Compositions and methods for inhibiting group b streptococcus-induced pulmonary hypertension in neonates

摘要

It has been discovered that the bacterial phospholipids cardiolipin and phosphotidylglycerol can induce pulmonary hypertension and are a causative agent of pulmonary hypertension in neonates with group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. Antibodies to these phospholipids can be used for passive immunization of pregnant women, to protect the child after birth, or of the neonate. One or both of the phospholipids, or immunogenic fragments thereof, can be administered to women of child-bearing age to raise an immune response that will reduce the effect of GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension in any children they might later have. Compositions containing the phospholipids can also be used to raise pulmonary arterial pressure where that is desired. The invention further provides kits. The invention further provides a method of producing membrane-bound proteins in gram-negative prokaryotes free of endotoxin.