Cattle fever tick-infestation vaccines and uses thereof
Inventors
Guerrero, Felicito • Bendele, Kylie G • Domingues, Luisa N
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-11951159-B1
Publication Date
2024-04-09
Expiration Date
2042-11-02
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Abstract
The invention relates to antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring R. microplus protein, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. The polypeptides elicit an immune response which, in turn, produces detrimental effects in R. microplus feeding on vaccinated cattle. Thus, the present disclosure provides novel vaccines to protect cattle from R. microplus infestation.
Core Innovation
The invention provides antigenic polypeptides derived from the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. These antigenic polypeptides elicit an immune response in vaccinated hosts that protects against cattle fever tick infestation. The vaccines can include synthetic polypeptides with amino acid sequences at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3, and may be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and adjuvants.
The invention addresses the problem posed by R. microplus, a significant external parasite of livestock worldwide causing immense economic loss and transmitting diseases such as bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Traditional tick control strategies are challenged by pesticide resistance and potential re-establishment of the tick in the USA due to environmental factors and host wildlife. Existing vaccines like Combavac and GAVAC only partially control R. microplus or target diseases the tick carries rather than the tick itself. Additionally, existing vaccines require booster doses, limiting effectiveness.
The invention arises from the need for vaccines that provide consistent and efficacious protection against R. microplus infestations while addressing acaricide resistance. It involves selecting tick protein antigens via in silico analysis, expressing them as recombinant proteins, and demonstrating their ability to induce protective immune responses in cattle, thus reducing tick infestations. The vaccines may be delivered through various routes, including injectable, intranasal, or oral administration, and can be combined with other vaccine components.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include one independent claim defining a synthetic chimera or fusion polypeptide. The claims encompass compositions containing these polypeptides, vaccines or immunogenic compositions comprising them, and methods for provoking an immune response against R. microplus.
Synthetic chimera or fusion polypeptide comprising specific antigen sequences with flanking regions
A synthetic chimera or fusion polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to amino acids 7 to 172 of SEQ ID NO:1 or amino acids 108 to 273 of SEQ ID NO:3, and additionally comprising flanking amino acids from a different but related species, from a different species, or from a synthetic tag.
Synthetic polypeptide with defined amino acid sequences
The synthetic polypeptide has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3, representing the core antigenic sequences derived from R. microplus.
Composition comprising the synthetic polypeptide
A composition comprising the synthetic polypeptide, which may be formulated as a vaccine or immunogenic composition for administration.
Vaccine or immunogenic composition with optional carriers and adjuvants
Vaccines or immunogenic compositions comprising the polypeptide of the invention with optional inclusion of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or adjuvants.
Method for provoking an immune response
A method for provoking an immune response against R. microplus in a subject by administering an effective dose of a composition comprising the synthetic polypeptide.
The claims cover synthetic polypeptides based on defined antigenic sequences of R. microplus, their compositions as vaccines or immunogenic agents, and methods of use to stimulate immune protection in subjects. The inventive features focus on the structure of the polypeptides including fusion or chimera forms, vaccine formulations, and immunization methods.
Stated Advantages
The vaccines provide consistent and efficacious protection against R. microplus infestations.
They address issues with acaricide resistance and limitations of existing vaccines.
They elicit a protective immune response in vaccinated cattle that results in reduced tick numbers and tick reproductive capacity.
Vaccine compositions can be produced in useful quantities with scalable recombinant protein expression systems.
Documented Applications
Vaccination of cattle, including beef and dairy cattle, to protect against R. microplus tick infestation.
Control and prevention of tick infestations to reduce economic losses in livestock industries.
Use in mammals such as cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, elk, camels, dogs, and deer.
Formulation as injectable, intranasal, or oral vaccines, potentially combined with other vaccine components for comprehensive animal health management.
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