COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING CAT ALLERGENS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Formulations, compositions and products for reducing allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are disclosed. The formulations include at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1. Methods of using the formulations for reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are also disclosed.
1 . A formulation for reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from an environment, comprising at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1.
2 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein at least one protease is selected from serine proteases, thiol proteases, aspartyl proteases and zinc metalloproteases.
3 . The formulation of claim 2 , wherein the serine protease is selected from subtilisin, proteinase K, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, endoproteinase Glu-C and endoproteinase Lys-C.
4 . The formulation of claim 3 , wherein the subtilisin is from a species of Bacillus selected from B. licheniformis, B. clausii, B. haloudurans, B. lentus, B. amyloliquefaciens or B. subtilis.
5 . The formulation of claim 2 , wherein the thiol protease is selected from bromelain, papain and ficin.
6 . The formulation of claim 2 , wherein the aspartyl protease is selected from chymosin, endothiapepsin, mucorpepsin/rennin, pepsin and aspergillopepsin.
7 . The formulation of claim 2 , wherein the zinc metalloprotease is selected from thermolysin and endoproteinase Asp-N.
8 . The formulation of claim 7 , wherein the thermolysin is from Bacillus thermoproteolyticus rokko or Geobacillus sp. and the endoproteinase Asp-N is from Flavobacterium menigosepticum.
9 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 90% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2, as measured by ELISA.
10 . The formulation of claim 9 , wherein the protease is selected from one or more of subtilisin, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin , bromelain, papain, ficin, chymosin, endothiapepsin, mucorpepsin/rennin, pepsin, aspergillopepsin, thermolysin and endoproteinase Asp-N.
11 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the proteases are selected from one or more of papain, subtilisin from B. licheniformis , aspergillopepsin from A. oryzae , endoproteinase Asp-N, bromelain, ficin, alpha-chymotrypsin, endothiapepsin from Cryphonectria parasitica , pepsin and thermolysin from Geobacillus sp.
12 . The formulation of claim 11 , wherein the proteases are selected from one or more of papain, subtilisin from B. licheniformis , aspergillopepsin from A. oryzae and endoproteinase Asp-N.
13 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 50% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2 and containing 7.5% isopropanol, as measured by ELISA or wherein the protease reduces Fel d 1 binding to anti-Fel d 1 antibodies by at least 50% under assay conditions pertinent to the protease as set forth in Table 2 and containing 10% poysorbate 20, as measured by ELISA.
14 . The formulation of claim 13 , wherein the protease is selected from one or more of aspergillopepsin from Aspergillus oryzae , endoproteinase Asp-N, subtilisin from B. licheniformis , papain, bromelain and ficin.
15 . The formulation of claim 1 , further comprising an additive that enhances the efficiency of the protease in degrading the Fel d 1, wherein the additive is cysteine or calcium salt/ions (Ca 2+ ), or a combination of cysteine and calcium salt/ions (Ca 2+ ).
16 . The formulation of claim 1 , disposed within a composition selected from: liquid, solid or powder cleaning agent, spray, moist cloth, wipe, sponge, water-dissolvable tablet, filter, food, oil or water supplement, vacuum cleaner filter or additive, granule, detergent, carpet and room deodorizer, litter, litter additive, mitt, additive for non-woven products, washing machine pod (tablet) and multi-chamber liquid tablet.
17 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the protease is recognized as safe for use in foods and cosmetics.
18 . The formulation of claim 17 , disposed within a composition selected from soap, shampoo, rinse, powder, spray, gel, mousse, foam, conditioner, lotion, collar, dispersant or moist mitt or wipe suitable for applying to the skin, hair or fur.
19 . The formulation of claim 17 , disposed within an edible composition.
20 . The formulation of claim 17 , wherein the protease has substantially no interaction with substances selected from: keratin, collagen, elastin, fibronectin, other proteins and fibers or fabric.
21 . A method of making a formulation for reducing or eliminating allergenicity of Fel d 1, comprising combining at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1 with a medium in which the protease is active or can be made active prior to use.
22 . A method of reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment, comprising contacting an element of the environment where Fel d 1 is present with a formulation comprising at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1, thereby reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel dl from the environment.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present on an inanimate surface and the formulation is applied to the surface.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is airborne and the formulation is contacted with the air.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present in or on an animal that produces Fel d 1 and the formulation is applied to the portion of the animal on which the Fel d 1 is present.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the Fel d 1 is present on the hair, fur or external skin of the animal or is present in the mouth of the animal.
27 . An article of manufacture comprising a formulation that includes at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1, and instructions for its use in reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel dl from the environment.
28 . The article of manufacture of claim 27 , formulated for application to an inanimate surface.
29 . The article of manufacture of claim 28 , selected from liquid, solid or powder cleaning agent, spray, moist cloth, wipe, sponge, water-dissolvable tablet, detergent, carpet or fabric deodorizer, litter, litter additive, mitt, additive for non-woven products, washing machine tablet.
30 . The article of manufacture of claim 28 , comprising a filter formulated for contacting airborne Fel d 1.
31 . The article of manufacture of claim 27 , formulated as a shampoo, conditioner, rinse, gel, mousse, spray, lotion or powder for application to hair, fur or external skin of the animal.
32 . The article of manufacture of claim 27 , formulated as a dentifrice, film, food, treat, or additive to the animal's food or water for application to the mouth of the animal.