Borrelia antigens

Abstract

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule, a host cell comprising such vector, a protein, preferably a hyperimmune serum-reactive antigen from Borrelia, a process for producing such protein, a process for producing a cell which expresses such protein, an antibody that binds to such protein, a hybridoma cell producing such antibody, a method for producing such antibody, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody, use of such nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody for the manufacture of a medicament, a method for identifying an antagonist capable of reducing or inhibiting the activity of such protein, a method for diagnosis or treatment of an infection with a pathogen causing Lyme disease or an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 410,915, filed Mar. 2, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 440,161, filed Jul. 21, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,129,165, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT / AT2007 / 000439, filed Sep. 14, 2007, which claims benefit of European Application No. 06019384.4, filed Sep. 15, 2006, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a protein, isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a hyperimmune serum reactive antigen, a vector which comprises such nucleic acid molecule, a host cell comprising such vector, a hyperimmune reactive antigen from Borrelia species, proteins which are preferably hyperimmune serum reactive antigens, hyperimmune serum reactive antigens, antigens, a process for producing such proteins, hyperimmune se...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about creating an effective vaccine for Borrelia species, which cause tick-borne diseases. The vaccine should contain proteins from all strains that can induce high-affinity antibodies against the pathogens. These antibodies should be of theIgG1 and / or IgG3 subtypes for opsonization and neutralization of adherence and toxin action. The vaccine should be chemically defined, which means it should be better than whole cell vaccines as it eliminates components that may cross-react or inhibit the immune response. The vaccine should also contain polypeptides that induce protective antibodies. The patent also describes an assay to test the effectiveness of potential antagonists using membrane-bound binding molecules, recombinant binding molecules, natural substrates, or ligands. The polypeptides can be labeled and the molecule number of polypeptides attached to binding molecules or converted to product can be accurately determined to assess the effectiveness of the potential antagonist.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, these OspA antibodies produced by vaccination are not used to fight infection in the body.

However, shortly after LYMErix™ was commercially available, it was withdrawn from the market in 2002.

Some of the reasons are the need for booster injections every year or every other year, relatively high cost of this preventive approach compared with antibiotic treatment of early infection.

In addition, there was a theoretical and never proven concern that LYMErix™ could cause autoimmune reactions in a subgroup of the population.

More particularly, the problem was to provide an efficient, relevant and comprehensive set of nucleic acid molecules, proteins, hyperimmune serum reactive antigens or antigens from B. burgdorferi s.l. that can be used for the manufacture of said medicaments.

A still further problem was to provide methods and means for producing a protein, an hyperimmune reactive antigen or an antigen, or a fragment thereof, for identifying an antagonist capable of reducing or inhibiting the interaction activity of such protein, hyperimmune reactive antigen or antigen with an interaction partner thereof and preferably an antibody directed thereagainst, for treating infections, for immunizing an animal or man.

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