Chimeric TBP-Toxin Proteins as Mucosal Antigens for Vaccination against Neisseriae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, has been a burden to mankind from antiquity. Central to this bacteria's prolific nature, is its antigenic avariability of surface structures, as well as abilit y to avoid initiating host immune responses. Its cousin, Neisseria meningitidisis responsible for bacterial menigococcal meningitis, a disease that is invariabley fatal if untreated. Vaccines have developed against several N. meningitidis groups. Unfortunately, the predominant disease-causing strains belong to Group B, for which there is currently no effective vaccine. This invention describes mucosal vaccines against N. gonorrhoeae and meningitidis that have already been demonstrated to rai se antibody titers against both pathogens. The vaccines are chimeric fusion proteins comprised of a specific type of pathogen protein fragment plus an adjuvant protein fragment. The fusion proteins elicit an antibody response in the mucosa of the u rogenital and/or oropharynx tract, as well as in the serum. The resulting serum antibodies are cross=bactericidal in heterologous bacterial strains, suggesting broad coverage for the different groups of N. gonorrhoeae and meningitidis.

Categories: Therapeutic and Vaccines

Type of Offer: Licensing



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