Rotavirus enterotoxin adjuvant

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of potentiating an immune response by administering a viral enterotoxin or derivative as an adjuvant. More particularly it relates to administering a viral enterotoxin or derivative as an adjuvant and an antigen to a mucosal surface of a mammal.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of potentiating an immune response against an antigen in an animal comprising the step of administering to said animal said antigen and an adjuvant wherein said adjuvant is a rotavirus enterotoxin or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antigen and said adjuvant are administered to a mucosal surface of said animal.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said mucosal surface is selected from the group consisting of intranasal surface, oral surface, rectal surface and genitourinary tract surface.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said rotavirus enterotoxins selected from the group consisting of NSP4 group A genotypes A, B, C and D.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antigen and said adjuvant are administered parenterally to said animal.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said administration is intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said immune response is systemic.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said immune response is mucosal.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antigen is selected from a group consisting of rotavirus-like particles and influenza A virus.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said antigen is rotavirus-like particles.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said antigen is an inactivated influenza A virus.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said derivative of rotavirus is OSU NSP4-P138S or SA11 NSP4 aa 112-175.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antigen and said adjuvant are co-administered.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the animal is a mammal.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the animal is an avian species.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the animal is a human.  
     
     
         17 . A method of potentiating an immune response against influenza A virus in an animal comprising the steps of administering to a mucosal surface of said animal, an inactivated influenza A virus, and administering an adjuvant wherein said adjuvant is rotavirus enterotoxin or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A method of potentiating an immune response to rotavirus-like particles in an animal comprising the steps of administering to a mucosal surface of said animal rotavirus-like particles and administering an adjuvant wherein said adjuvant is rotavirus enterotoxin or a derivative thereof.