Identification and cloning of a mycobacterial antigen corresponding to a heparin-binding haemagglutinin

摘要

The invention features peptide sequences enabling mycobacteria adhesion to host cells, in particular to epithelial cells. More particularly, the invention features a mycobacterial antigen of the heparin-binding haemagglutinin type (HBHA) obtained from Mycobacterium bovis BCG or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The invention also features a recombinant peptide sequence enabling mycobacteria adhesion to host cells. The invention particularly features the expression product of an Escherichia coli strain transformed with a nucleotide sequence coding for a protein enabling mycobacteria adhesion to host cells. These peptide sequences can be used in immunogenic compositions, for preparing vaccines against mycobacterial infections, and for mycobacterial infection serological diagnosis.