Composite Vaccine Epitopes for Broad Pathogen Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional influenza vaccines are not universally protective due to antigenic shift and drift, requiring frequent reformulation and high doses, which are costly and can induce undesirable immune responses. Additionally, current vaccines for pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV lack effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Development of composite antigens and vaccines comprising multiple epitopes from various pathogens, combined in a single peptide sequence to stimulate a broad immune response, potentially including adjuvants like AS01 and ALF, to enhance immunogenicity and reduce the need for frequent administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional influenza vaccines target the immunodominant protein HA, then the vaccine can be manufactured using standard processes, but the vaccine is not universally protective due to antigenic shift and drift
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine composition is designed to provide universal protection against multiple influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1) by including epitopes from different viral proteins (HA, NA, M1, M2) that are conserved across strains, rather than targeting a single strain-specific HA protein
Solution Approach 2:
The vaccine uses a composite antigen approach by combining multiple epitopes from different influenza virus proteins (hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, matrix protein, and M2 protein) into a single vaccine formulation, creating a multi-component antigen that elicits broader immune responses
2Reliability
If vaccines present epitopes in the same order as found in nature as whole-viral proteins, then the antigen structure is preserved, but relatively large amounts of protein are required making manufacturing difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine breaks down whole viral proteins into smaller epitopic segments (peptides) that can be synthesized or expressed separately and then combined, reducing the total protein amount needed while maintaining immunogenicity
Solution Approach 2:
The vaccine extracts only the critical epitopic regions from the full-length viral proteins (HA, NA, M1, M2) that are necessary for immune recognition, discarding the rest of the protein structure to reduce manufacturing burden
3Reliability
If high doses of antigen are administered to achieve protective immune response, then immunity can be achieved, but the cost per administration increases and manufacturing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine changes the immunogenicity parameter by using epitopes from multiple viral proteins including conserved regions, which enhances the immune response per unit of antigen, allowing lower doses to achieve the same protective effect
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional vaccines use whole-viral proteins, then the natural antigen structure is maintained, but the risk of undesirable immune responses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine extracts only the essential epitopic sequences from the viral proteins that are needed to elicit protective immunity, removing portions of the protein that might trigger unwanted immune responses or side effects
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to compositions and peptides or peptide sequences that induce an immune response in an animal or a mammal that is protective against infection by one or more pathogens. In addition, the invention relates to immunogenic composition and vaccines comprising compositions and peptide sequences and to method for treating and preventing an infection in animals and mammals such as humans and antibodies.