Trypanosoma cruzi proteome compositions and methods
AssigneeUniversity of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorRick Tarleton
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Abstract
Molecular targets are identified in T. cruzi suitable for use in diagnosis of Chagas disease, drug development, and vaccines, including live vaccines.
Claims39
A monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof that binds to a polypeptide that is highly abundant in amastigotes or trypomastigotes of T. cruzi.
Antiserum comprising a plurality of antibodies, each of which binds a highly abundant T cruzi polypeptide.
A method for diagnosing T. cruzi infection in a subject comprising:
- contacting at least one highly abundant T. cruzi protein with a bodily fluid or tissue of a mammal;
- and
- detecting an immune response to the protein in the mammal, the immune response comprising the presence of an antibody, a B cell or a T cell in the bodily fluid or tissue;
- wherein the immune response is indicative of a T. cruzi infection.
A vaccine comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of (a) an immunogenic T. cruzi polypeptide and (b) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide coding region encoding an immunogenic T. cruzi polypeptide, wherein the T. cruzi polypeptide is highly abundant in amastigotes or trypomastigotes of T. cruzi.
Genetically engineered T. cruzi wherein protein expression from a gene involved in energy metabolism has been reduced or eliminated.
Genetically engineered T. cruzi wherein protein expression from a transporter gene has been reduced or eliminated.
A method for treating a T. cruzi infection in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a compound that targets a membrane-bound transporter protein expressed by a T. cruzi amastigote.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.