Neisserial vaccine free of immunologically functional PIII or class 4 proteins
AssigneeThe Rockefeller University
InventorsEmil Claus Gotschlich, Lee Mark Wetzler, Milan Scott Blake, John Michael Koomey
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Abstract
This invention relates to mutants of Neisseria useful for vaccine preparation. Specifically this invention relates to mutants of Neisseria containing mutations in a major outer membrane protein gene such that no immunologically functional polypeptides encoded by said gene are produced. More specifically, the invention relates to a mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae having a mutation of the PIII gene and to vaccines derived therefrom.
Claims24
An isolated mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII or class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said antibodies.
A biologically pure culture of a mutant strain of Neisseria qonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII or class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said antibodies.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae mutant strain ATCC No. 53787.
A composition comprising the total lysate of a biologically pure culture of a mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII protein or the class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said antibodies, wherein the composition is free of immunologically functional PIII protein and immunologically functional class 4 protein.
A method for the immunization of a mammal against Neisseria infection, comprising the steps of:
- (a) isolating at least one antigen from a biologically pure culture of a mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII or class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said antibodies;
- (b) admixing the at least one antigen with a physiologically-acceptable excipient to form an antigenic composition;
- and
- (c) administering the antigenic composition to the mammal.
A method of preparing an antigenic composition capable of eliciting the production of antibodies which recognize Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis, the method comprising the steps of:
- 1) culturing a biologically pure mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or a class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII or class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said blocking antibodies;
- 2) recovering at least one cell-surface antigen from the cultured strain;
- and
- 3) admixing an amount of the at least one recovered antigen sufficient to induce a host administered with the composition to produce antibodies which recognize Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis with a physiologically acceptable excipient.
A method of producing antibodies in a host, which antibodies recognize Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) isolating at least one antigen from a biologically pure culture of a mutant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis incapable of producing a PIII protein or class 4 protein that (i) elicits blocking antibodies against the PIII protein or the class 4 protein that inhibit bactericidal activity or (ii) immunologically reacts with said blocking antibodies;
- (b) admixing the at least one antigen with a physiologically-acceptable excipient to form an admixture;
- (c) administering the admixture to the host.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.