摘要 |
Plasmid DNA encoding at least one pneumococcal antigen or epitope of interest and methods for making and using such a plasmid are disclosed and claimed. The epitope of interest can be PspA or a fragment thereof. Compositions containing the plasmid DNA are useful for administration to a host susceptible to pneumococcal infection for an in vivo response, such as a protective response, or for generating useful antibodies. The inventive plasmid can also be transfected into cells for generating antigens or epitopes of interest in vitro. And the inventive plasmid can be prepared by isolating DNA (coding for: promoter, leader sequence, epitope of interest and terminator), and performing a three-way ligation. More particularly, administration of DNA encoding pneumococcal antigens or epitopes of interest and compositions therefor for eliciting and immunological response against S. pneumoniae, such as a protective response preventive of pneumococcal infection, are disclosed and claimed. Thus, pneumococcal vaccines or immunological compositions, and methods of making and using them, are disclosed and claimed. |