| Methods for Preparing Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen for Use in Vaccines |
This invention relates to improved methods of preparing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) from a cell or organism, particularly a recombinant cell or microorganism, for use in vaccines. Production and purification methods of modified PA from a non-sporogenic strain of Bacillus anthracis are described. Specifically, a scalable fermentation and purification process is claimed that is suitable for vaccine development, and that... More ...
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| Imaging of Extracellular Proteases in Cells Using Mutant Anthrax Toxin Protective Antigens |
The claimed invention provides highly specific and sensitive methods for in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo imaging of specific extracellular protease activity using an anthrax binary toxin system. The system targets cells that express extracellular proteases of interest. Such a system would be highly useful since various studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the activity of extracellular proteases and various diseases and undesir... More ...
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| Method and Apparatus for Bioweapon Decontamination |
| It is in the interest of the public health and national security that the Public Health Service find a licensee for the commercial development and rapid dissemination of the apparatus and method of this invention.
The apparatus enables the decontamination of articles contaminated with bioweapons, more particularly sporolated bioweapons of which anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is of notable concern. The system includes enclosing the article to... More ...
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| gammaPGA Conjugates for Eliciting Immune Responses Directed Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Bacilli |
This invention claims immunogenic conjugates of a poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gammaPGA) of B. anthracis, or of another bacillus that expresses a gammaPGA that elicit a serum antibody response against B. anthracis, in mammalian hosts to which the conjugates are administered. The invention also relates methods which are useful for eliciting an immunogenic response in mammals, particularly humans, including responses which provide prote... More ...
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| Modulators of Nuclear Hormone Receptor Activity: Novel Compounds, Diverse Applications for Infectious Diseases, Including Anthrax (B. anthracis) |
Nuclear hormones such as glucocorticoids dampen inflammatory responses, and thus provide protection to mammals against inflammatory disease and septic shock. The Anthrax lethal factor represses nuclear hormone receptor activity, and thus may contribute to the infectious agent causing even more damage to the host. This observation can be exploited to find new means of studying and interfering with the normal function of nuclear hormone receptors... More ...
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| Multimeric Protein Toxins to Target Cells Having Multiple Identifying Characteristics |
This technology relates to multimeric bacterial protein toxins which can be used to specifically target cells. Specifically, this is a modified recombinant anthrax toxin protective antigen (PrAg) that has been modified in several ways. First, the PrAg can be activated both by a metalloproteinase (MMP) and by urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Second, the native PrAg lethal factor (LF) binding site has been modified so that only a modified PrA... More ...
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| Monoclonal Antibodies that Neutralize B. anthracis Protective Antigen (PA), Lethal Factor (LF) and Edema Factor (EF) |
Anthrax, whether resulting from natural or bioterrorist-associated exposure, is a constant threat to human health. The lethality of anthrax is primarily the result of the effects of anthrax toxin, which has 3 components: a receptor-binding protein known as "protective antigen" (PA) and 2 catalytic proteins known as "lethal factor" (LF) and "edema factor" (EF). Although production of an efficient anthrax vaccine is an ultimate goal, the benefits... More ...
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| Recombinant Modified Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen for Use in Vaccines |
This invention relates to improved methods of preparing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) for use in vaccines. PA is a secreted, non-toxic protein with a molecular weight of 83 KDa. PA is a major component of the currently licensed human vaccine (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, AVA). Although the licensed human vaccine has been shown to be effective against cutaneous anthrax infection in animals and humans and against inhalation anthrax... More ...
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