Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Micro-organism – tissue cell culture or enzyme using process... – Enzymatic production of a protein or polypeptide
Patent
1983-02-03
1985-06-04
Wiseman, Thomas G.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Micro-organism, tissue cell culture or enzyme using process...
Enzymatic production of a protein or polypeptide
435885, 424 85, 424 87, 424 88, 424 92, 260112R, C12P 2100, A61K 3940, A61K 3909, X12R 146
Patent
active
045215138
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to antigenic proteins derivable from the bacterial species Streptococcus mutans, and to preparations including such proteins for use in vaccines to reduce the incidence of dental caries.
Streptococcus mutans is believed to play an important role in the disease of dental caries and a number of laboratories have demonstrated that it is possible to reduce the level of caries in experimental animals by active immunisation with vaccine based on this bacterium. For example, it has been shown that in Macaca fascicularis monkeys fed a sucrose-rich diet a dramatic reduction in caries can be obtained following immunisation with either intact S.mutans or cell wall-rich material (Bowen, British Dental Journal, Vol 126, 1969, pp 159-160; Bowen et al. British Dental Journal, Vol 139, 1975, pp 45-50; Cohen et al. British dental Journal, Vol 147, 1979, pp 9-14). It has also been shown that no protection is obtained by using S.mutans cell walls which have been treated with trypsin to destroy proteins, thus indicating that it is probably a protein component of the S.mutans cell wall which is required for protective immunisation (Colman and Cohen, Pathogenic Streptococci, 1979, p 214, edited by M. T. Parker, Reedbooks, Chertsey, England).
In any immunisation procedure it is important to be able to recognise the bacterial component involved in protection. One obvious reason for this is that preparations can then be tested before use to ensure that the necessary component for protection is present. In addition, purification of the protective antigen permits preparation of a vaccine from which unwanted or toxic constituents can be excluded. Concern has been raised in the case of S.mutans by the demonstration that this organism possesses components which antigenically cross-react with mammalian heart tissue (see for example, Hughes et al., Infect Immun, 27, 1980, pp 576-588). Awareness of the existence of such heart cross-reactive antigens in S.mutans makes it desirable that they should be identified and chracterised, so that they can be excluded from vaccine preparations.
UK patent application No. 2033223A describes two proteins which are isolatable from cell walls of S.mutans and which exhibit antigenic behaviour. One of these antigenic proteins (labelled antigen A) is claimed in that application, the other (antigen B) having demonstrable cross-reactivity with heart tissue is believed to be unacceptable as a component of a vaccine for human use. Antigens A and B can be defined by the following set of criteria: I (Coykendall, J Gen Microbiol 83, 1974, p 327). This genetic group contains strains of serotypes c, e and f as defined by Perch et al (Acta Path Microbiol Scand, B 82, 1974, p 357). dodecyl sulphate (SDS) for 20 minutes. apparent molecular weights are A: about 29,000; B, about 190,000. isoelectric points are A: about 4.3; B: about 5.4, and, in the case of antigen A, the antigenic proteins
We have now discovered that a further group of antigenic proteins (antigen C) can be isolated from cell walls of strains of S.mutans genetic group I. This group of proteins can be used to prepare monospecific antisera and appears to be involved in the protection against dental caries afforded by vaccination with cell walls of S.mutans. It has not shown any cross-reactivity with mammalian heart tissue.
Accordingly the present invention provides an antigen preparation for use in the reduction or prevention of dental caries comprising antigen C (as hereinafter defined), said preparation being substantially free from any heart cross-reactive antigens derivable from S.mutans.
Antigen C encompasses that group of antigenic proteins which: group I (Coykendall) (i.e. serotypes c, e and f); aqueous sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) solution (10 gm/liter) for 10 minutes but remain associated with cell walls washed in SDS at 15.degree. C.; electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE);
The present antigen preparation may contain antigen C as the only antigenic protein. In an alternative embodiment however, the preparation may contain antigen C in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4150116 (1979-04-01), Taubman et al.
patent: 4250262 (1981-02-01), Taubmanm et al.
Nesbitt, Warren et al. Infectian and Immunity Apr. 1980 pp. 118-126 "Assotion of Protein . . . S Mutans".
Lynteskin Robin
The Secretary of State of Social Services in Her Britannic Majes
Wiseman Thomas G.
LandOfFree
Protection against dental caries does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Protection against dental caries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Protection against dental caries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-829183