Abstract: It has been demonstrated that the level of HBP increases in individuals that subsequently develop severe sepsis. Accordingly, the level of HBP, HBP/WBC ratio or HBP/NC ratio in an individual can be used to determine whether or not an individual is at risk of developing severe sepsis.

Abstract: The invention provides use of an EndoS polypeptide, or a polynucleotide encoding an EndoS polypeptide, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition mediated by IgG antibodies.

Abstract: A nuclear delivery construct comprises (i) protein H or a fragment or derivative thereof that is capable of being targeted to the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell; and associated therewith (ii) one or more other components whose targeting to the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell is desired.

Abstract: A method of identifying an agent that enhances the anti-microbial activity of cationic anti-microbial peptides by blocking the inhibitory effects of the proteinase/glycosaminoglycan pathway, which method comprises: (i) providing, as a first component, a cationic anti-microbial peptide; (ii) providing, as a second component, bacteria; (iii) providing, as a third component, part of all of the components of a proteinase/glycosaminoglycan pathway such that the third component reduces the antimicrobial effect of the first component, for example, a glycosaminoglycan or bacteria or bacteria and a proteoglycan or a bacterial proteinase or a bacterial proteinase and a proteoglycan; (iv) contacting the first, second and third components with a test agent under conditions that would permit the killing of the bacteria by the antimicrobial agent in the absence of the third component, and that would permit the inhibition of the anti-microbial activity of the first component by the third component in the absence of the test

Abstract: A polypeptide isolated from S. pyogenes is described, having IgG cysteine protease activity. The protease is designated IdeS, Immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of S. pyogenes. A polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 and variants and fragments thereof having IgG cysteine protease activity or the ability to generate an immune response against S. pyogenes in an individual. Polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides and the polypeptides may be used in generating an immune response in an individual. IdeS protease inhibitors may be used in the treatment of S. pyogenes infection.

Abstract: A method for identifying an anti-streptococcal agent, comprises: (a) providing, as a first component, an isolated streptococcal M protein or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a second component, isolated fibrinogen or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a third component, an isolated ?2 integrin or a functional variant thereof; (d) contacting said components with a test substance under conditions that would permit the components to interact in the absence of the test substance; and (e) determining whether the test substance inhibits the interaction between the components; thereby to determine whether a test substance is an anti-streptococcal agent.

Abstract: A protein from Streptococcus pyogenes, serotype M1 has been characterized. This protein, called protein SIC, plays a role in S. pyogenes pathogenicity and virulence. It inhibits hemolysis by interacting with the plasma proteins clusterin, and members of the cystatin protein super family such as histidine rich glycoprotein (HRG). The protein, comprises at least one of the following partial amino acid sequences: (a) glu thr tyr thr ser arg asn phe; (b) asp trp ser gly asp asp trp pro glu asp asp trp; (c) arg ser gly val gly leu ser gln tyr gly trp ser; (d) trp ser ser asp lys lys asp glu thr glu asp lys thr; (e) gly thr gly tyr glu lys arg asp asp trp gly gly pro gly; (f) lys arg asp asp trp arg gly pro gly his ile pro lys pro. The protein and antibodies specific for the protein can be used in analytical procedures for determining the presence of virulent Streptococcus pyogenes in a sample. The protein can also be used in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A polypeptide suitable for use in vaccination against Streptococcal infections comprises: a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1; b) a variant of (a) which is capable of binding an anti-MtsA antibody; or (c) a fragment of (a) or (b) of at least 6 amino acids in length which is capable of binding an anti-MtsA antibody. A vaccine composition comprises: a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1; b) a variant of (a) which is capable of generating an immune response to a Streptococcus; or (c) a fragment of (a) or (b) of at least 6 amino acids in length which is capable of generating an immune response against a Streptococcus.

Abstract: A polypeptide isolated from S. pyogenes is described, having IgG cysteine protease activity. The protease is designated IdeS, Immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of S. pyogenes. A polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 and variants and fragments thereof having IgG cysteine protease activity or the ability to generate an immune response against S. pyogenes in an individual. Polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides and the polypeptides may be used in generating an immune response in an individual. IdeS protease inhibitors may be used in the treatment of S. pyogenes infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins and peptides derived from Streptococcus pneuminiae, type 3, which all the complement factor H (fH). These proteins and peptides show a homology of at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, and most preferably at least 70% with the subsequence from Thr38 to Lys 149 of the sequence disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO: 1. The above subsequence, which is located in the amino-terminal of a surface protein isolated from Streptococcus Pneuminiae, type 3, is highly associated with binding of fH. In another aspect, the invention relates to proteins and peptides showing a homology of at least 85%, preferably at least 95%, and most preferably at least 99% with the Hic protein, the amino acid sequence of which is disclosed is SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the above proteins and peptides.

Abstract: A method of identifying an agent that enhances the anti-microbial activity of cationic anti-microbial peptides by blocking the inhibitory effects of the proteinase/glycosaminoglycan pathway, which method comprises: (i) providing, as a first component, a cationic anti-microbial peptide; (ii) providing, as a second component, bacteria; (iii) providing, as a third component, part of all of the components of a proteinase/glycosaminoglycan pathway such that the third component reduces the antimicrobial effect of the first component, for example, a glycosaminoglycan or bacteria or bacteria and a proteoglycan or a bacterial proteinase or a bacterial proteinase and a proteoglycan; (iv) contacting the first, second and third components with a test agent under conditions that would permit the killing of the bacteria by the antimicrobial agent in the absence of the third component, and that would permit the inhibition of the anti-microbial activity of the first component by the third component in the absence of the test

Abstract: A protein from Streptococcus pyogenes, serotype M1 has been characterized. This protein, called protein SIC, plays a role in S. pyogenes pathogenicity and virulence. It inhibits hemolysis by interacting with the plasma proteins clusterin, and members of the cystatin protein super family such as histidine rich glycoprotein (HRG). The protein, comprises at least one of the following partial amino acid sequences: (a) glu thr tyr thr ser arg asn phe; (b) asp trp ser gly asp asp trp pro glu asp asp trp; (c) arg ser gly val gly leu ser gln tyr gly trp ser; (d) trp ser ser asp lys lys asp glu thr glu asp lys thr; (e) gly thr gly tyr glu lys arg asp asp trp gly gly pro gly; (f) lys arg asp asp trp arg gly pro gly his ile pro lys pro. The protein and antibodies specific for the protein can be used in analytical procedures for determining the presence of virulent Streptococcus pyogenes in a sample. The protein can also be used in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of protein L which bind to light chains of immunoglobulins. The invention also relates to hybrid proteins thereof which are able to bind to both light and heavy chains of immunoglobulin G, in particular protein LG. The invention also relates to DNA-sequences which code for the proteins, vectors which include such DNA-sequences, host cells which have been transformed with the vectors, methods for producing the proteins, reagent appliances for separation and identification of immunoglobulins, compositions and pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical compositions which contain the proteins.

Abstract: Protein L, an analogue thereof or a fragment of either thereof is used as a carrier for a heterologous antigen for delivery to an individual. Protein L or an analogue thereof or a fragment of either therof may also be used as an adjuvant composition, to enhance the immune response in the individual to an antigen.

Abstract: A protein is described which is capable of binding to &agr;2 macro globulin. The protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or a functional variant thereof. The invention also relates to a peptide comprising a fragment of the protein of at least six amino acids in length. A protein or peptide which is capable of generating a protective immune response to Group A streptococcus comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1, a functional variant thereof or a functional variant of at least six amino acids in length of either thereof. Such a protein or peptide may be used in a vaccine composition together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of protein L which bind to light chains of immunoglobulins. The invention also relates to hybrid proteins thereof which are able to bind to both light and heavy chains of immunoglobulin G, in particular protein LG. The invention also relates to DNA-sequences which code for the proteins, vectors which include such DNA-sequences, host cells which have been transformed with the vectors, methods for producing the proteins, reagent appliances for separation and identification of immunoglobulins, compositions and pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical compositions which contain the proteins.

Abstract: A gene coding for Protein H, which is capable of binding specifically to human IgG of all subclasses, was isolated from Streptococcus sp. AP1 and expressed in host cells, E. coli to produce the Protein H.

Abstract: A gene coding for Protein H, which is capable of binding specifically to human IgG of all subclasses, was isolated from Streptococcus sp. APl and expressed in host cells, E. coli to produce the Protein H.

Abstract: A hybrid DNA molecule is disclosed by this invention capable of cellular expression comprising the DNA sequence for protein G. Said DNA sequence has substantially the same IgC binding properties as naturally occurring protein G. The molecule may be comprised of DNA sequences coding for fragments of protein G. Moreover, said DNA sequence may code for both fragments of protein G and protein G. The DNA sequence can be isolated from streptococcal DNA.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering a cell wall protein, particularly a Fc-receptor, from streptococcal bacteria. In the process, streptococcal bacteria are treated with at least one proteolytic enzyme to solubilize the cell wall protein. A process is also disclosed for recovering Fc-receptor type III (protein G) having selective IgG-binding capability (i.e., no albumin-binding capability) from streptococcal bacteria by pretreating these bacteria with enzymes prior to said enzymatic solubilization.