Chlamydia antigens and corresponding DNA fragments and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a vaccine for immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The vaccine contains a polypeptide comprising an omp P6 precursor sequence of a strain of C. pneumoniae and variants of the sequence. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

1 . A vaccine comprising a polypeptide and an adjuvant, wherein the polypeptide comprises: 
 (a) SEQ ID No:2;    (b) an immunogenic fragment comprising at least 12 consecutive amino acids from a polypeptide of (a); or    (c) a polypeptide of (a) or (b) which has been modified by conservative amino acid substitution without loss of immunogenicity and which is at least 75% identical in amino acid sequence to the corresponding polypeptide of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         2 . The vaccine of  claim 1  wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID No:2.  
     
     
         3 . The vaccine of  claim 1  further comprising an additional polypeptide which enhances the immune response to the polypeptide of SEQ ID No:2.  
     
     
         4 . The vaccine of  claim 3  wherein the additional polypeptide is a  Chlamydia  polypeptide.  
     
     
         5 . The vaccine of  claim 1  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         6 . The vaccine of  claim 2  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         7 . The vaccine of  claim 3  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         8 . The vaccine of  claim 4  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         9 . A vaccine comprising a fusion polypeptide and an adjuvant, wherein the fusion polypeptide comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises the sequence: 
 (a) SEQ ID No:2;    (b) an immunogenic fragment comprising at least 12 consecutive amino acids from a polypeptide of (a); or    (c) a polypeptide of (a) or (b) which has been modified by conservative amino acid substitution without loss of immunogenicity and which is at least 75% identical in amino acid sequence to the corresponding polypeptide of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         10 . The vaccine of  claim 9  further comprising an additional polypeptide which enhances the immune response to the polypeptide of SEQ ID No:2.  
     
     
         11 . The vaccine of  claim 10  wherein the additional polypeptide is a  Chlamydia  polypeptide.  
     
     
         12 . The vaccine of  claim 9  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         13 . The vaccine of  claim 10  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         14 . The vaccine of  claim 11  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         15 . A vaccine comprising a fusion polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent suitable for use in a vaccine, wherein the fusion polypeptide comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises the sequence: 
 (a) SEQ ID No:2;    (b) an immunogenic fragment comprising at least 12 consecutive amino acids from a polypeptide of (a); or    (c) a polypeptide of (a) or (b) which has been modified by conservative amino acid substitution without loss of immunogenicity and which is at least 75% identical in amino acid sequence to the corresponding polypeptide of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         16 . The vaccine of  claim 15  wherein the second polypeptide has adjuvant activity.  
     
     
         17 . The vaccine of  claim 15  further comprising an adjuvant.  
     
     
         18 . The vaccine of  claim 15  further comprising an additional polypeptide which enhances the immune response to the polypeptide of SEQ ID No:2.  
     
     
         19 . The vaccine of  claim 17  wherein the additional polypeptide is a  Chlamydia  polypeptide.  
     
     
         20 . The vaccine of  claim 15  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         21 . The vaccine of  claim 16  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         22 . The vaccine of  claim 17  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         23 . The vaccine of  claim 18  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         24 . The vaccine of  claim 19  in unit dosage form.  
     
     
         25 . A method for preventing or treating  Chlamydia  infection, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         26 . A method for preventing or treating  Chlamydia  infection, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         27 . A method for preventing or treating  Chlamydia  infection, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine of  claim 15.