Nanoparticle-Conjugated Recombinant Eimeria Proteins for Poultry Coccidiosis Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling avian coccidiosis, such as live vaccines and peptide vaccines, face challenges in eliciting optimal protective responses due to weak immunogenicity and poor cross-protection against multiple coccidia species, and the use of nanoparticles conjugated with recombinant proteins has shown promise but requires optimization for effective delivery.

Innovation Solution

The development of immunogenic compositions comprising recombinant proteins from Eimeria species, specifically E. maxima, E. tenella, and E. acervulina, conjugated to nanoparticles, which are administered nasally or orally to induce a protective immune response in poultry, enhancing protection against coccidiosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live coccidiosis vaccines are used to control coccidiosis, then protective immunity is induced, but virulent coccidian must be introduced into the poultry house and vaccine delivery is inefficient and non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective immunityVSAvoidintroduction of virulent coccidian

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the immunogenic components (surface proteins and antigens) from the live coccidian organism, creating recombinant proteins that can be delivered without introducing virulent coccidian into the poultry house. This extraction of essential immunogenic elements from the harmful live organism resolves the contradiction between achieving protective immunity and avoiding introduction of virulent coccidian.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses nanoparticles as intermediary carriers to deliver recombinant coccidian proteins and antigens to poultry. These nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems enable efficient and uniform vaccine delivery without requiring live coccidian organisms, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable protective immunity and avoiding the harmful effects of introducing virulent coccidian.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If peptide vaccines are used to control coccidiosis, then immunization is achieved, but immunogenicity is weak and cross-protection against different species is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmunizationVSAvoidimmunogenicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite vaccine formulations that combine multiple recombinant proteins from different Eimeria species (E. maxima, E. tenella, E. acervulina) conjugated to nanoparticle carriers. This composite approach enhances overall immunogenicity and provides cross-protection against different coccidia species, resolving the contradiction between achieving immunization and maintaining sufficient immunogenicity and cross-protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the vaccine delivery system by using nanoparticles with specific size ranges (20-200 nm) and surface properties. These parameter changes enhance the immunogenicity of the recombinant proteins by improving their stability, bioavailability, and interaction with the immune system, thereby resolving the weakness of peptide vaccine immunogenicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional coccidiosis control methods are used, then disease control is achieved, but drug resistance develops and drug residues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoiddrug resistance and residues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful approach of using chemotherapeutic drugs into a beneficial immunization strategy. By using recombinant coccidian proteins and nanoparticles to stimulate the immune system, the patent provides sustainable disease control without the harmful side effects of drug resistance and residues, effectively converting the harm of traditional chemical control into the benefit of biological immunization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 nanoparticle-conjugated recombinant protein immunogenic compositions demonstrate significant protection against E. maxima challenge infections, as measured by weight gain and feed conversion ratio, indicating improved clinical efficacy compared to traditional delivery methods.

Implementation Method 1

NP smaller than 50 nm are efficiently internalized at mucosal surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNanoparticle internalization: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

NP-conjugated recombinant proteins have been used to elicit protective immunity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConjugation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11000579B2Recombinant <i>Eimeria maxima </i>protein delivered as nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant proteins capable of presenting all, or antigenic portions of, the Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, and Eimeria acervulina IMP1 protein in developing active immunity to, and control of, coccidiosis. Also provided are methodologies of using the immunogenic compositions for administration to poultry and other animals in the control of coccidiosis. Nanoparticle-conjugated rIMP1 immunogenic compositions and methods of making and using them are provided.