Francis A Ennis

Author:

Francis A. Ennis

ISBN #:

0122399803

US Patent:

6627407, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Feb 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/782709

Inventors:

Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical Center - Worcester MA

International Classification:

A61K 4900

US Classification:

435 724, 424 92, 435 6

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (1) contacting antigen presenting cells in culture with a vaccine composition selected from among the group of vaccine compositions, thereby, if one or more of the antigens or nucleic acid molecules can be taken up and processed by the antigen presenting cells, producing one or more processed antigens; (2) contacting the antigen presenting cells with T cells under conditions sufficient for the T cells to respond to one or more of the processed antigens; (3) determining whether the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens; whereby if the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens, then the vaccine composition stimulates a T cell response; and (4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) with each vaccine composition in the group, thereby identifying vaccine compositions which stimulate a T cell response; and, if one or more of the vaccine compositions stimulates a T cell response, (5) selecting at least one vaccine composition which stimulates a T cell response for assessment in one or more animals and/or human subjects.

US Patent:

6962790, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Sep 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/159172

Inventors:

Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical Center - Worcester MA

International Classification:

C12N015/00

US Classification:

435 724, 424 92, 4241991, 4242001, 435 6

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (1) contacting antigen presenting cells in culture with a vaccine composition selected from among the group of vaccine compositions, thereby, if one or more of the antigens or nucleic acid molecules can be taken up and processed by the antigen presenting cells, producing one or more processed antigens; (2) contacting the antigen presenting cells with T cells under conditions sufficient for the T cells to respond to one or more of the processed antigens; (3) determining whether the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens; whereby if the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens, then the vaccine composition stimulates a T cell response; and (4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) with each vaccine composition in the group, thereby identifying vaccine compositions which stimulate a T cell response; and, if one or more of the vaccine compositions stimulates a T cell response, (5) selecting at least one vaccine composition which stimulates a T cell response for assessment in one or more animals and/or human subjects.

US Patent:

7217526, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Jan 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/764985

Inventors:

Masanori Terajima - Holden MA, US
John Cruz - Shrewsbury MA, US
Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical School - Worcester MA

International Classification:

G01N 33/53
G01N 33/531
A61K 39/275
A61K 39/285
A61K 38/08

US Classification:

435 71, 530300, 530328, 424 931, 4242321

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Two vaccinia virus CD8 T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human MHC class I allele, HLA-A0201 have been identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. The induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8 T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. This information will be useful for the design and analyses of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

US Patent:

7387882, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

May 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/129223

Inventors:

Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical Center - Worcester MA

International Classification:

A61K 39/00
G01N 33/53

US Classification:

435 724, 424 92, 4241841

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (1) contacting antigen presenting cells in culture with a vaccine composition selected from among the group of vaccine compositions, thereby, if one or more of the antigens or nucleic acid molecules can be taken up and processed by the antigen presenting cells, producing one or more processed antigens; (2) contacting the antigen presenting cells with T cells under conditions sufficient for the T cells to respond to one or more of the processed antigens; (3) determining whether the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens; whereby if the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens, then the vaccine composition stimulates a T cell response; and (4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) with each vaccine composition in the group, thereby identifying vaccine compositions which stimulate a T cell response; and, if one or more of the vaccine compositions stimulates a T cell response, (5) selecting at least one vaccine composition which stimulates a T cell response for assessment in one or more animals and/or human subjects.

US Patent:

7803566, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Mar 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/731784

Inventors:

Masanori Terajima - Holden MA, US
John Cruz - Shrewsbury MA, US
Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

The University of Massachusetts - Boston MA

International Classification:

G01N 33/53
C07K 5/00

US Classification:

435 724, 435 41, 435 42, 435 2, 435 3, 530300, 530328

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Two vaccinia virus CD8 T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human MHC class I allele, HLA-A0201 have been identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. The induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8 T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. This information will be useful for the design and analyses of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

US Patent:

8067535, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Sep 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/238122

Inventors:

Masanori Terajima - Holden MA, US
John Cruz - Shrewbury MA, US
Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

The University of Massachusetts - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61K 38/08
A61K 39/285

US Classification:

530328, 4242321

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Three vaccinia virus CD8 T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human M. C. class I allele, HLA-A0201, were identified. Each of these epitopes is highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. In addition, the induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination with two of these epitopes is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8 T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. Two vaccinia virus CD8 T cell epitopes restricted by another common human M. C. class I allele, HLA-B7, also were identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. This information will be useful for the design and analysis of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

US Patent:

20080299603, Dec 4, 2008

Filed:

May 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/154287

Inventors:

Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA, US

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical Center - Worcester MA

International Classification:

C12Q 1/02

US Classification:

435 29

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (1) contacting antigen presenting cells in culture with a vaccine composition selected from among the group of vaccine compositions, thereby, if one or more of the antigens or nucleic acid molecules can be taken up and processed by the antigen presenting cells, producing one or more processed antigens; (2) contacting the antigen presenting cells with T cells under conditions sufficient for the T cells to respond to one or more of the processed antigens; (3) determining whether the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens; whereby if the T cells respond to one or more of the processed antigens, then the vaccine composition stimulates a T cell response; and (4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) with each vaccine composition in the group, thereby identifying vaccine compositions which stimulate a T cell response; and, if one or more of the vaccine compositions stimulates a T cell response, (5) selecting at least one vaccine composition which stimulates a T cell response for assessment in one or more animals and/or human subjects.

US Patent:

56745028, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

Jun 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/462963

Inventors:

Francis A. Ennis - Shrewsbury MA

Assignee:

University of Massachusetts Medical Center - Worcester MA

International Classification:

A61K 3912
A61K 39145
A61K 3900
A61K 3938

US Classification:

4242061

Abstract:

This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for stimulating in an individual an influenza A virus protective response which is subtype cross-protective. Influenza A virus NS1 protein, or a T cell epitope thereof, is administered to the individual in an amount sufficient to stimulate the virus protective response.