Method for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen, and in particular, to such methods using polymersomes as carriers for the immunogen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for eliciting in a subject an immune response to a non-self immunogen, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a polymersome carrier having a circumferential membrane of an amphiphilic polymer and the non-self immunogen integrated into the circumferential membrane of the amphiphilic polymer of the polymersome carrier, wherein the non-self immunogen is a membrane-associated protein or lipid antigen, wherein the amphiphilic polymer comprises a diblock copolymer or a triblock copolymer. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein diblock copolymer or triblock copolymer comprises a polyether block selected from the group consisting of an oligo(oxyethylene) block, a poly(oxyethylene) block, an oligo(oxypropylene) block, a poly(oxypropylene) block, an oligo(oxybutylene) block and a poly(oxybutylene) block. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the diblock copolymer is a polyether block selected from the group consisting of an oligo(oxyethylene) block, a poly(oxyethylene) block, an oligo(oxypropylene) block, a poly(oxypropylene) block, an oligo(oxybutylene) block and a poly(oxybutylene) block. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the diblock copolymer is a poly(oxybutylene) copolymer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of clam  1 , wherein the amphiphilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyl ethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEE-b-PEO), poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-PAA), poly(2-methyloxa-zoline)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PEO), poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene sulfide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPS-b-PEO), a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(butylene oxide) block copolymer and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises non-invasive administration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises injection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein injecting comprises a method selected from the group consisting of intradermal, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular administration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane-associated protein is a transmembrane protein, G protein-coupled receptor, neurotransmitter receptor, kinase, porin, ABC transporter, ion transporter, acetylcholine receptor, or cell adhesion receptor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunogen is a synthetic lipid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunogen is a natural lipid. 
     
     
         12 . A method of generating an antibody or an vaccine, comprising administering to a subject a
 composition comprising a polymersome carrier having a circumferential membrane of an   amphiphilic polymer and the non-self immunogen integrated into the circumferential membrane   of the amphiphilic polymer of the polymersome carrier, wherein the composition comprises a   polymersome carrier having a circumferential membrane of an amphiphilic polymer and an   immunogen integrated into the circumferential membrane of the amphiphilic polymer of the   polymersome carrier, wherein the immunogen is a membrane-associated protein or lipid antigen,   wherein the amphiphilic polymer comprises a diblock copolymer or a triblock copolymer.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein diblock copolymer or triblock copolymer comprises a polyether block selected from the group consisting of an oligo(oxyethylene) block, a poly(oxyethylene) block, an oligo(oxypropylene) block, a poly(oxypropylene) block, an oligo(oxybutylene) block and a poly(oxybutylene) block. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the diblock copolymer is a polyether block selected from the group consisting of an oligo(oxyethylene) block, a poly(oxyethylene) block, an oligo(oxypropylene) block, a poly(oxypropylene) block, an oligo(oxybutylene) block and a poly(oxybutylene) block. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the diblock copolymer is a poly(oxybutylene) copolymer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the amphiphilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyl ethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEE-b-PEO), poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-PAA), poly(2-methyloxa-zoline)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PEO), poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene sulfide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPS-b-PEO), a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(butylene oxide) block copolymer and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising isolating from the subject one or more antibodies generated in response to the administration of the composition comprising a polymersome. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the membrane-associated protein is a transmembrane protein, G protein-coupled receptor, neurotransmitter receptor, kinase, porin, ABC transporter, ion transporter, acetylcholine receptor, or cell adhesion receptor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the immunogen is a synthetic lipid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the immunogen is a natural lipid.