ENGINEERED CYTOKINE- AND CHEMOKINE-EXPRESSING CANDIDA ALBICANS STRAINS AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Recombinant nucleic acid constructs for expression of heterologous cytokines or chemokines in C. albicans, and genetically modified C. albicans strains comprising the recombinant nucleic acid constructs, are described. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules include a C. albicans gene promoter sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a C. albicans secreted protein signal sequence and a heterologous open reading frame (ORF) of a cytokine or chemokine gene. Also described are a method of expressing a heterologous cytokine or chemokine protein in a subject, and a method of treating or inhibiting the development of candidiasis in a subject. These methods include administering a genetically modified C. albicans containing a recombinant nucleic acid construct for expression of a heterologous cytokine or chemokine. Exemplary cytokines or chemokines include IL8, IL17A, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL5.

主权项

1. A recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a Candida albicans (C. albicans gene promoter sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a C. albicans secreted protein signal sequence and a heterologous open reading frame (ORF) of a cytokine or chemokine gene, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the secreted protein signal sequence is fused in frame to the heterologous ORF.