Abstract: A multi-valent immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by both Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Such composition comprises at least four antigens comprising at least one antigen from Haemophilus influenzae, and at least one antigen from Moraxella catarrhalis. Three of the antigens are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus and a 200 kDa outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The multi-valent immunogenic composition may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may also include non-virulent poliovirus and PRP-T, to provide a component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: Autologous promoters are used to effect expression of gene products in Bordetella strains. Hybrid Bordetella genes are constructed comprising a Bordetella gene, particularly one encoding a Bordetella antigen, fused at an ATG codon to a native but autologous Bordetella promoter or other Bordetella strain. Genes and promoters from B. pertussis are preferred. B. pertussis, containing the hybrid gene by insertion into the chromosome of the organism by homologous recombination at specific loci, effects expression of the protein for which the Bordetella gene codes at a production rate different from that achieved for the homologous gene. Specific strains and plasmids are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotide molecules that encode Chlamydia polypeptides which can be used in methods to prevent, treat, and diagnose Chlamydia infection. In one form of the invention, the polynucleotide molecules are selected from DNA that encode polypeptides CPN100686 RY-54 (SEQ ID Nos: 1 and 14), CPN100696 RY-55 (SEQ ID Nos: 2 and 15), CPN100709 RY-57 (SEQ ID Nos: 3 and 16), CPN100710 RY-58 (SEQ ID Nos: 4 and 17), CPN100711 RY-59 (SEQ ID Nos: 5 and 18), CPN100877 RY-61 (SEQ ID Nos: 6 and 19), CPN100325 RY-62 (SEQ ID Nos: 7 and 20), CPN100368 RY-63 (SEQ ID Nos: 8 and 21), CPN100624 RY-64 (SEQ ID Nos: 9 and 22), CPN100633 RY-65 (SEQ ID Nos: 10 and 23), CPN100985 RY-66 (SEQ ID Nos: 11 and 24), CPN100987 RY-67 (SEQ ID Nos: 12 and 25), CPN100988 RY-68 (SEQ ID Nos: 13 and 26).

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbpl or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes.

Abstract: An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes.

Abstract: A multi-component immunogenic composition confers protection on an immunized host against infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Such composition comprises at least three different antigens of Haemophilus influenzae, two of which are adhesins. High molecular weight (HMW) proteins and Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia) proteins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae comprise the adhesin components while the other antigen is a non-proteolytic analog of Hin47 protein. Each component does not impair the immunogenicity of the others. The Haemophilus vaccine may be combined with DTP component vaccines, which may contain inactivated poliovirus, including type 1, type 2 and/or type 3, and/or a conjugate of a capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae and tetanus or diphtheria toxoid, including PRP-T, to provide a multi-valent component vaccine without impairment of the immunogenic properties of the other antigens.

Abstract: Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles comprise an assembly of an env gene product, a pol gene product and a gag gene product contain an antigenic marker which is non-retroviral or non-HIV retroviral. In one embodiment, the marker comprises an amino acid sequence containing an epitope inserted into the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. In another embodiment, the marker comprises an antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product replacing endogenous anchoring function. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis. The presence of the antigenic marker enables recognition that antiserum containing anti-retroviral antibodies has been generated by exposure to the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles by testing for antibodies specific to the antigenic marker.

Abstract: Recombinant production of Hia protein, in full-length and N-terminally truncated forms, of non-typeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae, is described. The nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of Hia genes of various strains of non-typeable and type c Haemophilus influenzae also are described.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has a molecular mass of about 200 kDa. The about 200 kDa outer membrane protein as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the about 200 kDa outer membrane protein.

Abstract: Immunogenic conjugate molecules comprising at least a portion of a capsular polysaccharide of a Streptococcus strain linked to at least a portion of an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus strain are provided in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is increased. Particularly capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae are linked to an outer membrane protein of a Haemophilus influenzae strain, which protein may be the P1, P2 or particularly the P6 outer membrane protein. Conjugate molecules comprising the P6 protein linked to a capsular polysaccharide from an encapsulated pathogen other than Streptococcus also are described, in which the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide is enhanced. Such conjugate molecules may be incorporated into immunogenic compositions for protecting a host against disease caused by the Streptococcus strain and preferably also the Haemophilus strain.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody responses.

Abstract: The fusion (F) protein, attachment (G) protein and matrix (M) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are isolated and purified from respiratory syncytial virus by mild detergent extraction of the proteins from concentrated virus, loading the protein onto a hydroxyapatite or other ion-exchange matrix column and eluting the protein using mild salt treatment. The F, G and M proteins, formulated as immunogenic compositions, are safe and highly immunogenic and protect relevant animal models against decreased caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured transferrin receptor protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has an apparent molecular mass of about 80 to about 90 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The transferrin receptor protein or a fragment analog thereof is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a strain of Moraxella.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions for modulating an immune response to an antigen administered to a host comprise a mineral salt adjuvant and at least one other adjuvant. The compositions provide an adjuvanting effect on an antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable by one of the adjuvants alone. An antigen is covalently bonded to a glycolipid analog to provide a discrete molecule which exhibits an enhanced adjuvanting effect on the antigen which is greater than the adjuvanting effect attainable in the absence of such covalent bonding.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: An immunogenic retrovirus-like particle which is non-infectious and non-replicating and which is useful as a candidate vaccine component against retroviral infections, including AIDS and ATLL, is produced by genetic engineering. A DNA molecule comprising a retroviral genome devoid of long terminal repeats is incorporated into an expression vector, which is introduced into mammalian cells for expression of the retrovirus-like particle.

Abstract: Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligand are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of &agr;-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine or in the preferred embodiment, terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and &agr;-amino acid subunits such as serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen(s) or antigen(s) and co-adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody responses.