Conjugated beta-1,3-linked glucans

摘要

Glucans having exclusively or mainly β-1,3 linkages are used as immunogens. These comprise β-1,3-linked glucose residues. Optionally, they may include β-1,6-linked glucose residues, provided that the ratio of β-1,3-linked residues to β-1,6-linked residues is at least 8:1 and/or there are one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal residues linked to other residues only by β-1,3 linkages. The glucans will usually be used in conjugated form. A preferred glucan source is curdlan, which may be hydrolyzed to a suitable form prior to conjugation.

主权项

1. A conjugate comprising a glucan covalently linked to a carrier molecule directly or via a linker, wherein the glucan has exclusively linear β-1,3-linked glucose residues and has from 6-50 glucose monosaccharide units, wherein the glucan comprises one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal glucose residues linked to other glucose residues only by β-1,3-linkages, and wherein the carrier molecule is a bacterial toxin, a toxoid of diphtheria toxin, a toxoid of tetanus toxin or CRM197, wherein the conjugate is capable of generating a protective antibody response specific for the glucan in a mammal, wherein the protective antibody response is capable of protecting against infections of Candida species in the mammal.