Methods and compositions relating to adhesins as adjuvants-Publication Number: WO/2007/066226

Papini et al., 2007 brevetto WO200706622 This invention is in the field of immunology and relates to the discovery that adhesins are potent activators of dendritic cells. [0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of adjuvanting an immune response, comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an adhesin. In one embodiment, dendritic cells are activated by administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an adhesin. In a particular embodiment, the adhesin comprises a soluble form of [0011] NadA. In a further embodiment, the composition further comprises an additional adjuvant and/or immunopotentiator. In a particular embodiment, the additional adjuvant and/or immunopotentiator is selected from an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, an oil-in- water emulsion, a mineral salt, an ISCOM, LPS or an imidazoquinoline compound. [0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides compositions comprising an adhesin, an antigen and one or more of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, an oil-in-water emulsion, a mineral salt, an ISCOM, LPS or an imidazoquinoline compound. In one embodiment, the adhesin is a soluble form of NadA. In a further embodiment, the soluble form of NadA is NadA[Delta]351-405. [0013] The methods and compositions of the invention may further comprise an interleukin or an interferon. In a particular embodiment, the interferon is IFN-[gamma]. [0014] In a further aspect, the present invention provides for use of a composition of the invention for adjuvanting an immune response. In another aspect, the present invention also provides for use of compositions of the invention for activating and sensitising a dendritic cell. In a particular embodiment, the dendritic cell is CD86<">