DNA AND SPECIFIC PROTEINS OR PEPTIDES OF THE NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS SPECIES BACTERIA, METHOD FOR OBTAINING THEM AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

DNA (I) comprises all or part of the genes, with their reading frames, present in Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) but not in N. gonorrheae (Ng) or N. lactamica (Nl), except for the genes involved in biosynthesis of the capsule polysaccharide, frpA or C, opc, porA, rotamase, sequence IC1106, IgA protease, pillin, pilC, proteins which bind transferrin and opacity proteins. Also claimed are: (1) host cells (particularly bacteria or Nm) transformed by >= 1 (I); (2) RNA transcripts (II) of (I); (3) nucleic acid (III) antisense to (I) or (II); (4) polypeptides (IV) encoded by (I) or (II); (5) antibodies (Ab), mono- or poly-clonal, directed against an epitope of (IV) or their fragments; (6) anti-antibodies (AAb) able to recognise Ab; (7) Nm-specific DNA banks, and (8) method for preparing DNA banks from selected cells. #CMT#USE : #/CMT# (I), optionally as probes and primers, and Ab are used in standard hybridisation/immunoassay processes for diagnosis of Nm infection, particularly meningitis. (IV) and Ab are also used, in immunoassays, to detect an immune response specific for Nm infection. Compositions containing (I), cells of (1), (IV), Ab or AAb are useful in paediatric vaccines for protection against Nm (all claimed). Vaccines are administered parenterally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or as a spray. No dose is quoted. #CMT#ADVANTAGE : #/CMT# (I) are responsible for the differences in pathogenicity between Nm and Ng, specifically they include the genes that allow Nm to cross the blood-brain barrier. (I) common to Nm and Ng, but absent from Nl, are responsible for colonisation and penetration of the mucosa. (I) are specific for pathogenicity of Nm despite the genetic variability of this species.