Transgenic algae for delivering antigens to an animal

#This invention relates to a system for delivering antigens to an animal.

#Proteins, dipeptide and polypeptide (hereinafter collectively referred to as proteins) are responsible for most of the activities of a cell, such as catalysis, communication, defense, movement, and transport.

#Proteins can be delivered to animals for the purpose of activating or supplementing a biological activity. Examples include antigens that activate an immune response and hormones that regulate growth and development.

#The present invention may be more readily understood by reference to the following figures wherein:

#FIG. 1 shows the pSSCR7 plasmid used for constructing nuclear transfection vectors for use in the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows the pCPPTG plasmid used for constructing chloroplast transfection vectors for use in the present invention;

#In one aspect of the present invention provides a delivery system for introducing one or more peptides into a host animal. The delivery system involves the use of is a transgenic algae comprising a transgene which comprises a polynucleotide encoding one or more peptides and a promoter which drives expression of the peptide encoding sequence in the algae.

#Antigenic Determinant

#The term “antigenic determinant” as used herein refers to a protein or polypeptide which is capable of eliciting an immune response or defense response in the host animal. The antigenic determinant is at least partially derived from a pathogenic microorganism. Herein, the term “microorganism” means a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite (i.e., protozoan or helminth, for example). Preferably, the immune response or defense response elicited by the antigenic determinant is protective in the host animal in the sense that a subsequent infection of the host animal by the pathogenic organism from which the antigenic determinant is derived would be prevented, would not cause disease or, if disease were caused, the disease or symptoms associated with the disease would be ameliorated. Preferably, the antigenic determinant itself does not cause disease or any other adverse symptoms in the host animal.