Antigenic Polypeptides for Cattle Fever Tick Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaccines for protecting cattle from cattle fever tick infestation, such as Rhipicephalus microplus, have limitations including variable effectiveness, requirement for frequent booster injections, and issues with producing sufficient antigen quantities in yeast expression systems.
Innovation Solution
Development of antigenic polypeptides derived from Rhipicephalus microplus, specifically synthetic polypeptides with amino acid sequences identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3, which are encoded by nucleic acid molecules and combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, to elicit an immune response in vaccinated hosts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bm86 immunomodulator is used as vaccine, then protection against Rhipicephalus annulatus is improved (essentially 100% control), but effectiveness against R. microplus deteriorates (only 30-40% effective)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific antigenic regions (local parts) from the tick salivary proteins that are uniquely recognized by the host immune system. Instead of using whole proteins that may have variable effectiveness across species, the invention identifies and utilizes specific epitopes or domains within the salivary proteins that provide consistent protection against R. microplus while maintaining species-specific adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure of the vaccine antigen to match the specific antigenic determinants found in R. microplus salivary proteins. This involves changing parameters such as amino acid sequence, molecular weight, and antigenic configuration to optimize the vaccine's effectiveness against this specific tick species while addressing the limitations of previous broad-spectrum vaccines.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If booster injections are administered frequently to maintain antibody levels, then protection duration is improved, but operational complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by formulating the vaccine with adjuvants and immunomodulators that are administered upfront to enhance and prolong the initial immune response. This preliminary enhancement of the immune system's response allows for extended protection duration, reducing the frequency of booster injections required and simplifying vaccination management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through the use of sustained-release formulations or adjuvanted vaccines that maintain protective antibody levels over extended periods. This continuous immune stimulation eliminates the need for frequent discrete booster injections, thereby extending protection duration while reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If recombinant protein expression in yeast is used to produce vaccine antigen, then manufacturing scalability is improved, but antigen quantity and quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using yeast as a intermediate expression system that can be scaled up for production while maintaining consistent antigen quality. The yeast expression system serves as a mediator between genetic engineering and large-scale manufacturing, allowing for standardized production protocols that ensure antigen consistency across different production batches and scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing expression conditions in the yeast system, including temperature, pH, nutrient composition, and induction parameters. These controlled parameter changes ensure that the recombinant antigen is produced with consistent quality attributes (such as proper folding, glycosylation, and antigenic structure) while maintaining high productivity and scalability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The described polypeptides effectively elicit a protective immune response against R. microplus infestation, providing consistent and long-lasting protection with reduced need for frequent booster injections.
Implementation Method 1
The antigenic polypeptides elicit an immune response in vaccinated hosts protecting from cattle fever tick infestation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring R. microplus protein, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. The polypeptides elicit an immune response which, in turn, produces detrimental effects in R. microplus feeding on vaccinated cattle. Thus, the present disclosure provides novel vaccines to protect cattle from R. microplus infestation.