Klebsiella antigens

Abstract

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigen, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from Klebsiella species, fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing cells expressing such antigens. Moreover, the present invention provides antibodies binding to such antigen, hybridoma cells producing such antibodies, methods for producing such antibodies, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody, the use of such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, methods for identifying an antagonist capable of binding such antigen or of inhibiting the interaction activity of such antigen, methods for diagnosis or for treatment or prevention of an infection. More specifically, such antigens are associated with nosocomial bacterial infections or infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae.

1 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . An isolated antigen comprising
 a. an isolated polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 241, or   b. a variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 241 derived from the homologous sequence of a different strain and/or serotype of  K. pneumoniae , wherein the antigen comprises the polypeptide defined by any of SEQ ID NOs: 580-617, or   c. an amino acid sequence having at least 50% sequence identity to the sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 241.   
     
     
         65 . The isolated antigen according to  claim 64  whereby the antigen further comprises a leader or a secretory sequence, a sequence employed for purification or a proprotein sequence. 
     
     
         66 . An isolated antigen consisting of a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 241 wherein said fragment comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acids 4-10, 18-36, 43-50, 63-71, 75-105, 109-117, 134-140, 145-157, 176-182, 184-201, 203-211, 215-225, 240-250, 262-284, 294-309, 313-319, 327-337, 350-356, 361-367, 372-393, 411-421, 428-451, 453-466, 487-492, 501-528, 535-553, 564-574, 592-605, 612-629, 631-640, 646-653, 658-666, 673-681, 713-718, 720-730, 739-749, 784-792, 821-826, 833-844, 853-863, 871-876, 885-894, 900-918, 937-950, 952-957, 972-990, 995-1001, 1024-1036, 1039-1044, 1049-1055, 1062-1089, 1091-1103, 1110-1121, 1123-1129, 1131-1151, 1157-1179, 1181-1201, 1204-1223, 1233-1244, 1269-1276, 1279-1286, 1294-1301, 1303-1309, 1315-1338, 1350-1362, 1373-1381, 1398-1406, 1412-1423, 1440-1446, 1458-1466, 1481-1487, 1492-1508, 1511-1518, 1528-1534, 1536-1547, 1553-1565, 1606-1617, 1619-1644, 761-781, 759-783, 582-1099, 761-781 and 759-783 of SEQ ID NO: 241. 
     
     
         67 . An isolated antigen wherein said antigen consists of amino acids 4-10, 18-36, 43-50, 63-71, 75-105, 109-117, 134-140, 145-157, 176-182, 184-201, 203-211, 215-225, 240-250, 262-284, 294-309, 313-319, 327-337, 350-356, 361-367, 372-393, 411-421, 428-451, 453-466, 487-492, 501-528, 535-553, 564-574, 592-605, 612-629, 631-640, 646-653, 658-666, 673-681, 713-718, 720-730, 739-749, 784-792, 821-826, 833-844, 853-863, 871-876, 885-894, 900-918, 937-950, 952-957, 972-990, 995-1001, 1024-1036, 1039-1044, 1049-1055, 1062-1089, 1091-1103, 1110-1121, 1123-1129, 1131-1151, 1157-1179, 1181-1201, 1204-1223, 1233-1244, 1269-1276, 1279-1286, 1294-1301, 1303-1309, 1315-1338, 1350-1362, 1373-1381, 1398-1406, 1412-1423, 1440-1446, 1458-1466, 1481-1487, 1492-1508, 1511-1518, 1528-1534, 1536-1547, 1553-1565, 1606-1617, 1619-1644, 761-781, 759-783, 582-1099, 761-781 or 59-783 of SEQ ID NO: 241. 
     
     
         68 . A fusion protein comprising the antigen according to  claim 64  and at least one additional amino acid residue heterologous to the core amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         69 . A fusion protein comprising the antigen according to  claim 66  and at least one additional amino acid residue heterologous to the core amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         70 . A fusion protein comprising two or more fragments of SEQ ID NO: 241 as set forth in  claim 66 . 
     
     
         71 . An immunogenic composition comprising an antigen as set forth in  claim 64 . 
     
     
         72 . The composition according to  claim 71 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance. 
     
     
         73 . An immunogenic composition comprising an antigen as set forth in  claim 65 . 
     
     
         74 . The composition according to  claim 73 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance. 
     
     
         75 . An immunogenic composition comprising an antigen as set forth in  claim 66 . 
     
     
         76 . The composition according to  claim 75 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance. 
     
     
         77 . An immunogenic composition comprising a fusion protein as set forth in  claim 68 . 
     
     
         78 . The composition according to  claim 77 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance. 
     
     
         79 . An immunogenic composition comprising a fusion protein as set forth in  claim 69 . 
     
     
         80 . The composition according to  claim 79 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance. 
     
     
         81 . An immunogenic composition comprising a fusion protein as set forth in  claim 70 . 
     
     
         82 . The composition according to  claim 81 , characterized in that it further comprises an immunostimulatory substance.