Appeal 2007-1032
Application 10/062,920
ehrlichiosis is Ehrlichia canis, a small, gram-negative, obligate intracellular
bacterium . . .” (Specification 2).
Analysis of E. canis “has resulted in the identification of numerous
immunodominant proteins . . . , including a 30-kDa protein” (id. at 4). This
protein is homologous to “28-32kDa immunodominant proteins encoded by
multigene families . . . in related organisms” including E. chaffeensis, the
causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (id.). In recombinant form,
the E. chaffeensis 28-kDa outer membrane protein “appeared to provide
protection against homologous challenge infection in mice, and antisera
produced against the recombinant protein cross reacted with a 30-kDa
protein of E. canis” (id. at 5).
The Specification discloses “the molecular cloning, sequencing,
characterization, and expression of homologous mature 28-kDa
immunoreactive protein genes of Ehrlichia canis” (id. at 6). The
Specification discloses that administering a 28-kDa E. canis antigen can
inhibit infection by the organism, for example by “stimulat[ing] . . . the
subject’s humoral or cellular immune responses” (id. at 8).
DISCUSSION
1. CLAIMS
Claims 17, 19, and 20 are pending and on appeal (Br. 2). Claim 17 is
representative and reads as follows:
17. A method of inducing an immune response against
Ehrlichia canis in a subject comprising the steps of:
identifying a subject prior to exposure or suspected of
being exposed to or infected with Ehrlichia canis; and
administering a composition comprising a 28-kDa
antigen of Ehrlichia canis, wherein said 28-kDa antigen is a
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013