Patent ID: 7915009

Claim:
A method for enhancing antigen presentation by dendritic cells to augment T-cell dependent immune response to an antigen comprising administering to said dendritic cells (a) an effective amount of a vector comprising a genetic construct encoding (i) a NF-κB inducer and (ii) the antigen, or (b) an effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding a NF-κB inducer and a nucleic acid encoding the antigen; wherein the NF-κB inducer is a member selected from the group consisting of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MEKK1), NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK), IκB kinase 2 (IKK2), TNF receptor associated factor 2 (TRAF2), TNF receptor associated factor 5 (TRAF5), TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), Transforming Growth Factor β activated kinase (TAK), a dominant negative mutant of Myd88, the kinase expressed by the tumor progression locus 2 gene (TP L-2), IL-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK), Toll receptors and Rel, and wherein the intracellular expression of said NF-κB inducer results in enhanced antigen presentation function by said dendritic cells.