Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA sequences encoding immunostimulatory peptides and methods for using same

Abstract

Nucleotide sequences isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis are disclosed. These sequences encode immunostimulatory peptides. Also disclosed are vaccine preparations formulated using these peptides.

1 . An isolated immunostimulatory peptide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 126-138 and fragments thereof;    (b) amino acid sequences that differ from those specified in (a) by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions; and    (c) amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity to the sequences specified in (a) or (b).    
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule, encoding an immunostimulatory peptide according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A method of stimulating an immune response, comprising administering to a subject one or more of the immunostimulatory peptides of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . A method of detecting a  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  specific binding agent, comprising: 
 (a) contacting a sample, suspected of containing a  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  specific binding agent, with one or more of the immunostimulatory peptides of  claim 1;     (b) allowing a complex comprising the immunostimulatory peptide and the specific binding agent to form; and    (c) detecting the presence of the complex.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the immunostimulatory peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 126-138, and fragments thereof.  
     
     
         6 . An immunostimulatory preparation, comprising one or more of the immunostimulatory peptides of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . The immunostimulatory preparation of  claim 6 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, adjuvant, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         8 . An isolated immunostimulatory peptide, comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 126-138.  
     
     
         9 . A composition, comprising a  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  specific binding agent that specifically binds to the isolated immunostimulatory peptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  specific binding agent further comprises at least one polyclonal antiserum.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  specific binding agent further comprises a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         12 . A method for determining whether a subject has been previously infected with  Mycobacterium tuberculosis , the method comprising: 
 (a) administering to a subject one or more of the immunostimulatory peptides of  claim 1;  and    (b) detecting an immune response in the subject.