Immunogenic compositions for gram positive bacteria such as streptococcus agalactiae

Abstract

The invention relates to the identification of a new adhesin islands within the genomes of several Group A and Group B Streptococcus serotypes and isolates. The adhesin islands are thought to encode surface proteins which are important in the bacteria's virulence. Thus, the adhesin island proteins of the invention may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against GAS or GBS infection. For example, the invention may include an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the discovered adhesin island proteins.

1 . An immunogenic composition comprising a purified Group B  Streptococcus  (GBS) adhesin island (AI) polypeptide in oligomeric form. 
     
     
         2 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (1) the GBS AI polypeptide is selected from a GBS AI-I;   (2) the GBS AI polypeptide is selected from a GBS AI-2;   (3) the GBS AI polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 104, GBS 52, and fragments thereof;   (4) the GBS AI polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of GBS 59, GBS 67, GBS 150, 01521, 01523, 01524, and fragments thereof;   (5) the GBS AI polypeptide is GBS80; and   (6) the oligomeric form is a hyperoligomer.   
     
     
         3 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An immunogenic composition comprising a purified Gram positive bacteria adhesin island (AI) polypeptide. 
     
     
         9 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 8  wherein:
 (1) the Gram positive bacteria is of a genus selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium,  or  Listeria;      (2) the Gram positive bacteria is of the genus  Streptococcus;      (3) Gram positive bacteria is of the genus  Streptococcus  bacteria is Group A  Streptococcus  (GAS) bacteria and the Gram positive bacteria AI polypeptide is a GAS AI polypeptide;   (4) the AI polypeptide is a GAS AI polypeptide selected from a GAS AI-I;   (5) the AI polypeptide is a GAS AI polypeptide is selected from a GAS AI-2.   (6) the AI polypeptide is a GAS AI polypeptide is selected from a GAS AI-3;   (7) the AI polypeptide is a GAS AI polypeptide is selected from a GAS AI-4; or   (8) the AI polypeptide is a hyperoligomer.   
     
     
         10 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 8  which comprises a first and a second Group B  Streptococcus  (GBS) adhesin island (AI) polypeptide. 
     
     
         18 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 17  wherein:
 (1) the first GBS AI polypeptide is encoded by a GBS AI-1;   (2) the second GBS AI polypeptide is encoded by a GBS AI-2;   (3) the first GBS AI polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 104, GBS 52, and fragments thereof;   (4) the second GBS AI polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of GBS 59, GBS 67, GBS 150, 01521, 01523, 01524, and fragments thereof, and wherein the first and the second GBS AI polypeptide are not the same polypeptide; and   (5) wherein the first GBS AI polypeptide is GBS80 and the second GBS AI polypeptide is GBS67.   
     
     
         19 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 8  further comprising a second Gram positive bacteria adhesin island (AI) polypeptide. 
     
     
         24 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 23  wherein:
 (1) the Gram positive bacteria is  Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium , or  Listeria;      (2) the first Gram positive bacteria AI polypeptide is a first Group A  Streptococcus  (GAS) AI polypeptide;   (3) the first GAS AI polypeptide is a first GAS AI polypeptide;   (4) the first GAS AI polypeptide is a first GAS AI-2 polypeptide;   (5) the first GAS AI polypeptide is a first GAS AI-3 polypeptide;   (6) the first GAS AI polypeptide is a first GAS AI-4 polypeptide;   (7) the second Gram positive bacteria AI polypeptide is a second GAS AI polypeptide;   (8) the second GAS AI polypeptide is a second GAS AI-I polypeptide;   (9) the second GAS AI polypeptide is a second GAS AI-2 polypeptide;   (10) the second GAS AI polypeptide is a second GAS AI-3 polypeptide; or.   (11) the second GAS AI polypeptide is a second GAS AI-4 polypeptide.   
     
     
         25 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A modified Gram positive bacterium adapted to produce increased levels of AI surface protein. 
     
     
         36 . The modified Gram positive bacterium of  claim 35  wherein:
 (1) the AI surface protein is in oligomeric form;   (2) the AI surface protein is in oligomeric form and the oligomeric form is a hyperoligomer;   (3) the modified Gram positive bacterium is a nonpathogenic Gram positive bacterium; or   (4) wherein the modified Gram positive bacterium is  Lactococcus lactis.      
     
     
         37 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method for manufacturing an oligomeric adhesin island (AI) surface antigen comprising: culturing a Gram positive bacterium that expresses an oligomeric AI surface antigen and isolating the expressed oligomeric AI surface antigen.