Vaccine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of immunising a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site of the subject, methods of use of the composition for vaccination and sterilization and use of the composition in manufacturing a medicament.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of immunising a subject in need thereof, comprising the step of intranasally administering a composition comprising: a conjugate consisting of antigen, aldehyde groups and a carbohydrate polymer, wherein the polymer:
 a) comprises mannose monomers oxidized to produce aldehyde groups, and   b) is covalently bonded to the antigen,   
       thereby stimulating an immune response comprising a secretory immune response. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a humoral immune response results. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the immune response is an IgA response. 
     
     
         20 . A method of modulating an immune response comprising a secretory immune response at a mucosal site in a subject in need thereof comprising the step of intranasally administering a composition comprising a conjugate consisting of antigen, aldehyde groups and a carbohydrate polymer, wherein the polymer:
 a) comprises mannose monomers oxidized to produce aldehyde groups, and   b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the immune response comprises stimulation of a mediator of cellular immunity. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mediator of cellular immunity is Th1 and/or Th2. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a mucosal or secretory immune response is stronger than a systemic immune response. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of the following or immunogenic portions thereof pollens, allergens, bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, protozoa or other microorganisms including pathogens of humans, animals and plants. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of influenza virus, haemagglutinin of influenza,  Porphyromona gingivalis , proteinase and adhesin epitopes of  Porphyromona gingivalis, Helicobacter pylori , urease of  Helicobacter pylori , rotavirus, recombinant VP5 protein of rotavirus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), gp120 of HIV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), surface proteins of RSV, RSV F or G proteins,  Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium , BCG,  Candida albicans  and  Chlamydia trachomatis  or outer membrane proteins thereof, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I glycoprotein G or D or CP27, Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria meningitides  class 1 outer protein, Valley Encephalitis Virus MVEV E glycoprotein, antigenic portions MVEV E glycoprotein, and ovalbumin peptides. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of HIV antigens, malaria antigens, antigens from microorganisms which cause venereal disease, common cold antigens, influenza antigens, and antigens which induce asthma. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antigen is conjugated to oxidised mannan. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the only aldehyde groups are derived from the oxidation of mannose. 
     
     
         29 . A method of vaccinating a subject in need thereof against a disease comprising the step of intranasally administering to the subject a composition comprising a conjugate consisting of antigen, aldehyde groups and a carbohydrate polymer, wherein the polymer:
 a) comprises mannose monomers oxidized to produce aldehyde groups; and   b) is covalently bonded to the antigen;   
       thereby generating an immune response comprising a secretory immune response.