Southern cattle tick vaccine product
Inventors
Perez De Leon, Adalberto A. • Miller, Robert • Briggs, Robert E. • Tatum, Fred M. • Guerrero, Felicito
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-12064472-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-20
Expiration Date
2041-03-02
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Abstract
This invention relates to novel fusion peptides and immunogenic compositions containing the fusion peptides useful in the control and prevention of tick infestations. The invention also relates to compositions comprising said fusion peptides, methods of vaccination against tick infestation using said fusion peptides and compositions, and kits for use with such compositions and methods.
Core Innovation
This invention provides novel fusion peptides and immunogenic compositions containing the fusion peptides useful in controlling and preventing tick infestations, specifically targeting the southern cattle fever tick (SCFT), Rhipicephalus microplus. It also relates to methods of vaccination against tick infestation using these fusion peptides and compositions, as well as kits for use with such compositions and methods.
The problem being solved is the lack of a vaccine that provides consistent and effective protection against R. microplus infestations, particularly in livestock. Existing commercial vaccines either are not registered for use in the USA, protect only against diseases transmitted by ticks rather than the ticks themselves, or exhibit limited effectiveness against R. microplus, especially those found in the Americas. Moreover, some vaccines require multiple injections to maintain antibody levels. There is a critical need for a vaccine that offers efficacious and scalable protection against R. microplus, which remains a significant threat to the livestock industry due to economic losses and disease transmission.
The invention addresses these issues by developing a modified Mannheimia haemolytica lktCA gene cluster cassette that encodes at least one copy of a tick aquaporin 1 (AQP1) fragment and at least one copy of a tetanus toxin P2 epitope, inserted downstream of the native leukotoxin A start codon. This fusion protein induces a protective immune response against R. microplus when used as a vaccine or immunogenic composition. The modified cassette can be formulated into various compositions including plasmids, vectors, and attenuated bacterial strains, and administered by different routes to suitable mammalian hosts.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim focusing on the polypeptide comprising the tick aquaporin 1 fragment and the tetanus toxin P2 epitope, along with claims related to compositions, vaccines, methods, and kits encompassing this polypeptide.
Fusion polypeptide comprising tick AQP1 fragment and tetanus toxin P2 epitope
A polypeptide comprising at least one copy of a tick Rhipicephalus microplus aquaporin 1 protein (AQP1) fragment with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and at least one copy of a tetanus toxin P2 epitope with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.
Multicopy fusion polypeptides
Variants of the polypeptide having two copies of the AQP1 fragment and/or two copies of the P2 epitope.
Compositions including the fusion polypeptide
Compositions comprising the fusion polypeptide, including host cells, vaccines, or immunogenic compositions, with host cells selected from attenuated Mannheimia haemolytica strains A1 or A6.
Vaccines optionally comprising adjuvants
Vaccines or immunogenic compositions comprising the fusion polypeptide, optionally combined with an adjuvant.
Methods of provoking immune responses
Methods of provoking an immune response in animals by administering effective doses of the composition containing the fusion polypeptide.
Kits containing the fusion polypeptide or compositions
Kits comprising the fusion polypeptide or the compositions containing it, for use in vaccination or immunization procedures.
The claims define a fusion polypeptide combining tick aquaporin 1 fragments and tetanus toxin P2 epitopes and cover compositions, vaccines, immunogenic methods, and kits involving this fusion, offering a comprehensive scope for preventing and controlling tick infestation in animals.
Stated Advantages
Provides consistent and efficacious protection against Rhipicephalus microplus tick infestation.
Enables production of the vaccine in useful quantities using a modified Mannheimia haemolytica gene cluster.
Induces both antibody responses to tick antigens and protective immune responses against tick infestation.
Allows multiple routes of administration including injectable, intra-nasal, and oral delivery.
Documented Applications
Use as a vaccine or immunogenic composition to control and prevent infestations by Rhipicephalus microplus in livestock, including cattle and deer.
Preparation of vaccines using modified M. haemolytica bacterial strains, plasmids, or protein compositions for administering to mammals such as cattle, sheep, goats, bison, elk, camels, dogs, and deer.
Methods of vaccination inducing immune responses sufficient to prevent or lessen the extent of tick infestation via various administration routes.
Kits for use in methods of eliciting immunogenic or protective responses against tick infestations.
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