Neisseria meningitidis immunogenic compositions

Abstract

Immunogenic compositions are disclosed that include Neisseria meningitidis microvesicles, such as outer membrane vesicles (OMV) and/or blebs, from PorA−PorB− Neisseria, such as PorA−PorB−ampM− Neisseria meningitidis. These immunogenic compositions are of use to induce an immune response to Neisseria, including Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhea.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of inducing an immune response to  Neisseria  ( N. )  meningitidis  in a mammalian subject, comprising administering to the mammalian subject an immunogenic composition comprising an effective amount of isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles,
 thereby inducing the immune response to the  Neisseria meningitidis.      
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immune response is a protective immune response. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject has a  N. meningitidis  infection and the immune response is a therapeutic response. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject has a  Neisseria meningitidis  infection, and the administration of the immunogenic composition induces clearance of the  Neisseria meningitidis.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mammalian subject is a healthy subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human and the outer membrane microvesicles are purified. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles are from a serogroup A, B or C  N. meningitidis.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles are from a serogroup A, B or C N. meningitidis, and wherein the  N. meningitidis  infection is of the same serogroup as the  N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles are from a serogroup A, B or C  N. meningitidis,  and wherein the  N. meningitidis  infection is of a different serogroup as the  N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microvesicles are outer membrane vesicles, blebs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunogenic composition comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating or preventing an  N. meningitidis  infection in a mammalian subject, comprising:
 administering to a mammalian subject an immunogenic composition comprising an effective amount of isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  microvesicles and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,   thereby treating or preventing the  N. meningitidis  infection in the mammalian subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microvesicles are outer membrane vesicles, blebs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the  N. meningitidis  is serogroup A, B or C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the immunogenic composition further comprises an adjuvant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method prevents the  N. meningitidis  infection in the mammalian subject, and wherein the immune response is a protective immune response. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method treats the  N. meningitidis  infection in the mammalian subject, wherein the immune response is a therapeutic response. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject has a  N. meningitidis  infection, and the administration of the immunogenic composition induces clearance of the  N. meningitidis.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human and the outer membrane microvesicles are purified. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microvesicles are outer membrane vesicles or blebs. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles are from a serogroup A, B or C  N. meningitidis,  and wherein the  N. meningitidis  infection is of the same serogroup as the  N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated PorA − PorB − RmpM −    N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles are from a serogroup A, B or C  N. meningitidis,  and wherein the  N. meningitidis  infection is of a different serogroup as the  N. meningitidis  outer membrane microvesicles.