The presented invention is related to a vaccine, a pharmaceutical composition, a carrier for nucleic acids and for other biologically active substances, use of composition in vaccine manufacturing and use of cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI in production of immunomodulating substances. More specifically, the presented invention is related to use of carriers based on cationic derivatives of polyprenols used as DNA vaccine carriers, easily transported and stored.

One of the biggest achievements of medicine in disease protection was the discovery and first use of vaccinations. It took place over 200 years ago and exerted enormous influence on the levels of prophylaxy of many diseases throughout the world. Over many years of development of production and application techniques of new vaccine types their influence is not waning, and even on the contrary - it becomes an even more important element of care related to health of societies and individual human beings. It often also gives hope for finding a way to eliminate diseases currently classified as incurable. One of the most important preparations opening a range of possibilities and a perspective of new applications include DNA vaccines, creation and use of which enabled intensive development of tools for delivering nucleic acids into cells. The promising potential of DNA vaccines in prophylaxy and therapy of many diseases stimulates search for efficient and safe carriers of genetic material, which could be used in vivo. However, such carriers must meet additional criteria - in addition to those required for effective introduction of genes into cells. Because antigens themselves, introduced into the body, are often not immunogenic enough to achieve a satisfactory level of immunological responses, in addition to DNA introduction, the carriers should also ensure possibility of simultaneous introduction of immunomodulating substances or themselves act as adjuvants in order to enhance response to an antigen.

Some of reagents often used to deliver DNA vaccines include reagents used in lipofection - a method of nucleic acids transfer based on use of cationic lipids, which may spontaneously interact with negatively charged nucleic acids, forming lipoplexes (complexes lipids-nucleic acids). Non-specific interaction with the surface of cell membrane stimulates lipoplex uptake by cells, and presence of other (helper) lipids e.g. DOPE (l,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanoloamine) or DC-cholesterol [{3β-[Ν- (N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol} hydrochloride] modifies properties of lipoplexes, facilitating nucleic acids release from endosomes.

The large potential of cationic lipids as DNA vaccine carries, as well as adjuvants is the reason behind intensive studies aimed at development of efficient and safe lipid tools (Korsholm 2012, Christensen 2007). Many trials confirmed the action of lipid-based adjuvants (Carroll 2014, Firouzmand 2013), however, no ideal lipid ingredient intended for use in vaccines has been hitherto developed. This may result from the enormous variety of vaccines and methods of their administration, diseases and conditions, bodily reactions and various side effects. The search for ideal carriers and adjuvants is additionally complicated by the variety of mechanisms involved in the process of effective immunisation, which results in high level of complexity of mutual relationships between vaccine ingredients and safety of their use and efficiency.

Despite the fact that cationic derivatives of polyprenols with lipofection activity are known in the art (Madeja et al. 2007, patent PL211824), they have not been used as DNA vaccine carriers, nor as adjuvants. The existing solution presented in patent disclosure PL211824 does not indicate a possibility of using polyprenols in serum conditions (in presence of serum), which means that hitherto nothing stimulated specialists in the art to attempt in vivo immunisation (Fig. 1 - state of the art). In addition, the described method of mixture preparation does not ensure long-term stability, and in addition it is inconvenient for use in vaccines. It is a serious drawback of solutions known in the art, since vaccines require long-term stability and they should be convenient in storage and transport as well as simple in use.

The aim of the presented invention is to provide new lipid carriers used for introduction of DNA vaccines into eukariotic organisms, said carriers also acting as adjuvants, without the aforementioned limitations. More precisely, the aim of the presented invention is to provide use of compositions containing nucleic acids carriers composed of cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with variable polyprenyl chain length (6-15 isoprene units) of formula (I) and additional (helper) lipids.

Implementation of thus presented aim and solution of problems described in the art, related to development of an invention enabling use of carriers based on cationic derivatives of polyprenols, replying to the known in the art need of introduction of DNA vaccines easy in transport and storage, has been achieved with this invention. Unexpectedly, the change to composition and preparation of compositions containing cationic derivatives of polyprenols led to their effective and convenient use in efficient immunisation, allowing to obtain vaccines with long-term stability, which significantly improved their convenient use without the need of vaccine preparation directly before each application.

The subject of the invention includes a vaccine, characterised in that it comprises a nucleic acid as the active substance and nucleic acid carriers comprised of cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with polyprenyl chain length of n, where n denotes the number of isoprene units in a range from 5 to 30, according to formula (I)

Preferably, the vaccine comprises cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with the length of polyprenyl chain, wherein n denotes from 6 to 12 isoprene units.

Preferably, the nucleic acid encodes an antigen, antigens or fragments of antigens of influenza virus or another antigen.

Preferably, the PTAI content is at least 20% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, the vaccine comprises helper lipids.

Preferably, the helper lipids content is at least 5% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, the helper lipids are lipids used in lipofection.

Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of cholesterol derivatives, phosphatidylcholine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylserine derivatives.

Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of DOPE (l,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), cholesterol, DC-cholesterol [{3β-[Ν-(Ν',Ν'- dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol}hydrochloride], DOPC: (1 ,2-dioleyl-sn- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DMPC (1 ,2-dimiristyl-sn-glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DMPE (l,2-dimiristyl-sn-glycero-3 -phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPC (1,2-dilauryl-sn- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DPPC (1 ,2-dipalmityl-sn-glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, DPPE (l,2-dipalmityl-5 ^, «-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPE (2-dilauryl-s«-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine), DOPS (l,2-dioleyl-s«-glycero-3-phosphatidylserine), POPC (l-palmityl-2-oleyl-5«- glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine), PDME (phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine), DSPE (l,2-distearyl-5«-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DSPC (l,2-distearyl-5«-glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine), POPE (l-palmityl-2-oleyl-s«-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine) or PMME (phosphatidyl-monomethylethanolamine).

Preferably, the vaccine is a vaccine against influenza virus. Preferably, the vaccine is used in immunisation of animals, more preferably birds and/or mammals.

Preferably, the vaccine is used in immunisation of humans.

The next subject of invention is a pharmaceutical composition, characterised in that it comprises a nucleic acid as the active substance and nucleic acid carriers comprised of cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with polyprenyl chain length of n, where n denotes the number of isoprene units in a range from 5 to 30, according to formula (I)

Preferably, it comprises cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with the length of polyprenyl chain, wherein n denotes from 6 to 12 isoprene units.

Preferably, the nucleic acid encodes an antigen, antigens or fragments of antigens of influenza virus or another antigen.

Preferably, the PTAI content is at least 20% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, it comprises helper lipids.

Preferably, the helper lipids content is at least 5% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, the helper lipids are lipids used in lipofection.

Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of cholesterol derivatives, phosphatidylcholine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylserine derivatives.

Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of DOPE (l,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), cholesterol derivatives, DC-cholesterol [{3B-[N-(N',N'- dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol} hydrochloride], DOPC: (1,2-dioleyl-sn- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DMPC (1 ,2-dimiristyl-sn-glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DMPE (l,2-dimiristyl-sn-glycero-3 -phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPC (1,2-dilauryl-sn- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DPPC (1 ,2-dipalmityl-^-glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, DPPE (l ,2-dipalmityl-OT-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPE (2-dilauryl-5«-glycero-3 -phosphatidylethanolamine), DOPS (l,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylserine), POPC (l-palmityl-2-oleyl-s7i- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), PDME (phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethyl.ethanolamine), DSPE (l,2-distearyl-s7?-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DSPC (l ,2-distearyl-5«-glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine), POPE (1 -palmityl-2-oleyl-5«-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine) or PMME (phosphatidyl-monomethylethanolamine).

Preferably, it is a carrier of biologically active substances, nucleic acids into eukariotic cells in vivo.

Preferably, the composition is a vaccine. Preferably, it is a vaccine against influenza virus.

The next subject of invention is a carrier of nucleic acids and of other biologically active substances with negative electric charge into eukariotic cells in vivo, characterised in that it comprises cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with a polyprenol chain length of n, wherein n denotes the number from 5 to 30 isoprene units, according to formula (I)

Preferably, it comprises cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with the length of polyprenyl chain, wherein n denotes from 6 to 12 isoprene units.

Preferably, the nucleic acid encodes an antigen, antigens or fragments of antigens of influenza virus or another antigen.

Preferably, it comprises cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with the length of polyprenyl chain, wherein n denotes from 6 to 12 isoprene units.

Preferably, the PTAI content is at least 20% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, it comprises helper lipids.

Preferably, the helper lipids content is at least 5% (w/w) of the mixture.

Preferably, the helper lipids are lipids used in lipofection.

Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of cholesterol derivatives, phosphatidylcholine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives with attached higher fatty acid groups, phosphatidylserine derivatives. Preferably, the helper lipids are selected from a group of DOPE (l ,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), cholesterol, DC-cholesterol [{3β-[Ν-(Ν',Ν'- dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol} hydrochloride], DOPC: (1,2-dioleyl-sn- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), DMPC (l,2-dimiristyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine), DMPE (1 ,2-dimiristyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPC (1 ,2-dilauryl-sn- glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine), DPPC (l ,2-dipalmityl-5n-glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, DPPE (l ,2-dipalmityl-5«-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DLPE (2-dilauryl-s«-glycero-3 -phosphatidylethanolamine), DOPS (1 , 2-dioleyl-s«-glycero-3-phosphatidylserine), POPC (l-palmityl-2-oleyl-S7i- glycero-3 -phosphatidylcholine), PDME (phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine), DSPE (l ,2-distearyl-™-glycero-3- phosphatidylethanolamine), DSPC (l ,2-distearyl-.s72-glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine), POPE (l-palmityl-2-oleyl-5'77-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine) or PMME (phosphatidyl-monomethylethanolamine).

Preferably, it is used in vaccines against influenza virus.

The next subject of invention is a use of a composition in manufacturing of a DNA vaccine.

Preferably, it is use in manufacturing of a vaccine against influenza virus.

Preferably, use of cationic derivatives of polyprenols PTAI with a polyprenyl chain length of n, wherein n denotes a number from 5 to 30 isoprene units, according to formula (I)

for manufacturing of immunomodulating substances.

Preferably, n is from 6 to 12 isoprene units.

Preferably, the nucleic acid encodes an antigen, antigens or fragments of antigens of influenza virus or another antigen.

Preferably, the PTAI content is at least 20% (w/w) of the mixture.

The subject of the invention is depicted in the figures, where:

Figure 1 presents Graph A (state of the art) presenting effectiveness of lipofection of DU145 cells using PTAI+DOPE in serum-free conditions and in presence of serum using DMEM F12 HAM medium. Lipoplex concentrations (provided per well of a 24-well plate): PTAI-7+DOPE - 2.5 μg/well, PTAI-8+DOPE -3 g/well, PTAI-l l+DOPE - 4 μ Λνε11, PTAI-15+DOPE - 5 μg/well. These values are provided as average values ± SD. Lipof. 2000 - Lipofectamine 2000 Reagent - reagent used as positive control sample. (Rak 2014).

Figure 2 presents a comparison of immunological response (levels of anti-HA IgY) of chickens immunised using a DNA preparation (K3 plasmid, 125 μg) mixed with commercial carrier Lipofectin® (K3+L) or cationic derivatives of polyprenols (K3+PTAI- mix and K3+PTAI-1 IDC). Negative immunisation control was provided by a group of chickens (Vect) vaccinated using a mixture of an empty vector with Lipofectin (2 chickens) or PTAI (3 chickens). The level of specific anti-HA IgY antibodies was determined in blood sera (1 :200 dilution) collected on the 21st, 28th and 35th day of life (2 Id, 28d, 35d) using an ELISA test. Results obtained for single/individual chickens are presented in panel A, while HI levels determined in a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for sera collected from individual chickens on the 35th day of life are presented in panel B. The results confirm effective action (better than observed with Lipofectin) of the polyprenol mixtures used, in particular for PTAI- 1 IDC.

Figure 3 presents levels of immunological response (anti-HA IgY) in sera (1 :200 dilution) of chickens immunised with various DNA mixtures with carriers prepared according to diagram A. Sera collected on the 21st, 28th and 35th day of life were tested using an ELISA test. The presented results indicate highly efficient action of the PTAI carriers used.

Diagram A. Composition of the vaccine used in the experiment containing a mixture of PTAI composition (PTAI-ll+DOPE+DC-cholesterol) with DNA.

Vect - empty pCI vector without the HA coding sequence (negative control)

Figure 4A presents the anti-HA titers in sera collected from chickens on the 35th day of life determined in the ELISA test using double serial dilutions of the determined sera. The red horizontal line denotes the highest serum titer in control chickens. Figure 4B presents HI levels of the tested sera. The results indicate high effectiveness levels of the tested carriers (P1, P2, P3).

Figure 5 presents levels of induced immunological response (anti-HA IgG) in mice vaccinated with DNA preparations (K3 plasmid, lC^g) mixed with Lipofectin (K3+L) or with cationic derivatives of polyprenols (K3+PTAI). Results obtained for individual specimens as well as average values for entire groups have been presented in panels A and B, respectively. They indicate higher efficiency of PTAI action when compared to Lipofectin - the higher level of specific antibodies. The negative immunisation control included a group of mice (Vect+L) immunised using a mix of the empty vector and Lipofectin.

Diagram A presents detailed composition of DNA preparations used for immunisation of chickens in the experiment described in Example 2.

In order to provide better understanding of the invention, example solutions according to the invention are presented below.

Examples

Example 1. Preparation and use of selected compositions for chicken immunisation against influenza virus and their comparison with a commercially available reagent.

PTAI-6,7,8, PTAI-11 and helper lipids - DOPE, DC-cholesterol were dissolved in 99.8% ethanol, in respective concentrations - 20; 10; 25; 33 mg/ml. They were mixed in appropriate ratios in order to achieve the following molar rations in the mixtures:

PTAI-6,7,8+DOPE - 1,5:1

PTAI- 1 1 +DOPE+DC-cholesterol - 1 : 1 : 1

Then the obtained mixtures were mixed with DMEM F-12 HAM cell culture medium without additions of serum and antibiotics and intensely mixed for 3 minutes - ethanol concentration in thus prepared compositions was as follows:

PTAI-6,7,8+DOPE - 11.4%

PTAI- 1 1+DOPE+DC-cholesterol - 20.7%

The ready compositions were stored at 4°C and used for immunisation within 5 days after preparation.

Preparations for immunisation were prepared by mixing PTAI with DNA ( 3 plasmid containing H5 HA coding sequence from H5N1 influenza virus; patent application P396415; SEQ ID No. 1) in order to achieve weight ratio of 0.9:1 for PTAI-6,7,8 :DNA and 0.8:1 for PTAI-11 :DNA. DNA coding the influenza antigen was used only as an example. The presented solution can include any other DNA vaccine.

Next the PTAI/DNA mixtures were incubated for 30 min at room temperature and administered to 7-day old broiler chickens as intramuscular injections containing 125 μg DNA. A reminder dose was administered two weeks later (21st day of life). Positive control includes chickens immunised with DNA preparations, wherein PTAI was replaced with commercially available reagent Lipofectin® (Invitrogen, Life Technologies). Blood samples were collected three times, on the 21st, 28th and 35th day of life, namely and respectively, on the day of reminder dose administration as well as one and two weeks later.

Immunisation effectiveness was evaluated in an ELISA test. Plates (96-well) were coated using recombined homologous H5 HA antigen, using an amount of 300 ng/well. Goat anti- chicken IgY antibodies (Fc-specific) conjugated with HRP were used in IgY detection. Figure 2 presents results indicating high effectiveness levels of the PTAI compositions used in chickens immunisation against influenza virus using a DNA vaccine (subject of the P396415 patent application. Results obtained for PTAI-6,7,8+DOPE are denoted as PTAI- mix, whilst those obtained for PTAI-l l+DOPE+DC-cholesterol are denoted as PTAI- 11DC. Panel A presents results of the ELISA test obtained for sera (at a 200-fold dilution) collected from individual chickens on the 21st, 28th and 35th day of life, while results of the HI test in sera collected on the 35th day of life are presented in panel B.

Example 2. Use of PTAI-ll+DOPE+DC-cholesterol mixture with various quantities of DNA in immunisation of chickens against influenza virus.

A PTAI composition (PTAI-l l+DOPE+DC-cholesterol) prepared according to the description provided in Example 1 was mixed with 125 μg or 62,5 μg of plasmid DNA. Thus, three mixtures with various DNA doses were obtained: (1) PI (125 μg DNA per vaccine dose), wherein the PTAI-11 :DNA weight ratio was 0.8: 1, (2) P2, (62,5 μg DNA per vaccine dose), wherein the PTAI-11 :DNA weight ratio was 1.6: 1 and (3) P3 (62,5 μg DNA per vaccine dose), wherein the PTAI-1 1 :DNA weight ratio was 0.8: 1. The prepared vaccine doses were incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Vaccine doses containing commercially available transfection reagent Lipofectin instead of PTAI (mixtures LI and L2) were prepared simultaneously. The negative immunisation control included a group of chickens (Vect) immunised using a mixture of the empty vector and Lipofectin. Composition of mixtures used in vaccinations is provided in Diagram A. Laying chickens were immunised intramuscularly, twice, on the 7th and 21st day of life. Division into groups according to the preparation used in vaccinations is provided on Diagram A. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein on the 21st, 28th and 35th day of life. Immunological response was studied using an ELISA test. Results of the test confirmed high efficiency levels of the PTAI used as a DNA vaccine carrier, Figure 3 presents ELISA results indicating high level of anty-HA antibodies in sera (200-fold dilution) of the immunised animals. 96- well plate was coated using 300 ng of a recombined HA antigen, purified from a baculovirus system. IgY was detected using goat anti-chicken IgY (Fc specific) antibodies conjugated with HRP.

Figure 4A presents levels of anti-H5 HA antibodies in double serial dilutions of sera collected on the 35th day of life. Figure 4B presents results of the HI test for the same sera. The level of anti-HA antibodies was determined as a inverse value of the highest serum dilution at which a result higher than the estimated value: background+3xSD (3- times the value of the standard deviation) was obtained. Results are presented using logarithmic scale. If there was no need for dilutions higher than the standard 200-fold dilutions (readout <1 for the 200-fold dilution), the levels were determined by multiplying the OD value read out in the ELISA test by 200, namely by the inverse value of serum dilution used in the ELISA test.

Example 3. Use of a PTAI-10-14+DOPE+DC-cholesterol mixture with DNA as a vaccine for mice immunisation against influenza virus.

The mixture of PTAI composition [PTAI- 10- 14 (10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14)+DOPE+DC- cholesterol] with plasmid DNA (10μg), wherein the PTALDNA weight ratio is 0.8: 1 was prepared according to the description in Example 1. Female BALB/c mice were immunised intramuscularly twice, on the 35th and 49th day of life using a K3 mixture with the PTAI composition (K3+PTAI) or 3 with Lipofectin (K3+L). The negative control used included a mixture containing control DNA (the vector without the HA-coding insert) with Lipofectin (Vect+L). Blood samples were collected on the 49th, 56th and 63rd day of life. Presence of anti-HA specific antibodies was determined using ELISA tests. The plate used in tests was coated using 300 ng of the recombined HA H5 antigen. Goat anti-mouse IgG antibodies conjugated with AP were used in IgG detection. Figure 5 presents the level of anti-HA IgG antibodies in 1 : 100 diluted sera. Results obtained for sera collected from individual mice have been presened in panel A, average values calculated for respective immunised groups are presented in panel B. LITERATURE

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