Proteins for use as carriers in conjugate vaccines

摘要

Vaccine conjugates are described comprising a capsular polysaccharide antigen conjugated to a carrier molecule, which carrier molecule is a protein associated with iron uptake by pathogenic microorganisms. The vaccine conjugate may comprise second or additional antigens also conjugated to the carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a transferrin binding protein, in particular TbpA or TbpB. Also described are methods for conjugating the antigen/s to the carrier molecule, and to the use of transferrin binding protein in the manufacture of a carrier-antigen conjugate for vaccination. Affinity matrices comprising immobilised ligand for an iron uptake protein, and the use thereof for purifying a vaccine conjugate according to the present invention are also described.