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Benn JS, Chaki SP, Xu Y, Ficht TA, Rice-Ficht AC, Cook WE. Protective antibody response following oral vaccination with microencapsulated Bacillus Anthracis Sterne strain 34F2 spores. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:59. [PMID: 32685200 PMCID: PMC7351773 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
An oral vaccine against anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is urgently needed to prevent annual anthrax outbreaks that are causing catastrophic losses in free-ranging livestock and wildlife worldwide. The Sterne vaccine, the current injectable livestock vaccine, is a suspension of live attenuated B. anthracis Sterne strain 34F2 spores (Sterne spores) in saponin. It is not effective when administered orally and individual subcutaneous injections are not a practical method of vaccination for wildlife. In this study, we report the development of a microencapsulated oral vaccine against anthrax. Evaluating Sterne spore stability at varying pH's in vitro revealed that spore exposure to pH 2 results in spore death, confirming that protection from the gastric environment is of main concern when producing an oral vaccine. Therefore, Sterne spores were encapsulated in alginate and coated with a protein shell containing poly-L-lysine (PLL) and vitelline protein B (VpB), a non-immunogenic, proteolysis resistant protein isolated from Fasciola hepatica. Capsule exposure to pH 2 demonstrated enhanced acid gel character suggesting that alginate microcapsules provided the necessary protection for spores to survive the gastric environment. Post vaccination IgG levels in BALBc/J mouse serum samples indicated that encapsulated spores induced anti-anthrax specific responses in both the subcutaneous and the oral vaccination groups. Furthermore, the antibody responses from both vaccination routes were protective against anthrax lethal toxin in vitro, suggesting that further optimization of this vaccine formulation may result in a reliable oral vaccine that will conveniently and effectively prevent anthrax in wildlife populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie S. Benn
- Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Sankar P. Chaki
- Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Center for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Thomas A. Ficht
- Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Allison C. Rice-Ficht
- Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843 USA
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Walter E. Cook
- Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College Station, TX 77843 USA
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Gorantala J, Grover S, Rahi A, Chaudhary P, Rajwanshi R, Sarin NB, Bhatnagar R. Generation of protective immune response against anthrax by oral immunization with protective antigen plant-based vaccine. J Biotechnol 2014; 176:1-10. [PMID: 24548460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In concern with frequent recurrence of anthrax in endemic areas and inadvertent use of its spores as biological weapon, the development of an effective anthrax vaccine suitable for both human and veterinary needs is highly desirable. A simple oral delivery through expression in plant system could offer promising alternative to the current methods that rely on injectable vaccines extracted from bacterial sources. In the present study, we have expressed protective antigen (PA) gene in Indian mustard by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and in tobacco by plastid transformation. Putative transgenic lines were verified for the presence of transgene and its expression by molecular analysis. PA expressed in transgenic lines was biologically active as evidenced by macrophage lysis assay. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral immunization with plant PA in murine model indicated high serum PA specific IgG and IgA antibody titers. PA specific mucosal immune response was noted in orally immunized groups. Further, antibodies indicated lethal toxin neutralizing potential in-vitro and conferred protection against in-vivo toxin challenge. Oral immunization experiments demonstrated generation of immunoprotective response in mice. Thus, our study examines the feasibility of oral PA vaccine expressed in an edible plant system against anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna Gorantala
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonam Grover
- Molecular Technology Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Rahi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Prerna Chaudhary
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ravi Rajwanshi
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Neera Bhalla Sarin
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Rakesh Bhatnagar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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Hewetson JF, Little SF, Ivins BE, Johnson WM, Pittman PR, Brown JE, Norris SL, Nielsen CJ. An in vivo passive protection assay for the evaluation of immunity in AVA-vaccinated individuals. Vaccine 2008; 26:4262-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ferreira LCS, Ferreira RCC, Schumann W. Bacillus subtilis as a tool for vaccine development: from antigen factories to delivery vectors. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2005; 77:113-24. [PMID: 15692682 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652005000100009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis and some of its close relatives have a long history of industrial and biotechnological applications. Search for antigen expression systems based on recombinant B. subtilis strains sounds attractive both by the extensive genetic knowledge and the lack of an outer membrane, which simplify the secretion and purification of heterologous proteins. More recently, genetically modified B. subtilis spores have been described as indestructible delivery vehicles for vaccine antigens. Nonetheless both production and delivery of antigens by B. subtilis strains face some inherent obstacles, as unstable gene expression and reduced immunogenicity that, otherwise, can be overcome by already available gene technology approaches. In the present review we present the status of B. subtilis-based vaccine research, either as protein factories or delivery vectors, and discuss some alternatives for a better use of genetically modified strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís C S Ferreira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Abstract
The current human anthrax vaccines licensed in the US and UK consist of aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed or alum-precipitated culture supernatant material from fermentor cultures of toxigenic noncapsulated strains of Bacillus anthracis. The threat of B. anthracis being used as a biowarfare agent has led to a wider usage of these vaccines, which has heightened concerns regarding the need for frequent boosters and the occasional local reactogenicity associated with vaccination. These concerns have provided the impetus for the development of better characterized vaccines. This review summarizes the work of numerous laboratories in the search for alternative vaccines against anthrax that are well tolerated, provide long-lasting immunity, and are efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen F Little
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Spores of the genus Bacillus have been used for a long time as probiotics for oral bacteriotherapy both in humans and in animals. Spores are also employed in a veterinary vaccine against anthrax. Despite this long lasting and extensive use, the specific contribution of spores to the beneficial effects of probiotics and to the immunogenicity of the vaccine is not completely elucidated. This review focuses on the different aspects of the use of spore preparations. In particular the use of recombinant spores as vaccine delivery vehicles is described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco R Oggioni
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia Molecolare e Biotecnologia (LAMMB), Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Università di Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte 1S, Italy.
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Abstract
The only impetus for the development of new anthrax vaccines is to protect humans against the intentional use of Bacillus anthracis as a bioterrorist or warfare agent. Live attenuated vaccines against anthrax in domesticated animals were among the very first vaccines developed. This was followed by the development of nonliving component vaccines leading to the eventual licensure of protein-based vaccines for human use in the 1970s. This chapter will review the recent advances in developing protein, live attenuated, and genetic vaccines against anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Friedlander
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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Medina E, Guzmán CA. Use of live bacterial vaccine vectors for antigen delivery: potential and limitations. Vaccine 2001; 19:1573-80. [PMID: 11166877 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Most infectious agents are restricted to the mucosal membranes or their transit through the mucosa constitutes a critical step in the infection process. Therefore, the elicitation of an efficient immune response, not only at systemic, but also at mucosal level, after vaccination is highly desirable, representing a significant advantage in order to prevent infection. This goal can be only achieved, when the vaccine formulation is administered by the mucosal route. However, soluble antigens given by this route are usually poorly immunogenic. Among the available approaches to stimulate efficient mucosal responses, the use of bacterial carriers to deliver vaccine antigens, probably, constitutes one of the most successful strategies. The potential and limitations of the most extensively studied bacterial carrier systems will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Medina
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, Division of Microbiology, GBF-German Research Center for Biotechnology, Mascheroder Weg 1, D-38124, Braunschweig, Germany
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Vemulapalli R, He Y, Boyle SM, Sriranganathan N, Schurig GG. Brucella abortus strain RB51 as a vector for heterologous protein expression and induction of specific Th1 type immune responses. Infect Immun 2000; 68:3290-6. [PMID: 10816476 PMCID: PMC97584 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.6.3290-3296.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus strain RB51 is a stable, rough, attenuated mutant widely used as a live vaccine for bovine brucellosis. Our ultimate goal is to develop strain RB51 as a preferential vector for the delivery of protective antigens of other intracellular pathogens to which the induction of a strong Th1 type of immune response is needed for effective protection. As a first step in that direction, we studied the expression of a foreign reporter protein, beta-galactosidase of Escherichia coli, and the 65-kDa heat shock protein (HSP65) of Mycobacterium bovis in strain RB51. We cloned the promoter sequences of Brucella sodC and groE genes in pBBR1MCS to generate plasmids pBBSODpro and pBBgroE, respectively. The genes for beta-galactosidase (lacZ) and HSP65 were cloned in these plasmids and used to transform strain RB51. An enzyme assay in the recombinant RB51 strains indicated that the level of beta-galactosidase expression is higher under the groE promoter than under the sodC promoter. In strain RB51 containing pBBgroE/lacZ, but not pBBSODpro/lacZ, increased levels of beta-galactosidase expression were observed after subjecting the bacteria to heat shock or following internalization into macrophage-like J774A.1 cells. Mice vaccinated with either of the beta-galactosidase-expressing recombinant RB51 strains developed specific antibodies of predominantly the immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) isotype, and in vitro stimulation of their splenocytes with beta-galactosidase induced the secretion of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), but not interleukin-4 (IL-4). A Th1 type of immune response to HSP65, as indicated by the presence of specific serum IgG2a, but not IgG1, antibodies, and IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, secretion by the specific-antigen-stimulated splenocytes, was also detected in mice vaccinated with strain RB51 containing pBBgroE/hsp65. Studies with mice indicated that expression of beta-galactosidase or HSP65 did not alter either the attenuation characteristics of strain RB51 or its vaccine efficacy against B. abortus 2308 challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vemulapalli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
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Turnbull PC. Current status of immunization against anthrax: old vaccines may be here to stay for a while. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2000; 13:113-120. [PMID: 11964777 DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200004000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax vaccination has become a 'hot' topic. On the one hand, fears that Iraq holds secret caches of anthrax-based weaponry, that other countries may be developing or may have developed similar devices, or that hard-line groups may make their own anthrax-based devices for bioterrorist attacks have focused official attention on the need for means of protection, principally, though, for the military. On the other hand, the unsolved issues of the Gulf War illnesses have left elements of doubt in the minds of some as to the possible role of anthrax (among other) vaccines in this syndrome, and have drawn attention to the shortage of pre-clinical, clinical, pharmacological and safety data on the existing UK and US anthrax vaccines. In the middle are those hotly debating the US and Canadian policies of mandatory anthrax immunization for military personnel or, in the case of the UK policy of voluntary immunization, simply voting with their feet. Compounding matters have been the publicized failures of the US vaccine production facility and the less publicized UK problems of supply. Meanwhile, those in genuine at-risk occupations are left unsure whether, if they can get the vaccine at all, they really want it. Despite two decades of elegant science aimed at formulating alternative vaccines to overcome all the problems of efficacy, safety and supply, such an alternative is at least five years away, and the current status is that we must live with the old vaccines or not vaccinate.
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