Chlamydia Fusion Proteins for Antigen Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic and treatment methods for Chlamydia trachomatis infection are inadequate due to its asymptomatic nature, leading to delayed detection and ineffective treatment, as existing methods rely on predefined or denatured antigens, which are not comprehensive enough to identify relevant antigens for diagnosis and vaccine development.

Innovation Solution

The use of fusion proteins covering the entire genome to identify immunodominant Chlamydia trachomatis antigens, allowing for more accurate determination of relative immunodominance, and the development of compositions comprising isolated proteins such as CT806, CT823, CT841, and pCT03, along with their homologues, for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including vaccines and adjuvants like CpG.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If predefined or denatured antigens are used for diagnosis, then the diagnostic process is simpler, but the accuracy and comprehensiveness of antigen identification is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidantigen screening complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chlamydial genome into multiple fusion proteins (e.g., CT806, CT823, CT841, pCT03) that are individually screened and identified as immunodominant antigens. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the genome while maintaining manageable analysis through systematic division of the antigenic profile into discrete, testable units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by using fusion proteins that cover the entire chlamydial genome before actual diagnosis. These pre-generated fusion proteins serve as a comprehensive antigen panel that can be used to screen patient samples, eliminating the need for de novo antigen identification during the diagnostic process and thereby improving accuracy without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If fusion proteins covering the entire genome are used to identify immunodominant antigens, then the comprehensiveness and accuracy of antigen identification is improved, but the complexity of the screening process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmunodominance determination accuracyVSAvoidantigen array complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fusion proteins designed in this patent serve multiple functions: they act as diagnostic reagents, vaccine candidates, and research tools for understanding chlamydial pathogenesis. By creating a universal panel of fusion proteins that cover the entire genome, the patent enables a single comprehensive system to address multiple needs in chlamydia research and treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of antigen presentation by using fusion proteins with specific immunodominant characteristics. These fusion proteins are engineered to express chlamydial antigens in a conformation that optimizes their immunogenicity and recognizability by host antibodies, thereby improving the precision of immunodominance determination while maintaining manageable system complexity through controlled protein design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If comprehensive antigen screening is performed to identify pathogenesis-related antigens, then the effectiveness of treatment and vaccine development is improved, but the time required for analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddiagnostic analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and characterizing immunodominant antigens through fusion protein screening before actual clinical diagnosis. The fusion proteins are prepared and characterized in advance, creating a ready-to-use diagnostic panel that can rapidly test patient samples without requiring time-consuming antigen identification during the diagnostic process, thus reducing analysis time while maintaining comprehensive coverage for effective treatment guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8440208B2Chlamydial antigens as reagents for diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infection and disease
Publication Date: 2013.05.14 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

The present invention provides Chlamydia proteins and methods of use in diagnostic and detection assays as well as in treatment and immunization protocols.