The present invention relates to expression of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A (PspA). The invention represents an advancement in the field of genetic engineering and vaccine technology. The invention discloses expression vectors and recombinant host cells for expression of truncated PspA peptide. The invention also discloses vaccine compositions comprising the truncated peptides as carrier protein.

The present invention relates to the field of antimicrobial agents. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising the sequence of a peptidoglycan hydrolase and a peptide sequence heterologous to the peptidoglycan hydrolase wherein said heterologous peptide sequence comprises a specific sequence motif which is 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 amino acids in length. The present invention relates also to corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits. The present inventions also relates to the use of said polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits in methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or in diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body. The polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits according to the invention may also be used as an antimicrobial in, e.g., food or feed, in cosmetics, or as disinfecting agent.

An isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae membrane vesicle microparticle (MP), wherein said MP comprises: the protein Ply at the level of ≥0.070 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein LytA at the level of ≥0.070 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein PspC at the level of ≥0.130 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein RrgB at the level of ≥0.020 μg/μg total protein in the MP. Compositions comprising such MPs. Uses thereof in particular in immunization, as well as methods of manufacture thereof.

Disclosed is a tryptophan optical probe, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. Disclosed is an optical probe, comprising a tryptophan-sensitive polypeptide or a functional variant thereof and an optically active polypeptide or a functional variant thereof, wherein the optically active polypeptide or the functional variant thereof is located in the sequence of the tryptophan-sensitive polypeptide or the functional variant thereof. Furthermore, disclosed are a method for preparing the above-mentioned probe and the use thereof in the detection of tryptophan.

The present embodiments provide compositions and methods related to novel recombinant protein immunogens, comprising specific portions of alpha helical domains (aHD) and proline rich regions (PRD) of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which portions are linked to provide aHD-PRD constructs. The aHD and PRD proteins constituting the aHD-PRD constructs are selected to maximize cross-reactivity and provide protection against a broad spectrum of pneumococcal serotypes. Immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, comprising at least one aHD PRD construct may also include a non-linked aHD portion. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode aHD-PRD constructs, vectors and recombinant host cells containing such molecules, aHD-PRD expression products, use of such nucleic acid molecules to express aHD-PRD constructs by recombinant techniques, and use of the expression products to elicit an immune or protective response against pneumococcal disease in a suitable host.

The present disclosure provides novel adjuvants which may be used in combination with one or more antigens to augment, modulate or enhance a host immune response to the one or more antigens. The adjuvants are based on sialic acid binding molecules and may be combined with any type of antigen. The adjuvants may be formulated for mucosal and/or intranasal administration.

A peptide according to an embodiment of the present in which, in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, (i) 2nd and 4th amino acids are each substituted with tryptophan (W); (ii) 2nd, 4th, 11st and 13rd amino acids are each substituted with tryptophan; and (iii) 2nd, 4th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th and 27th amino acids are each substituted with tryptophan. The peptide can be usefully applied as an active ingredient for antibiotics, cosmetic compositions, food additives, feed additives, biological pesticides and quasi-drugs.

The present invention relates to the field of antimicrobial agents. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising the sequence of a peptidoglycan hydrolase and a peptide sequence heterologous to the peptidoglycan hydrolase wherein said heterologous peptide sequence comprises a specific sequence motif which is 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 amino acids in length. The present invention relates also to corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits. The present inventions also relates to the use of said polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits in methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or in diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body. The polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits according to the invention may also be used as an antimicrobial in, e.g., food or feed, in cosmetics, or as disinfecting agent.

The present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide-protein conjugate, comprising a capsular polysaccharide derived from one or more selected from the group consisting of serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F, derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae; and one or 2 or more of carrier proteins conjugated to the respective capsular polysaccharide, and method of preparation thereof. Through one example of the present invention, an immunogenic composition for preventing or treating pneumococcal infection can be provided.

An isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae membrane vesicle microparticle (MP), wherein said MP comprises: the protein Ply at the level of ≥0.070 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein LytA at the level of ≥0.070 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein PspC at the level of ≥0.130 μg/μg total protein in the MP; and/or the protein RrgB at the level of ≥0.020 μg/μg total protein in the MP. Compositions comprising such MPs. Uses thereof in particular in immunization, as well as methods of manufacture thereof.