Expression library immunization
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsStephen A. Johnston, Michael A. Barry, Wayne C. Lai
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Abstract
A general method for vaccinating against any pathogen is presented. The method utilizes expression library immunization, where an animal is inoculated with an expression library constructed from fragmented genomic DNA of the pathogen. All potential epitopes of the pathogen's proteins are encoded in its DNA, and genetic immunization is used to directly introduce one or more expression library clones to the immune system, producing an immune response to the encoded protein. Inoculation of expression libraries representing portions of the Mycoplasma pulmonis genome was shown to protect mice from subsequent challenge by this natural pathogen. Protection against Listeria was also obtained using the method.
Claims30
A method of obtaining gene sequences effective for generating an immune response specific to a pathogen in a vertebrate animal, comprising:
- a) preparing a set of cloned expression libraries from cDNA, fragmented DNA or a plurality of sequenced genes obtained from the pathogen;
- b) introducing a plurality of clones containing a library or sublibrary into a vertebrate animal;
- and
- c) selecting from the library or sublibrary the gene sequences that effect said immune response.
A composition comprising the smallest sib library obtained from a cloned expression library prepared from a pathogen DNA which provides protection against said pathogen to a vertebrate animal immunized with said expression library.
A method of generating an immune response to a tumor cell, comprising the steps:
- (a) preparing a cloned expression library from cDNA prepared from mammalian minor mRNA, fragmented tumor DNA or a plurality of sequenced genes from tumor DNA;
- and
- (b) introducing a plurality of clones from said library or sublibrary into a vertebrate animal to generate an immune response against at least one tumor cell antigen encoded by DNA comprising said library or sublibrary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.