Compositions and methods for reducing cat allergens in the environment

Abstract

Formulations, compositions and products for reducing allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are disclosed. The formulations include at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1. Methods of using the formulations for reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A formulation for reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from an environment, comprising at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1. 
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein at least one protease is selected from serine proteases, thiol proteases, aspartyl proteases and zinc metalloproteases. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the serine protease is selected from subtilisin, proteinase K, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, endoproteinase Glu-C and endoproteinase Lys-C. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 3 , wherein the subtilisin is from a species of  Bacillus  selected from  B. licheniformis, B. clausii, B. haloudurans, B. lentus, B. amyloliquefaciens  or  B. subtilis.    
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the thiol protease is selected from bromelain, papain and ficin. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the aspartyl protease is selected from chymosin, endothiapepsin, mucorpepsin/rennin, pepsin and aspergillopepsin. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the zinc metalloprotease is selected from thermolysin and endoproteinase Asp-N. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 7 , wherein the thermolysin is from  Bacillus thermoproteolyticus  rokko or  Geobacillus  sp. and the endoproteinase Asp-N is from  Flavobacterium menigosepticum.    
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 90% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2, as measured by ELISA. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the protease is selected from one or more of subtilisin, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin , bromelain, papain, ficin, chymosin, endothiapepsin, mucorpepsin/rennin, pepsin, aspergillopepsin, thermolysin and endoproteinase Asp-N. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the proteases are selected from one or more of papain, subtilisin from  B. licheniformis , aspergillopepsin from  A. oryzae , endoproteinase Asp-N, bromelain, ficin, alpha-chymotrypsin, endothiapepsin from  Cryphonectria parasitica , pepsin and thermolysin from  Geobacillus  sp. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 11 , wherein the proteases are selected from one or more of papain, subtilisin from  B. licheniformis , aspergillopepsin from  A. oryzae  and endoproteinase Asp-N. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 50% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2 and containing 7.5% isopropanol, as measured by ELISA or wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 50% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2 and containing 10% poysorbate 20, as measured by ELISA. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the protease is selected from one or more of aspergillopepsin from  Aspergillus oryzae , endoproteinase Asp-N, subtilisin from  B. licheniformis , papain, bromelain and ficin. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 1 , further comprising an additive that enhances the efficiency of the protease in degrading the Fel d 1, wherein the additive is cysteine or calcium salt/ions (Ca 2+ ), or a combination of cysteine and calcium salt/ions (Ca 2+ ). 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 1 , disposed within a composition selected from: liquid, solid or powder cleaning agent, spray, moist cloth, wipe, sponge, water-dissolvable tablet, filter, food, oil or water supplement, vacuum cleaner filter or additive, granule, detergent, carpet and room deodorizer, litter, litter additive, mitt, additive for non-woven products, washing machine pod (tablet) and multi-chamber liquid tablet. 
     
     
         17 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the protease is recognized as safe for use in foods and cosmetics. 
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 17 , disposed within a composition selected from soap, shampoo, rinse, powder, spray, gel, mousse, foam, conditioner, lotion, collar, dispersant or moist mitt or wipe suitable for applying to the skin, hair or fur. 
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 17 , disposed within an edible composition. 
     
     
         20 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the protease has substantially no interaction with substances selected from: keratin, collagen, elastin, fibronectin, other proteins and fibers or fabric. 
     
     
         21 . A method of making a formulation for reducing or eliminating allergenicity of Fel d 1, comprising combining at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1 with a medium in which the protease is active or can be made active prior to use. 
     
     
         22 . A method of reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment, comprising contacting an element of the environment where Fel d 1 is present with a formulation comprising at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1, thereby reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel dl from the environment. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present on an inanimate surface and the formulation is applied to the surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is airborne and the formulation is contacted with the air. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present in or on an animal that produces Fel d 1 and the formulation is applied to the portion of the animal on which the Fel d 1 is present. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present on the hair, fur or external skin of the animal or is present in the mouth of the animal. 
     
     
         27 . An article of manufacture comprising a formulation that includes at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1, and instructions for its use in reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel dl from the environment. 
     
     
         28 . The article of manufacture of  claim 27 , formulated for application to an inanimate surface. 
     
     
         29 . The article of manufacture of  claim 28 , selected from liquid, solid or powder cleaning agent, spray, moist cloth, wipe, sponge, water-dissolvable tablet, detergent, carpet or fabric deodorizer, litter, litter additive, mitt, additive for non-woven products, washing machine tablet. 
     
     
         30 . The article of manufacture of  claim 28 , comprising a filter formulated for contacting airborne Fel d 1. 
     
     
         31 . The article of manufacture of  claim 27 , formulated as a shampoo, conditioner, rinse, gel, mousse, spray, lotion or powder for application to hair, fur or external skin of the animal. 
     
     
         32 . The article of manufacture of  claim 27 , formulated as a dentifrice, film, food, treat, or additive to the animal's food or water for application to the mouth of the animal.