Collagen binding protein compositions and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are the cna gene and cna-derived nucleic acid segments from Staphylococcus aureus, and DNA segments encoding cna from related bacteria. Also disclosed are Col binding protein (CBP) compositions and methods of use. The CBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to Col. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(Col binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of bacterial colonization in an animal such as a human. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of S. aureus infection.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 08 / 856,253, filed May 14, 1997, which was based on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 017,678, filed May 16, 1996, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003] 1.1 Field Of The Invention[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology. More particularly, certain embodiments concern methods and compositions comprising DNA segments, and proteins derived from bacterial species. More particularly, the invention provides can and can-derived nucleic acid compositions comprising a collagen (Col) binding protein (CBP) from Staphylococcus aureus and the corresponding peptide epitopes and protein sequences comprising native and synthetically-modified Col binding site domains. Various methods for making and using these DNA segments, DNA segments encoding synthetically-modified ligand binding site domains, and native and synthe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of preventing a S. aureus-mediated disease in an animal. The method generally involves identifying an animal suspected of infection with S. aureus and administering to the animal a collagen binding protein or antibody composition effective to prevent the disease in the animal.

[0119] In general, plasmid vectors containing replicon and control sequences which are derived from species compatible with the host cell are used in connection with these hosts. The vector ordinarily carries a replication site, as well as marking sequences which are capable of providing phenotypic selection in transformed cells. For example, E. coli may be typically transformed using vectors such as pBR322, or any of its derivatives (Bolivar et al., 1977). pBR322 contains genes for ampicillin and tetracycline resistance and thus provides easy means for identifying transformed cells. pBR322, its derivatives, or other microbial plasmids or bacteriophage may also contain, or be modified to contain, promoters which can be used by the microbial organism for expression of endogenous proteins.

Problems solved by technology

Hematogenously acquired bacterial arthritis remains a serious medical problem.

Individuals who require more than 6 days for the synovial fluid to become free of microorganisms typically result in poor clinical outcome (Ho and Su 1982).

Poor outcomes include permanent disability with limited motion or persistent pain in the affected joint.

It is clear that while several approaches to the treatment of bacterial diseases have experienced some success, many problems remain, including antibiotic resistance, variability of antigens between species and species variation through mutation of antigens, as well as the need to protect susceptible groups such as young children, the elderly and other immunocomprornised patients.

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