Patent application title: Mycobacterium Antigenic Composition
Inventors:
IPC8 Class: AA61K3904FI
USPC Class:
1 1
Class name:
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Patent application number: 20190183998
Abstract:
Immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the
conductivity of the composition is 13 mS/cm or lower, or the
concentration of salts of the composition is 130 mM or lower, and their
use in medicine, are provided.Claims:
1-47. (canceled)
48. An immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein: the concentration of sodium chloride in said composition is 40 mM or lower.
49. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the conductivity of the composition is 10 mS/cm or lower.
50. The immunogenic composition according to claim 49, wherein the conductivity of the composition is 3 mS/cm or lower.
51. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the concentration of CaCl.sub.2 in the immunogenic composition is 30 mM or lower.
52. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the concentration of MgSO.sub.4 in the immunogenic composition is 60 mM or lower.
53. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, total concentration of NH.sub.4.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+ and Ca.sup.2+ ions is 40 mM or lower.
54. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, further comprising a non-ionic tonicity agent.
55. The immunogenic composition according to claim 54, wherein the non-ionic tonicity agent is a polyol.
56. The immunogenic composition according to claim 55, wherein the polyol is sorbitol.
57. The immunogenic composition according to claim 56, wherein the concentration of sorbitol is between about 4 and about 6% (w/v).
58. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the concentration of sucrose is between about 4 and about 6% (w/v).
59. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, further comprising one or more immuno stimulants.
60. The immunogenic composition according to claim 59, wherein the immunostimulant is a saponin and/or a TLR4 agonist.
61. The immunogenic composition according to claim 60, wherein the immunostimulant(s) is/are in the form of liposomes.
62. The immunogenic composition according claim 60, wherein the saponin is QS21.
63. The immunogenic composition according to claim 60, wherein the TLR4 agonist is 3-de-O-acylated monophoshoryl lipid A.
64. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the osmolality is 250 to 750 mOsm/kg.
65. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the composition is provided as a unit dose of between 50 ul and 1 ml.
66. The immunogenic composition according to claim 65, wherein the unit dose is between 100 ul and 750 ul.
67. The immunogenic composition according to claim 65, wherein a unit dose contains 1 to 100 ug of M72 related protein.
68. The immunogenic composition according to claim 67, wherein a unit dose contains 5 to 50 ug of M72 related protein.
69. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the pH of said composition is in the range 7.0 to 9.0.
70. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the M72 related antigen comprises a sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID No: 1.
71. The immunogenic composition according to claim 70, wherein the M72 related antigen consists of a sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID No: 1.
72. The immunogenic composition according to claim 71, wherein the M72 related antigen comprises a sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID No: 1.
73. The immunogenic composition according to claim 72, wherein the M72 related antigen consists of a sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID No: 1.
74. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the M72 related antigen comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.
75. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein the M72 related antigen comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 3.
76. The immunogenic composition according to claim 74, wherein the M72 related antigen consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.
77. The immunogenic composition according to claim 75, wherein the M72 related antigen consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 3.
78. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, wherein at least 80% of the antigenicity of the immunogenic composition remains after storage at 25.degree. C. for a period of 24 hours.
79. The immunogenic composition according to claim 48, for use in medicine.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen and having a low ionic strength. The present invention also relates to such immunogenic compositions which further comprise one or more immunostimulants. Methods for the preparation of such immunogenic compositions and related kits are also provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other Mycobacterium species. It is a major disease in developing countries, as well as an increasing problem in developed areas of the world. More than 2 billion people are believed to be infected with TB bacilli, with about 9.4 million new cases of TB and 1.7 million deaths each year. 10% of those infected with TB bacilli will develop active TB, each person with active TB infecting an average of 10 to 15 others per year. While annual incidence rates have peaked globally, the number of deaths and cases is still rising due to population growth (World Health Organisation Tuberculosis Facts 2010).
[0003] The protein antigens Mtb72f and M72 (described, for example, in international patent application W02006/117240) or fragments or derivatives thereof are protein antigens of potential benefit for the treatment or prevention of tuberculosis.
[0004] The formulation of protein antigens is extremely important in order to ensure immunogenicity is maintained. Immunostimulants are sometimes used to improve the immune response raised to any given antigen. However, the inclusion of adjuvants into an immunogenic composition increases the complexity of preparation of the components as well as the complexity of distribution and formulation of the composition. The preparation of each of the adjuvant components as well as the antigenic component must be considered by formulators. In particular, the compatibility of the antigenic component with the adjuvant component should be considered. This is particularly the case where lyophilised antigens or antigenic preparations are intended to be reconstituted with an adjuvant preparation. In such a circumstance, it is important that the buffer of the adjuvant preparation is suitable for the antigen and that immunogenicity or solubility of the antigen is not affected by the adjuvant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present inventors have identified for the first time that M72 related antigens are particularly sensitive to the presence of salts. Without being limited by theory, it is believed M72 related antigens are detrimentally impacted by a phenomenon known as "salting out" which may be defined as the precipitation of a protein from its solution by interaction with salts, such as sodium chloride. The present inventors have found that these antigens aggregate and precipitate at a concentration of sodium chloride as low as 150 mM. Consequently, the stability of immunogenic compositions comprising M72 related antigens can surprisingly be improved by a reduction in the concentration of sodium chloride.
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the conductivity of the composition is 13 mS/cm or lower.
[0007] Additionally provided is an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of salts in said composition is 130 mM or lower.
[0008] The present invention also provides an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of sodium chloride in said composition is 130 mM or lower.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1. QS21 lytic activity curve
[0010] FIG. 2. Percentage of each 3D-MPL congener in the different ASA formulations
[0011] FIG. 3. DLS of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0012] FIG. 4. Nepholometry of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0013] FIG. 5. Antigenic stability of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations following after storage
[0014] FIGS. 6a-6d. SEC-HPLC analysis of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0015] FIG. 7. Antigenicity of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0016] FIG. 8. Conductivity of NaCl standard solutions
[0017] FIG. 9. Induction of CD4 T cell responses in mice using immunogenic compositions of the invention
[0018] FIG. 10. Induction of CD8 T cell responses in mice using immunogenic compositions of the invention
[0019] FIG. 11. Nepholometry of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0020] FIG. 12. DLS of immunogenic compositions with varied pH and NaCl concentrations after storage
[0021] FIG. 13. Antigenicity of immunogenic compositions with varied NaCl concentrations after storage
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENCE IDENTIFIERS
[0022] SEQ ID No: 1 Amino acid sequence for the M72 protein
[0023] SEQ ID No: 2 Nucleotide sequence encoding the M72 protein
[0024] SEQ ID No: 3 Amino acid sequence for the M72 protein with two N-terminal His residues
[0025] SEQ ID No: 4 Nucleotide sequence encoding the M72 protein with two N-terminal His residues
[0026] SEQ ID No: 5 Amino acid sequence for the Mtb72f protein
[0027] SEQ ID No: 6 Nucleotide sequence encoding the Mtb72f protein
[0028] SEQ ID No: 7 Amino acid sequence for the Mtb72f protein with six N-terminal His residues
[0029] SEQ ID No: 8 Nucleotide sequence encoding the Mtb72f protein with six N-terminal His residues
[0030] SEQ ID No: 9 Nucleotide sequence for CpG Oligo 1 (CpG 1826)
[0031] SEQ ID No: 10 Nucleotide sequence for CpG Oligo 2 (CpG 1758)
[0032] SEQ ID No: 11 Nucleotide sequence for CpG Oligo 3
[0033] SEQ ID No: 12 Nucleotide sequence for CpG Oligo 4 (CpG 2006)
[0034] SEQ ID No: 13 Nucleotide sequence for CpG Oligo 5 (CpG 1686)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the conductivity of the composition is 13 mS/cm or lower. In particular, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the conductivity of the immunogenic composition is 12 mS/cm or lower, for example 10 mS/cm or lower, 8 mS/cm or lower, 6 mS/cm or lower, 5 mS/cm or lower, 4 mS/cm or lower, or 3 mS/cm or lower. In a particular embodiment the conductivity of the immunogenic composition is 2.5 mS/cm or lower, such as 2.25 mS/cm or lower, or 2.0 mS/cm or lower. In a further specific embodiment the conductivity of the immunogenic composition is 1.5 to 2.5 mS/cm.
[0036] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of salts in said composition is 130 mM or lower. In particular, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of salts in said composition is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in said composition is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower. In a further specific embodiment the concentration of salts in said composition is 20 to 40 mM, such as 25 to 35 mM.
[0037] In a third aspect, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of sodium chloride is 130 mM or lower. In particular, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the concentration of sodium chloride is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, 40 mM or lower, 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower or 15 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of sodium chloride in the immunogenic composition is 10 mM or lower, such as 7.5 mM or lower. Suitably the concentration of sodium chloride in the immunogenic composition or is at or below 5 mM. In a further specific embodiment, the immunogenic composition is essentially free of sodium chloride. By essentially free is meant that the concentration of sodium chloride is at or very near to zero mM (such as 3 mM or less, 2 mM or less or 1 mM or less).
[0038] Suitably, the concentration of CaCl.sub.2) in the immunogenic compositions will be 40 mM or lower, 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower, 15 mM or lower or 10 mM or lower.
[0039] Suitably, the concentration of MgSO.sub.4 in the immunogenic compositions will be 80 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 40 mM or lower, 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower or 10 mM or lower.
[0040] Suitably, the total concentration of NH.sub.4.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+ and Ca.sup.2+ ions in the immunogenic compositions will be 80 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 40 mM or lower, 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower or 10 mM or lower.
[0041] The immunogenic compositions of the invention will be aqueous preparations.
[0042] The conductivity of an immunogenic composition of the invention can be measured using techniques known in the art, for example using a dedicated conductivity meter or other instrument with the capability to measure conductivity. One suitable instrument is the Zetasizer
[0043] Nano ZS from Malvern Instruments (UK).
[0044] The skilled person can readily test for the concentration of both sodium (Na.sup.+) and chloride (Cl.sup.-) ions using known techniques and kits. For example, sodium can be determined using a kit such as the Sodium Enzymatic Assay Kit (Catalogue Number: BQ011EAEL) from Biosupply. Chloride can be determined using a kit such as Chloride Enzymatic Assay Kit (Catalogue Number: BQ006EAEL) from Biosupply.
[0045] Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other Mycobacterium species. It is a major disease in developing countries, as well as an increasing problem in developed areas of the world. More than 2 billion people are believed to be infected with TB bacilli, with about 9.4 million new cases of TB and 1.7 million deaths each year. 10% of those infected with TB bacilli will develop active TB, each person with active TB infecting an average of 10 to 15 others per year. While annual incidence rates have peaked globally, the number of deaths and cases is still rising due to population growth (World Health Organisation Tuberculosis Facts 2010).
[0046] Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects individuals through the respiratory route. Alveolar macrophages engulf the bacterium, but it is able to survive and proliferate by inhibiting phagosome fusion with acidic lysosomes. A complex immune response involving CD4+ and CD8+ T cells ensues, ultimately resulting in the formation of a granuloma. Central to the success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a pathogen is the fact that the isolated, but not eradicated, bacterium may persist for long periods, leaving an individual vulnerable to the later development of active TB.
[0047] Fewer than 5% of infected individuals develop active TB in the first years after infection. The granuloma can persist for decades and is believed to contain live Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a state of dormancy, deprived of oxygen and nutrients. However, recently it has been suggested that the majority of the bacteria in the dormancy state are located in non-macrophage cell types spread throughout the body (Locht et al, Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 2007 7(11):1665-1677). The development of active TB occurs when the balance between the host's natural immunity and the pathogen changes, for example as a result of an immunosuppressive event (Anderson P Trends in Microbiology 2007 15(1):7-13; Ehlers S Infection 2009 37(2):87-95).
[0048] A dynamic hypothesis describing the balance between latent TB and active TB has also been proposed (Cardana P-J Inflammation & Allergy--Drug Targets 2006 6:27-39; Cardana P-J Infection 2009 37(2):80-86).
[0049] Although an infection may be asymptomatic for a considerable period of time, the active disease is most commonly manifested as an acute inflammation of the lungs, resulting in tiredness, weight loss, fever and a persistent cough. If untreated, serious complications and death typically result.
[0050] Tuberculosis can generally be controlled using extended antibiotic therapy, although such treatment is not sufficient to prevent the spread of the disease. Actively infected individuals may be largely asymptomatic, but contagious, for some time. In addition, although compliance with the treatment regimen is critical, patient behaviour is difficult to monitor. Some patients do not complete the course of treatment, which can lead to ineffective treatment and the development of drug resistance.
[0051] Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a form which fails to respond to first line medications. 3.3% of all TB cases are MDR-TB, with an estimated 440,000 new MDR-TB cases occurring each year. Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) occurs when resistance to second line medications develops on top of resistance to first line medications. The virtually untreatable XDR-TB has been confirmed in 58 countries (World Health Organisation Tuberculosis Facts 2010).
[0052] Even if a full course of antibiotic treatment is completed, infection with M. tuberculosis may not be eradicated from the infected individual and may remain as a latent infection that can be reactivated. In order to control the spread of tuberculosis, an effective vaccination programme and accurate early diagnosis of the disease are of utmost importance.
[0053] Currently, vaccination with live bacteria is the most widely used method for inducing protective immunity. The most common Mycobacterium employed for this purpose is Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), an avirulent strain of M. bovis which was first developed over 60 years ago. However, the safety and efficacy of BCG is a source of controversy--while protecting against severe disease manifestation in children, BCG does not prevent the establishment of latent TB or the reactivation of pulmonary disease in adult life. Additionally, some countries, such as the United States, do not vaccinate the general public with this agent.
[0054] Several of the proteins which are strongly expressed during the early stages of Mycobacterium infection have been shown to provide protective efficacy in animal vaccination models.
[0055] However, vaccination with antigens which are highly expressed during the early stages of infection may not provide an optimal immune response for dealing with later stages of infection. Adequate control during latent infection may require T cells which are specific for the particular antigens which are expressed at that time. Post-exposure vaccines which directly target the dormant persistent bacteria may aid in protecting against TB reactivation, thereby enhancing TB control, or even enabling clearance of the infection. A vaccine targeting latent TB could therefore significantly and economically reduce global TB infection rates.
[0056] Subunit vaccines based on late stage antigens could also be utilised in combination with early stage antigens to provide a multiphase vaccine. Alternatively, early and/or late stage antigens could be used to complement and improve BCG vaccination (either by boosting the BCG response or through the development of advanced recombinant BCG strains).
[0057] The protein antigens Mtb72f and M72 are protein antigens of potential benefit for the treatment or prevention of tuberculosis. Mtb72f has been shown to provide protection in a number of animal models (see, for example: Brandt et al Infect. Immun. 2004 72(11):6622-6632; Skeiky et al J. Immunol. 2004 172:7618-7628; Tsenova et al Infect. Immun. 2006 74(4):2392-2401; Reed et al PNAS 2009 106(7):2301-2306). Mtb72f has also been the subject of clinical investigations (Von Eschen et al 2009 Human Vaccines 5(7):475-482). M72 is an improved antigen which incorporates a single serine to alanine mutation relative to Mtb72f, resulting in improved stability characteristics. M72 related antigens have also been shown to be of value in a latent TB model (international patent application WO2006/117240).
[0058] As used herein the term `M72 related antigen` refers to the M72 protein provided in SEQ ID No: 1 or an immunogenic derivative thereof. As used herein the term "derivative" refers to an antigen that is modified relative to the reference sequence. Immunogenic derivatives are sufficiently similar to the reference sequence to retain the immunogenic properties of the reference sequence and remain capable of allowing an immune response to be raised against the reference sequence. A derivative may, for example, comprise a modified version of the reference sequence or alternatively may consist of a modified version of the reference sequence.
[0059] The M72 related antigen may for example contain fewer than 1500 amino acid residues, such as fewer than 1200 amino acid residues, in particular less than 1000 amino acid residues, especially fewer than 800 amino acid residues.
[0060] T cell epitopes are short contiguous stretches of amino acids which are recognised by T cells (e.g. CD4+ or CD8+ T cells). Identification of T cell epitopes may be achieved through epitope mapping experiments which are known to the person skilled in the art (see, for example, Paul, Fundamental Immunology, 3rd ed., 243-247 (1993); Beipbarth et al Bioinformatics 2005 21(Suppl. 1):i29-i37). In a diverse out-bred population, such as humans, different HLA types mean that particular epitopes may not be recognised by all members of the population. As a result of the crucial involvement of the T cell response in tuberculosis, to maximise the level of recognition and scale of immune response, an immunogenic derivative of M72 is desirably one which contains the majority (or suitably all) T cell epitopes intact.
[0061] The skilled person will recognise that individual substitutions, deletions or additions to the M72 protein which alters, adds or deletes a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids is an "immunogenic derivative" where the alteration(s) results in the substitution of an amino acid with a functionally similar amino acid or the substitution/deletion/addition of residues which do not substantially impact the immunogenic function.
[0062] Conservative substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the art.
[0063] In general, such conservative substitutions will fall within one of the amino-acid groupings specified below, though in some circumstances other substitutions may be possible without substantially affecting the immunogenic properties of the antigen. The following eight groups each contain amino acids that are typically conservative substitutions for one another:
[0064] 1) Alanine (A), Glycine (G);
[0065] 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);
[0066] 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);
[0067] 4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K);
[0068] 5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V);
[0069] 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W);
[0070] 7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and
[0071] 8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M)
[0072] (see, e.g., Creighton, Proteins 1984).
[0073] Suitably such substitutions do not occur in the region of an epitope, and do not therefore have a significant impact on the immunogenic properties of the antigen.
[0074] Immunogenic derivatives may also include those wherein additional amino acids are inserted compared to the reference sequence. Suitably such insertions do not occur in the region of an epitope, and do not therefore have a significant impact on the immunogenic properties of the antigen. One example of insertions includes a short stretch of histidine residues (e.g. 2-6 residues) to aid expression and/or purification of the antigen in question.
[0075] Immunogenic derivatives include those wherein amino acids have been deleted compared to the reference sequence. Suitably such deletions do not occur in the region of an epitope, and do not therefore have a significant impact on the immunogenic properties of the antigen.
[0076] The skilled person will recognise that a particular immunogenic derivative may comprise substitutions, deletions and additions (or any combination thereof).
[0077] The terms "identical" or percentage "identity," in the context of two or more polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or sub-sequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of amino acid residues that are the same (i.e., 70% identity, optionally 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98% or 99% identity over a specified region), when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window, or designated region as measured using one of the following sequence comparison algorithms or by manual alignment and visual inspection. This definition also refers to the compliment of a test sequence. Optionally, the identity exists over a region that is at least 500 amino acids in length, such as at least 600 amino acids or at least 700 amino acids. Suitably, the comparison is performed over a window corresponding to tt1e entire lengH1 of the reference sequence (as opposed to the derivative sequence).
[0078] For sequence comparison, one sequence acts as the reference sequence, to which the test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. Default program parameters can be used, or alternative parameters can be designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percentage sequence identities for the test sequences relative to the reference sequence, based on the program parameters.
[0079] A "comparison window", as used herein, refers to a segment in which a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned. Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well-known in the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerised implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by manual alignment and visual inspection (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 1995 supplement)).
[0080] One example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments to show relationship and percent sequence identity. It also plots a tree or dendogram showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng & Doolittle, J. Mol. Evol. 35:351-360 (1987). The method used is similar to the method described by Higgins & Sharp, CABIOS 5:151-153 (1989). The program can align up to 300 sequences, each of a maximum length of 5,000 nucleotides or amino acids. The multiple alignment procedure begins with the pairwise alignment of the two most similar sequences, producing a cluster of two aligned sequences. This cluster is then aligned to the next most related sequence or cluster of aligned sequences. Two clusters of sequences are aligned by a simple extension of the pairwise alignment of two individual sequences. The final alignment is achieved by a series of progressive, pairwise alignments. The program is run by designating specific sequences and their amino acid coordinates for regions of sequence comparison and by designating the program parameters. Using PILEUP, a reference sequence is compared to other test sequences to determine the percent sequence identity relationship using the following parameters: default gap weight (3.00), default gap length weight (0.10), and weighted end gaps. PILEUP can be obtained from the GCG sequence analysis software package, e.g., version 7.0 (Devereaux et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 12:387-395 (1984)).
[0081] Another example of algorithm that is suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity are the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402 (1977) and Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990), respectively. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (website at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighbourhood word score threshold (Altschul et al., supra). These initial neighbourhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N (penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) or 10, M=5, N=-4 and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength of 3, and expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1989)) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=-4, and a comparison of both strands.
[0082] The BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci USA 90:5873-5787 (1993)). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the reference nucleic acid is less than about 0.2, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.
[0083] In any event, immunogenic derivatives of a polypeptide sequence will have essentially the same activity as the reference sequence. By essentially the same activity is meant at least 50%, suitably at least 75% and especially at least 90% activity of the reference sequence in an in vitro restimulation assay of PBMC or whole blood with specific antigens (e.g. restimulation for a period of between several hours to up to two weeks, such as up to one day, 1 day to 1 week or 1 to 2 weeks) that measures the activation of the cells via lymphoproliferation, production of cytokines in the supernatant of culture (measured by ELISA, CBA etc) or characterisation of T and B cell responses by intra and extracellular staining (e.g. using antibodies specific to immune markers, such as CD3, CD4, CD8, IL2, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, CD40L, CD69 etc) followed by analysis with a flowcytometer. Suitably, by essentially the same activity is meant at least 50%, suitably at least 75% and especially at least 90% activity of the reference sequence in a T cell proliferation and/or IFN-gamma production assay.
[0084] Particular derivatives of the M72 protein include those with additional His residues at the N-terminus (e.g., two His residues, as provided in SEQ ID No: 3; or a polyhistadine tag of five or particularly six His residues, which may be used for nickel affinity purification). Mtb72f (SEQ ID No: 5) which contains the original serine residue that has been mutated in M72, is a further derivative of M72, as are Mtb72f proteins with additional His residues at the N-terminus (e.g. two His residues; or a polyhistadine tag of five or particularly six His residues, which may be used for nickel affinity purification).
[0085] Suitably an M72 related antigen will comprise, such as consist of, a sequence having at least 70% identity to M72, such as at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, especially at least 95%, for example at least 99%. Optionally, an M72 related antigen will comprise, such as consist of, a sequence having at least 98% identity to M72.
[0086] Typical M72 related antigens will comprise, such as consist of, an immunogenic derivative of SEQ ID No: 1 having a small number of deletions insertions and/or substitutions. Examples are those having deletions of up to 5 residues at 0-5 locations, insertions of up to 5 residues at 0-5 five locations and substitutions of up to 20 residues.
[0087] Other immunogenic derivatives of M72 are those comprising, such as consisting of, a fragment of SEQ ID No: 1 or 3 which is at least 500 amino acids in length, such as at least 600 amino acids in length or at least 700 amino acids in length.
[0088] M72 related antigens may be prepared by methods previously described (WO2006/117240), those provided in the Examples, or methods analogous thereto.
[0089] The immunogenic compositions may comprise one or more further antigenic components. Such additional antigenic components need not themselves be sensitive to the presence of salts in the composition.
[0090] Additional antigenic components may be intended to strengthen or complement the immune responses solicited by the M72 related antigen in the field of tuberculosis prevention and therapy or additional antigens could be associated with other pathogens and are intended for administration with the M72 related antigen for reasons of convenience. Where a number of antigenic components are present within the formulation, these may be provided in the form of individual polypeptides or fusion proteins. In some circumstances additional antigenic components may be provided as a polynucleotide (or polynucleotides).
[0091] It is well known that for parenteral administration solutions should have a pharmaceutically acceptable osmolality to avoid cell distortion or lysis. A pharmaceutically acceptable osmolality will generally mean that solutions will have an osmolality which is approximately isotonic or mildly hypertonic. Suitably the immunogenic compositions of the present invention will have an osmolality in the range of 250 to 750 mOsm/kg, for example, the osmolality may be in the range of 250 to 550 mOsm/kg, such as in the range of 280 to 500 mOsm/kg.
[0092] Osmolality may be measured according to techniques known in the art, such as by the use of a commercially available osmometer, for example the Advanced.RTM. Model 2020 available from Advanced Instruments Inc. (USA).
[0093] An "isotonicity agent" is a compound that is physiologically tolerated and imparts a suitable tonicity to a formulation to prevent the net flow of water across cell membranes that are in contact with the formulation.
[0094] Generally, sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as a tonicity agent. The present inventors have shown for the first time that that M72 related antigens are particularly sensitive to "salting out", a process whereby the proteins in solution aggregate or coagulate when in solutions containing high concentrations of salt. Consequently, alternative means are provided for ensuring the immunogenic compositions of the invention have a pharmaceutically acceptable osmolality.
[0095] In a particular embodiment there are provided immunogenic compositions further comprising a non-ionic tonicity agent. A non-ionic tonicity agent for use in an immunogenic composition will itself need to be pharmaceutically acceptable, e.g. suitable for use in humans, as well as being compatible with the Rv1196 related antigen and further compatible with other components such as the immunostimulant(s).
[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, suitable non-ionic tonicity agents are polyols, sugars (in particular sucrose, fructose, dextrose or glucose) or amino acids such as glycine. In one embodiment the polyol is a sugar alcohol, especially a C3-6 sugar alcohol. Exemplary sugar alcohols include glycerol, erythritol, threitol, arabitol, xylitol, ribitol, sorbitol, mannitol, dulcitol and iditol. In a specific example of this embodiment, a suitable non-ionic tonicity agent is sorbitol. The skilled person will recognise that an appropriate osmolality may be attained through the use of a mixture of different tonicity agents. In a particular embodiment of the invention the non-ionic tonicity agent in the compositions of the invention incorporates sucrose and/or sorbitol.
[0097] In one embodiment, a suitable concentration of polyol within the immunogenic composition is between about 2.5 and about 15% (w/v), in particular between about 2.5 and about 10% (w/v) for example between about 3 and about 7% (w/v), such as between about 4 and about 6% (w/v). In a specific example of this embodiment, the polyol is sorbitol.
[0098] In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises sucrose and sorbitol. In such circumstances the immunogenic composition may suitably contain between about 2.5 and about 15% (w/v) of sucrose and between about 2.5 and about 15% (w/v) of sorbitol, in particular between about 2.5 and about 10% (w/v) of sucrose and between about 2.5 and about 10% (w/v) of sorbitol, for example, between about 3 and about 7% (w/v) of sucrose and between about 3 and about 7% (w/v) of sorbitol, such as between about 4 and about 6% (w/v) of sucrose and between about 4 and about 6% (w/v) of sorbitol.
[0099] The pH of the immunogenic compositions should be suitable for parenteral administration. Typically the pH will be in the range of 6.0 to 9.0. Suitably the pH will be in the range 7.0 to 9.0, especially 7.25 to 8.75, such as 7.5 to 8.5, in particular pH 7.75 to 8.25. A pH of about 8.0 is of particular interest.
[0100] The pH may be controlled by the use of buffers, including for example Tris or phosphate buffers.
[0101] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the immunogenic composition comprises one or more immunostimulants.
[0102] In one embodiment, the immunostimulant may be a saponin. A particularly suitable saponin for use in the present invention is Quil A and its derivatives. Quil A is a saponin preparation isolated from the South American tree Quilliaja saponaria Molina and was first described by Dalsgaard et al. in 1974 ("Saponin adjuvants", Archiv. f r die gesamte Virusforschung, Vol. 44, Springer Verlag, Berlin, p 243-254) to have adjuvant activity. Purified fractions of Quil A have been isolated by HPLC which retain adjuvant activity without the toxicity associated with Quil A (WO88/09336), for example QS7 and QS21 (also known as QA7 and QA21). QS21 is a natural saponin derived from the bark of Quilliaja saponaria Molina, which induces CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), Th1 cells and a predominant IgG2a antibody response. QS21 is a preferred saponin in the context of the present invention.
[0103] In a suitable form of the present invention, the saponin adjuvant within the immunogenic composition is a derivative of saponaria Molina Quil A, in particular an immunologically active fraction of Quil A, such as QS17 or QS21, suitably QS21.
[0104] Desirably, QS21 is provided in a less reactogenic composition where it is quenched with an exogenous sterol, such as cholesterol for example. Several particular forms of less reactogenic compositions wherein QS21 is quenched with cholesterol exist. In a specific embodiment, the saponin/sterol is in the form of a liposome structure (such as described in WO96/33739, Example 1). In this embodiment the liposomes suitably contain a neutral lipid, for example phosphatidylcholine, which is suitably non-crystalline at room temperature, for example egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) or dilauryl phosphatidylcholine. The liposomes may also contain a charged lipid which increases the stability of the lipsome-QS21 structure for liposomes composed of saturated lipids. In these cases the amount of charged lipid is suitably 1-20% w/w, such as 5-10%. The ratio of sterol to phospholipid is 1-50% (mol/mol), suitably 20-25%.
[0105] Suitable sterols include .beta.-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, ergocalciferol and cholesterol. In one particular embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises cholesterol as sterol. These sterols are well known in the art, for example cholesterol is disclosed in the Merck Index, 11th Edn., page 341, as a naturally occurring sterol found in animal fat.
[0106] Where the active saponin fraction is QS21, the ratio of QS21:sterol will typically be in the order of 1:100 to 1:1 (w/w), suitably between 1:10 to 1:1 (w/w), and especially 1:5 to 1:1 (w/w). Suitably excess sterol is present, the ratio of QS21:sterol being at least 1:2 (w/w). In one embodiment, the ratio of QS21:sterol is 1:5 (w/w). The sterol is suitably cholesterol.
[0107] In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises an immunostimulant which is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist. By "TLR agonist" it is meant a component which is capable of causing a signaling response through a TLR signaling pathway, either as a direct ligand or indirectly through generation of endogenous or exogenous ligand (Sabroe et al, J Immunol 2003 p 1630-5). A TLR4 agonist is capable of causing a signaling response through a TLR-4 signaling pathway. A suitable example of a TLR4 agonist is a lipopolysaccharide, suitably a non-toxic derivative of lipid A, particularly monophosphoryl lipid A or more particularly 3-de-O-acylated monophoshoryl lipid A (3D-MPL).
[0108] 3D-MPL is sold under the name MPL by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals N.A. and is referred throughout the document as MPL or 3D-MPL see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,436,727; 4,877,611; 4,866,034 and 4,912,094. 3D-MPL primarily promotes CD4+ T cell responses with an IFN-gamma (Th1) phenotype. 3D-MPL can be produced according to the methods disclosed in GB2220211A. Chemically it is a mixture of 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A with 3, 4, 5 or 6 acylated chains. In the compositions of the present invention small particle 3D-MPL may be used to prepare the immunogenic composition. Small particle 3D-MPL has a particle size such that it may be sterile-filtered through a 0.22 um filter. Such preparations are described in WO94/21292. Suitably, powdered 3D-MPL is used to prepare the immunogenic compositions of the present invention.
[0109] Other TLR4 agonists which can be used are alkyl glucosaminide phosphates (AGPs) such as those disclosed in WO98/50399 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,347 (processes for preparation of AGPs are also disclosed), suitably RC527 or RC529 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of AGPs as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,840. Some AGPs are TLR4 agonists, and some are TLR4 antagonists.
[0110] Other suitable TLR4 agonists are as described in WO2003/011223 and in WO2003/099195, such as compound I, compound II and compound III disclosed on pages 4-5 of WO2003/011223 or on pages 3-4 of WO2003/099195 and in particular those compounds disclosed in WO2003/011223 as ER803022, ER803058, ER803732, ER804053, ER804057m ER804058, ER804059, ER804442, ER804680 and ER804764. For example, one suitable TLR-4 agonist is ER804057.
[0111] In a particular embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises both a saponin and a TLR4 agonist. In a specific example, the immunogenic composition comprises QS21 and 3D-MPL.
[0112] A TLR-4 agonist, such as a lipopolysaccharide, such as 3D-MPL, can be used at amounts between 1 and 100 ug per human dose of the immunogenic composition. 3D-MPL may be used at a level of about 50 ug, for example between 40 to 60 ug, suitably between 45 to 55 ug or between 49 and 51 ug or 50 ug. In a further embodiment, the human dose of the immunogenic composition comprises 3D-MPL at a level of about 25 ug, for example between 20 to 30 ug, suitable between 21 to 29 ug or between 22 to 28 ug or between 23 and 27 ug or between 24 and 26 ug, or 25 ug.
[0113] A saponin, such as QS21, can be used at amounts between 1 and 100 ug per human dose of the immunogenic composition. QS21 may be used at a level of about 50 ug, for example between 40 to 60 ug, suitably between 45 to 55 ug or between 49 and 51 ug or 50 ug. In a further embodiment, the human dose of the immunogenic composition comprises QS21 at a level of about 25 ug, for example between 20 to 30 ug, suitable between 21 to 29 ug or between 22 to 28 ug or between 23 and 27 ug or between 24 and 26 ug, or 25 ug.
[0114] Where both TLR4 agonist and saponin are present in the immunogenic composition, then the weight ratio of TLR4 agonist to saponin is suitably between 1:5 to 5:1, suitably between 1:2 to 2:1, such as about 1:1. For example, where 3D-MPL is present at an amount of 50 ug or 25 ug, then suitably QS21 may also be present at an amount of 50 ug or 25 ug, respectively, per human dose of the immunogenic composition. Certain immunogenic compositions of the present invention comprise QS21 and 3D-MPL, at an amount of between 1 and 100 ug of each per human dose, such as at an amount of between 10 and 75 ug of each per human dose. Immunogenic compositions of the present invention may suitably comprise QS21 and 3D-MPL, at an amount of between 15 and 35 ug of each per human dose, such as at an amount of between 20 and 30 ug of each per human dose.
[0115] In one embodiment, the immunostimulant is a TLR9 agonist, for example as set out in WO2008/142133. In a specific example, said TLR9 agonist is an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, in particular an oligonucleotide containing an unmethylated CpG motif. Such oligonucleotides are well known and are described, for example, in WO96/02555, WO99/33488 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,462. Suitable TLR9 agonists for use in the immunogenic compositions described herein are CpG containing oligonucleotides, optionally containing two or more dinucleotide CpG motifs separated by at least three, suitably at least six or more nucleotides. A CpG motif is a cytosine nucleotide followed by a guanine nucleotide.
[0116] In one embodiment the internucleotide bond in the oligonucleotide is phosphorodithioate, or possibly a phosphorothioate bond, although phosphodiester and other internucleotide bonds could also be used, including oligonucleotides with mixed internucleotide linkages. Methods for producing phosphorothioate oligonucleotides or phosphorodithioate are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,666,153, 5,278,302 and WO95/26204. Oligonucleotides comprising different internucleotide linkages are contemplated, e.g. mixed phosphorothioate phophodiesters. Other internucleotide bonds which stabilise the oligonucleotide may be used.
[0117] Examples of CpG oligonucleotides suitable for inclusion in the immunogenic compositions described herein have the following sequences. In one embodiment, these sequences contain phosphorothioate modified internucleotide linkages.
TABLE-US-00001 OLIGO 1 (SEQ ID No: 9): TCC ATG ACG TTC CTG ACG TT (CpG 1826) OLIGO 2 (SEQ ID No: 10): TCT CCC AGC GIG CGC CAT (CpG 1758) OLIGO 3 (SEQ ID No: 11): ACC GAT GAC GTC GCC GGT GAC GGC ACC ACG OLIGO 4 (SEQ ID No: 12): TCG TCG TTT TGT CGT TTT GTC GTT (CpG 2006) OLIGO 5 (SEQ ID No: 13): TCC ATG ACG TTC CTG ATG CT (CpG 1668)
[0118] Alternative CpG oligonucleotides may comprise the sequences above in that they have inconsequential deletions or additions thereto.
[0119] In one embodiment the immunostimulant is a tocol. Tocols are well known in the art and are described in EP0382271. In a particular embodiment, the tocol is alpha-tocopherol or a derivative thereof such as alpha-tocopherol succinate (also known as vitamin E succinate).
[0120] The present invention also provides a process for making an immunogenic composition of the invention comprising the steps:
[0121] a. lyophilising an Rv1196 related antigen; and
[0122] b. reconstituting the lyophilised Rv1196 related antigen of step a) with an aqueous solution wherein the conductivity of the solution is 13 mS/cm or lower.
[0123] In certain embodiments the conductivity of the aqueous solution is 12 mS/cm or lower, for example 10 mS/cm or lower, 8 mS/cm or lower, 6 mS/cm or lower, 5 mS/cm or lower, 4 mS/cm or lower, or 3 mS/cm or lower. In a particular embodiment the conductivity of the aqueous solution is 2.5 mS/cm or lower, such as 2.25 mS/cm or lower, or 2.0 mS/cm or lower.
[0124] Suitably, the conductivity of the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a conductivity of 13 mS/cm or lower, such as 12 mS/cm or lower, for example 10 mS/cm or lower, 8 mS/cm or lower, 6 mS/cm or lower, 5 mS/cm or lower, 4 mS/cm or lower, or 3 mS/cm or lower. In a particular embodiment the conductivity of the resulting solution is 2.5 mS/cm or lower, such as 2.25 mS/cm or lower, or 2.0 mS/cm or lower.
[0125] Further provided is a process for making an immunogenic composition of the invention comprising the steps:
[0126] a. lyophilising an M72 related antigen; and
[0127] b. reconstituting the lyophilised M72 related antigen of step a) with an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of salts in said solution is 130 mM or lower.
[0128] In certain embodiments the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0129] Suitably, the concentration of salts in the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a concentration of salts of 130 mM or lower, such as 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in the resulting solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0130] Additionally provided is a process for making an immunogenic composition of the invention comprising the steps:
[0131] a. lyophilising an M72 related antigen; and
[0132] b. reconstituting the lyophilised M72 related antigen of step a) with an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of sodium chloride in said solution is 130 mM or lower.
[0133] In certain embodiments the concentration of sodium chloride in said aqueous solution is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower, or 15 mM or lower. Suitably the concentration of sodium chloride in the aqueous solution is at or below 5 mM.
[0134] Suitably, the concentration of sodium chloride in the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a concentration of sodium chloride of 130 mM or lower, such as 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of sodium chloride in the resulting solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0135] In one embodiment the aqueous solutions of step b) (above) comprise a saponin and/or a TLR4 agonist, for example QS21 and/or 3D-MPL. In a further embodiment the saponin and/or TLR4 agonist are in a liposomal formulation. In one embodiment, the aqueous solutions comprise a TLR4 agonist and a saponin in a liposomal formulation, and a non-ionic tonicity agent as described herein, such as a polyol. In particular the aqueous solutions may comprise sorbitol.
[0136] Also provided is a kit comprising:
[0137] a. a lyophilised M72 related antigen; and
[0138] b. an aqueous solution wherein the conductivity of the solution is 13 mS/cm or lower.
[0139] In certain embodiments the conductivity of the aqueous solution is 12 mS/cm or lower, for example 10 mS/cm or lower, 8 mS/cm or lower, 6 mS/cm or lower, 5 mS/cm or lower, 4 mS/cm or lower, or 3 mS/cm or lower. In a particular embodiment the conductivity of the aqueous solution is 2.5 mS/cm or lower, such as 2.25 mS/cm or lower, or 2.0 mS/cm or lower.
[0140] Suitably, the conductivity of the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a conductivity of 13 mS/cm or lower, such as 12 mS/cm or lower, for example 10 mS/cm or lower, 8 mS/cm or lower, 6 mS/cm or lower, 5 mS/cm or lower, 4 mS/cm or lower, or 3 mS/cm or lower. In a particular embodiment the conductivity of the resulting solution is 2.5 mS/cm or lower, such as 2.25 mS/cm or lower, or 2.0 mS/cm or lower.
[0141] Additionally provided is a kit comprising:
[0142] a. a lyophilised M72 related antigen; and
[0143] b. an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of salts in said solution is 130 mM or lower.
[0144] In certain embodiments the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0145] Suitably, the concentration of salts in the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a concentration of salts of 130 mM or lower, such as 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in the resulting solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0146] Further, there is provided a kit comprising:
[0147] a. a lyophilised M72 related antigen; and
[0148] b. an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of sodium chloride in said solution is 130 mM or lower.
[0149] In certain embodiments the concentration of sodium chloride in said aqueous solution is 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of salts in said aqueous solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, 20 mM or lower, or 15 mM or lower. Suitably the concentration of sodium chloride in the solution is at or below 5 mM.
[0150] Suitably, the concentration of sodium chloride in the aqueous solution is such that when the lyophilised antigen is reconstituted the resulting solution has a concentration of sodium chloride of 130 mM or lower, such as 100 mM or lower, for example 90 mM or lower, 80 mM or lower, 70 mM or lower, 60 mM or lower, 50 mM or lower, or 40 mM or lower. In a particular embodiment the concentration of sodium chloride in the resulting solution is 35 mM or lower, such as 30 mM or lower, or 25 mM or lower.
[0151] Kits may be adapted to provide a single dose of the immunogenic composition, such as a single human dose, or multiple doses of the immunogenic composition.
[0152] The aqueous solutions used in kits of the invention may be any of the aqueous solutions as defined herein. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the aqueous solution comprises a TLR4 agonist and/or a saponin in the form of liposomes. In a particular embodiment, the TLR4 agonist is 3D-MPL and the saponin is QS21. The aqueous solutions used herein may comprise a tonicity agent, for example a polyol, such a sorbitol.
[0153] In respect of the above mentioned kits and methods for the production of immunogenic compositions of the invention, it may be noted that immunostimulant(s) and tonicity agent(s) if present may be colyophilised with the antigen or contained with the aqueous solution as desired. The aqueous solution may simply be water for injection and all other components of the immunogenic composition are colyophilised with the antigen. Typically, at least some immunostimulant(s) and tonicity agent(s) are provided in the aqueous solution, which is particularly appropriate if certain components are poorly compatible with lyophilisation such as liposomes. In one embodiment the aqueous solution comprises an immunostimulant. In a second embodiment the aqueous solution comprises a tonicity agent, e.g. a non-ionic tonicity agent, such as a polyol, in particular sorbitol. In a third embodiment the aqueous solution comprises an immunostimulant and a tonicity agent, such as a polyol, in particular sorbitol.
[0154] Kits may further comprise instructions directing the reconstitution of the lyophilised M72 related antigen using the aqueous solution.
[0155] The immunogenic compositions according the invention may be used in medicine, in particular for the prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of infection by mycobacteria, such as infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The immunogenic compositions will generally be provided for administration to humans, though they may also be of value in veterinary medicine such as for administration to bovines.
[0156] There is provided the use of an immunogenic composition according the invention in the manufacture of a medicament, in particular a medicament for the prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of infection by mycobacteria, such as infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
[0157] There is also provided a method for the prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of infection by mycobacteria, such as infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising the administration of a safe and effective amount of an immunogenic composition according to the present invention.
[0158] The immunogenic composition may be provided for the purpose of:
[0159] treating active tuberculosis;
[0160] prophylaxis of active tuberculosis, such as by administering to a subject who is uninfected, or alternatively a subject who has latent infection;
[0161] treating latent tuberculosis;
[0162] prophylaxis of latent tuberculosis, such as by administering to a subject who is uninfected; or
[0163] preventing or delaying reactivation of tuberculosis, especially the delay of TB reactivation, for example by a period of months, years or even indefinitely.
[0164] The term "active infection" refers to an infection, e.g. infection by M. tuberculosis, with manifested disease symptoms and/or lesions, suitably with manifested disease symptoms.
[0165] The terms "inactive infection", "dormant infection" or "latent infection" refer to an infection, e.g. infection by M. tuberculosis, without manifested disease symptoms and/or lesions, suitably without manifested disease symptoms. A subject with latent infection will suitably be one which tests positive for infection, e.g. by PPD or T cell based assays, but which has not demonstrated the disease symptoms and/or lesions which are associated with an active infection.
[0166] The term "primary tuberculosis" refers to clinical illness, e.g., manifestation of disease symptoms, directly following infection, e.g. infection by M. tuberculosis. See, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Chapter 150, pp. 953-966 (16th ed., Braunwald, et al., eds., 2005).
[0167] The terms "secondary tuberculosis" or "postprimary tuberculosis" refer to the reactivation of a dormant, inactive or latent infection, e.g. infection by M. tuberculosis. See, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Chapter 150, pp. 953-966 (16th ed., Braunwald, et al., eds., 2005).
[0168] The term "tuberculosis reactivation" refers to the later manifestation of disease symptoms in an individual that tests positive for infection (e.g. in a tuberculin skin test, suitably in an in vitro T cell based assay) test but does not have apparent disease symptoms. Suitably the individual will not have been re-exposed to infection. The positive diagnostic test indicates that the individual is infected, however, the individual may or may not have previously manifested active disease symptoms that had been treated sufficiently to bring the tuberculosis into an inactive or latent state.
[0169] Suitability an immunogenic composition is administered to a subject who is uninfected or who has a latent infection by mycobacteria, such as infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
[0170] The volume of immunogenic composition administered may vary depending upon a number of other factors, such as the specific delivery route, e.g. intramuscular, subcutaneous or intradermal. Typically, the volume administered in a single injection (the unit dose) for a human will be in the range of 50 ul to 1 ml, such as 100 ul to 750 ul, especially 400 to 600 ul, for example about 500 ul.
[0171] The quantity of M72 related antigen contained within a single dose is dependent upon clinical needs but a single human dose will typically be in the range of 1 to 100 ug, such as 5 to 50 ug, for example 5 to 20 ug. A single human dose may contain about 10 ug of M72 related antigen.
[0172] Suitably, compositions of the invention will be stable, in which is meant that during storage at 25.degree. C. for a period of 24 hours antigenicity as measured by the techniques described herein remains at least 80% of the antigenicity before storage. Desirably, antigenicity will remain at least 85%, such as at least 90% and in particular at least 95% after storage at 25.degree. C. for a period of 24 hours. For compositions of particular interest, at least 80% of the antigenicity of the composition, such as at least 85%, at least 90% and especially at least 95% remains after storage at 30.degree. C. for a period of 24 hours.
[0173] The present invention will now be further described by means of the following non-limiting examples.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Preparation of Adjuvant Composition ASA (Sorbitol)
[0174] An adjuvant composition was prepared which comprised 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21 in a liposomal formulation using sorbitol as a tonicity agent. This was prepared as follows:
[0175] A. Method of Preparation of Liposomes:
[0176] A mixture of lipid (DOPC), cholesterol and 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A in organic solvent was dried down under vacuum. An aqueous solution (phosphate buffered saline [100 mM NaCl, 50 mM Phosphate pH 6.1] was then added and the vessel agitated until all the lipid was in suspension. This suspension was then prehomogenised with high shear mixer and then high pressure homogenised until the liposome size was reduced to around 90 nm.+-.10 nm measured by DLS. Liposomes were then sterile filtered.
[0177] B. ASA Formulation:
[0178] Step 1: Dilution of Concentrated Liposomes
[0179] Na.sub.2/K Phosphate buffer 100 mM pH 6.1 when diluted 10 times was added to water for injection to reach a 10 mM phosphate buffer concentration in the final formulation. A 30% (w/v) sorbitol solution in water for injection (WFI) was then added to reach a concentration of 4.7% in the final formulation--this was stirred for 15 to 45 minutes at room temperature.
[0180] Concentrated liposomes (made of DOPC, cholesterol and 3D-MPL at 40 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml respectively) were then added to the mix to reach a concentration of 100 ug/ml of 3D-MPL in the final formulation.
[0181] The mixture was subsequently stirred for 15 to 45 minutes at room temperature.
[0182] Step 2: QS21 Addition
[0183] Using a peristaltic pump, QS21 bulk stock was added to the diluted liposomes under magnetic stirring to reach a 100 ug/ml concentration in the final formulation. The mix was stirred for 15 to 45 minutes.
[0184] Final ASA(sorbitol) formulation contained 2 mg DOPC, 500 ug cholesterol, 100 ug 3D-MPL/ml and 100 ug QS21/ml, 4.7% sorbitol and 5 mM sodium chloride and 10 mM phosphate.
[0185] Step 3: pH was Checked to be 6.1.+-.0.1
[0186] Step 4: Sterile Filtration
[0187] Sterile filtration was performed using a polyethersulfone (PES) filter from PALL Corporation.
[0188] Step 5: Storage at +2.degree. C. to +8.degree. C.
[0189] The adjuvant composition obtained, which comprised 3-de-O-acylated MPL and QS21 in a liposomal formulation and containing sorbitol as a tonicity agent (designated ASA (sorbitol)), was then stored at 4.degree. C.
Example 2: Preparation of Adjuvant Composition ASA (150 mM NaCl)
[0190] An adjuvant composition was prepared which comprised 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21 in a liposomal formulation using sodium chloride as a tonicity agent.
[0191] A. Method of Preparation of Liposomes:
[0192] A mixture of lipid (DOPC), cholesterol and 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) in organic solvent was dried down under vacuum. Phosphate buffered saline (100 mM NaCl, 50 mM Phosphate pH 6.1) was then added and the vessel agitated until all the lipid was in suspension. This suspension was then prehomogenised with high shear mixer and then high pressure homogenised until the liposomes size was reduced to around 90 nm.+-.10 nm measured by DLS. Liposomes were then sterile filtered on 0.22 um PES membrane.
[0193] B. ASA Formulation:
[0194] Step 1: Dilution of Concentrated Liposomes
[0195] Na.sub.2/K Phosphate buffer 100 mM pH 6.45 when diluted 10 times and NaCl 1.5 M were added to water for injection to reach respectively 10 mM phosphate and NaCl 150 mM concentrations in the final formulation. This mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature. Concentrated liposomes (made of DOPC, cholesterol and 3D-MPL at 40 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml respectively) were then added to the mix to reach a concentration of 100 ug/ml of 3D-MPL in the final formulation. The mixture was subsequently stirred for 5 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
[0196] Step 2: QS21 Addition QS21 bulk stock was added to the diluted liposomes under magnetic stirring to reach a 100 ug/ml concentration in the final formulation. The mix was stirred at room temperature.
[0197] Step 3: pH was Checked so as to be 6.1.+-.0.1.
[0198] Step 4: Sterile Filtration Sterile filtration was performed using a polyethersulfone (PES) filter from PALL Corporation.
[0199] Step 5: Storage at +2.degree. C. to +8.degree. C.
[0200] Final composition of ASA (150 mM NaCl) was 2 mg DOPC, 500 ug cholesterol, 100 ug 3-de-O-acylated MPL, 100 ug QS21 per 1 ml, with 10 mM phosphate and 150 mM NaCl.
Example 3: QS21 Lytic Activity
[0201] QS21 is known to lyse red blood cells (RBC). The ASA (sorbitol) adjuvant composition prepared as in Example 1 was tested to ensure that QS21 lytic activity was quenched in the same way as was seen with the equivalent adjuvant composition comprising 150 mM NaCl (ASA (150 mM NaCl)).
[0202] QS21 lytic activity was measured by a haemolysis assay using chicken Red Blood cells (RBC). RBC were centrifuged at 550 g at 4.degree. C. Supernatant was discarded. The pellet was carefully resuspended in PBS buffer to reach the initial volume and the same operation was repeated until supernatant was no longer red (generally 3 times). The pellet was stored at 4.degree. C. for 3 to 4 days maximum if not used directly (and washed again the day it is used) or was diluted around 10 times in buffer if used the same day.
[0203] A QS21 dose range curve was prepared in ASA buffer (in salt or in sorbitol buffer following the ASA sample tested) extemporaneously and the adjuvant samples (containing a 50 ug or 90 ug equivalent of QS21 meaning the equivalent of 500 ul or 900 ul ASA) were prepared. Final volume was adjusted to 900 ul in standards and samples with adequate buffer (containing or not sorbitol as a function of the buffer of the sample tested). Due to its opalescence, ASA interferes with optical density (OD). ASA "blanks" were thus prepared and their OD was subtracted from the OD of ASA tested samples. Those blanks corresponded to the same ASA volume as the volume tested in samples, but adjusted to 1 ml with buffer. No RBC were added to these blanks. Standards and samples were then incubated with RBC (100 ul of diluted RBC added to 900 ul of standards and samples) for 30 minutes at room temperature (RT). Samples were then centrifuged 5 minutes at 900 g. Optical density at 540 nm was measured after centrifugation.
[0204] Determination of lytic activity was carried out by a limit test.
[0205] 1. Limit of detection (LOD) was defined as the lowest concentration of QS21 leading to an OD:
[0206] Higher than the base level (0D>0.1)
[0207] Around three times higher than OD's buffer (the "0 ug" QS21)
[0208] In the ascendant part of the curve
[0209] Determined for each test.
[0210] 2. QS21 lytic activity was held to be positive in the adjuvant samples if the OD for the adjuvant sample was greater than the OD.sub.LOD.
Example QS21 Curve
TABLE-US-00002
[0211] ug QS21 OD QS21 quenched 0 0.029 NA 0.5 0.052 <LOD 0.6 0.073 <LOD 0.7 0.091 <LOD 0.8 0.096 <LOD 0.9 0.12 >98.2% 1 0.195 .sup. >98% 1.1 0.212 >97.8% 1.2 0.348 >97.6% 1.3 0.479 >97.4% 1.4 0.612 >97.2% 1.5 0.669 .sup. >97% 2 1.139 .sup. >96% 2.5 1.294 .sup. >95% 3 1.391 .sup. >94% 5 1.416 .sup. >90% Adjuvant * 0.03 >98.2% * 50 ug QS21 equivalent tested. 150 mM sodium chloride buffer.
[0212] The above data is shown graphically in FIG. 1.
[0213] The Limit of Detection in this assay is at 0.9 ug QS21, and OD of 0.12
[0214] The QS21 quenching in an adjuvant composition comprising 150 mM sodium chloride was estimated to be more than 98.2% for the equivalent of 50 ug QS21 tested. In the case of an equivalent of 90 ug tested, conclusion is more than 99%.
[0215] QS21 quenching was then compared with an equivalent adjuvant composition comprising sorbitol and only 5 mM sodium chloride. Data were generated after storage of the ASA at 4.degree. C. or after accelerated stability (7 days at 37.degree. C.). For the ASA in sorbitol, the QS21 standard curve was realised in a sorbitol containing buffer.
TABLE-US-00003 Sample Timepoint LOD QS21 quenched Adjuvant composition (ASA) T0 <1.4 >97.2% 150 mM NaCl 7 days 37.degree. C. <0.9 >98.2% Adjuvant Composition (ASA) T0 <2 >97.8% sorbitol, 5 mM NaCl 7 days 37.degree. C. <1 .sup. >96% 11 months 4.degree. C. <2 >97.8%* Equivalent of 50 ug QS21 tested except * equivalent of 90 ug QS21 tested.
[0216] It was concluded that QS21 was adequately quenched in a low sodium chloride buffer.
Example 4: MPL Congeners
[0217] Chemically, 3D-MPL is a mixture of 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A with mainly 4, 5 or 6 acylated chains. Each separate 3D-MPL molecule is called a congener. It is important that the congener composition remain constant, with no shift between the proportion of congeners. It is also important that any buffer used enables the congener composition to be the same as in the concentrated liposomes used to make the adjuvant composition.
[0218] As shown on FIG. 2, the congener composition was examined in 3D-MPL concentrated liposomes (Conc. Liposomes LIP07-217, first column of FIG. 2), an adjuvant composition comprising 3D-MPL liposomes and QS21 in a 150 mM NaCl buffer (Adjuvant 150 mM NaCl, or ASA (150 mM NaCl), second column), and an adjuvant composition comprising 3D-MPL liposomes and QS21 in a sorbitol and 5 mM NaCl buffer (Adjuvant Sorbitol, or ASA (sorbitol), columns 3-7).
[0219] The congener composition was also examined in two lots of ASA (sorbitol) adjuvant at day 0 and 7 days after preparation and maintenance at 37.degree. C. to ensure that there was no evolution over time (see final four columns of FIG. 2).
[0220] Relative distribution of tetra-, penta- and hexa-acylated congeners of MPL in concentrated liposomes or ASA (sorbitol) samples was determined by IP-HPLC-Fluo detection (ARD). Both standards and samples were derivatised with dansylhydrazine, which introduces a Fluo-active chromophore on the dissacharide backbone. The derivatised samples were analysed on a C18 reverse phase column using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as an ion pair reagent. Congeners containing the same numbers of fatty acyl groups were eluted in distinct groups (tetraacyl, pentaacyl, and hexaacyl). Distribution of congeners is deduced by comparing the peak area of each group to the total peak area of all MPL congeners.
[0221] FIG. 2 shows the percentage of each congener. No significant difference in congener composition was found between adjuvant buffers, and the congener composition was consistent over time in the sorbitol buffer.
Example 5: Preparation of Adjuvant Composition ASA (Sorbitol--2)
[0222] An adjuvant composition was prepared which comprised 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21, at a reduced level relative to Example 1, in a liposomal formulation using sorbitol as a tonicity agent. This was prepared as follows:
[0223] The adjuvant was prepared by 1:1 dilution of ASA(sorbitol), prepared according to Example 1, with a solution containing 10 mM phosphate, 5 mM NaCl, 4.7% sorbitol at pH 6.1.
[0224] Final ASA(sorbitol--2) formulation contained 1 mg DOPC, 250 ug cholesterol, 50 ug 3D-MPL/ml and 50 ug QS21/ml, 4.7% sorbitol, 5 mM sodium chloride and 10 mM phosphate.
Example 6: Preparation of Adjuvant Composition ASA (Sorbitol--3)
[0225] An adjuvant composition was prepared which comprised 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21, at a reduced level relative to Example 1, in a liposomal formulation using sorbitol as a tonicity agent. This was prepared as follows:
[0226] A. Method of Preparation of Liposomes:
[0227] A mixture of lipid (DOPC), cholesterol and 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A in organic solvent was dried down under vacuum. An aqueous solution (phosphate buffered saline 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM Phosphate pH 6.1) was then added and the vessel agitated until all the lipid was in suspension. This suspension was then prehomogenised with high shear mixer and then high pressure homogenised until the liposomes size was reduced to around 90 nm.+-.10 nm measured by DLS. Liposomes were then sterile filtered.
[0228] B. ASA Formulation:
[0229] Step 1: Dilution of Concentrated Liposomes
[0230] Na.sub.2/K Phosphate buffer 100 mM pH 6.1 when diluted 10 times was added to water for injection to reach a 10 mM phosphate buffer concentration in the final formulation. A 30% (w/v) sorbitol solution in water for injection (WFI) was then added to reach a concentration of 4.7% in the final formulation--this was stirred for 15 to 45 minutes at room temperature.
[0231] Concentrated liposomes (made of DOPC, cholesterol and 3D-MPL at 40 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml respectively) were then added to the mix to reach a concentration of 50 ug/ml of 3D-MPL in the final formulation.
[0232] The mixture was subsequently stirred for 15 to 45 minutes at room temperature.
[0233] Step 2: QS21 Addition
[0234] Using a peristaltic pump, QS21 bulk stock was added to the diluted liposomes under magnetic stirring to reach a 50 ug/ml concentration in the final formulation. The mix was stirred for 15 minutes.
[0235] Final ASA formulation contained 1 mg DOPC, 250 ug cholesterol, 50 ug 3D-MPL/ml and 50 ug QS21/ml, 4.7% sorbitol and 2.5 mM sodium chloride, 10 mM phosphate.
[0236] Step 3: pH was Checked to be 6.1.+-.0.1
[0237] Step 4: Sterile Filtration
[0238] Sterile filtration was performed using a polyethersulfone (PES) filter from PALL Corporation.
[0239] Step 5: Storage at +2.degree. C. to +8.degree. C.
[0240] The adjuvant composition obtained, which comprised 3-de-O-acylated MPL and QS21 in a liposomal formulation and containing sorbitol as a tonicity agent (designated ASA (sorbitol-3)), was then stored at 4.degree. C.
Example 7: Preparation of Adjuvant Composition ASA (150 mM NaCl--2)
[0241] An adjuvant composition was prepared which comprised 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21, at a reduced level relative to Example 2, in a liposomal formulation using sodium chloride as a tonicity agent. This was prepared as follows:
[0242] A. Method of Preparation of Liposomes:
[0243] A mixture of lipid (DOPC), cholesterol and 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) in organic solvent was dried down under vacuum. Phosphate buffered saline (100 mM NaCl, 50 mM Phosphate pH 6.1) was then added and the vessel agitated until all the lipid was in suspension. This suspension was then prehomogenised with high shear mixer and then high pressure homogenised until the liposomes size was reduced to around 90 nm.+-.10 nm measured by DLS. Liposomes were then sterile filtered on 0.22 um PES membrane.
[0244] B. ASA Formulation:
[0245] Step 1: Dilution of Concentrated Liposomes
[0246] Na.sub.2/K Phosphate buffer 100 mM pH 6.45 when diluted 10 times and NaCl 1.5 M were added to water for injection to reach respectively 10 mM phosphate and NaCl 150 mM concentrations in the final formulation. This mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature. Concentrated liposomes (made of DOPC, cholesterol and 3D-MPL at 40 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml respectively) were then added to the mix to reach a concentration of 50 ug/ml of 3D-MPL in the final formulation. The mixture was subsequently stirred for 5 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
[0247] Step 2: QS21 Addition
[0248] QS21 bulk stock was added to the diluted liposomes under magnetic stirring to reach a 50 ug/ml concentration in the final formulation. The mix was stirred at room temperature.
[0249] Step 3: pH was Checked so as to be 6.1.+-.0.1.
[0250] Step 4: Sterile Filtration
[0251] Sterile filtration was performed using a polyethersulfone (PES) filter from PALL Corporation.
[0252] Step 5: Storage at +2.degree. C. to +8.degree. C.
[0253] Final composition of ASA (150 mM NaCl--2) was 1 mg DOPC, 250 ug cholesterol, 50 ug 3-de-O-acylated MPL, 50 ug QS21 per 1 ml, 10 mM phosphate and 150 mM NaCl.
Example 8: Preparation of Protein Antigens
[0254] M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues (SEQ ID No: 7)
[0255] Construction of the M72 Expression Vector
[0256] A plasmid coding for the amino acid sequence of Mtb72f with an additional 6-His tag at the N-terminus was generated by the sequential linkage in tandem of the open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the C terminal fragment of Mtb32a to the full length ORF of Mtb39a followed at the C terminus with the N terminal portion of Mtb32a. This was accomplished by using sequence-specific oligonucleotides containing unique restriction sites (EcoRI and EcoRV) and devoid of the stop codons at the C terminal ends (in the case of the C terminal fragment of Mtb32a and Mtb39a) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of genomic DNA from the M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv. Using this vector as template, a mutation of Ser706 to Ala was performed by site-directed mutagenesis. The proper orientation of inserts as well as the mutation Ser706Ala was verified by DNA sequencing.
[0257] In order to obtain the vector coding for M72, which just has 2 His residues at the N terminus, four His were deleted making use of a commercial site-directed mutagenesis system. After sequence verification, the M72 coding sequence was excised from the plasmid by enzymatic reaction, gel purified and ligated into a pET vector. The recombinant plasmid was then sequence verified. This plasmid codes for M72 under the control of a T7 promoter. Expression of T7 RNA polymerase is driven from a genomic integrant in the expression host and is induced using a lac operon-based system (lacl) and an IPTG chemical induction signal. The expression plasmid is provided with kanamycin resistance.
[0258] The plasmid coding for the M72 fusion protein under the control of a T7 promoter was transformed into the HMS174 (DE3) strain of E. coli, using an electroporation method. The coding sequence of the M72 insert and the flanking regions were sequenced on both strands and were found to be identical to the sequence determined from the original plasmid construct.
[0259] Fermentation
[0260] A vial of pelleted working seed was thawed at room temperature. A pre-dilution was prepared by mixing the working seed with 4.9 ml of pre-culture medium. 1 ml of the pre-dilution was used to inoculate the liquid pre-culture which consists of 400 ml of pre-culture medium supplemented with 50 mg/I kanamycin sulfate and 10 g/I glucose.
Pre-Culture Medium Composition
TABLE-US-00004
[0261] Ingredient Concentration KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 14.83 g/l K.sub.2HPO.sub.4 1.65 g/l (NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4 5.82 g/l Yeast extract 6.21 g/l Glycerol 87% (w/w) 14.54 ml/l Metal and salt solution .sup.(1): 9.7 ml/l FeCl.sub.3 6H.sub.2O 3.3 g/l MgSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 58 g/l Micro element solution .sup.(2): 116 ml/l ZnSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 7.65 g/l MnSO.sub.4 H.sub.2O 5.28 g/l CuSO.sub.4 5H.sub.2O 1.1 g/l CoCl.sub.2 6H.sub.2O 1.1 g/l H.sub.3BO.sub.3 0.3 g/l Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4 2H.sub.2O 2.64 g/l HCl 4N 6.2 ml/l Biotine and CaCl.sub.2 solution .sup.(2): 0.97 ml/l Biotine 0.05 g/l CaCl.sub.2 2 H.sub.2O 61.7 g/l pH of the medium is adjusted to 6.5 with NaOH (25%) solution The medium is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(1) pH adjusted to 1.50 with HCl (37%) solution; the solution is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(2) The solution is filtered through 0.22 um
[0262] The pre-culture was incubated in a 2 litre shake flask at 30.degree. C. under agitation (200 RPM) until the OD.sub.650 nm reached a value between 2 and 4 (approximate incubation time: 16 hours). At that stage, a 72 litre (total volume) fermenter containing 45 litres of culture medium supplemented with 34 mg/I kanamycin sulfate was inoculated with 52 ml liquid pre-culture.
Culture Medium Composition
TABLE-US-00005
[0263] Ingredient Concentration MgSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 0.63 g/l FeCl.sub.3 6H.sub.2O 0.056 g/l Micro element solution .sup.(1): 1.91 ml/l ZnSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 7.65 g/l MnSO.sub.4 H.sub.2O 5.28 g/l CuSO.sub.4 5H.sub.2O 1.1 g/1 CoCl.sub.2 6H.sub.2O 1.1 g/1 H.sub.3BO.sub.3 0.3 g/l Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4 2H.sub.2O 2.64 g/l HCl 4N 6.2 ml/l HCl 37% 0.40 mL/L Yeast extract 35 g/L (NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4 2.10 g/l KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 18.70 g/l Sodium glutamate 2.5 g/l Glycerol 87% 0.276 ml/l Glucose 20 g/l Biotine solution .sup.(2): 0.22 ml/l Biotine 1 g/l CaCl.sub.2 2 H.sub.2O 0.21 g/l The solution is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(1) The solution is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(2) pH adjusted to 11.0 with NaOH (25%) solution; the solution is filtered through 0.22 um
[0264] During the growth phase, pH was maintained at 6.8.+-.0.2 by periodic addition of 25% (v/v) NH.sub.4OH and 25% (v/v) H.sub.3PO.sub.4. After incubation for 16 hours at 30.degree. C., fed-batch was started with feed medium.
Feed Medium Composition
TABLE-US-00006
[0265] Ingredient Concentration MgSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 1.98 g/l FeCl.sub.3 6H.sub.2O 0.178 g/l Micro element solution .sup.(1): 6.02 ml/l ZnSO.sub.4 7H.sub.2O 7.65 g/l MnSO.sub.4 H.sub.2O 5.28 g/l CuSO.sub.4 5H.sub.2O 1.1 g/1 CoCl.sub.2 6H.sub.2O 1.1 g/1 H.sub.3BO.sub.3 0.3 g/l Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4 2H.sub.2O 2.64 g/l HCl 4N 6.2 ml/l HCl 37% 1.24 ml/l Sodium glutamate 5 g/l Yeast extract 40 g/l Glycerol 87% 590 ml/l Biotine solution .sup.(2): 2 ml/l 1 g/l Biotine CaCl.sub.2 2 H.sub.2O 0.66 g/l The solution is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(1) The solution is filtered through 0.22 um .sup.(2) pH adjusted to 11.0 with NaOH (25%) solution; the solution is filtered through 0.22 um
[0266] The temperature was maintained at 30.degree. C. for a further 2 hours, then raised to 37.degree. C. until the end of fermentation. The air flow was constantly set to 75 l/min and the dissolved oxygen kept at 17% saturation by feedback control of the agitation and pressure. Small quantities of antifoam solution were added on demand automatically. By the time the OD.sub.650 nm reached a value of 50 (.+-.5), 1 mM Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) was added in order to induce the expression of M72. Fermentation ended after 5 hours from the time point induction was started. The cell culture was cooled down to 15.degree. C. under slight agitation and centrifuged (at 4.degree. C.) to obtain cell pellets which were thereafter stored at -20.degree. C. in aliquots.
[0267] Isolation of Inclusion Bodies
[0268] The cell pellets collected from the harvest were thawed at room temperature and disrupted in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris, 50 mM NaCl, pH 8.0) with a high pressure homogenizer. Thereafter the cell lysate was centrifuged and the resulting cell pellets (or inclusion bodies, IBs) were washed with wash buffer containing urea, Tris and NaCl. The IBs were solubilised with solubilisation buffer containing 8 M urea and filtered through a 0.2 um membrane. This filtered solution was first purified by anion exchange chromatography using a Q Sepharose Fast Flow (QSFF) column. The elution of M72 takes place with a 6 M urea, 20 mM bis-Tris propane, 90 mM NaCl, pH 7.0 solution.
[0269] M72 collected was further purified by Hydroxyapatite chromatography (HA), from which it is eluted with a 6 M urea, 20 mM bis-Tris propane, 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.0 solution. The collected fraction was concentrated with a 30 kDa membrane cassette and diafiltered against 20 mM Tris, pH 7.5. M72 was then sterilised through a 0.22 um filter. The purified bulk was then aliquoted and stored at -70.degree. C.
Example 9: Investigation of "Salting Out" in Compositions Comprising M72 with Different Salt Concentrations at pH 6.1, 7.5 and 8.5
[0270] The impact of sodium chloride concentration and pH on M72 antigen stability, as assessed by size and antigenicity, was investigated.
[0271] Method
[0272] Purified bulk antigen (M72 with two N-terminal His residues, SEQ ID No: 7, as prepared in Example 9) was diluted to a concentration of 100 ug/ml in three different buffers (10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.1, 20 mM Tris buffer at pH 7.5 and 20 mM Tris buffer at pH 8.5) containing final sodium chloride concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 300 and 450 mM.
[0273] Samples were analysed immediately (TO), stored overnight at 4.degree. C. before analysis (TO 0/N) or stored at 25.degree. C. for 24 hours before analysis (T24h25.degree. C.).
[0274] DLS was performed using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS from Malvern Instruments (UK). The instrument was operated using a laser wavelength of 633 nm and power of 4 mW. Scattered light was detected at 173.degree. at a temperature of 22.degree. C. The Z-average diameter (Zav) and polydispersity index (pI) are calculated by the instrument software.
[0275] Nephlometry was performed using a Nepheloskan.RTM. Ascent, available from Thermo Fischer Scientific. Analysis was performed in UV transparent Costar.RTM. micro-plates available from Corning Inc (USA).
[0276] Antigenicity was quantified by a sandwich ELISA in which the antigen is captured by a M72-specific rabbit polyclonal antibody and subsequently revealed by a M72(Mtb39)-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. All measured values are presented relative to the expected antigenicity based on the purified bulk protein used to prepare the tested formulations.
[0277] Results
[0278] The findings of this experiment are presented in FIGS. 5 to 7.
[0279] The results demonstrate for the first time that the stability of solutions containing an M72 related antigen is sensitive to both pH and sodium chloride concentration. The impact of sodium chloride on antigen size and antigenicity is all the more notable as the pH is lower.
[0280] Antigen size and antigenicity are not stable at pH 6.1 even in the absence of sodium chloride. The addition of 50 mM sodium chloride at pH 6.1 led to a size increase from 35 nm (0 mM sodium chloride at TO) up to 58 nm (TO) or 79 nm after 24 hours at 25.degree. C.
[0281] Antigen size and antigenicity are relatively stable over 24 hours at 25.degree. C. at pH 7.5 or 8.5, particularly in the absence of sodium chloride or at a sodium chloride concentration of 50 mM. Nevertheless, increasing the concentration of sodium chloride to 150 mM or greater results in a clear increase in antigen size and reduction in antigenicity.
Example 10: Prevention of "Salting Out" in Compositions Comprising M72, Immunostimulants and Using Sorbitol as a Tonicity Agent
[0282] In order to compare the stability of immunogenic compositions containing 150 mM NaCl with compositions using sorbitol as a tonicity agent, a number of samples were monitored using SEC-HPLC and ELISA.
[0283] Method
[0284] Three different lyophilisation cakes were prepared, such that when combined with the appropriate adjuvant formulations from Examples 5 and 7 the desired pH would be obtained:
[0285] (a) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--Target pH 8.5 in Reconstituted Vaccine
[0286] 15.75% (w/v) sucrose solution (prepared in water for injection) was added to water for injection to reach a sucrose concentration of 6.3%. 3% (w/v) Tween80 solution (prepared in water for injection) was then added to reach a concentration of 0.025%. Tris-HCl buffer 1 M pH 8.8 was then added to reach a 50 mM Tris buffer concentration. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature. Purified bulk antigen (M72 with two N-terminal His residues, SEQ ID No: 3, as prepared in Example 8) was then added to reach a protein concentration of 25 ug/ml. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature. The pH was checked and found to be 8.8.
[0287] 0.5 ml of the mixture obtained was filled in 3 ml glass vials then freeze dried.
[0288] (b) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--Target pH 8.0 in Reconstituted Vaccine
[0289] 15.75% (w/v) sucrose solution (prepared in water for injection) was added to water for injection to reach a sucrose concentration of 6.3%. 3% (w/v) Tween80 solution (prepared in water for injection) was then added to reach a concentration of 0.025%. Tris-HCl buffer 1 M pH 8.8 was then added to reach a 20 mM Tris buffer concentration. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature. Purified bulk antigen (M72 with two N-terminal His residues, SEQ ID No: 3, as prepared in Example 8) was then added to reach a protein concentration of 25 ug/ml. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature. The pH was checked and found to be 8.8.
[0290] 0.5 ml of the mixture obtained was filled in 3 ml glass vials then freeze dried.
[0291] (c) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--Target pH 7.5 in Reconstituted Vaccine
[0292] 15.75% (w/v) sucrose solution (prepared in water for injection) was added to water for injection to reach a sucrose concentration of 6.3%. 3% (w/v) Tween80 solution (prepared in water for injection) was then added to reach a concentration of 0.025%. Tris-HCl buffer 1 M pH 8.8 was then added to reach a 12.5 mM Tris buffer concentration. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature. Purified bulk antigen (M72 with two N-terminal His residues, SEQ ID No: 3, as prepared in Example 8) was then added to reach a protein concentration of 25 ug/ml. The mixture was magnetically stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature. The pH was checked and found to be 8.8.
[0293] 0.5 ml of the mixture obtained was filled in 3 ml glass vials then freeze dried.
[0294] The lyophilisation cakes described above were reconstituted with 625 ul of the adjuvant solutions prepared in Examples 5 and 7. Upon reconstitution with adjuvant solution, the following immunogenic compositions were obtained:
[0295] (i) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA (150 mM NaCl--2) pH 8.5
[0296] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0297] 5% w/v sucrose
[0298] 40 mM Tris
[0299] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0300] 500 ug DOPC
[0301] 125 ug cholesterol
[0302] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0303] 25 ug QS21
[0304] 150 mM NaCl
[0305] 10 mM phosphate
[0306] pH 8.5
[0307] (ii) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA (150 mM NaCl--2) pH 8.0
[0308] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0309] 5% w/v sucrose
[0310] 16 mM Tris
[0311] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0312] 500 ug DOPC
[0313] 125 ug cholesterol
[0314] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0315] 25 ug QS21
[0316] 150 mM NaCl
[0317] 10 mM phosphate
[0318] pH 8.0
[0319] (iii) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA (150 mM NaCl--2) pH 7.5
[0320] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0321] 5% w/v sucrose
[0322] 12.5 mM Tris
[0323] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0324] 500 ug DOPC
[0325] 125 ug cholesterol
[0326] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0327] 25 ug QS21
[0328] 150 mM NaCl
[0329] 10 mM phosphate
[0330] pH 7.5
[0331] (iv) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA(sorbitol--2) pH 8.5
[0332] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0333] 5% w/v sucrose
[0334] 40 mM Tris
[0335] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0336] 500 ug DOPC
[0337] 125 ug cholesterol
[0338] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0339] 25 ug QS21
[0340] 5 mM NaCl
[0341] 4.7% w/v sorbitol
[0342] 10 mM phosphate
[0343] pH 8.5
[0344] (v) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA(Sorbitol--2) pH 8.0
[0345] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0346] 5% w/v sucrose
[0347] 16 mM Tris
[0348] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0349] 500 ug DOPC
[0350] 125 ug cholesterol
[0351] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0352] 25 ug QS21
[0353] 5 mM NaCl
[0354] 4.7% w/v sorbitol
[0355] 10 mM phosphate
[0356] pH 8.0
[0357] (vi) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA(Sorbitol--2) pH 7.5
[0358] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0359] 5% w/v sucrose
[0360] 12.5 mM Tris
[0361] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0362] 500 ug DOPC
[0363] 125 ug cholesterol
[0364] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0365] 25 ug QS21
[0366] 5 mM NaCl
[0367] 4.7% w/v sorbitol
[0368] 10 mM phosphate
[0369] pH 7.5
[0370] Sample Analysis
[0371] The reconstituted immunogenic compositions described above were characterised after storage at 25.degree. C. or 30.degree. C. (TO, T6h and T24h).
[0372] SEC-HPLC analysis was performed by injection on a TOSOH TSK-Ge15000Pwx1 (ID 7.8 mm.times.30 cm) equilibrated in 20 mM Tris buffer pH 8.5, detection by UV at 210 nm and flow rate 0.5 ml/min.
[0373] Antigenicity was quantified by a sandwich ELISA in which the antigen is captured by a M72-specific rabbit polyclonal antibody and subsequently revealed by a M72(Mtb39)-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. All measured values are presented relative to the expected antigenicity based on the purified bulk protein used to prepare the tested formulations.
[0374] Results
[0375] The results are shown in FIGS. 6a-6d and 7.
[0376] SEC-HPLC profiles are stable after reconstitution in low salt compositions using sorbitol as a tonicity agent at each pH (i.e. pH 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5). This may be contrasted with the SEC-HPLC profiles for immunogenic compositions containing 150 mM NaCl, which show clear changes between the initial profile obtained and those following storage at 25.degree. C. or 30.degree. C. This evolution becomes more intense when the pH of the 150 mM NaCl composition is lowered.
[0377] The same conclusions can be drawn in terms of antigenicity, with recoveries remaining largely stable after reconstitution in low salt compositions using sorbitol as a tonicity agent at each pH (i.e. pH 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5) up to 24 h at 30.degree. C.
Example 11: Conductivity Determination for Immunogenic Compositions of the Invention
[0378] The conductivity of a range of immunogenic compositions according to the present invention was measured and compared to the conductivity of control sodium chloride solutions and with an immunogenic composition containing a conventional quantity of sodium chloride.
[0379] Method
[0380] A range of standards having sodium chloride concentrations of 0, 75, 100, 150, 250 and 300 mM were prepared from a stock solution of 1500 mM sodium chloride by dilution in water for injection.
[0381] Immunogenic compositions were prepared using M72 with two N-terminal His residues according to the procedures provided in Example 8. To investigate the contribution from the antigen itself and any residual materials in the purified bulk, placebo lyophilisation cakes were also prepared by excluding the antigen component.
[0382] Using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano and 1.5 ml of each sample in folded capillary cells, a voltage of 30 to 150 V (determined automatically by the instrument) was applied and the conductivity determined.
[0383] Results
Conductivity of Sodium Chloride Standard Solutions
TABLE-US-00007
[0384] Sodium chloride concentration Conductivity mM mS/cm 0 0.0 75 8.2 100 10.7 150 15.6 250 23.9 300 30.0
[0385] A standard curve, based on this data, is provided in FIG. 10.
Conductivity of Test Solutions
TABLE-US-00008
[0386] Sodium Equivalent chloride sodium concen- Conduc- chloride tration tivity concentration Description mM mS/cm mM ASA(sorbitol - 2) 5 1.46 9 Placebo pH 8.0/ASA(sorbitol - 2) 5 1.95 14 M72 pH 8.0/ASA(sorbitol - 2) 5 1.96 14 Placebo pH 8.5/ASA(sorbitol - 2) 5 2.36 18 M72 pH 8.5/ASA(sorbitol - 2) 5 2.28 17 ASA(150 mM NaCl - 2) 150 16 159 Placebo pH 8.5/ASA(150 mM 150 14.8 147 NaCl - 2) M72 pH 8.5/ASA(150 mM 150 15.3 152 NaCl - 2)
[0387] As can be seen from the data above, the conductivity of solutions which utilise 150 mM NaCl is significantly greater than that of solutions which make minimal use of NaCl.
[0388] The impact of the antigen and any components in the purified bulk is minimal, as placebo preparations have comparable conductivity to their Rv1196 related antigen containing counterparts.
Example 12: Immunogenicity Testing of Immunogenic Compositions of the Invention
[0389] The aim of the this Example was to determine whether or not formulation changes to reduce the quantity of salt in immunogenic compositions of the invention, with a view to improving protein stability, had an impact on in vivo immunogenicity.
[0390] Method
[0391] Four immunogenic compositions were evaluated:
[0392] 1. M72 with two N-terminal His residues pH 8.5/ASA (150 mM NaCl--2)
[0393] 2. M72 with two N-terminal His residues pH 8.5/ASA (sorbitol--2)
[0394] 3. M72 with two N-terminal His residues pH 8/ASA (sorbitol--2)
[0395] 4. M72 with two N-terminal His residues pH 7.5/ASA (sorbitol--2)
[0396] The immunogenicity of these antigen containing compositions was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. For each of the four compositions, 30 C57BL/6 mice were injected 3 times intramuscularly, on days 0, 14 and 28 with 1 ug of antigen in 50 ul of adjuvant solution (prepared by the procedure provided in Example 11). The elicited M72 specific T cell responses (both CD4 & CD8) were measured 6 days post last immunisation (6dPIII).
[0397] For the determination of M72-specific cellular responses, peripheral blood lymphocytes from 30 mice/group were collected and pooled (six pools of five mice/group). A red blood cells lysis was performed before plating the cells in vitro. The cells were restimulated in vitro with a pool of overlapping peptides (15-mer peptides with an 11 amino acid overlap, at 1 ug/ml/peptide) covering the M72 sequence (without the N-terminal His residues). Cells remaining in medium (no peptide stimulation) were used to determine the background responses. Two hours after the co-culture with the peptide pool, brefeldin A was added to the wells (to inhibit cytokine excretion) and the cells were stored overnight at 4.degree. C. The cells were subsequently stained for the following markers: CD4, CD8, IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.
[0398] Results
[0399] Each datapoint in FIGS. 9 and 10 represents the background subtracted M72-specific CD4 or CD8 T cell response, respectively, of a pool of peripheral blood lymphocytes from five mice six days after the third immunisation. The response is expressed as the percentage of CD4 T cells producing IFN-gamma and/or IL-2 and/or TNF-alpha in response to simulation with the M72 peptide pool. The bar represents the median of the responses for each group.
[0400] The results in FIGS. 9 and 10 show that comparable CD4 and CD8 T cell responses are induced following three immunisations with each of the test formulations. Consequently, it may be concluded that a reduction in the quantity of salts present in the immunogenic compositions of the present invention does not lead to a compromise in the induced T cell responses.
Example 13: Investigation of "Salting Out" in Compositions Comprising M72 with CaCl.sub.2) or MgSO.sub.4 at pH 6.1 and 8.0
[0401] To investigate impact of other salts on M72 antigen stability, solutions were prepared with a range of concentrations of CaCl.sub.2) or MgSO.sub.4 and at different pH levels. Visual inspection was used as a readout of stability.
[0402] Method
[0403] Purified bulk antigen (M72 with two N-terminal His residues, SEQ ID No: 7) was diluted to a concentration of 100 ug/ml in two different buffers (10 mM succinate buffer at pH 6.1 and 10 mM Tris buffer at pH 8.0) containing specified quantities of salts (0 mM; 150 mM or 300 mM NaCl; 40 mM, 80 mM or 160 mM CaCl.sub.2); 87.5 mM, 175 mM or 430 mM MgSO.sub.4).
[0404] Samples were analysed directly after preparation.
[0405] Using a Mettler Toledo conductivity meter and 6 ml of each sample in an unsiliconised glass vial, the conductivity was determined.
[0406] Results
TABLE-US-00009 Conductivity pH (mS/cm) pH Visual Group Salt Buffer (theoretical) (measured) (measured) Observation A 0 mM Succinate 6.1 1.1 6.3 Clear 10 mM B NaCl Succinate 6.1 13.4 6.1 Clear 150 mM 10 mM C NaCl Succinate 6.1 20.0 6.1 Clear 300 mM 10 mM D CaCl.sub.2 Succinate 6.1 8.0 6.1 Opalescent 40 mM 10 mM E CaCl.sub.2 Succinate 6.1 11.2 5.8 Opalescent + 80 mM 10 mM large particles F CaCl.sub.2 Succinate 6.1 20.2 5.8 Opalescent + 160 mM 10 mM large particles G MgSO.sub.4 Succinate 6.1 7.7 6.1 Opalescent 87.5 mM 10 mM H MgSO.sub.4 Succinate 6.1 12.4 5.9 Opalescent + 175 mM 10 mM very large particles I MgSO.sub.4 Succinate 6.1 20.4 5.9 Opalescent + 430 mM 10 mM very large particles J 0 mM Tris 8.0 0.463 8.0 Clear 10 mM K NaCl Tris 8.0 12.13 8.0 Clear 150 mM 10 mM L NaCl Tris 8.0 21.1 8.0 Clear 300 mM 10 mM M CaCl.sub.2 Tris 8.0 6.7 8.1 Large 40 mM 10 mM particles N CaCl.sub.2 Tris 8.0 10.8 8.0 Opalescent + 80 mM 10 mM large particles O CaCl.sub.2 Tris 8.0 19.7 8.0 Opalescent + 160 mM 10 mM large particles P MgSO.sub.4 Tris 8.0 7.5 8.0 Large particles 87.5 mM 10 mM Q MgSO.sub.4 Tris 8.0 10.9 8.2 Opalescent + 175 mM 10 mM very large particles R MgSO.sub.4 Tris 8.0 21.7 8.1 Opalescent + 430 mM 10 mM very large particles
[0407] The results demonstrate that solutions containing M72 related antigens can be sensitive to salts other than sodium chloride. The impact of CaCl.sub.2) or MgSO.sub.4 appears to be more pronounced than for sodium chloride at comparable concentrations or conductivity.
Example 14: Investigation of "Salting Out" in Compositions Comprising Mtb72f with Different Salt Concentrations at pH 6.1, 7.5 and 8.5
[0408] The impact of sodium chloride concentration and pH on Mtb72f antigen stability, as assessed by size, was investigated.
[0409] Method
[0410] Purified bulk antigen (Mtb72f with 6 his residues, SEQ ID No: 11) was diluted to a concentration of 100 ug/ml in three different buffers (10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.1, 20 mM Tris buffer at pH 7.5 and 20 mM Tris buffer at pH 8.5) containing final sodium chloride concentrations of 0, 150 and 450 mM.
[0411] Samples were stored for 24 hours at 4.degree. C. or 25.degree. C. before analysis.
[0412] Nephelometry was performed using a Nepheloskan.RTM. Ascent, available from Thermo Fischer Scientific. Analysis was performed in UV transparent Costar.RTM. micro-plates available from Corning Inc (USA).
[0413] DLS was performed using a Dynapro Plate Reader from Wyatt Instruments. The instrument was operated using a laser wavelength of 830 nm and power of 50 mW. Scattered light was detected at 150.degree. at a temperature of 22.degree. C. The mean hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index (pI) are calculated by the instrument software.
[0414] Results
[0415] The findings of this experiment are presented in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0416] Both DLS and nephlometry demonstrate a general trend that Mtb72f is sensitive to salt concentration and pH, in a similar manner to M72 as shown in previous examples. Consequently, the benefits of the present invention apply to M72 related antigens and not just to the M72 sequence itself.
[0417] In the case of a number of DLS samples, instrumentation was unable to determine a specific particle size (shown as NV in FIG. 12).
Example 15: Prevention of "Salting Out" in Compositions Comprising M72, Immunostimulants and Using Sorbitol as a Tonicity Agent
[0418] In order to compare the stability of immunogenic compositions containing 150 mM NaCl with compositions using sorbitol as a tonicity agent, samples were monitored using an alternative ELISA.
[0419] Method
[0420] Lyophilisation cake was prepared as described in Example 10 (specifically method (a) such that when combined with the appropriate adjuvant formulations from Example 10 a pH of 8.5 would be obtained.
[0421] The lyophilisation cake describe above were reconstituted with 625 ul of the adjuvant solutions prepared in Example 7. Upon reconstitution with adjuvant solution, the following immunogenic compositions were obtained:
[0422] (i) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA (150 mM NaCl--2) pH 8.5
[0423] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0424] 5% w/v sucrose
[0425] 40 mM Tris
[0426] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0427] 500 ug DOPC
[0428] 125 ug cholesterol
[0429] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0430] 25 ug QS21
[0431] 150 mM NaCl
[0432] 10 mM phosphate
[0433] pH 8.5
[0434] (ii) M72 with Two N-Terminal His Residues--ASA(sorbitol--2) pH 8.5
[0435] 10 ug antigen (20 ug/ml)
[0436] 5% w/v sucrose
[0437] 40 mM Tris
[0438] 0.02% w/v Tween80
[0439] 500 ug DOPC
[0440] 125 ug cholesterol
[0441] 25 ug 3D-MPL
[0442] 25 ug QS21
[0443] 5 mM NaCl
[0444] 4.7% w/v sorbitol
[0445] 10 mM phosphate
[0446] pH 8.5
[0447] The reconstituted immunogenic compositions described above were characterised after storage at 30.degree. C. (T24h) and compared with an extemporaneously prepared sample (TO).
[0448] Antigenicity was quantified by an indirect sandwich ELISA in which the antigen is captured by a M72-specific rabbit polyclonal antibody and subsequently revealed by a M72(Mtb39)-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. Briefly, the plate is coated with anti-M72 rabbit polyclonal antibody at the dilution of 1/8000 in Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline overnight at 4.degree. C. and after four washes the plates were blocked for 1 h at 37.degree. C. with saturation buffer (PBS, 0.1% Tween 20, 1% BSA). After the washing step, protein standard (M72 purified bulk: 1950 ug/ml), internal control (M72: 1768 ug/ml) and samples are loaded in wells from the first column of the plate at a concentration of approximately 0.25 .mu.g/ml and then a 2-fold serial dilution is performed in the saturation buffer (PBS, 0.025% Tween 20) from well 1 to 12 and incubated 1 h30 at 37.degree. C. After the washing step, the immune complex is then incubated 1 h at 37.degree. C. with anti-M72 mouse monoclonal antibody at a dilution of 1/1000 in saturation buffer (PBS, 0.025% Tween 20). After four washes, a biotinylated rabbit anti-mouse polyclonal antibody was added at a dilution of 1/1000 in saturation buffer (PBS, 0.025% Tween 20). After four washes, the signal was amplified by adding Streptavidin-Horseradish Peroxidase diluted 1/4000 in saturation buffer (PBS, 0.025% Tween 20). After four washes, the signal was revealed by ortho phenylene diamine dihydrochlorid (OPDA) for 15 min at RT and the reaction is stopped by addition of HCl 1 M. The coloration is proportional to the quantity of bound anti-M72 antibody, and is measured at 490 nm and 620 nm. All washing steps were performed using PBS, 0.025% Tween 20.
[0449] All measured values are presented relative to the expected antigenicity based on the purified bulk protein used to prepare the tested formulations.
[0450] Results
[0451] The results are shown in FIG. 13. Diamonds indicating the specific measurements for each of the three test samples, with a line indicating the average value.
[0452] Antigen recovery is largely stable after reconstitution in low salt compositions using sorbitol as a tonicity agent at pH 8.5 up to 24 h at 30.degree. C. Recovery in ASA(sorbitol-2) was 83.5% after 24 hours (TO 87.1%, meaning 95.9% of the relative antigenicity was maintained), whereas recovery in ASA(NaCl-2) was 54.5% after 24 hours (TO 81.0%, meaning only 67.3% of the relative antigenicity was maintained after storage).
[0453] In summary, Example 9, 10, and 15 demonstrates for the first time the detrimental impact resulting from pH and NaCl concentration on the stability of immunogenic compositions containing an M72 related antigen. Example 13 extends this work to show that other salts may also have a detrimental impact on the stability of immunogenic compositions containing an M72 related antigen, with Example 14 demonstrating that the effect is also applicable to M72 related sequences.
[0454] Reformulation of the immunogenic compositions with a non-ionic tonicity agent addresses the antigen stability problems. Additionally, Examples 3, 4, and 12 demonstrate the removal of substantially all NaCl from the immunogenic formulation and its replacement with sorbitol as a tonicity agent does not have a detrimental impact on the stimulation of T cell responses.
[0455] Stability of immunogenic compositions is key and may be particularly challenging when in isolated locations were refrigeration may not be readily accessible. By reducing the presence of salts in the immunogenic compositions, the present inventors have been able to reduce the extent of changes observed when the immunogenic compositions are stored.
[0456] Throughout the specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word `comprise`, and variations such as `comprises` and `comprising`, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, group of integers or group of steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer, step, group of integers or group of steps.
[0457] All documents referred to herein, including patents and patent applications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Sequence CWU
1
1
171391PRTMycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv 1Met Val Asp Phe Gly Ala Leu Pro
Pro Glu Ile Asn Ser Ala Arg Met1 5 10
15Tyr Ala Gly Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Leu Val Ala Ala Ala Gln
Met Trp 20 25 30Asp Ser Val
Ala Ser Asp Leu Phe Ser Ala Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Ser 35
40 45Val Val Trp Gly Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Trp Ile
Gly Ser Ser Ala Gly 50 55 60Leu Met
Val Ala Ala Ala Ser Pro Tyr Val Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr65
70 75 80Ala Gly Gln Ala Glu Leu Thr
Ala Ala Gln Val Arg Val Ala Ala Ala 85 90
95Ala Tyr Glu Thr Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr Val Pro Pro Pro
Val Ile Ala 100 105 110Glu Asn
Arg Ala Glu Leu Met Ile Leu Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Leu Gly 115
120 125Gln Asn Thr Pro Ala Ile Ala Val Asn Glu
Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met 130 135 140Trp
Ala Gln Asp Ala Ala Ala Met Phe Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala145
150 155 160Thr Ala Thr Ala Thr Leu
Leu Pro Phe Glu Glu Ala Pro Glu Met Thr 165
170 175Ser Ala Gly Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ala Ala Ala Val
Glu Glu Ala Ser 180 185 190Asp
Thr Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln Leu Met Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala Leu 195
200 205Gln Gln Leu Ala Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly
Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser Lys Leu 210 215
220Gly Gly Leu Trp Lys Thr Val Ser Pro His Arg Ser Pro Ile Ser Asn225
230 235 240Met Val Ser Met
Ala Asn Asn His Met Ser Met Thr Asn Ser Gly Val 245
250 255Ser Met Thr Asn Thr Leu Ser Ser Met Leu
Lys Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala 260 265
270Ala Ala Ala Gln Ala Val Gln Thr Ala Ala Gln Asn Gly Val Arg Ala
275 280 285Met Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser
Leu Gly Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Gly Gly 290 295
300Val Ala Ala Asn Leu Gly Arg Ala Ala Ser Val Gly Ser Leu Ser
Val305 310 315 320Pro Gln
Ala Trp Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln Ala Val Thr Pro Ala Ala Arg
325 330 335Ala Leu Pro Leu Thr Ser Leu
Thr Ser Ala Ala Glu Arg Gly Pro Gly 340 345
350Gln Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro Val Gly Gln Met Gly Ala Arg
Ala Gly 355 360 365Gly Gly Leu Ser
Gly Val Leu Arg Val Pro Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met 370
375 380Pro His Ser Pro Ala Ala Gly385
39021173DNAMycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv 2atggtggatt tcggggcgtt
accaccggag atcaactccg cgaggatgta cgccggcccg 60ggttcggcct cgctggtggc
cgcggctcag atgtgggaca gcgtggcgag tgacctgttt 120tcggccgcgt cggcgtttca
gtcggtggtc tggggtctga cggtggggtc gtggataggt 180tcgtcggcgg gtctgatggt
ggcggcggcc tcgccgtatg tggcgtggat gagcgtcacc 240gcggggcagg ccgagctgac
cgccgcccag gtccgggttg ctgcggcggc ctacgagacg 300gcgtatgggc tgacggtgcc
cccgccggtg atcgccgaga accgtgctga actgatgatt 360ctgatagcga ccaacctctt
ggggcaaaac accccggcga tcgcggtcaa cgaggccgaa 420tacggcgaga tgtgggccca
agacgccgcc gcgatgtttg gctacgccgc ggcgacggcg 480acggcgacgg cgacgttgct
gccgttcgag gaggcgccgg agatgaccag cgcgggtggg 540ctcctcgagc aggccgccgc
ggtcgaggag gcctccgaca ccgccgcggc gaaccagttg 600atgaacaatg tgccccaggc
gctgcaacag ctggcccagc ccacgcaggg caccacgcct 660tcttccaagc tgggtggcct
gtggaagacg gtctcgccgc atcggtcgcc gatcagcaac 720atggtgtcga tggccaacaa
ccacatgtcg atgaccaact cgggtgtgtc gatgaccaac 780accttgagct cgatgttgaa
gggctttgct ccggcggcgg ccgcccaggc cgtgcaaacc 840gcggcgcaaa acggggtccg
ggcgatgagc tcgctgggca gctcgctggg ttcttcgggt 900ctgggcggtg gggtggccgc
caacttgggt cgggcggcct cggtcggttc gttgtcggtg 960ccgcaggcct gggccgcggc
caaccaggca gtcaccccgg cggcgcgggc gctgccgctg 1020accagcctga ccagcgccgc
ggaaagaggg cccgggcaga tgctgggcgg gctgccggtg 1080gggcagatgg gcgccagggc
cggtggtggg ctcagtggtg tgctgcgtgt tccgccgcga 1140ccctatgtga tgccgcattc
tccggcggcc ggc 11733391PRTMycobacterium
tuberculosis F11 3Met Val Asp Phe Gly Ala Leu Pro Pro Glu Ile Asn Ser Ala
Arg Met1 5 10 15Tyr Ala
Gly Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Leu Val Ala Ala Ala Lys Met Trp 20
25 30Asp Ser Val Ala Ser Asp Leu Phe Ser
Ala Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Ser 35 40
45Val Val Trp Gly Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Trp Ile Gly Ser Ser Ala Gly 50
55 60Leu Met Val Ala Ala Ala Ser Pro Tyr
Val Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr65 70 75
80Ala Gly Gln Ala Glu Leu Thr Ala Ala Gln Val Arg Val Ala
Ala Ala 85 90 95Ala Tyr
Glu Thr Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr Val Pro Pro Pro Val Ile Ala 100
105 110Glu Asn Arg Ala Glu Leu Met Ile Leu
Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Leu Gly 115 120
125Gln Asn Thr Pro Ala Ile Ala Val Asn Glu Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met
130 135 140Trp Ala Gln Asp Ala Ala Ala
Met Phe Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala145 150
155 160Thr Ala Thr Ala Thr Leu Leu Pro Phe Glu Glu Ala
Pro Glu Met Thr 165 170
175Ser Ala Gly Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ala Ala Ala Val Glu Glu Ala Ser
180 185 190Asp Thr Ala Ala Ala Asn
Gln Leu Met Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala Leu 195 200
205Gln Gln Leu Ala Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser
Lys Leu 210 215 220Gly Gly Leu Trp Lys
Thr Val Ser Pro His Arg Ser Pro Ile Ser Asn225 230
235 240Met Val Ser Met Ala Asn Asn His Met Ser
Met Thr Asn Ser Gly Val 245 250
255Ser Met Thr Asn Thr Leu Ser Ser Met Leu Lys Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala
260 265 270Ala Ala Ala Gln Ala
Val Gln Thr Ala Ala Gln Asn Gly Val Arg Ala 275
280 285Met Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser Gly
Leu Gly Gly Gly 290 295 300Val Ala Ala
Asn Leu Gly Arg Ala Ala Ser Val Gly Ser Leu Ser Val305
310 315 320Pro Gln Ala Trp Ala Ala Ala
Asn Gln Ala Val Thr Pro Ala Ala Arg 325
330 335Ala Leu Pro Leu Thr Ser Leu Thr Ser Ala Ala Glu
Arg Gly Pro Gly 340 345 350Gln
Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro Val Gly Gln Met Gly Ala Arg Ala Gly 355
360 365Gly Gly Leu Ser Gly Val Leu Arg Val
Pro Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met 370 375
380Pro His Ser Pro Ala Ala Gly385
39041173DNAMycobacterium tuberculosis F11 4atggtggatt tcggggcgtt
accaccggag atcaactccg cgaggatgta tgccggcccg 60ggttcggcct cgctggtggc
cgccgcgaag atgtgggaca gcgtggcgag tgacctgttt 120tcggccgcgt cggcgtttca
gtcggtggtc tggggtctga cggtggggtc gtggataggt 180tcgtcggcgg gtctgatggt
ggcggcggcc tcgccgtatg tggcgtggat gagcgtcacc 240gcggggcagg ccgagctgac
cgccgcccag gtccgggttg ctgcggcggc ctacgagacg 300gcgtatgggc tgacggtgcc
cccgccggtg atcgccgaga accgtgctga actgatgatt 360ctgatagcga ccaacctctt
ggggcaaaac accccggcga tcgcggtcaa cgaggccgaa 420tacggcgaga tgtgggccca
agacgccgcc gcgatgtttg gctacgccgc ggcgacggcg 480acggcgacgg cgacgttgct
gccgttcgag gaggcgccgg agatgaccag cgcgggtggg 540ctcctcgagc aggccgccgc
ggtcgaggag gcctccgaca ccgccgcggc gaaccagttg 600atgaacaatg tgccccaggc
gctgcaacag ctggcccagc ccacgcaggg caccacgcct 660tcttccaagc tgggtggcct
gtggaagacg gtctcgccgc atcggtcgcc gatcagcaac 720atggtgtcga tggccaacaa
ccacatgtcg atgaccaact cgggtgtgtc gatgaccaac 780accttgagct cgatgttgaa
gggctttgct ccggcggcgg ccgcccaggc cgtgcaaacc 840gcggcgcaaa acggggtccg
ggcgatgagc tcgctgggca gctcgctggg ttcttcgggt 900ctgggcggtg gggtggccgc
caacttgggt cgggcggcct cggtcggttc gttgtcggtg 960ccgcaggcct gggccgcggc
caaccaggca gtcaccccgg cggcgcgggc gctgccgctg 1020accagcctga ccagcgccgc
ggaaagaggg cccgggcaga tgctgggcgg gctgccggtg 1080gggcagatgg gcgccagggc
cggtggtggg ctcagtggtg tgctgcgtgt tccgccgcga 1140ccctatgtga tgccgcattc
tccggcggcc ggc 11735723PRTArtificial
SequenceM72 fusion protein 5Met Thr Ala Ala Ser Asp Asn Phe Gln Leu Ser
Gln Gly Gly Gln Gly1 5 10
15Phe Ala Ile Pro Ile Gly Gln Ala Met Ala Ile Ala Gly Gln Ile Arg
20 25 30Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Pro Thr
Val His Ile Gly Pro Thr Ala Phe Leu 35 40
45Gly Leu Gly Val Val Asp Asn Asn Gly Asn Gly Ala Arg Val Gln
Arg 50 55 60Val Val Gly Ser Ala Pro
Ala Ala Ser Leu Gly Ile Ser Thr Gly Asp65 70
75 80Val Ile Thr Ala Val Asp Gly Ala Pro Ile Asn
Ser Ala Thr Ala Met 85 90
95Ala Asp Ala Leu Asn Gly His His Pro Gly Asp Val Ile Ser Val Thr
100 105 110Trp Gln Thr Lys Ser Gly
Gly Thr Arg Thr Gly Asn Val Thr Leu Ala 115 120
125Glu Gly Pro Pro Ala Glu Phe Met Val Asp Phe Gly Ala Leu
Pro Pro 130 135 140Glu Ile Asn Ser Ala
Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Leu145 150
155 160Val Ala Ala Ala Gln Met Trp Asp Ser Val
Ala Ser Asp Leu Phe Ser 165 170
175Ala Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Ser Val Val Trp Gly Leu Thr Val Gly Ser
180 185 190Trp Ile Gly Ser Ser
Ala Gly Leu Met Val Ala Ala Ala Ser Pro Tyr 195
200 205Val Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr Ala Gly Gln Ala Glu
Leu Thr Ala Ala 210 215 220Gln Val Arg
Val Ala Ala Ala Ala Tyr Glu Thr Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr225
230 235 240Val Pro Pro Pro Val Ile Ala
Glu Asn Arg Ala Glu Leu Met Ile Leu 245
250 255Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Leu Gly Gln Asn Thr Pro Ala
Ile Ala Val Asn 260 265 270Glu
Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met Trp Ala Gln Asp Ala Ala Ala Met Phe 275
280 285Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala Thr Ala
Thr Ala Thr Leu Leu Pro Phe 290 295
300Glu Glu Ala Pro Glu Met Thr Ser Ala Gly Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ala305
310 315 320Ala Ala Val Glu
Glu Ala Ser Asp Thr Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln Leu Met 325
330 335Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Gln Gln Leu
Ala Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly 340 345
350Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser Lys Leu Gly Gly Leu Trp Lys Thr Val Ser Pro
355 360 365His Arg Ser Pro Ile Ser Asn
Met Val Ser Met Ala Asn Asn His Met 370 375
380Ser Met Thr Asn Ser Gly Val Ser Met Thr Asn Thr Leu Ser Ser
Met385 390 395 400Leu Lys
Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala Gln Ala Val Gln Thr Ala
405 410 415Ala Gln Asn Gly Val Arg Ala
Met Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser Leu Gly 420 425
430Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Gly Gly Val Ala Ala Asn Leu Gly Arg
Ala Ala 435 440 445Ser Val Gly Ser
Leu Ser Val Pro Gln Ala Trp Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln 450
455 460Ala Val Thr Pro Ala Ala Arg Ala Leu Pro Leu Thr
Ser Leu Thr Ser465 470 475
480Ala Ala Glu Arg Gly Pro Gly Gln Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro Val Gly
485 490 495Gln Met Gly Ala Arg
Ala Gly Gly Gly Leu Ser Gly Val Leu Arg Val 500
505 510Pro Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met Pro His Ser Pro Ala
Ala Gly Asp Ile 515 520 525Ala Pro
Pro Ala Leu Ser Gln Asp Arg Phe Ala Asp Phe Pro Ala Leu 530
535 540Pro Leu Asp Pro Ser Ala Met Val Ala Gln Val
Gly Pro Gln Val Val545 550 555
560Asn Ile Asn Thr Lys Leu Gly Tyr Asn Asn Ala Val Gly Ala Gly Thr
565 570 575Gly Ile Val Ile
Asp Pro Asn Gly Val Val Leu Thr Asn Asn His Val 580
585 590Ile Ala Gly Ala Thr Asp Ile Asn Ala Phe Ser
Val Gly Ser Gly Gln 595 600 605Thr
Tyr Gly Val Asp Val Val Gly Tyr Asp Arg Thr Gln Asp Val Ala 610
615 620Val Leu Gln Leu Arg Gly Ala Gly Gly Leu
Pro Ser Ala Ala Ile Gly625 630 635
640Gly Gly Val Ala Val Gly Glu Pro Val Val Ala Met Gly Asn Ser
Gly 645 650 655Gly Gln Gly
Gly Thr Pro Arg Ala Val Pro Gly Arg Val Val Ala Leu 660
665 670Gly Gln Thr Val Gln Ala Ser Asp Ser Leu
Thr Gly Ala Glu Glu Thr 675 680
685Leu Asn Gly Leu Ile Gln Phe Asp Ala Ala Ile Gln Pro Gly Asp Ala 690
695 700Gly Gly Pro Val Val Asn Gly Leu
Gly Gln Val Val Gly Met Asn Thr705 710
715 720Ala Ala Ser62172DNAArtificial SequenceCoding
sequence for M72 fusion 6atgacggccg cgtccgataa cttccagctg tcccagggtg
ggcagggatt cgccattccg 60atcgggcagg cgatggcgat cgcgggccag atccgatcgg
gtggggggtc acccaccgtt 120catatcgggc ctaccgcctt cctcggcttg ggtgttgtcg
acaacaacgg caacggcgca 180cgagtccaac gcgtggtcgg gagcgctccg gcggcaagtc
tcggcatctc caccggcgac 240gtgatcaccg cggtcgacgg cgctccgatc aactcggcca
ccgcgatggc ggacgcgctt 300aacgggcatc atcccggtga cgtcatctcg gtgacctggc
aaaccaagtc gggcggcacg 360cgtacaggga acgtgacatt ggccgaggga cccccggccg
aattcatggt ggatttcggg 420gcgttaccac cggagatcaa ctccgcgagg atgtacgccg
gcccgggttc ggcctcgctg 480gtggccgcgg ctcagatgtg ggacagcgtg gcgagtgacc
tgttttcggc cgcgtcggcg 540tttcagtcgg tggtctgggg tctgacggtg gggtcgtgga
taggttcgtc ggcgggtctg 600atggtggcgg cggcctcgcc gtatgtggcg tggatgagcg
tcaccgcggg gcaggccgag 660ctgaccgccg cccaggtccg ggttgctgcg gcggcctacg
agacggcgta tgggctgacg 720gtgcccccgc cggtgatcgc cgagaaccgt gctgaactga
tgattctgat agcgaccaac 780ctcttggggc aaaacacccc ggcgatcgcg gtcaacgagg
ccgaatacgg cgagatgtgg 840gcccaagacg ccgccgcgat gtttggctac gccgcggcga
cggcgacggc gacggcgacg 900ttgctgccgt tcgaggaggc gccggagatg accagcgcgg
gtgggctcct cgagcaggcc 960gccgcggtcg aggaggcctc cgacaccgcc gcggcgaacc
agttgatgaa caatgtgccc 1020caggcgctgc aacagctggc ccagcccacg cagggcacca
cgccttcttc caagctgggt 1080ggcctgtgga agacggtctc gccgcatcgg tcgccgatca
gcaacatggt gtcgatggcc 1140aacaaccaca tgtcgatgac caactcgggt gtgtcgatga
ccaacacctt gagctcgatg 1200ttgaagggct ttgctccggc ggcggccgcc caggccgtgc
aaaccgcggc gcaaaacggg 1260gtccgggcga tgagctcgct gggcagctcg ctgggttctt
cgggtctggg cggtggggtg 1320gccgccaact tgggtcgggc ggcctcggtc ggttcgttgt
cggtgccgca ggcctgggcc 1380gcggccaacc aggcagtcac cccggcggcg cgggcgctgc
cgctgaccag cctgaccagc 1440gccgcggaaa gagggcccgg gcagatgctg ggcgggctgc
cggtggggca gatgggcgcc 1500agggccggtg gtgggctcag tggtgtgctg cgtgttccgc
cgcgacccta tgtgatgccg 1560cattctccgg cagccggcga tatcgccccg ccggccttgt
cgcaggaccg gttcgccgac 1620ttccccgcgc tgcccctcga cccgtccgcg atggtcgccc
aagtggggcc acaggtggtc 1680aacatcaaca ccaaactggg ctacaacaac gccgtgggcg
ccgggaccgg catcgtcatc 1740gatcccaacg gtgtcgtgct gaccaacaac cacgtgatcg
cgggcgccac cgacatcaat 1800gcgttcagcg tcggctccgg ccaaacctac ggcgtcgatg
tggtcgggta tgaccgcacc 1860caggatgtcg cggtgctgca gctgcgcggt gccggtggcc
tgccgtcggc ggcgatcggt 1920ggcggcgtcg cggttggtga gcccgtcgtc gcgatgggca
acagcggtgg gcagggcgga 1980acgccccgtg cggtgcctgg cagggtggtc gcgctcggcc
aaaccgtgca ggcgtcggat 2040tcgctgaccg gtgccgaaga gacattgaac gggttgatcc
agttcgatgc cgcgatccag 2100cccggtgatg cgggcgggcc cgtcgtcaac ggcctaggac
aggtggtcgg tatgaacacg 2160gccgcgtcct ag
21727725PRTArtificial SequenceM72 fusion with 2
additional his residues 7Met His His Thr Ala Ala Ser Asp Asn Phe Gln Leu
Ser Gln Gly Gly1 5 10
15Gln Gly Phe Ala Ile Pro Ile Gly Gln Ala Met Ala Ile Ala Gly Gln
20 25 30Ile Arg Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser
Pro Thr Val His Ile Gly Pro Thr Ala 35 40
45Phe Leu Gly Leu Gly Val Val Asp Asn Asn Gly Asn Gly Ala Arg
Val 50 55 60Gln Arg Val Val Gly Ser
Ala Pro Ala Ala Ser Leu Gly Ile Ser Thr65 70
75 80Gly Asp Val Ile Thr Ala Val Asp Gly Ala Pro
Ile Asn Ser Ala Thr 85 90
95Ala Met Ala Asp Ala Leu Asn Gly His His Pro Gly Asp Val Ile Ser
100 105 110Val Thr Trp Gln Thr Lys
Ser Gly Gly Thr Arg Thr Gly Asn Val Thr 115 120
125Leu Ala Glu Gly Pro Pro Ala Glu Phe Met Val Asp Phe Gly
Ala Leu 130 135 140Pro Pro Glu Ile Asn
Ser Ala Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly Pro Gly Ser Ala145 150
155 160Ser Leu Val Ala Ala Ala Gln Met Trp Asp
Ser Val Ala Ser Asp Leu 165 170
175Phe Ser Ala Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Ser Val Val Trp Gly Leu Thr Val
180 185 190Gly Ser Trp Ile Gly
Ser Ser Ala Gly Leu Met Val Ala Ala Ala Ser 195
200 205Pro Tyr Val Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr Ala Gly Gln
Ala Glu Leu Thr 210 215 220Ala Ala Gln
Val Arg Val Ala Ala Ala Ala Tyr Glu Thr Ala Tyr Gly225
230 235 240Leu Thr Val Pro Pro Pro Val
Ile Ala Glu Asn Arg Ala Glu Leu Met 245
250 255Ile Leu Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Leu Gly Gln Asn Thr
Pro Ala Ile Ala 260 265 270Val
Asn Glu Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met Trp Ala Gln Asp Ala Ala Ala 275
280 285Met Phe Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala
Thr Ala Thr Ala Thr Leu Leu 290 295
300Pro Phe Glu Glu Ala Pro Glu Met Thr Ser Ala Gly Gly Leu Leu Glu305
310 315 320Gln Ala Ala Ala
Val Glu Glu Ala Ser Asp Thr Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln 325
330 335Leu Met Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Gln
Gln Leu Ala Gln Pro Thr 340 345
350Gln Gly Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser Lys Leu Gly Gly Leu Trp Lys Thr Val
355 360 365Ser Pro His Arg Ser Pro Ile
Ser Asn Met Val Ser Met Ala Asn Asn 370 375
380His Met Ser Met Thr Asn Ser Gly Val Ser Met Thr Asn Thr Leu
Ser385 390 395 400Ser Met
Leu Lys Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala Gln Ala Val Gln
405 410 415Thr Ala Ala Gln Asn Gly Val
Arg Ala Met Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser 420 425
430Leu Gly Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Gly Gly Val Ala Ala Asn Leu
Gly Arg 435 440 445Ala Ala Ser Val
Gly Ser Leu Ser Val Pro Gln Ala Trp Ala Ala Ala 450
455 460Asn Gln Ala Val Thr Pro Ala Ala Arg Ala Leu Pro
Leu Thr Ser Leu465 470 475
480Thr Ser Ala Ala Glu Arg Gly Pro Gly Gln Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro
485 490 495Val Gly Gln Met Gly
Ala Arg Ala Gly Gly Gly Leu Ser Gly Val Leu 500
505 510Arg Val Pro Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met Pro His Ser
Pro Ala Ala Gly 515 520 525Asp Ile
Ala Pro Pro Ala Leu Ser Gln Asp Arg Phe Ala Asp Phe Pro 530
535 540Ala Leu Pro Leu Asp Pro Ser Ala Met Val Ala
Gln Val Gly Pro Gln545 550 555
560Val Val Asn Ile Asn Thr Lys Leu Gly Tyr Asn Asn Ala Val Gly Ala
565 570 575Gly Thr Gly Ile
Val Ile Asp Pro Asn Gly Val Val Leu Thr Asn Asn 580
585 590His Val Ile Ala Gly Ala Thr Asp Ile Asn Ala
Phe Ser Val Gly Ser 595 600 605Gly
Gln Thr Tyr Gly Val Asp Val Val Gly Tyr Asp Arg Thr Gln Asp 610
615 620Val Ala Val Leu Gln Leu Arg Gly Ala Gly
Gly Leu Pro Ser Ala Ala625 630 635
640Ile Gly Gly Gly Val Ala Val Gly Glu Pro Val Val Ala Met Gly
Asn 645 650 655Ser Gly Gly
Gln Gly Gly Thr Pro Arg Ala Val Pro Gly Arg Val Val 660
665 670Ala Leu Gly Gln Thr Val Gln Ala Ser Asp
Ser Leu Thr Gly Ala Glu 675 680
685Glu Thr Leu Asn Gly Leu Ile Gln Phe Asp Ala Ala Ile Gln Pro Gly 690
695 700Asp Ala Gly Gly Pro Val Val Asn
Gly Leu Gly Gln Val Val Gly Met705 710
715 720Asn Thr Ala Ala Ser
72582178DNAArtificial SequenceCoding sequence for M72 fusion with 2
additonal his residues 8atgcatcaca cggccgcgtc cgataacttc cagctgtccc
agggtgggca gggattcgcc 60attccgatcg ggcaggcgat ggcgatcgcg ggccagatcc
gatcgggtgg ggggtcaccc 120accgttcata tcgggcctac cgccttcctc ggcttgggtg
ttgtcgacaa caacggcaac 180ggcgcacgag tccaacgcgt ggtcgggagc gctccggcgg
caagtctcgg catctccacc 240ggcgacgtga tcaccgcggt cgacggcgct ccgatcaact
cggccaccgc gatggcggac 300gcgcttaacg ggcatcatcc cggtgacgtc atctcggtga
cctggcaaac caagtcgggc 360ggcacgcgta cagggaacgt gacattggcc gagggacccc
cggccgaatt catggtggat 420ttcggggcgt taccaccgga gatcaactcc gcgaggatgt
acgccggccc gggttcggcc 480tcgctggtgg ccgcggctca gatgtgggac agcgtggcga
gtgacctgtt ttcggccgcg 540tcggcgtttc agtcggtggt ctggggtctg acggtggggt
cgtggatagg ttcgtcggcg 600ggtctgatgg tggcggcggc ctcgccgtat gtggcgtgga
tgagcgtcac cgcggggcag 660gccgagctga ccgccgccca ggtccgggtt gctgcggcgg
cctacgagac ggcgtatggg 720ctgacggtgc ccccgccggt gatcgccgag aaccgtgctg
aactgatgat tctgatagcg 780accaacctct tggggcaaaa caccccggcg atcgcggtca
acgaggccga atacggcgag 840atgtgggccc aagacgccgc cgcgatgttt ggctacgccg
cggcgacggc gacggcgacg 900gcgacgttgc tgccgttcga ggaggcgccg gagatgacca
gcgcgggtgg gctcctcgag 960caggccgccg cggtcgagga ggcctccgac accgccgcgg
cgaaccagtt gatgaacaat 1020gtgccccagg cgctgcaaca gctggcccag cccacgcagg
gcaccacgcc ttcttccaag 1080ctgggtggcc tgtggaagac ggtctcgccg catcggtcgc
cgatcagcaa catggtgtcg 1140atggccaaca accacatgtc gatgaccaac tcgggtgtgt
cgatgaccaa caccttgagc 1200tcgatgttga agggctttgc tccggcggcg gccgcccagg
ccgtgcaaac cgcggcgcaa 1260aacggggtcc gggcgatgag ctcgctgggc agctcgctgg
gttcttcggg tctgggcggt 1320ggggtggccg ccaacttggg tcgggcggcc tcggtcggtt
cgttgtcggt gccgcaggcc 1380tgggccgcgg ccaaccaggc agtcaccccg gcggcgcggg
cgctgccgct gaccagcctg 1440accagcgccg cggaaagagg gcccgggcag atgctgggcg
ggctgccggt ggggcagatg 1500ggcgccaggg ccggtggtgg gctcagtggt gtgctgcgtg
ttccgccgcg accctatgtg 1560atgccgcatt ctccggcagc cggcgatatc gccccgccgg
ccttgtcgca ggaccggttc 1620gccgacttcc ccgcgctgcc cctcgacccg tccgcgatgg
tcgcccaagt ggggccacag 1680gtggtcaaca tcaacaccaa actgggctac aacaacgccg
tgggcgccgg gaccggcatc 1740gtcatcgatc ccaacggtgt cgtgctgacc aacaaccacg
tgatcgcggg cgccaccgac 1800atcaatgcgt tcagcgtcgg ctccggccaa acctacggcg
tcgatgtggt cgggtatgac 1860cgcacccagg atgtcgcggt gctgcagctg cgcggtgccg
gtggcctgcc gtcggcggcg 1920atcggtggcg gcgtcgcggt tggtgagccc gtcgtcgcga
tgggcaacag cggtgggcag 1980ggcggaacgc cccgtgcggt gcctggcagg gtggtcgcgc
tcggccaaac cgtgcaggcg 2040tcggattcgc tgaccggtgc cgaagagaca ttgaacgggt
tgatccagtt cgatgccgcg 2100atccagcccg gtgatgcggg cgggcccgtc gtcaacggcc
taggacaggt ggtcggtatg 2160aacacggccg cgtcctag
21789723PRTArtificial SequenceMtb72f fusion 9Met
Thr Ala Ala Ser Asp Asn Phe Gln Leu Ser Gln Gly Gly Gln Gly1
5 10 15Phe Ala Ile Pro Ile Gly Gln
Ala Met Ala Ile Ala Gly Gln Ile Arg 20 25
30Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Pro Thr Val His Ile Gly Pro Thr Ala
Phe Leu 35 40 45Gly Leu Gly Val
Val Asp Asn Asn Gly Asn Gly Ala Arg Val Gln Arg 50 55
60Val Val Gly Ser Ala Pro Ala Ala Ser Leu Gly Ile Ser
Thr Gly Asp65 70 75
80Val Ile Thr Ala Val Asp Gly Ala Pro Ile Asn Ser Ala Thr Ala Met
85 90 95Ala Asp Ala Leu Asn Gly
His His Pro Gly Asp Val Ile Ser Val Thr 100
105 110Trp Gln Thr Lys Ser Gly Gly Thr Arg Thr Gly Asn
Val Thr Leu Ala 115 120 125Glu Gly
Pro Pro Ala Glu Phe Met Val Asp Phe Gly Ala Leu Pro Pro 130
135 140Glu Ile Asn Ser Ala Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly Pro
Gly Ser Ala Ser Leu145 150 155
160Val Ala Ala Ala Gln Met Trp Asp Ser Val Ala Ser Asp Leu Phe Ser
165 170 175Ala Ala Ser Ala
Phe Gln Ser Val Val Trp Gly Leu Thr Val Gly Ser 180
185 190Trp Ile Gly Ser Ser Ala Gly Leu Met Val Ala
Ala Ala Ser Pro Tyr 195 200 205Val
Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr Ala Gly Gln Ala Glu Leu Thr Ala Ala 210
215 220Gln Val Arg Val Ala Ala Ala Ala Tyr Glu
Thr Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr225 230 235
240Val Pro Pro Pro Val Ile Ala Glu Asn Arg Ala Glu Leu Met Ile
Leu 245 250 255Ile Ala Thr
Asn Leu Leu Gly Gln Asn Thr Pro Ala Ile Ala Val Asn 260
265 270Glu Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met Trp Ala Gln
Asp Ala Ala Ala Met Phe 275 280
285Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala Thr Ala Thr Ala Thr Leu Leu Pro Phe 290
295 300Glu Glu Ala Pro Glu Met Thr Ser
Ala Gly Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ala305 310
315 320Ala Ala Val Glu Glu Ala Ser Asp Thr Ala Ala Ala
Asn Gln Leu Met 325 330
335Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Gln Gln Leu Ala Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly
340 345 350Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser Lys
Leu Gly Gly Leu Trp Lys Thr Val Ser Pro 355 360
365His Arg Ser Pro Ile Ser Asn Met Val Ser Met Ala Asn Asn
His Met 370 375 380Ser Met Thr Asn Ser
Gly Val Ser Met Thr Asn Thr Leu Ser Ser Met385 390
395 400Leu Lys Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala
Gln Ala Val Gln Thr Ala 405 410
415Ala Gln Asn Gly Val Arg Ala Met Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser Leu Gly
420 425 430Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly
Gly Gly Val Ala Ala Asn Leu Gly Arg Ala Ala 435
440 445Ser Val Gly Ser Leu Ser Val Pro Gln Ala Trp Ala
Ala Ala Asn Gln 450 455 460Ala Val Thr
Pro Ala Ala Arg Ala Leu Pro Leu Thr Ser Leu Thr Ser465
470 475 480Ala Ala Glu Arg Gly Pro Gly
Gln Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro Val Gly 485
490 495Gln Met Gly Ala Arg Ala Gly Gly Gly Leu Ser Gly
Val Leu Arg Val 500 505 510Pro
Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met Pro His Ser Pro Ala Ala Gly Asp Ile 515
520 525Ala Pro Pro Ala Leu Ser Gln Asp Arg
Phe Ala Asp Phe Pro Ala Leu 530 535
540Pro Leu Asp Pro Ser Ala Met Val Ala Gln Val Gly Pro Gln Val Val545
550 555 560Asn Ile Asn Thr
Lys Leu Gly Tyr Asn Asn Ala Val Gly Ala Gly Thr 565
570 575Gly Ile Val Ile Asp Pro Asn Gly Val Val
Leu Thr Asn Asn His Val 580 585
590Ile Ala Gly Ala Thr Asp Ile Asn Ala Phe Ser Val Gly Ser Gly Gln
595 600 605Thr Tyr Gly Val Asp Val Val
Gly Tyr Asp Arg Thr Gln Asp Val Ala 610 615
620Val Leu Gln Leu Arg Gly Ala Gly Gly Leu Pro Ser Ala Ala Ile
Gly625 630 635 640Gly Gly
Val Ala Val Gly Glu Pro Val Val Ala Met Gly Asn Ser Gly
645 650 655Gly Gln Gly Gly Thr Pro Arg
Ala Val Pro Gly Arg Val Val Ala Leu 660 665
670Gly Gln Thr Val Gln Ala Ser Asp Ser Leu Thr Gly Ala Glu
Glu Thr 675 680 685Leu Asn Gly Leu
Ile Gln Phe Asp Ala Ala Ile Gln Pro Gly Asp Ser 690
695 700Gly Gly Pro Val Val Asn Gly Leu Gly Gln Val Val
Gly Met Asn Thr705 710 715
720Ala Ala Ser102172DNAArtificial SequenceCoding sequence for Mtb72f
fusion 10atgacggccg cgtccgataa cttccagctg tcccagggtg ggcagggatt
cgccattccg 60atcgggcagg cgatggcgat cgcgggccag atccgatcgg gtggggggtc
acccaccgtt 120catatcgggc ctaccgcctt cctcggcttg ggtgttgtcg acaacaacgg
caacggcgca 180cgagtccaac gcgtggtcgg gagcgctccg gcggcaagtc tcggcatctc
caccggcgac 240gtgatcaccg cggtcgacgg cgctccgatc aactcggcca ccgcgatggc
ggacgcgctt 300aacgggcatc atcccggtga cgtcatctcg gtgacctggc aaaccaagtc
gggcggcacg 360cgtacaggga acgtgacatt ggccgaggga cccccggccg aattcatggt
ggatttcggg 420gcgttaccac cggagatcaa ctccgcgagg atgtacgccg gcccgggttc
ggcctcgctg 480gtggccgcgg ctcagatgtg ggacagcgtg gcgagtgacc tgttttcggc
cgcgtcggcg 540tttcagtcgg tggtctgggg tctgacggtg gggtcgtgga taggttcgtc
ggcgggtctg 600atggtggcgg cggcctcgcc gtatgtggcg tggatgagcg tcaccgcggg
gcaggccgag 660ctgaccgccg cccaggtccg ggttgctgcg gcggcctacg agacggcgta
tgggctgacg 720gtgcccccgc cggtgatcgc cgagaaccgt gctgaactga tgattctgat
agcgaccaac 780ctcttggggc aaaacacccc ggcgatcgcg gtcaacgagg ccgaatacgg
cgagatgtgg 840gcccaagacg ccgccgcgat gtttggctac gccgcggcga cggcgacggc
gacggcgacg 900ttgctgccgt tcgaggaggc gccggagatg accagcgcgg gtgggctcct
cgagcaggcc 960gccgcggtcg aggaggcctc cgacaccgcc gcggcgaacc agttgatgaa
caatgtgccc 1020caggcgctgc aacagctggc ccagcccacg cagggcacca cgccttcttc
caagctgggt 1080ggcctgtgga agacggtctc gccgcatcgg tcgccgatca gcaacatggt
gtcgatggcc 1140aacaaccaca tgtcgatgac caactcgggt gtgtcgatga ccaacacctt
gagctcgatg 1200ttgaagggct ttgctccggc ggcggccgcc caggccgtgc aaaccgcggc
gcaaaacggg 1260gtccgggcga tgagctcgct gggcagctcg ctgggttctt cgggtctggg
cggtggggtg 1320gccgccaact tgggtcgggc ggcctcggtc ggttcgttgt cggtgccgca
ggcctgggcc 1380gcggccaacc aggcagtcac cccggcggcg cgggcgctgc cgctgaccag
cctgaccagc 1440gccgcggaaa gagggcccgg gcagatgctg ggcgggctgc cggtggggca
gatgggcgcc 1500agggccggtg gtgggctcag tggtgtgctg cgtgttccgc cgcgacccta
tgtgatgccg 1560cattctccgg cagccggcga tatcgccccg ccggccttgt cgcaggaccg
gttcgccgac 1620ttccccgcgc tgcccctcga cccgtccgcg atggtcgccc aagtggggcc
acaggtggtc 1680aacatcaaca ccaaactggg ctacaacaac gccgtgggcg ccgggaccgg
catcgtcatc 1740gatcccaacg gtgtcgtgct gaccaacaac cacgtgatcg cgggcgccac
cgacatcaat 1800gcgttcagcg tcggctccgg ccaaacctac ggcgtcgatg tggtcgggta
tgaccgcacc 1860caggatgtcg cggtgctgca gctgcgcggt gccggtggcc tgccgtcggc
ggcgatcggt 1920ggcggcgtcg cggttggtga gcccgtcgtc gcgatgggca acagcggtgg
gcagggcgga 1980acgccccgtg cggtgcctgg cagggtggtc gcgctcggcc aaaccgtgca
ggcgtcggat 2040tcgctgaccg gtgccgaaga gacattgaac gggttgatcc agttcgatgc
cgcgatccag 2100cccggtgatt cgggcgggcc cgtcgtcaac ggcctaggac aggtggtcgg
tatgaacacg 2160gccgcgtcct ag
217211729PRTArtificial SequenceMtb72f fusion with 6 additional
his residues 11Met His His His His His His Thr Ala Ala Ser Asp Asn Phe
Gln Leu1 5 10 15Ser Gln
Gly Gly Gln Gly Phe Ala Ile Pro Ile Gly Gln Ala Met Ala 20
25 30Ile Ala Gly Gln Ile Arg Ser Gly Gly
Gly Ser Pro Thr Val His Ile 35 40
45Gly Pro Thr Ala Phe Leu Gly Leu Gly Val Val Asp Asn Asn Gly Asn 50
55 60Gly Ala Arg Val Gln Arg Val Val Gly
Ser Ala Pro Ala Ala Ser Leu65 70 75
80Gly Ile Ser Thr Gly Asp Val Ile Thr Ala Val Asp Gly Ala
Pro Ile 85 90 95Asn Ser
Ala Thr Ala Met Ala Asp Ala Leu Asn Gly His His Pro Gly 100
105 110Asp Val Ile Ser Val Thr Trp Gln Thr
Lys Ser Gly Gly Thr Arg Thr 115 120
125Gly Asn Val Thr Leu Ala Glu Gly Pro Pro Ala Glu Phe Met Val Asp
130 135 140Phe Gly Ala Leu Pro Pro Glu
Ile Asn Ser Ala Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly145 150
155 160Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Leu Val Ala Ala Ala Gln Met
Trp Asp Ser Val 165 170
175Ala Ser Asp Leu Phe Ser Ala Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Ser Val Val Trp
180 185 190Gly Leu Thr Val Gly Ser
Trp Ile Gly Ser Ser Ala Gly Leu Met Val 195 200
205Ala Ala Ala Ser Pro Tyr Val Ala Trp Met Ser Val Thr Ala
Gly Gln 210 215 220Ala Glu Leu Thr Ala
Ala Gln Val Arg Val Ala Ala Ala Ala Tyr Glu225 230
235 240Thr Ala Tyr Gly Leu Thr Val Pro Pro Pro
Val Ile Ala Glu Asn Arg 245 250
255Ala Glu Leu Met Ile Leu Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Leu Gly Gln Asn Thr
260 265 270Pro Ala Ile Ala Val
Asn Glu Ala Glu Tyr Gly Glu Met Trp Ala Gln 275
280 285Asp Ala Ala Ala Met Phe Gly Tyr Ala Ala Ala Thr
Ala Thr Ala Thr 290 295 300Ala Thr Leu
Leu Pro Phe Glu Glu Ala Pro Glu Met Thr Ser Ala Gly305
310 315 320Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ala Ala
Ala Val Glu Glu Ala Ser Asp Thr Ala 325
330 335Ala Ala Asn Gln Leu Met Asn Asn Val Pro Gln Ala
Leu Gln Gln Leu 340 345 350Ala
Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly Thr Thr Pro Ser Ser Lys Leu Gly Gly Leu 355
360 365Trp Lys Thr Val Ser Pro His Arg Ser
Pro Ile Ser Asn Met Val Ser 370 375
380Met Ala Asn Asn His Met Ser Met Thr Asn Ser Gly Val Ser Met Thr385
390 395 400Asn Thr Leu Ser
Ser Met Leu Lys Gly Phe Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala 405
410 415Gln Ala Val Gln Thr Ala Ala Gln Asn Gly
Val Arg Ala Met Ser Ser 420 425
430Leu Gly Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Gly Gly Val Ala Ala
435 440 445Asn Leu Gly Arg Ala Ala Ser
Val Gly Ser Leu Ser Val Pro Gln Ala 450 455
460Trp Ala Ala Ala Asn Gln Ala Val Thr Pro Ala Ala Arg Ala Leu
Pro465 470 475 480Leu Thr
Ser Leu Thr Ser Ala Ala Glu Arg Gly Pro Gly Gln Met Leu
485 490 495Gly Gly Leu Pro Val Gly Gln
Met Gly Ala Arg Ala Gly Gly Gly Leu 500 505
510Ser Gly Val Leu Arg Val Pro Pro Arg Pro Tyr Val Met Pro
His Ser 515 520 525Pro Ala Ala Gly
Asp Ile Ala Pro Pro Ala Leu Ser Gln Asp Arg Phe 530
535 540Ala Asp Phe Pro Ala Leu Pro Leu Asp Pro Ser Ala
Met Val Ala Gln545 550 555
560Val Gly Pro Gln Val Val Asn Ile Asn Thr Lys Leu Gly Tyr Asn Asn
565 570 575Ala Val Gly Ala Gly
Thr Gly Ile Val Ile Asp Pro Asn Gly Val Val 580
585 590Leu Thr Asn Asn His Val Ile Ala Gly Ala Thr Asp
Ile Asn Ala Phe 595 600 605Ser Val
Gly Ser Gly Gln Thr Tyr Gly Val Asp Val Val Gly Tyr Asp 610
615 620Arg Thr Gln Asp Val Ala Val Leu Gln Leu Arg
Gly Ala Gly Gly Leu625 630 635
640Pro Ser Ala Ala Ile Gly Gly Gly Val Ala Val Gly Glu Pro Val Val
645 650 655Ala Met Gly Asn
Ser Gly Gly Gln Gly Gly Thr Pro Arg Ala Val Pro 660
665 670Gly Arg Val Val Ala Leu Gly Gln Thr Val Gln
Ala Ser Asp Ser Leu 675 680 685Thr
Gly Ala Glu Glu Thr Leu Asn Gly Leu Ile Gln Phe Asp Ala Ala 690
695 700Ile Gln Pro Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Val
Val Asn Gly Leu Gly Gln705 710 715
720Val Val Gly Met Asn Thr Ala Ala Ser
725122190DNAArtificial SequenceCoding sequence for M72 fusion with 6
additonal his residues 12atgcatcacc atcaccatca cacggccgcg tccgataact
tccagctgtc ccagggtggg 60cagggattcg ccattccgat cgggcaggcg atggcgatcg
cgggccagat ccgatcgggt 120ggggggtcac ccaccgttca tatcgggcct accgccttcc
tcggcttggg tgttgtcgac 180aacaacggca acggcgcacg agtccaacgc gtggtcggga
gcgctccggc ggcaagtctc 240ggcatctcca ccggcgacgt gatcaccgcg gtcgacggcg
ctccgatcaa ctcggccacc 300gcgatggcgg acgcgcttaa cgggcatcat cccggtgacg
tcatctcggt gacctggcaa 360accaagtcgg gcggcacgcg tacagggaac gtgacattgg
ccgagggacc cccggccgaa 420ttcatggtgg atttcggggc gttaccaccg gagatcaact
ccgcgaggat gtacgccggc 480ccgggttcgg cctcgctggt ggccgcggct cagatgtggg
acagcgtggc gagtgacctg 540ttttcggccg cgtcggcgtt tcagtcggtg gtctggggtc
tgacggtggg gtcgtggata 600ggttcgtcgg cgggtctgat ggtggcggcg gcctcgccgt
atgtggcgtg gatgagcgtc 660accgcggggc aggccgagct gaccgccgcc caggtccggg
ttgctgcggc ggcctacgag 720acggcgtatg ggctgacggt gcccccgccg gtgatcgccg
agaaccgtgc tgaactgatg 780attctgatag cgaccaacct cttggggcaa aacaccccgg
cgatcgcggt caacgaggcc 840gaatacggcg agatgtgggc ccaagacgcc gccgcgatgt
ttggctacgc cgcggcgacg 900gcgacggcga cggcgacgtt gctgccgttc gaggaggcgc
cggagatgac cagcgcgggt 960gggctcctcg agcaggccgc cgcggtcgag gaggcctccg
acaccgccgc ggcgaaccag 1020ttgatgaaca atgtgcccca ggcgctgcaa cagctggccc
agcccacgca gggcaccacg 1080ccttcttcca agctgggtgg cctgtggaag acggtctcgc
cgcatcggtc gccgatcagc 1140aacatggtgt cgatggccaa caaccacatg tcgatgacca
actcgggtgt gtcgatgacc 1200aacaccttga gctcgatgtt gaagggcttt gctccggcgg
cggccgccca ggccgtgcaa 1260accgcggcgc aaaacggggt ccgggcgatg agctcgctgg
gcagctcgct gggttcttcg 1320ggtctgggcg gtggggtggc cgccaacttg ggtcgggcgg
cctcggtcgg ttcgttgtcg 1380gtgccgcagg cctgggccgc ggccaaccag gcagtcaccc
cggcggcgcg ggcgctgccg 1440ctgaccagcc tgaccagcgc cgcggaaaga gggcccgggc
agatgctggg cgggctgccg 1500gtggggcaga tgggcgccag ggccggtggt gggctcagtg
gtgtgctgcg tgttccgccg 1560cgaccctatg tgatgccgca ttctccggca gccggcgata
tcgccccgcc ggccttgtcg 1620caggaccggt tcgccgactt ccccgcgctg cccctcgacc
cgtccgcgat ggtcgcccaa 1680gtggggccac aggtggtcaa catcaacacc aaactgggct
acaacaacgc cgtgggcgcc 1740gggaccggca tcgtcatcga tcccaacggt gtcgtgctga
ccaacaacca cgtgatcgcg 1800ggcgccaccg acatcaatgc gttcagcgtc ggctccggcc
aaacctacgg cgtcgatgtg 1860gtcgggtatg accgcaccca ggatgtcgcg gtgctgcagc
tgcgcggtgc cggtggcctg 1920ccgtcggcgg cgatcggtgg cggcgtcgcg gttggtgagc
ccgtcgtcgc gatgggcaac 1980agcggtgggc agggcggaac gccccgtgcg gtgcctggca
gggtggtcgc gctcggccaa 2040accgtgcagg cgtcggattc gctgaccggt gccgaagaga
cattgaacgg gttgatccag 2100ttcgatgccg cgatccagcc cggtgattcg ggcgggcccg
tcgtcaacgg cctaggacag 2160gtggtcggta tgaacacggc cgcgtcctag
21901320DNAArtificial SequenceCpg Oligo 1 - CpG
1826 13tccatgacgt tcctgacgtt
201418DNAArtificial SequenceCpG Oligo 2 - CpG 1758 14tctcccagcg
tgcgccat
181530DNAArtificial SequenceCpG Oligo 3 15accgatgacg tcgccggtga
cggcaccacg 301624DNAArtificial
SequenceCpG Oligo 4 - CpG 2006 16tcgtcgtttt gtcgttttgt cgtt
241720DNAArtificial SequenceCpG Oligo 5 -
CpG 1686 17tccatgacgt tcctgatgct
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