Ki-67.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the antigenic peptides are cancer peptides selected from tumor associated antigens comprising antigens from leukemias and lymphomas, neurological tumors such as astrocytomas or glioblastomas, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, genitourinary tumors such cervix, uterus, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer or penile cancer, bone tumors, vascular tumors, or cancers of the lip, nasopharynx, pharynx and oral cavity, esophagus, rectum, gall bladder, biliary tree, larynx, lung and bronchus, bladder, kidney, brain and other parts of the nervous system, thyroid, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the cancer peptides are selected from at least one of:
MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGAAPLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHP QWV (SEQ ID NO.: 9);
LTAAHCIRNKSVILLGRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSH D (SEQ ID NO.: 10);
LMLLRLSEPAELTDAVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVI S (SEQ ID NO.: 11);
NDVCAQVHPQKVTKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALP ERP (SEQ ID NO.: 12);
SLYTKVVHYRKWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 13);
IMDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 14);
ITDQVPFSV (SEQ ID NO.: 15);
YLEPGPVTV (SEQ ID NO.: 16);
YLEPGPVTA (SEQ ID NO.: 17);
KTWGQYWQV (SEQ ID NO.: 18);
APLILSRIVGGWECEKHSQPWQVLVASRGRAVCGGVLVHPQWVLTAAHCIRNKSVILL GRHSLFHPEDTGQVFQVSHSFPHPLYDMSLLKNRFLRPGDDSSHDLMLLRLSEPAELTD AVKVMDLPTQEPALGTTCYASGWGSIEPEEFLTPKKLQCVDLHVISNDVCAQVHPQKV TKFMLCAGRWTGGKSTCSGDSGGPLVCNGVLQGITSWGSEPCALPERPSLYTKVVHYR KWIKDTIVANP (SEQ ID NO.: 19);
DTTEPATPTTPVTTPTTTKVPRNQDWLGVSRQLRTKAWNRQLYPEWTEAQRLDCWRG GQVSLKVSNDGPTLIGANASFSIALNFPGSQKVLPDGQVIWVNNTIINGSQVWGGQPVY PQETDDACIFPDGGPCPSGSWSQKRSFVYVWKTWGQYWQVLGGPVSGLSIGTGRAML GTHTMEVTVYHRRGSQSYVPLAHSSSAFTITDQVPFSVSVSQLRALDGGNKHFLRNQ (SEQ ID NO.: 20);
PLTFALQLHDPSGYLAEADLSYTWDFGDSSGTLISRAXVVTHTYLEPGPVTAQVVLQA AIPLTSCGSSPVPAS (SEQ ID NO.: 21);
GTTDGHRPTAEAPNTTAGQVPTTEVVGTTPGQAPTAEPSGTTSVQVPTTEVISTAPVQM PTAESTGMTPEKVPVSEVMGTTLAEMSTPEATGMTPAEVSIVVLSGTTAA (SEQ ID NO.: 22);
QVTTTEWVETTARELPIPEPEGPDASSIMSTESITGSLGPLLDGTATLRLVKRQVPLDCVL YRYGSFSVTLDIVQ (SEQ ID NO.: 23);
GIESAEILQAVPSGEGDAFELTVSCQGGLPKEACMEISSPGCQPPAQRLCQPVLPSPACQ LVLHQILKGGSGTYCLNVSLADTNSLAVVSTQLIVPGILLTGQEAGLGQ (SEQ ID NO.: 24);
MEMKILRALNFGLGRPLPLHFLRRASKIGEVDVEQHTLAKYLMELTMLDY (SEQ ID NO.: 25);
DWLVQVQMKFRLLQETMYMTVSIIDRFMQNNCVPKK (SEQ ID NO.: 26);
MEHQLLCCEVETIRRAYPDANLLNDRVLRAMLKAEETCAPSVSYFKCV (SEQ ID NO.: 27);
QKEVLPSMRKIVATWMLEVCEEQKCEEEVFPLAMNYLDRFLSLEPVKKSRLQLLGATC MFVASKMKETIPLTAEKLCIYTDNSIRPEELLQMELL (SEQ ID NO.: 28);
LVNKLKWNLAAMTPHDFIEHFLSKMPEAEENKQIIRKHAQTFVALCATDVKFISNPPSM V (SEQ ID NO.: 29); or
AAGSVVAAVQGLNLRSPNNFLSYYRLTRFLSRVIKCDPDCLRACQEQIEALLESSLRQA QQNMDPKAAEEEEEEEEEVDLACTPTDVRDVDI (SEQ ID NO.: 30), or immunogenic fragments thereof.
29. A method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising:
isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient;
incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20;
expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2;
harvesting the cells; and
assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-cancer specific T cells or B cells.
30. A tumor associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising:
isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cancer patient;
incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a tumor associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20;
expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of IL-2;
harvesting the cells; and
assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of tumor associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
31. A therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one infectious disease antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
32. A method of expanding antigen-specific T cells or B cells in vitro comprising:
isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having an infection;
incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or αLangerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is an antigen of the infectious agent and x is an integer 1 to 20;
expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines;
harvesting the cells; and
assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of anti-infections agent specific T cells or B cells.
33. A viral associated antigen-specific T cell or B cell made by the method comprising:
isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient suspected of having a viral infection;
incubating the isolated PBMCs with an immunogenic amount of an isolated anti-Langerin-(PL-Ag)x or anti-Langerin-(Ag-PL)x vaccine, wherein Ag is a viral associated antigen and x is an integer 1 to 20;
expanding the PBMCs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more cytokines;
harvesting the cells; and
assessing the cytokine production by the cells to determine the presence of viral associated antigen-specific T cells or B cells.
34. A therapeutic vaccine comprising an isolated fusion protein comprising the formula: Ab-(PL-Ag)x; Ab-(Ag-PL)x; Ab-(PL-Ag-PL)x; Ab-(Ag-PL-Ag)x; Ab-(PL-Ag)x-PL; or Ab-(Ag-PL)x-Ag; wherein Ab is an anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof; PL is at least one peptide linker comprising at least one glycosylation site; Ag is at least one viral antigen; and x is an integer from 1 to 20.
35. An isolated antibody comprising one or more of complementarity determining regions selected from:
ASISCRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTNFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCS (SEQ ID NO.: 45);
SVKMSCKASGYTFTDYVISWVKQRTGQGLEWIGDIYPGSGYSFYNENFKGKATLTADK SSTTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 46);
VTLTCRSSTGAVTTSNYANWVQEKPDHLFTGLIGGTNNRVSGVPARFSGSLIGDKAALT ITGAQTEDEAIYFCA (SEQ ID NO.: 47);
SLKLSCAASGLTFNIYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIRNKSNNYATYYADSVKDRFTISR DDSQSLLYLQMNNLKTEDTAMYYC (SEQ ID NO.: 48); or a direct equivalent thereof.
36. The antibody of claim 27, wherein the antibody is humanized.
37. The antibody of claim 27, wherein the antibody is 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7, and humanized derivatives thereof.
38. An isolated nucleic acid that encodes a 15B10, 2G3, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 antibody, antibody binding fragment or a humanized derivative thereof.
39. The nucleic acid of claim 38, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58; and 78 and 80; or binding fragments thereof.
40. The nucleic acid of claim 38, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product from the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79; or binding fragments thereof.
41. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and one or more antigenic peptides attached to the anti-Langerin antibody, wherein when two or more antigens are present, they are separated by one or more linker peptides that comprise at least one glycosylation site.
42. The composition of claim 41, wherein the antibody binding fragment is selected from an Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fc, or a ScFv fragment.
43. The composition of claim 41, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is selected from the following pairs of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 2 and 4; 6 and 7; 52 and 54; 56 and 58;
and 78 and 80 or binding fragments thereof.
44. The composition of claim 41, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody is the expression product of the following pairs of nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS.: 1 and 3; 5 and 6; 51 and 53; 55 and 57; and 77 and 79.
45. The composition of claim 41, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof is at least one of 15B10 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9852, 2G3 having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9853, 91E7, 37C1, or 4C7 and humanized derivatives thereof.
46. The composition of claim 41, wherein the anti-Langerin antibody or binding fragment thereof and the antigenic peptide are a fusion protein.
47. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant.
48. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutical excipients.
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