Antibodies Targeted to Fungal Cell Wall Polysaccharides

Abstract

A compound comprising one or more polysaccharide moieties each independently represented by the formula β(1→4)-[GlcNH—R]n-2,5-anhydromannose, wherein n is a positive integer from 3 to 500, and R is H or an acyl group, is described. The compound can be manufactured by (a) reacting chitosan with an acylating agent sufficient to partially N-acylate the chitosan, yielding a modified chitin/chitosan mixed polymer; and (b) reacting the modified chitin/chitosan mixed polymer with a deaminating agent to cleave the mixed polymer at the unacylated chitosan moieties. The compound can be used to immunize against fungal infection. Antibodies specific to the compound, and the use of such antibodies to protect against fungal infection are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of protecting a mammalian subject against a fungal infection, comprising administering to the subject an isolated antibody in an amount effective to protect the subject against the fungal infection,
 wherein the antibody is specific to a compound comprising one or more polysaccharide moieties, each independently represented by the formula β(1→4)-[GlcNH-R]n-2,5-anhydromannose, wherein n is a positive integer from 3 to 500, R is H or an acetyl group, and the one or more polysaccharide moieties are chitin/chitosan mixed polymers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein n is a positive integer from 3 to 100. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein n is a positive integer from 6 to 50.