Abstract: There is provided a NetB epitope polypeptide comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:1 and comprising a mutation in at least one position between amino acids 130 and 297 as compared with the equivalent position in SEQ ID NO:3, the mutation preferably being located within a rim domain, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:1 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide is useful to vaccinate a subject against infection by Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: There is provided a NetB epitope polypeptide comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:1 and comprising a mutation in at least one position between amino acids 130 and 297 as compared with the equivalent position in SEQ ID NO:3, the mutation preferably being located within a rim domain, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:1 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide is useful to vaccinate a subject against infection by Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: There is provided an epsilon toxin epitope polypeptide comprising a sequence of at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:3, the sequence comprising a mutation of at least one tyrosine residue compared to the equivalent sequence in SEQ ID NO:3, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:5 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:5. The polypeptide is useful in a method of vaccinating a subject against developing a disease caused by clostridium perfringens and/or caused by (or associated with the presence of) active epsilon toxin.

Abstract: There is provided a NetB epitope polypeptide comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:1 and comprising a mutation in at least one position between amino acids 130 and 297 as compared with the equivalent position in SEQ ID NO:3, the mutation preferably being located within a rim domain, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:1 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide is useful to vaccinate a subject against infection by Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: There is provided an epsilon toxin epitope polypeptide comprising a sequence of at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:3, the sequence comprising a mutation of at least one tyrosine residue compared to the equivalent sequence in SEQ ID NO:3, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:5 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:5. The polypeptide is useful in a method of vaccinating a subject against developing a disease caused by Clostridium perfringens and/or caused by (or associated with the presence of) active epsilon toxin.

Abstract: There is provided a NetB epitope polypeptide comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:1 and comprising a mutation in at least one position between amino acids 130 and 297 as compared with the equivalent position in SEQ ID the mutation preferably being located within a rim domain, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:1 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide is useful to vaccinate a subject against infection by Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: A polypeptide free of toxin activity providing protection against botulinum type F toxin is provided. A fusion protein of a fragment of a toxin molecule and a purification moiety enabling purification of a fragment from solution and pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and the fusion protein are described.

Abstract: A method of releasing an agent for example, a chemotherapeutic, under predetermined conditions by protecting the agent within a lipid structure such as a liposome, causing lipase activity to be constituted by combining two or more components, e.g., recombinant N- or C-terminal Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin fragments, one of these components being conjugated to a targeting molecule e.g., an antibody which binds to a target such as a tumor antigen. The lipid structure is then exposed to the constituted lipase activity such as to release the agent. Also disclosed are materials and kits for use in the method.

Abstract: A method of releasing an agent for example, a chemotherapeutic, under predetermined conditions by protecting the agent within a lipid structure such as a liposome, causing lipase activity to be constituted by combining two or more components, e.g., recombinant N- or C-terminal Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin fragments, one of these components being conjugated to a targeting molecule e.g., an antibody which binds to a target such as a tumor antigen. The lipid structure is then exposed to the constituted lipase activity such as to release the agent. Also disclose are materials and kits for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide free of toxin activity which gives protection against botulinum type F toxin. The invention also relates to a fusion protein comprising a fragment of a toxin molecule and a purification moiety which enables purification of the fragment from solution. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptide or the fusion protein, vaccines comprising the polypeptide, methods of producing the present polypeptides, vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of vaccinating a mammal against a botulinum toxin.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins for use in vaccines which are capable of inducing protective antibodies directed against C. perfringens epsilon toxin when administered to animals or man and thereby providing prophylaxis or therapy against infection by C. perfringens epsilon toxin. Particularly the present invention provides proteins which are based upon the mature toxin of the clostridium perfringensepsilon toxin gene, but which have a mutation such that the amino acid at position 106 is different to the wild-type sequence and their use in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A method of releasing an agent (e.g. a chemotherapeutic) under predetermined conditions comprising the steps of protecting the agent within a lipid structure (e.g. a liposome), causing lipase activity to be constituted by combining two or more components (e.g. recombinant N- or C-terminal Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin fragments), one of these components being conjugated to a targeting molecule (e.g. an antibody) which binds to a target (e.g. a tumour antigen) under the predetermined conditions. The lipid structure is then exposed to the constituted lipase activity such as to release the agent. Also disclosed are materials and kits for use in the method.

Abstract: A method of protecting a human or animal body from the effects of infection with Y. pestis is provided comprising administering to the body a vaccine including Yersinia pestis V antigen and Yersinia pestis F1 antigens or a protective epitopic part of each of these in a form other than whole Y. Pestis organisms. Preferably the antigens are administered in the form of a live vaccine or as recombinantly produced isolated and/or purified proteins. DNA encoding the whole or part of the F1 antigen and DNA encoding the whole or part of the V antigen may be used directly as a agnetic vaccine.