Protein Components of Streptococcus Pneumonae That Bind to Mucin Glycoproteins of Human Nasal and Middle Ear Secretions

Currently, there is no effective vaccine to prevent infections by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of otitis media (OM) as well as a number of other upper respiratory tract infections that affect both pediatric and adult populations. A prer equisite for infection is bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx. From the site of colonization, pathogens may spread locally, either upward into the eustachian tube and into the middle ear resulting in OM or downward into the alveoli of the lowe r respiratory tract to cause pneumonia. The process of colonization involves interactions between specific bacterial adhesins and epithelial cell surface receptors.

Oral biologists at the University at Buffalo have identified a protein that appea rs to be the major bacterial adhesin that binds to host nasopharyngeal and middle ear mucins. This interaction may be responsible for the transport of the pathogen to the middle ear and lungs. By utilizing the bacterial adhesin as a vaccine compone nt, it is possible to neutralize the pathogen and thus the source for infection.

Categories: Therapeutic and Vaccines

Type of Offer: Licensing



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