Antigenic Complex for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection

Abstract

The present invention provides a purified multimeric complex form P. gingivalis . The complex comprises at least one domain from each of RgpA, Kgp and HagA, and has a molecular weight greater than about 300 kDa.

1 . A purified multimeric complex from  P. gingivalis , the complex comprising at least one domain from each of RgpA, Kgp and HagA, and having a molecular weight greater than about 300 kDa. 
     
     
         2 . A complex according to  claim 1  wherein the complex has a molecular weight greater than about 500 kDa. 
     
     
         3 . A complex according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the complex has a molecular weight greater than about 800 kDa. 
     
     
         4 . The complex according to any on of  claims 1  to  3  wherein the enzymatic activity of the complex is inactivated. 
     
     
         5 . A method of obtaining a purified multimeric complex from  P. gingivalis , the complex comprising at least one domain from each of RgpA, Kgp and HagA, and having a molecular weight greater than about 300 kDa the method comprising detergent extraction of the complex from whole  Porphyromonas gingivalis  cells. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the complex is subjected to further purification using ion exchange or ultrafiltration and diafiltration methods. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5  or  claim 6  wherein the detergent is Triton X114. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to any one of  claims 5  to  7  wherein the  Porphyromonas gingivalis is a virulent strains.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to any one of  claims 5  to  8  wherein the  P. gingivalis  has high arginine and/or lysine proteolytic activity. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to any one of  claims 5  to  9  wherein the enzymatic activity of the complex is inactivated. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the inactivation is by oxidation. 
     
     
         12 . A composition for use in eliciting an immune response directed against  Porphyromonas gingivalis , the composition comprising an effective amount of the complex according to any one of  claims 1  to  4  and a suitable adjuvant and/or acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         13 . An antibody preparation comprising antibodies specifically directed against the complex according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a subject suffering from  Porphyromonas gingivalis  infection, the method comprising administering to the subject an amount of the antibody preparation according to  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of reducing the prospect of  Porphyromonas gingivalis  infection in an individual and/or severity of disease, the method comprising administering to the individual an amount of the composition according to  claim 12  effective to induce an immune response in the individual directed against  Porphyromonas gingivalis.    
     
     
         16 . A method of treatment of a patient human and/or animal either suffering from  Porphyromonas gingivalis  infection, the method comprising active vaccination of said patient with a composition according to the  claim 12 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of treatment of a patient human and/or animal either suffering from  Porphyromonas gingivalis  infection, the method comprising passive vaccination of said patient with an antibody preparation according to  claim 13 . 
     
     
         18 . The use of the antibody preparation according to  claim 13  in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of  Porphyromonas gingivalis  infection.