Polyvalent chimeric OspC vaccinogen and diagnostic antigen
A chimeric polyvalent recombinant protein for use as a vaccine and diagnostic for Lyme disease is provided. The chimeric protein comprises epitopes of the loop 5 region and/or the alpha helix 5 region of outer surface protein C (OspC) types. The OspC types may be associated with mammalian Borrelia infections.
1. A chimeric recombinant protein comprising
a loop 5 region of Borrelia OspC protein corresponding to amino acid residues 1-29 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 103, and
an alpha helix 5 region of Borrelia OspC protein corresponding to amino acid residues 10-60 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 119.
2. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein said OspC types are associated with invasive Borrelia infection.
3. A method for eliciting an immune response against Borrelia in an individual in need thereof comprising the step of
administering to said individual a chimeric recombinant protein comprising
i) a loop 5 region of Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) protein corresponding to amino acids 1-29 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 103; and
ii) an alpha helix 5 region of Borrelia OspC protein corresponding to amino acids 10-60 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 119.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said OspC types are associated with invasive Borrelia infection.
5. A immunogenic cocktail of chimeric recombinant proteins, comprising
an ammo acid sequence comprising:
i) a loop 5 region of Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) protein corresponding to amino acids 1-29 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 103; and
ii) an alpha helix 5 region of Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) protein corresponding to amino acids 10-60 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 119; and
a pharmacologically suitable carrier.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said individual is a companion pet.
7. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein antibody binding affinity exhibited by said chimeric recombinant protein is at least 50% greater than antibody binding affinity exhibited by native, intact loop 5 region or native, intact alpha helix 5 region.
8. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein antibody binding affinity exhibited by said chimeric recombinant protein is at least 60% greater than antibody binding affinity exhibited by native, intact loop 5 region or native, intact alpha helix 5 region.
9. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein antibody binding affinity exhibited by said chimeric recombinant protein is at least 70% greater than antibody binding affinity exhibited by native, intact loop 5 region or native, intact alpha helix 5 region.
10. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein antibody binding affinity exhibited by said chimeric recombinant protein is at least 80% greater than antibody binding affinity exhibited by native, intact loop 5 region or native, intact alpha helix 5 region.
11. The chimeric recombinant protein of claim 1 , wherein antibody binding affinity exhibited by said chimeric recombinant protein is 90-100% greater than antibody binding affinity exhibited by native, intact loop 5 region or native, intact alpha helix 5 region.