NUCLEIC ACID NANOSTRUCTURE PLATFORM FOR ANTIGEN PRESENTATION AND VACCINE FORMULATIONS FORMED THEREFROM

Compositions containing a nucleic acid nanostructure having a desired geometric shape and antigens bound to its surface are provided. The nanostructures can be, for example, in the form of a 6-helix bundle or icosahedron. The nanostructure design allows for control of the relative position and/or stoichiometry of the antigen bound to its surface. The antigens displayed on the nanostructure surface are arranged with the preferred number, spacing, and 3D organization to elicit a robust immune response. The displayed antigen can be an HIV immunogen such as eOD-GT6, eOD-GT8, or variants thereof. The compositions may thus be useful as immunogens, vaccines, immunostimulators, adjuvants, and the like. Methods of inducing immune responses, inducing protective immunity, inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies or inhibitory antibodies, inducing tolerance, and treating cancer, infectious or autoimmune diseases are also provided.