Engineered Proteins with B and T Cell Domains for E. coli Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaccines are ineffective in preventing infections caused by gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics and lead to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in hospital-acquired infections and foodborne illnesses.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-natural proteins with amino acid sequences having at least 80% identity to specific sequences, which include B cell and T cell domains, designed to induce an immune response and protect against E. coli infections, administered with or without adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current vaccines are used, then they are administered to prevent infections, but they are ineffective against gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of vaccine design by using engineered proteins with specific amino acid sequences (at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6) that target conserved virulence factors of gram-negative bacteria. This represents a parameter change from traditional vaccine approaches to a novel protein-based platform that overcomes bacterial resistance through precise molecular targeting of essential bacterial components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite immunological responses by combining B cell domain and T cell domain within single engineered proteins. This composite structure simultaneously activates both humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immune pathways, creating a multi-component immune response that is more effective against gram-negative bacteria than traditional single-pathway vaccines.
2Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat gram-negative bacterial infections, then infections are treated, but bacteria become increasingly resistant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of bacterial virulence factors into a beneficial immune target. By designing proteins that mimic conserved virulence factors (with 80%+ sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6), the vaccine uses the bacteria's own harmful molecules as the basis for inducing protective immunity, effectively turning the weapon into a shield.
Solution Approach 2:
The engineered proteins serve as intermediaries that bridge the immune system and bacterial virulence factors. These synthetic proteins act as safe surrogates that present bacterial target structures to the immune system without causing infection, enabling the generation of specific antibodies and T cell responses against the actual bacterial pathogens.
3Reliability
If engineered proteins with B cell and T cell domains are administered, then immune response is induced, but adjuvants may be needed to enhance immunogenicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the immune response into two distinct functional domains within the vaccine protein: a B cell domain (amino acids 1-150 with 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6) and a T cell domain (amino acids 151-300 with 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 6). This segmentation allows each domain to independently engage its specific immune cell population, creating a comprehensive immune response through modular protein design.
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 proteins effectively induce antibody production and cellular immune responses, providing protection against E. coli infections and potentially reducing the severity and incidence of related diseases.
Implementation Method 1
The proteins effectively induce antibody production and cellular immune responses
Implementation Method 2
The proteins effectively induce antibody production and cellular immune responses
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are proteins that include at least one B cell domain and at least one T cell domain. Also provided are compositions that include one or more of the proteins and methods for using the proteins.