Diagnostics and treatments of periodontal disease

Abstract

This invention relates to the PrtR-PrtK cell surface protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis and in particular a multimeric cell association protein complex comprising the PrtR and PrtK proteins. Accordingly the invention provides a substantially purified antigenic complex for use in raising an antibody response directed against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The complex comprises at least one multimeric protein complex of arginine-specific and lysine-specific thiol endopeptidases each containing at least one adhesin domain, the complex having a molecular weight of greater than about 200 kDa. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and associated agents based on said complex for the detection, prevention and treatment of Periodontal disease associated with P. gingivalis.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An antibody preparation comprising antibodies specifically directed against a substantially purified antigenic complex from  Porphyromonas gingivalis,  the complex comprising at least one multimeric protein complex of arginine-specific and lysine-specific thiol endopeptidases each containing at least one adhesion domain, the complex having a molecular weight of about 294 to about 323 kDa wherein the multimeric protein complex comprises 9 proteins, the 9 proteins having the following N-terminal sequences: DVYTDHGDLYNTPVRML (SEQ ID NO:1), YTPVEEKQNGRMIVIVAKKYEGD (SEQ ID NO:2), SGQAEIVLEAHDVWNDGSGYQILLDADHDQYGQVIPSDTHFL (SEQ ID NO:3), PQSVWIERTVDLPAGTKYVAFR (SEQ ID NO:4), ANEAKVVLAADNVWGNTGYQFLLDA (SEQ ID NO:5), ANEAKVVLAADNVWGDNTGYQFLLDA SEQ ID NO:5), PQSVWIERTVDLPAGTKYVAFR (SEQ ID NO:4), ADFTETFESSTHGEAPAEWTTIDA (SEQ ID NO:6), and ADFTETFESSTHGEAPAEWTTIDA (SEQ ID NO:6). 
     
     
         22 . An antibody preparation as claimed in  claim 21  in which the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         23 . An antibody preparation as claimed in  claim 21  in which the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         24 . An antibody preparation as claimed in  claim 21  formulated for administration as a mouth wash or as a dentifrice. 
     
     
         25 . An antibody preparation as claimed in  claim 22  formulated for administration as a mouth wash or as a dentifrice. 
     
     
         26 . An antibody preparation as claimed in  claim 23  formulated for administration as a mouth wash or as a dentifrice.