Chlamydia oligosaccharides

Abstract

Oligosaccharides specific for Chlamydia mediate attachment of the organism to host cells.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a carbohydrate, or a derivative thereof, wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least five mannose residues; wherein said carbohydrate comprises a branched trimannosyl core, wherein a mannose residue optionally is bonded thereto; wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least three branches and each branch terminates in a mannose residue; and wherein said carbohydrate or derivative is present in an amount which inhibits binding of chlamydia to a mammalian cell, and a biologically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least six mannose residues.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least seven mannose residues.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least eight residues.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein trimannosyl core is linked to chitobiose.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said chitobiose is linked to an asparagine.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbohydrate has at least three branches.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbohydrate has at least four branches.  
     
     
         9 . A method of inhibiting binding of chlamydia to a mammalian cell comprising exposing said chlamydia, to a carbohydrate, or a derivative thereof, wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least five mannose residues; wherein said carbohydrate comprises a branched trimannosyl core, wherein a mannose residue optionally is bonded thereto; wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least three branches and each branch terminates in a mannose residue; and wherein said carbohydrate or derivative is present in an amount which inhibits binding of chlamydia to a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         10 . An isolated Chlamydia carbohydrate comprising at least five mannose residues; wherein said carbohydrate comprises a branched trimannosyl core, wherein a mannose residue optionally is bonded thereto; and wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least three branches and each branch terminates in a mannose residue.  
     
     
         11 . A multivalent carbohydratecomprising two or more carbohydrates linked to a carrier, wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least five mannose residues; wherein said carbohydrate comprises a branched trimannosyl core, wherein a mannose residue optionally is bonded thereto; and wherein said carbohydrate comprises at least three branches and each branch terminates in a mannose residue.