WO2021222964A2

WO2021222964A2 - Immunogenic complexes and methods of producing and using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2021222964A2
Application number: PCT/AT2021/060160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alireza ESLAMIAN; Martin SCHIFKO
Original assignee: Ess Holding Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-05-07
Filing date: 2021-05-07
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Also published as: WO2021222964A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of forming immunogenic complexes, in particular a method of coating pathogens or fragments thereof with hMBL or portions thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to said immunogenic complexes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said immunogenic complexes, in particular vaccines comprising said immunogenic complexes, and the use of the immunogenic complexes and the pharmaceutical compositions.

Description

IMMUNOGENIC COMPLEXES AND METHODS OF PRODUCING AND USING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The complement system is a part of the immune system. Three biochemical pathways activate the complement system: the classical complement pathway, the alternative complement pathway, and the MBL pathway. Via all three of them, pathogens and non- functional cells are finally opsonized and killed pathogens.

The classical complement cascade needs available antibodies to attack. Typically, those are available after an infection or vaccination.

The alternative complement pathway is the pathway which is activated at low level. This pathway is triggered when the C3b protein directly binds a pathogen or non-functional cell and is part of the innate immune system. The innate immune system recognizes a broad range of molecular patterns on a broad range of infectious agents and damaged tissues and is able to distinguish them from self and functional cells.

The MBL or lectin pathway starts with mannose-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolin binding to certain sugars, e.g. glycoprotein surfaces. When the carbohydrate-recognising heads of MBL bind to specifically arranged mannose residues on the surface of a pathogen, MASP- 1 and MASP-2 are activated and denote MBL-associated serine proteases. After activation, C4 and C2 are split and classical C3-convertase is formed, as in the classical pathway.

MBL, also called mannose-binding protein (MBP), is a protein belonging to the collectin family that can initiate the complement cascade by directly binding to pathogen surfaces. MBL recognizes carbohydrate patterns, found on the surface of a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi. Binding of MBL to a microorganism results in activation of the lectin pathway of the complement system. Another important function of MBL is that this molecule binds senescent and apoptotic cells and enhances phagocytosis of whole, intact apoptotic cells, as well as cell debris by phagocytes.

Human MBL (hMBL) is encoded by the human MBL2 gene. The human MBL2 gene product is a 24 kD polypeptide characterized by a 248-amino-acid sequence, with four distinct regions, a cysteine-rich N-terminal region, a collagenous domain, a short α-helical coiled-coil domain, the so-called neck region, and a carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD), and forms the prominent globular head of the molecule. Due to the characteristic properties of the collagen-like domain and the neck region hMBL tends to form a trimer. Three polypeptide chains form a triple helix through the collagenous region, stabilized by hydrophobic interaction and interchain disulphide bonds within the N-terminal cysteine- rich region. This trimeric form is the basic structural subunit of all circulating forms of hMBL. The clustering of three CRDs in close proximity significantly increases the affinity for small sugar clusters. Larger molecules can be obtained by the oligomerization of these homotrimeric subunits. The impact of further clustering can ensure that these molecules only bind with high affinity to dense sugar arrays like the one found on the surface of bacteria and viruses.

The structure of hMBL regularly consists of 18 identical polypeptides arranged as a hexamer of trimer-subunits, adopting a bouquet-like structure. This can activate the complement system via the lectin pathway. The CRD is calcium dependent, a common feature of most MBLs.

Further, conglutinin is formed of a tetramer of trimer-subunits which is important in prevention of viruses such as HIV or influenza.

The highly ordered oligomeric structure, the spacing, and orientation of the CRDs define what ligands MBL can target and are essential for its function. Through the CRDs, MBL binds to specific carbohydrates such as mannose or N-acetylglucosamine that are exposed on the surface of a number of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.

MBL complexed with the MASPs binds to sugar arrays on a microorganism and mediates a complement attack through MASP2. MASPs denote MBL-associated serine proteases.

Upon exposure to pathogens, the concentration of MBL in the serum increases. Patients with reduced levels of MBL, due to a point mutation in the MBL gene, show a propensity for repeated, severe bacterial infections. MBLs also act as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus, presumably by binding to the high-mannose carbohydrates of the viral envelope glycoproteins and blocking attachment to the host cell.

All these observations clearly show the importance of MBL in the innate immune system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the function of MBL and other binding molecules of the immune system and provides them to protect a subject against a broad range of pathogens or cancer cells.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for binding an immunogenic determinant to a binding molecule to form an immunogenic complex.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to the immunogenic complex as such, a method for treating a subject, and a use of the immunogenic complex.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, a method for treating a subject, and a use of the pharmaceutical composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the invention is directed to a method for binding at least one immunogenic determinant with a binding molecule ex-vivo, wherein the immunogenic determinant and the binding molecule are mixed ex-vivo to form an immunogenic complex, particularly an immunogenic complex, wherein the immunogenic determinant is at least partly, in particular fully, coated by the binding molecule.

The immunogenic determinant is a molecule, or a part thereof, containing one or more epitopes that will stimulate the immune system of a host organism to make a secretory, humoral and/or cellular antigen-specific response, or a DNA molecule which is capable of producing such an immunogen in a vertebrate. The immunogenic determinant will also be referred to as element A.

A binding molecule is capable of binding the immunogenic determinant. The binding molecule will also be referred to as element B. The immunogenic determinant is partly coated, when some binding sites are unbound, that is not all binding sites of the immunogenic determinant are bound to a binding molecule.

An efficient way to form the immunogenic complex is provided by a method wherein the immunogenic determinant and the binding molecule are mixed in a fluid, which fluid is then vortexed under a controlled reaction environment to form immunogenic complexes and wherein the immunogenic complexes are extracted, wherein a part of the energy required for binding is supplied by controlled cascading of the kinetic energy provided by vortexing.

A device to homogeneously coat elements A with elements B by assuring to reach certain thresholds (upper and lower limits) of sizes and amounts is described.

Elements A can be pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi), but also any type of weakened or destroyed versions of the pathogens or cancer cells.

Elements B can be MBL, particularly hMBL and other protein receptors.

Note that the coating of A with B is a form of chemical binding, so the terms coating and binding may be used as equivalent terms for the same procedure.

To achieve the coating, following steps are executed:

First, a novel bio active medical device (BAM) is filled with ingredients A and B. The input doses of ingredients A and B can differ every time in total amounts and underlying sizes. Then, this device mixes A and B, filters special sizes (A or/and B), and coats A with B. The order of those steps can vary. The device is able to provide a constant result (within thresholds of lower and upper limits) of coated elements and sizes of those. That means that very small and very big particles that are not properly coated get removed from the device with high probability.

The device can operate under air, fluid and in precisely controlled pressure (e.g. vacuum) and temperature. The device can also contain chemical elements supporting the coating process, regulate humidity and can run in different thermal environments.

To obtain reproducible results, filters with predefined porosity and/or cyclones with adjustable apex can be used, a proper circuit of filters and or cyclones can help to remove very small and very big particles with required precision. To improve homogeneity multiple, subsequent steps of vortexing can be performed.

Thus, the device is also able to recirculate the process to achieve a predefined uniform concentration of bound particles. During the process of recirculation, samples are taken to control the product quality and measure the obtained concentration.

Test kits that are sensitive to A, B and A+B contents and work based on the type of protein receptors have already been developed. To state an example from the state of the art, the nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) method can be used to measure the size and concentration. In addition, some effective factors can be adjusted properly to control the process, most importantly the control of inputs A and B, where controlled cultured samples of A and controlled processed samples of B can be used. Then, time of accumulation, as well as parameters like, pressure, temperature, pH, properties of the operational fluid flow and auxiliary chemical agents are controlled and all other influencing parameters can be kept constant.

The necessary energy for binding A and B is provided through a thermal energy source and by cascading the kinetic energy of mixing. By adjusting the temperature of the operational fluid flow, the required thermal energy can be provided. This means the temperature of the air or the fluid is controlled and can be altered. Additionally, or as an alternative, the energy necessary for binding can be provided by the kinetic energy with which A and B are fed into the device. To determine the necessary kinetic energy for desired binding and to avoid rupture of already existing bonds or damaging of the molecules, velocity and/or volume rate and/or pressure of A and B can be controlled at the inlets and outlets of the device.

In brief, the vortexes with different sizes in turbulent flow cascade energy from inducers to the molecular size. The mechanism that cascades energy from big vortexes to the small scales is as follows: In continuum mechanics, an energy cascade involves the transfer of energy from large scales of motion to the small scales, called a direct energy cascade, or a transfer of energy from the small scales to the large scales, called an inverse energy cascade. This transfer of energy between different scales requires that the dynamics of the system is nonlinear.

This concept plays an important role in the study of well-developed turbulence. Consider for instance turbulence generated by the air flow around a tall building: the energy- containing eddies generated by flow separation have sizes of the order of tens of meters. Somewhere downstream, dissipation by viscosity takes place, for the most part, in eddies at the Kolmogorov microscales: of the order of a millimetre for the present case. At these intermediate scales, there is neither a direct forcing of the flow nor a significant amount of viscous dissipation, but there is a net nonlinear transfer of energy from the large scales to the small scales. The largest motions, or eddies, of turbulence contain most of the kinetic energy, whereas the smallest eddies are responsible for the viscous dissipation of turbulence kinetic energy.

Kolmogorov hypothesized that when these scales are well separated, the intermediate range of length scales would be statistically isotropic, and that its characteristics in equilibrium would depend only on the rate at which kinetic energy is dissipated at the small scales. Dissipation is the frictional conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy. The dissipation rate, e, may be written down in terms of the fluctuating rates of strain in the turbulent flow and the fluid's kinematic viscosity, v. It has dimensions of energy per unit mass per second. In equilibrium, the production of turbulence kinetic energy at the large scales of motion is equal to the dissipation of this energy at the small scales. Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of production, energy cascade and dissipation in the energy spectrum of turbulence.

To control and measure the concentration of pathogens and receptors in both unbound and bound form, we first state that purified pathogens with smooth Gaussian distribution will be used as input “A”. MBLs (component “B”) are nanoparticles that have a similar smooth Gaussian distribution, the number of particles will be 5-10 times of pathogens with 1 :5 to 1 :10 times smaller size to have the highest possible chance of binding. Before entering the device, both A and B can also be sorted and normalized. After mixing and binding took place, a new distribution of bound and/or non-bound particles needs to be purified and normalized. After purification, the distribution will be similar the above distribution considering numbers. Only the size of particles will increase because of binding between components A and components B.

At least 5 - 10 MBL molecules will attach to each pathogen. During the binding process, a mixture of small-sized, unbound MBL, medium-sized pathogen and large sized pathogen with bound MBL molecules will be present in changing ratios. The separation can be done by a precise cascading circuit, that may include further filters or cyclones. To control the distribution of the particles, different configuration and circuits of filters and / or cyclones can be used. They can as well be used for purification and sorting the particles. To measure the particles, the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) can be applied to the samples.

To not only guarantee a proper mixing of components A and B, but also to increase the binding probability, the mixture can be circulated and/or exposed to vibrational movements to induce a fully turbulent flow. To do so, the fluid can be passed through porous media and/or external vibrator, mixer or circulator like cyclone can be used as well. Particularly effective is a method, wherein a cyclone circuit is used for vortexing.

The required energy to bind a single A to B is less that cell’s fusion energy, which is in the range of 40-150 kT (1kT=4.11e-21 J).

In summary, this device enables the most efficient mixing of A, B and optional other chemical agents on a molecular level based on turbulent flow and cascading energy from big to very small vortexes that bring energy from main circulating flows to the Kolmogorov scale and or smaller. This proper mixing will cause efficient binding between A and B.

In addition, the humidity and temperature are precisely controlled. To achieve a strong and reliable binding between A and B some chemical agents might be added to the mixture. Very small and very big particles are removed by the cutting mechanism of cyclones. This is important to remove the particles that have a higher risk of not getting proper treatment and coating. With these methods an accumulation of coated particles with constant concentration can be achieved. This is possible through the novel approach of recirculating underflows.

Alternatively, formation of the immunogenic complex can be achieved by a method, wherein the binding molecule and the immunogenic determinant are administered to an egg, particularly a chicken egg.

Furthermore, a procedure of an induced immune response inside an egg is claimed, where cancer cells or pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi) are bound to MBL. Within an egg, binding between pathogens or cancer cells and MBL can happen. Scientists started exploring the use of eggs in vaccine production in the 1930s. Today it is common to replicate the influenza virus inside an egg. Fish eggs are fertilized in vitro and evidence was found, that the complement system operating via the alternative pathway is attributable to bacteriolytic activities. When both MBL and pathogens or cancer cells are administered to an egg, the mannose binding lectin pathway will be activated. This can only happen if the coating of MBL with the pathogen or cancer cell is happening. The immunogenic complex can thus be extracted and purified from the egg.

However, binding of MBL, or a portion thereof, to a pathogen or portion thereof to form immunogenic complexes can also be achieved by incubating MBL or a portion thereof with the pathogen or portion thereof.

To improve activation in a human, a method is provided wherein the binding molecule is a mannose binding lectin, in particular human mannose binding lectin (hMBL corresponding to

(SEQ ID N0:1) or a portion thereof.

To improve binding of the hMBL, a method is provided wherein the portion of the hMBL corresponds to

(SEQ ID N0:2), in particular corresponding to

(SEQ ID N0:3). A higher affinity can be achieved when the portion comprises amino acid residues 81 to 228 of MBL (SEQ ID NO: 2), particularly amino acid residues 111 to 228 of MBL (SEQ ID NO: 3).

A broad spectrum of applications is provided by a method wherein the immunogenic determinant is an active or inactivated pathogen or a pathogen fragment or a cancer cell.

A pathogen is defined to be an infectious microorganism for example selected from the group consisting of a virus, bacterium, a fungus, and a parasite, or a fragment thereof.

The method has proven particularly useful when the immunogenic determinant is a virus of the family of Coronaviridae (coronavirus) or a portion thereof, particularly SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof, and the binding molecule is human mannose binding lectin (hMBL) corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a portion thereof, particularly corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 2, more particularly corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 3. A fast and effective medicament for prevention of COVID-19 can be provided.

The main asset of this invention is to be able to develop a possible vaccine extremely quickly by ex-vitro coating of any pathogens or cancer cells. Compared to all other existing methods this is by far the quickest method. Its main applications lie for example in the development of new vaccines for all kind of pathogens by coating them with MBL or other protein receptors as well as enhancing existing and new vaccines for all kind of pathogens by coating them with hMBL or other protein receptors and the development of personalized treatment/vaccines for cancer cells by coating them with hMBL or other protein receptors.

Hence, in a second aspect, the invention is directed to an immunogenic complex comprising at least one immunogenic determinant and at least one binding molecule, particularly produced in a method as previously described.

The immunogenic complex is particularly effective when the immunogenic determinant is at least partly, particularly fully, coated by the binding molecule. Thus, the binding molecule is capable of binding to the immunogenic determinant.

A particularly effective immunogenic complex can be provided wherein the immunogenic determinant is MBL. MBL can be naturally occurring MBL, e.g. MBL that has been purified from mammalian plasma, most preferred hMBL purified from human plasma.

Alternatively, MBL is recombinant and expressed from a gene expression construct comprising nucleotide sequences encoding MBL polypeptides or functional equivalents thereof operably linked to expression signals not naturally associated therewith.

MBL can also be recombinant and produced in a host selected from the group consisting of: transgenic animals, mammalian cell lines, which includes human cell lines, insect cells, yeast cells, bacterial cells and plants.

The invention further provides an immunogenic complex, wherein the binding molecule is hMBL corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a portion thereof, in particular corresponding to SEQ ID NO:2, more particularly to SEQ ID NO:3.

Each of the hMBL polypeptide chains comprises an N-terminal cysteine rich region, a collagen-like domain, a neck region and/or a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Three individual polypeptide chains form one subunit. The composed hMBL can comprise at least one subunit, two subunits, for example three subunits, four subunits, five subunits, or six subunits. It is possible that each hMBL comprises a different number of subunits. The portions of hMBL corresponding to SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO: 3 are located at the binding sites of hMBL and have a high affinity to pathogens.

When hMBL is recombinant, it is provided that at least 50 % of the hMBL oligomers has an apparent molecular weight higher than 200 kDa, when analysed by SDS-PAGE and/or Western blot. In particular, when hMBL is recombinant at least 95 % of the hMBL oligomers has an apparent molecular weight higher than 200 kDa, when analysed by SDS-PAGE and/or Western blot. Said hMBL can comprise a ratio of tetramers, pentamers and/or hexamers to dimers of MBL subunits of at least 2:1 , preferably at least 3:1 , more preferably at least 4:1 , most preferably at least 5:1.

Where hMBL, particularly as described here, is comprised as binding molecule, it is capable of binding immunogenic determinants comprising at least one saccharide, selected from the group consisting of mono-saccharides, di-saccharides, tri-saccharides, polysaccharides, particularly polysaccharide, wherein said saccharide comprises mannan. The immunogenic determinant can be selected from a group consisting of bacterial, fungal, viral and other pathogenic immunogenic determinants and any derivative of such infectious agents, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium or a multi-drug resistant pathogen.

The immunogenic determinant may be present in a sample derived from a subject. The immunogenic determinant, in particular the pathogen, can be in a sample derived from a subject, wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample, a blood culture sample, a cerebrospinal fluid sample, a joint fluid sample, a urine sample, a semen sample, a saliva sample, a sputum sample, a bronchial fluid sample, and a tear sample.

The immunogenic determinant can also be derived from an in vitro culture, a microorganism lysate, a crude lysate, or a purified lysate or it can be a synthetic immunogenic determinant.

The immunogenic determinant can be a cancer cell or portion thereof. Such a portion can be a tumour-associated pattern or a recognition pattern.

In another embodiment, the immunogenic can be an active, weakened or inactivated pathogen or a pathogen fragment. For example, a pathogen can be neutralized by treatment with antibiotics, ultraviolet light, sonication, microwave, bead mill, x-ray, autoclave, irradiation or mechanical disruption. In certain embodiments, the pathogen is non-infectious after neutralization.

Accordingly, the invention further provides an immunogenic complex wherein the immunogenic determinant is an active, weakened or inactivated pathogen or a pathogen fragment.

Such fragments can be a cell wall component of the infectious microorganism, particular wherein the immunogenic determinant comprises a pathogen-associated molecule pattern (PAMP). PAMP is selected from the group consisting of a pathogen fragment, a pathogen debris, a pathogen nucleic acid, a pathogen lipoprotein, a pathogen surface glycoprotein, a pathogen membrane component.

In some embodiments, the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof. Of particular interest is an immunogenic complex wherein the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof and the binding molecule is hMBL or a portion thereof, wherein the SARS-Cov-2 or portion thereof is at least partly coated by the hMBL or portion thereof, particularly fully coated by the hMBL or portion thereof.

In other embodiments, the immunogenic determinant is a cancer cell or portion thereof and the binding molecule is hMBL or a portion thereof, wherein the cancer cell or portion thereof is at least partly coated by the hMBL or portion thereof, particularly fully coated by the hMBL or portion thereof.

Immunogenic complexes as described herein are particularly useful for use as a medicament, particularly for use as a vaccine.

A vaccine is used for vaccination, meaning a process of inducing a protective immune response in an organism. The immune response is a response to an immunogenic complex comprising an immunogenic determinant. An immune response involves the development in the host or subject of a cellular-and/or humoral immune response to the administered composition or vaccine in question. In general, antibodies, B cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, cytotoxic T cells and complement directed specifically or unspecifically to an immunogenic determinant present in an administered immunogenic complex is involved.

This process is similar to the one after an infection with a pathogen, e.g. a virus. The virus is ingested by an antigen-presenting cell. The antigen-presenting cells engulf the virus and display portions of it to activate T-helper cells. T-helper cells enable other immune responses: B cells make antibodies that can block the virus from infecting cells, as well as mark the virus for destruction. Cytotoxic T cells identify and destroy virus-infected cells. Finally, long-lived "memory" B and T cells that recognize the virus can patrol the body for months or years, providing immunity.

If a virus is coated with MBL, particularly hMBL, the immune response is accelerated.

The host or subject receiving the vaccine, in certain embodiments is a mammal, wherein the mammal is selected from the group consisting of a human, an embryo, a horse, a dog, a cat, a cow, a sheep, a pig, a fish, an amphibian, a reptile, a goat, a bird, a monkey, a mouse, a rabbit, and a rat. In particular, the subject is a human.

The vaccine can be administered to the subject in a form selected from intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or oral administration. Today, different methods for the production of vaccines are available:

A weakened or inactive version of the pathogen, e.g. the virus, can be used. Another approach is the use of only a part of the pathogen, e.g. of the peplomers or spike proteins. Genes coding these fragments of the pathogen can be transported into a cell via a viral vector, either a replication or a non-replication viral-vector, or genes can be delivered via Nucleic-acid vaccines, e.g. DNA or RNA vaccines.

Alternatively, the use of protein-based vaccines is suggested, where the fragments are used directly, either as protein subunits or as virus-like particles.

Currently, all these methods are used in development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. All vaccines aim to expose the body to an antigen that will not cause disease, but will provoke an immune response that can block or kill the virus if a person becomes infected.

All these vaccines stimulate the immune system in a similar way. Antigen-presenting cells engulf the treated pathogen and display it to the immune system. The next steps can be antibody production and destroying the pathogen. These methods are based on the use of similar pathways to make vaccines, and stimulate the immune system in a similar way.

The present invention, however, works differently.

As MBL binds to elements A outside the body to form immunogenic complexes, the MBL pathway is activated once those bound elements comprised in the immunogenic complexes are administered to the body of a subject, e.g. a human. Associated serine protease (ASP) is an enzyme associated with MBL that starts the last step of opsonizing by creating MASP-1 and MASP-2 and the lectin pathway is activated.

In addition, MBL acts as an inhibitor that interrupts communication of the pathogen, e.g. the virus with host cells, thus preventing the binding of the virus to the cell. But also phagocytosis gets sensitive to the bound MBLs. Since elements A have glycoprotein layers, MBLs can bind to them. The virus itself or parts of the viruses are getting coated with MBL ex vitro and are then administered to the body.

Weakened or inactivated virus vaccines comprise a whole virus. A virus is conventionally weakened for a vaccine by being passed through animal or human cells until it picks up mutations that make it less able to cause disease. These weakened viruses can be coated, for example with MBL, particularly hMBL.

In inactivated virus vaccines the virus is rendered uninfectious using chemicals, such as formaldehyde, or heat. However, this requires starting with large quantities of infectious virus. The inactivated virus can be coated with, for example, MBL, particularly hMBL.

Another group of vaccines are viral-vector vaccines. Replicating a viral vector inside the host or subject cells. Such vaccines tend to be safe and provoke a strong immune response. Weakened measles can be used as vector, however, existing immunity to the vector could blunt the vaccine effectiveness. To improve immune response, the vaccine can comprise a vector coated with MBL, particularly hMBL.

Also, non-replicating viral vector vaccines are available. Booster shots can be needed to induce long-lasting immune response. To improve immune response, the non-replicating viral vector can be coated with MBL, particularly hMBL.

Further protein-based vaccines are investigated. Most protein subunit vaccines for SARS- CoV-2 are focusing on the virus's spike protein or a key part of it called the receptor binding domain. To work, these vaccines might require adjuvants, that means immune- stimulating molecules delivered alongside the virus. The protein subunit can be coated with MBL, particularly hMBL.

In virus-like particles, empty virus shells are used that mimic the coronavirus structure, but are not infectious because they lack genetic material. The virus-like particle can be coated with MBL, particularly hMBL.

The immunogenic complexes of this invention can be provided by replication of element A until the needed threshold for a vaccine is reached. Elements A and B are mixed, filtered and coated in a most homogenous way able to treat all kind of different input doses by providing constant output doses and subsequently coated doses are administered to the host body triggering the MBL pathway.

This can either be achieved by deep freezing or treating the coated elements in a way to allow the virus inside to survive as long as possible or the vaccine is delivered in an aerosol spray or similar method.

In some embodiments the immunologic complex, particular an immunologic complex comprising SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof and hMBL is provided or manifestly arranged for use in prophylaxis or treatment of Coronaviridae induced diseases, particularly COVID- 19. In addition or alternatively, an immunologic complex is provided or manifestly arranged for use as a medicament against respiratory infections and/or gastrointestinal infections, or for activating the MBL pathway of the complement system. Such a medicament can be used in prophylaxis, particularly as a vaccine, and/or as a treatment.

In another embodiment, the immunogenic complex, particularly an immunologic complex comprising a cancer cell or portion thereof and hMBL, is provided or manifestly arranged for use in prophylaxis or treatment of cancer diseases.

The invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunogenic complex as described before.

The pharmaceutical composition can be adapted or manifestly arranged for administration in a form selected from intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or oral administration.

It can be suitable or manifestly arranged for oral administration in a subject, in the form of a pill, a tablet, a capsule, a soft gel, a chewable, a powder, an emulsion, or an aqueous solution.

In a pharmaceutical composition of the invention, the immunogenic complex may be lyophilized. Such a pharmaceutical composition is capable of being stored at room temperature for shelf life.

A pharmaceutical composition may be a composition of matter, namely pathogens, e.g. virus, bacteria, fungi and also any type of weakened or destroyed versions of the pathogens or cancer cells, coated ex-vitro with hMBL. Once the two components (pathogen or cancer cell and hMBL) are bound, they activate the MBL pathway of the compliment system, destroying the pathogens, respectively cancer cells, when administered to the human body.

In this embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is particularly effective when the immunogenic complex comprises hMBL or a portion thereof. The pharmaceutical composition can comprise hMBL that corresponds to SEQ ID NO:1 , in particular to SEQ ID NO:2, more particularly to SEQ ID NO:3.

In some embodiments the pharmaceutical composition comprises an immunogenic complex wherein the determinant is an active or inactivated pathogen or pathogen fragment or a cancer cell or a portion thereof. Preferably, a pharmaceutical composition is provided wherein the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is a vaccine composition comprising the immunogenic complex in an effective amount.

A vaccine composition is used for vaccination that means a process of inducing a protective immune response in an organism. Therefore, a vaccine composition is a pharmaceutical composition capable of raising a protective immune response in a subject.

An effective amount means that the pharmaceutical composition is capable to recruit an immune cell in a subject. This immune cell may be an antigen-presenting cell. The immune cell may be selected from the group consisting of a dendritic cell, a macrophage, a T cell and a B cell.

The subject in certain embodiments is a mammal, the mammal being selected from the group consisting of a human, an embryo, a horse, a dog, a cat, a cow, a sheep, a pig, a fish, an amphibian, a reptile, a goat, a bird, a monkey, a mouse, a rabbit, and a rat. Preferably, the subject is a human.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition as described before to the subject, thereby treating the pathogen infection in the subject.

The infection can be an acute or chronic infection. Preferably, the infection is caused by a multiresistant pathogen.

The method preferably comprises extracting a sample of the pathogen out of the subject, replicating the extracted pathogen ex vivo, coating the extracted pathogen ex vivo with hMBL, particularly in a method as described before, to form a immunogenic complex as described before, and administering the immunogenic complex to the subject, thereby treating the infection in the subject.

In some embodiments the invention is directed to a method of decreasing the level of a pathogen in a subject having a pathogen infection, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition as described above to the subject, thereby decreasing the level of the pathogen in the subject.

In addition or alternatively, the invention is directed to a method of increasing the survival rate of a subject having a pathogen infection, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition as described above to the subject, thereby increasing the survival rate of the subject.

Further, the invention is directed to a method of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition as described above to the subject, thereby vaccinating the subject against the pathogen infection.

In a further embodiment, a method of treating a cancer in a subject is provided, comprising extracting cancer cells out of the subject, replicating the extracted cancer cells ex vivo, coating the extracted cancer cells ex vivo with hMBL, particularly in a method as described before, to form a immunogenic complex as described before, administering the immunogenic complex to the subject, thereby treating the cancer in the subject.

The invention is further directed to the use of a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of the immunogenic complex as described above for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition. Preferably, the use is for the preparation of a vaccine composition.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to the use of the immunogenic complex as described above, for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of Coronaviridae induced diseases, particularly COVID-19, or as a medicament, particularly against respiratory infections and/or gastrointestinal infections, or for activating the MBL pathway of the complement system.

EXAMPLES

Production of the immunogenic complex

For a dose including 1e6 viruses, binding with 5e6 - 10e6 MBL particles, 5e6 - 10e6 bindings take place. Then, the required energy is 200e6 - 1500e6 (kT) for one dose including 1e6 pathogens. In other words, 8.22e-13(J) to 6.2e-12(J). Note that by a 1 degree increase of temperature of 1 g water, 4.18 (J) of energy are induced. Hence, the temperature has to be controlled precisely. Vibration and circulations create turbulences and supply the required energy and collisions for the bindings to take place.

To execute the coating process, the device can comprise BAM cyclone circuits. In this device, elements A and B enter the first cyclone and mix together. The underflow collects too big particles with low chances of binding which are removed and discarded. The overflow from this first cyclone enters the second cyclone and mixes with underflow of the second cyclone. The overflow of the second cyclone collects too small particles with low chance of binding which are remove and discarded.

The particles in the underflow of the second cyclone, whose sizes can be represented as a part of an average Gaussian size distribution, recirculate and mix with inlet of the second cyclone. This recirculation helps the accumulation and concentration of well- bound particles. After a certain number of recirculations, the contents of the second cyclone, which are the product of A coated with B, are collected.

Note that many different circuits of single or multiple cyclones can be used, the criterion for the circuit design is the quality of the product regarding uniformity, concentration level, effectiveness and the possibility to remove improperly coated or unpleasant particles. Following figures show examples of two other possible circuits but with lower cutting and or concentrating capabilities.

Vaccination against SARS-Cov-2 with the immunogenic complex

Pathogens are reproduced and coated with MBL. The coated elements are administered to the patient and the MBL pathway of the compliment is activated and able to create immunity against those kinds of pathogens. In order to activate the immune memory for a longer time it may be needed to provide these vaccines at least two times.

This method will help for new pathogens and most existing vaccines. Existing vaccines can enhance their success rate due to the forced MBL pathway. Also, side effects by the pathogens are less likely.

Example

For all experiments a stock solution of 2,2 E+06 PFU/mL of Human 2019-nCoV Isolate were used and various viral working stocks were grown in Vero CCL81 cells using fetal calf serum (FCS)-free cell culture medium (OptiPro from Gibco). The working stock aliquots used in the experiment are the virus passage (VP) 2 with a PFU/ml of 1 ,74 E+04. Vero-cells CCL81 (3 E+04 cells/well in serum free Gibco OptiPro) are seeded into 48 well. The virus is stored at -80 °C with cells. To purify the virus suspension is centrifuged for 1min at 13.000 rpm. The cell pellet stays in the vial and the pure virus supernatant is used for the experiment. The virus is incubated with the substance for 1 hr at 37 °C with 5 % C02. The virus was neutralized by UV-light. One dose consisted of 250 μI MBL and 2 μI virus were mixed and administered to the mice.

30 mice in three groups of 10 (5 male and 5 female) were vaccinated. Group 1 received a placebo, group 2 MBL-SARS-CoV-2 and group 3 only SARS-CoV-2.

The virus was pre-incubated with 250 μg/ml MBL for 60 min, then concentrated again by an amicon cell and the excess MBL was filtered off. Then, virus and MBL (SpP+MBL group) as well as virus (SpP group) was inactivated with formaldehyde. This inactivation was applied for 60min. After that, the formaldehyde was separated again with amicon and washed 2 times with medium to remove the formaldehyde. The pure cell culture medium served as the control group (co-group).

For the first immunization 10 μI of each of these 3 solutions were used per animal per nostril for immunization. The second immunization took place after 8 days and was performed with 5 μI per nostril, because it turned out that the mice could only poorly absorb the 10 μI the first time. The third immunization took place after 7 days and again with 5 μI per nostril.

10 days after the last immunization the mice were killed and blood was taken, serum was extracted, lungs and spleen were preserved.

The results are summarized in table 1. The μI figures represent the μI of serum that were used. The viral load always remained the same with the 2 μI/well. Only the volumes of sera with which the virus was pre-incubated were titrated. Starting with 20 μI down to 4 μI serum and each with 2 μI virus per well.

Table 1

Co = Control group of mice: treatment with medium only; MBL = virus + MBL pre-incubation then immunization; SpP = Virus group of mice: treatment with virus only;

Treatment of cancer with the immunogenic complex

Cancer cells from the host can also be coated with hMBL or other protein receptors and administered to the host’s body to generate antibodies. The concept is to extract a cancer cell from a patient, replicate and coat it. Then reintroduce it to the patient allowing the patient’s immune system to build antibodies on his own by creating a memory system.

A cancer cell is extracted from the patient, reproduced and coated with hMBL. The person gets a dose of coated elements and the MBL pathway is activated. This starts creating immunity against all cancer cells of the same type. In order to activate the immune memory for a longer time it may be needed to provide this vaccine at least twice.

Pharmaceutical composition

A pharmaceutical composition may comprise the following ingredients:



Claims

1. Method for binding at least one immunogenic determinant with at least one binding molecule ex-vivo, wherein the immunogenic determinant and the binding molecule are mixed ex-vivo to form an immunogenic complex, particularly an immunogenic complex wherein the immunogenic determinant is at least partly, in particular fully, coated by the binding molecule.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the immunogenic determinant and the binding molecule are mixed in a fluid which is then vortexed under a controlled reaction environment to form immunogenic complexes and wherein the immunogenic complexes are extracted, characterized in that a part of the energy required for binding is supplied by controlled cascading of the kinetic energy provided by vortexing.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein multiple, subsequent steps of vortexing are performed.

4. Method according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a cyclone circuit is used for vortexing.

5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the binding molecule and the immunogenic determinant are administered to an egg, particularly a chicken egg.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the binding molecule is a mannose binding lectin, particularly human mannose binding lectin corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 , or a portion thereof.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the hMBL corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 2, particularly corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 3.

8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the immunogenic determinant is a cancer cell or an active, weakened or inactivated pathogen or a pathogen fragment, wherein the pathogen in particular is an infectious microorganism selected from the group consisting of a virus, bacterium, a fungus, and a parasite, or a fragment thereof.

9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the immunogenic determinant is a virus of the family of Coronaviridae (coronavirus) or a portion thereof, particularly SARS- Cov-2 or a portion thereof, and the binding molecule is human mannose binding lectin (hMBL) or a portion thereof.

10. Immunogenic complex comprising at least one immunogenic determinant and at least one binding molecule, particularly produced in a method according to any of claims 1 to 9.

11. Immunogenic complex according to claim 10, wherein the immunogenic determinant is at least partly, particularly fully, coated by the binding molecule.

12. Immunogenic complex according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the binding molecule is hMBL or a portion thereof, in particular corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 , more particularly SEQ ID NO:2, even more particularly SEQ ID NO:3.

13. Immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the immunogenic determinant is a cancer cell or portion thereof.

14. Immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the immunogenic determinant is an active, weakened or inactivated pathogen or a pathogen fragment, wherein the pathogen in particular is an infectious microorganism selected from the group consisting of a virus, bacterium, a fungus, and a parasite, or a fragment thereof.

15. Immunogenic complex according to claim 14, wherein the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof.

16. Immunogenic complex according to claim 15, wherein the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof and the binding molecule is hMBL or a portion thereof, wherein the SARS-Cov-2 or portion thereof is at least partly coated by the hMBL or portion thereof, particularly fully coated by the hMBL or portion thereof.

17. Immunogenic complex according to claim 15, wherein the immunogenic determinant is a cancer cell or portion thereof and the binding molecule is hMBL or a portion thereof, wherein the cancer cell or portion thereof is at least partly coated by the hMBL or portion thereof, particularly fully, coated by the hMBL or portion thereof.

18. Immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 17, for use as a medicament, particularly for use as a vaccine.

19. Immunogenic complex for use, especially according to claim 18, in prophylaxis or treatment of Coronaviridae induced diseases, particularly COVID-19.

20. Immunogenic complex for use according to claim 18 or 19, in prophylaxis or treatment of respiratory infections and/or gastrointestinal infections, or for activating the MBL pathway of the complement system.

21. Immunogenic complex for use, especially according to claim 18, in prophylaxis or treatment of cancer diseases.

22. Pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunogenic complex, particularly according to any of claims 10 to 21.

23. Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 22, wherein the immunogenic complex comprises hMBL or a portion thereof.

24. Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 23, wherein the portion of hMBL corresponds to SEQ ID NO:1 , particularly to SEQ ID NO:2, more particularly to SEQ ID NO:3.

25. Pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the immunogenic determinant is SARS-Cov-2 or a portion thereof.

26. Pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the composition is a vaccine composition comprising the immunogenic complex in an effective amount.

27. A method of treating a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of any one of claims 22 - 26 to the subject, thereby treating the pathogen infection in the subject.

28. A method of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of any one of claims 22 - 26 to the subject, thereby vaccinating the subject against the pathogen infection.

29. A method of treating a cancer in a subject, comprising extracting cancer cells out of the subject, replicating the extracted cancer cells ex vivo, coating the extracted cancer cells ex vivo with hMBL, particularly in a method according to any of claims 1 to 9, to form an immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 21 , administering the immunogenic complex to the subject, thereby treating the cancer in the subject.

30. Use of a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of the immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 21 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition.

31. Use according to claim 30 for the preparation of a vaccine composition.

32. Use of the immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 21 , for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of Coronaviridae induced diseases, particularly COVID-19, or as a medicament, particularly against respiratory infections and/or gastrointestinal infections, or for activating the MBL pathway of the complement system.

33. Use of the immunogenic complex according to any of claims 10 to 21 , for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer.