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DEVELOPMENT OF AN HA2 DOMAIN BASED PERIODONTITIS VACCINE

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 1R43DE014013-01
Amount: $113,397.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
INTERNATIONAL BOX 531032
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35253
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 ARTHUR DECARLO
 () -
Business Contact
Phone: (205) 253-0390
Email: ADECARLO@UAB.EDU
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION: ( Applicant's Abstract) Periodontal disease can be
diagnosed in >50 percent of adults and may contribute to poor health through
oral and systemic infection. The disease process is induced by bacteria and the
severity of the disease seems due in large part to the immune response of the
host. Over the past decades certain microorganisms have become highly
implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease including the gram
negative Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). We have recently described
and patented a small protein domain from P. gingivalis (HA2) that may be
essential for the acquisition of iron and the porphyrin molecule, and,
therefore, essential for survival of P. gingivalis in the periodontal pocket.
Data indicated that the HA2 domain was detectable in clinical plaque samples
and its detection was associated with hemoglobin binding activity within the
plaque as well as with periodontal disease severity. Further, data indicated
that an IgG humoral antibody response against the HA2 domain was stimulated
with periodontal therapy and that this serum IgG could functionally inhibit
hemoglobin-binding of the gingipains. These data implicate the HA2 domain of P.
gingivalis as a good candidate for vaccine development to inhibit periodontal
disease initiation and progression.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:
An effective vaccine against periodontal disease could be applicable to the entire
population for the prevention of abatement of bone loss around the teeth that is often
accompanied by acute abscess formation and loss of teeth. Notwithstanding
malnourishment that accompanies partial or complete edentulism, periodontitis has
significant untoward systemic effects so the value of this vaccine in terms of overall
medical cost savings is enormous. Current treatment and prevention of periodontitis
is ineffective or time-consuming and expensive.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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