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-12274741-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-15
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 relates to antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring Rhipicephalus microplus protein, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides that elicit an immune response producing detrimental effects in R. microplus feeding on vaccinated cattle, thereby providing novel vaccines to protect cattle from R. microplus infestation.
The problem being solved is the significant economic loss caused by the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, which infests livestock worldwide, transmits diseases such as bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis, and has become resistant to acaricides. Existing vaccines are either not registered in the USA or provide incomplete protection, necessitating vaccines that offer consistent, efficacious protection against R. microplus to address acaricide resistance and tick control.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains 11 claims including one independent claim directed to an isolated polynucleotide, with other claims covering vectors, compositions, host cells, vaccines, and methods of eliciting an immune response. Key inventive features focus on specific polynucleotide sequences, composition forms, and administration methods.
Isolated polynucleotide comprising specific nucleotide sequences
An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to nucleotides 19 to 520 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or nucleotides 1 to 444 of SEQ ID NO: 4, including flanking nucleotides from different but related species, different species, or synthetic tags.
Vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide
A vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide as defined above, facilitating expression of the antigenic polypeptides.
Composition comprising the isolated polynucleotide
A composition comprising the isolated polynucleotide, wherein the composition may be a polynucleotide, plasmid, host cell, expression vector, vaccine, or immunogenic composition.
Host cell comprising the vector
A host cell containing the vector that includes the isolated polynucleotide encoding the antigenic polypeptide.
Vaccine or immunogenic composition comprising the polynucleotide
A vaccine or immunogenic composition including the polynucleotide and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant for eliciting an immune response.
Method of provoking an immune response against R. microplus
A method for provoking an immune response against R. microplus in a subject by administering at least one effective dose of a composition comprising the isolated polynucleotide.
Compositions comprising carriers and adjuvants
The administered composition can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or an adjuvant to enhance immune response efficacy.
Administration of multiple doses
The method can involve administering two or more effective doses of the immunogenic composition to the subject to bolster immune protection.
The claims define isolated polynucleotides encoding specific R. microplus antigens and their use in vectors, host cells, vaccines, and immunogenic compositions. The patent covers compositions including carriers and adjuvants, and methods for immunization involving administration of one or more doses to elicit protective immune responses against R. microplus infestation.
Stated Advantages
The vaccines provide consistent and efficacious protection against R. microplus infestations.
They address concerns regarding acaricide resistance and the widespread use of acaricides for tick control.
The antigens can be produced in useful quantities using recombinant expression systems.
The vaccines elicit immunological responses sufficient to protect animals from R. microplus feeding and reproductive capacity.
Documented Applications
Vaccination of cattle and other mammals such as sheep, goats, pigs, bison, elk, camels, dogs, and deer to prevent or attenuate R. microplus tick infestation.
Use of vaccines for injectable, intranasal, or oral delivery to recipient animals.
Combination of the vaccine with other vaccine components against pathogens such as Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and viruses like Bovine herpes virus 1, parainfluenza virus type 3, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus.
Preparation of vaccines using recombinant polynucleotides expressed in host cells including insect cells, yeast cells, or mammalian cells.
Use of compositions comprising antigenic polypeptides or nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides to elicit protective immune responses against cattle fever tick infestations.
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