COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE REMOVAL OF BIOFILMS

摘要

This disclosure provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

主权项

1. An isolated antibody, an antigen binding fragment, or an interfering agent that specifically recognizes or binds an isolated or recombinant DNABII polypeptide or a fragment or an equivalent each thereof; and optionally,
wherein the antibody, antigen binding fragment, or interfering agent has affinity for at least one DNABII protein that exceeds the affinity of the DNABII protein for components of a biofilm that includes the DNABII protein; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated antibody, antigen binding fragment or interfering agent specifically recognizes and binds a tip fragment of a DNABII polypeptide; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated antibody, antigen binding fragment or interfering agent comprises a monoclonal antibody, an antigen binding fragment, an Fv antibody, a complete antibody, or a polynucleotide; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated antibody, antigen binding fragment or interfering agent is a human or humanized monoclonal antibody or a non-human monoclonal antibody; and/or optionally, wherein the biofilm component comprises branched DNA; and/or optionally wherein the DNABII protein is an IHF protein, an HU protein, DPS, Hfq, CbpA or CbpB or a fragment of each thereof; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated, antigen binding fragment or interfering agent comprises a bispecific antibody, a chimeric antibody, or a complete antibody comprising generic constant regions heterologous to variable regions; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated antibody, antigen binding fragment, or interfering agent binds an epitope on the DNABII protein that is conserved across bacterial species; and/or optionally, wherein the isolated antibody, an antigen binding fragment, or an interfering agent dissolves a biofilm derived from at least two bacterial species including both Gram positive and Gram negative species; and/or optionally, wherein the affinity of the isolated antibody, an antigen binding fragment, or an interfering agent for the DNABII proteins is at least as strong as 100 pM or optionally 40 pM.