Patent Report

Ser-Ala-Trp- Asn-Ser-Asp- Ser-Glu-Lys- Pro-Phe-Asp- Asp- His-Leu. The fusion protein is used as a recombinant vaccine, preferably against dental caries, to elicit an immune response to a desired antigen. 005-92

DNA encoding Onchocerca volvulus antigen; used to express recombinant antigen for vaccine against onchocerciasis or river blindness; DNA sequence Univ. Hosp. Cleveland USA 5021 342; 4 June 1991

The following are new: i. an isolated, purified nucleic acid (I), having a specified DNA sequence; ii. an isolated, purified cDNA clone, lambda-RAL-1, comprising (I) which encodes a protein of apparent mol.wt 42 000; and iii. an isolated purified DNA sequence (II), encoding an Onchocerca volvulus peptide sequence containing three repeats of the formula KKPEDWD, separated by two unrelated stretches of ten amino acids. Also claimed are : a. a recombinant vector comprising (I) ; b. a host cell transformed with the vector; c. an Escherichia coil host transformed with the cDNA clone lambda-RAL-1, identified as ATCC 67737; d. a replicative recombinant cloning vehicle comprising (II) ; and e. a host cell transfected or transformed with the replicative recombinant cloning vehicle. The clone lambda-RAL-1 reacts strongly with O. vulvulus antisera, and recombinant antigen expressed by the clone stimulates T- lymphocytes from individuals infected by the parasite and may be used as the basis for a vaccine against onchocerciasis or river blindness. 006-92

A specific immunoprophylactic vaccine against subcutaneous inflammation (hypodermosis); contains soluble antigen from Hypoderma boris, Hypoderma Hneatum larvae Inst. Agronom. Bucharest RO 0100 102; 30 October 1990

A vaccine for specific immunoprophylactic protection against subcutaneous inflammation (hypodermosis) contains a soluble antigen extracted from Hypoderma boris or Hypoderma lineatum larvae (stages two and three) associated with a 1.7% solution of hydrolyzed collagen in phosphate buffer (0.02 M) at pH 7. The associated compound may assume the form of a lyophilizate or may contain oily additives, may be in the form of an emulsion, or may be adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide.

007-92

New DNA sequence encoding sperm-specific nuclear auto- antigenic protein; used as a contraceptive vaccine and to diagnose autoimmune infertility in human male; gene cloning and expression in Escherichia coli using a phage vector Univ. N. Carolina World 9108 289; 13 June 1991

The following are claimed: (a) a pure DNA sequence encoding a sperm nuclear autoantigenic protein (SNAP) or a fragment of it; (b) a vector containing (a); (c) a microbial host (preferably Escherichia coli) transformed by a phage vector as in (b); (d) pure human or rabbit SNAP; and (e) a method for preparing SNAP. Antiserum to rabbit sperm membrane autoantigen (RSA) and RSA-depleted antiserum were used to screen a cDNA gene bank prepared from rabbit seminiferous tubules to isolate rabbit SNAP. Human SNAP cDNA was similarly obtained using a human testis cDNA gene bank. The SNAP, SNAP fragments and derivatives which bind selection antibodies which bind to SNA can be used as an immuno- contraceptive (contraceptive vaccine) to reduce fertility. They can also be used to diagnose autoimmune infertility, especially in human males, by detection of antibodies to them in serum. DNA sequence~ of rabbit and human SNAP are provided.

008-92

68 Vaccine, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 1992