Glaxosmithkline Biologicals Sa

Novartis Ag

Chiron Corporation

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl

Sclavo Spa

Scalvo Spa

Chiron S.r.l.

Maurizio Comanducci

Maria Arico

Mariagrazia Pizza

Vega Masignani

Marzia Monica Giuliani

Cesira Galeotti

Mario F Tecce

Maria Aricò

Maria Scarselli

Brunella Brunelli

Silvana Savino

Givlio Ratti

Marizia Monica Guiliani

Giulio Ratti

Maria Beatrice Arico

Beatrice Maria Arico

Marzia Monica Guiliani

Maria B Arico

The M01573 sequence of meningococcal fHbp offers poor coverage in a vaccine. The invention addresses this poor coverage in two ways. In a first aspect, a fHbp-based vaccine includes two family I fHbp sequences, one which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, and vice versa. In a second aspect, a multi-family fHbp-based vaccine uses a family I fHbp sequence which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, in combination with a family III fHbp sequence. The compositions are adjuvanted with an aluminium phosphate adjuvant.

Adjuvanted combinations of meningococcal factor H binding proteins

The M01573 sequence of meningococcal fHbp offers poor coverage in a vaccine. The invention addresses this poor coverage in two ways. In a first aspect, a fHbp-based vaccine includes two family I fHbp sequences, one which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, and vice versa. In a second aspect, a multi-family fHbp-based vaccine uses a family I fHbp sequence which is more closely related to MC58 than to M01573, in combination with a family III fHbp sequence.

Combinations of meningococcal factor H binding proteins

Meningococcal protein NMB 1870 has been described in the prior art. The inventors have found that NMB 1870 is an effective antigen for eliciting anti-meningococcal antibody responses, and that it is expressed across all meningococcal serogroups. Forty-two different NMB 1870 sequences have been identified, and these group into three variants. Serum raised against a given variant is bactericidal within the same variant group, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two variants i.e. there is intra-variant cross-protection, but not inter-variant cross-protection. For maximum cross-strain efficacy, therefore, the invention uses mixture comprising different variants of NMB 1870.

Multiple variants of meningococcal protein NMB1870

Two or more Neisserial proteins (e.g. A and B) are expressed as a single hybrid protein which can be represented simply by the formula NH-A-B&#x2014;COOH.

Hybrid expression of neisserial proteins

NadA, App and ORF40 function as adhesins in. Adhesion nad be modulated by targeting these three proteins. NadA allelic variants are also disclosed. Autoproteolytic cleavage of App is disclosed, as is removal of the activity by mutagenesis. App is processed and secreted into culture medium when expressed in. Mature App proteins are disclosed. Knockout mutants are disclosed. Vesicles from non-Neisserial hosts with heterologous adhesion expression are disclosed.

Meningococcus adhesins NadA, App and ORF 40

Alternative and improved approaches to the heterologous expression of the proteins ofandare disclosed. These approaches typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localization, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.

Heterologous expression of Neisserial proteins

Multiple variants of meningococcal protein NBM1870

Alternative and improved approaches to the heterologous expression of the proteins ofand. These approaches typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localization, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.

Heterologous expression of neisserial proteins

A plasmid isolated from,is described, which comprises 8 genes encoding proteins useful in the formulation of vaccines or diagnostic test for determining the bacterium or specific antibodies generated during,infections; in particular the recombinant fusion MS2-pgp3D protein is described comprising polypeptidic sequences encoded by pCT and immunogenic in the course of infections in man. A method for preparing said protein in,further described.

Chlamydia trachomatis serotype D genes

A plasmid isolated from Chlamydia trachomatis is described, which comprises 8 genes encoding proteins useful in the formation of vaccines or diagnostic test for determining the bacterium or specific antibodies generated during C. trachomatis infections. In particular, the recombinant fusion protein MS2-pgp3D is described, which comprises polypeptide sequences encoded by pCT and is immunogenic in the course of infections in man. A method for preparing the recombinant fusion protein MS2-pgp3D in E. coli is also described.

Recombinant Chlamydia trachomatis pgp3 fusion protein

A plasmid isolated from Clamydia trachomatis is described, which comprises 8 genes encoding proteins useful in the formulation of vaccines or diagnostic test for determining the bacterium or specific antibodies generated during C. trachomatis infections; in particular the recombinant fusion MS2-pgp3D protein is described comprising polypeptidic sequences encoded by pCT and immunogenic in the course of infections in man. A method for preparing said protein in E. coli further described.

Growing community of inventors

Siena, Italy

Maurizio Comanducci