Oral vaccination with the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) capsid protein expressed by Lactococcus lactis induces a specific immune response against PCV-2 in mice

Synthesis and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles against porcine circovirus type 2 viral-like particles

PCV2 is a significant epidemic agricultural pathogen that causes a variety of swine diseases. PCV2 infections have significant economic impact on the swine industry, making effective strategies for rapid detection of PCV2 in pigs essential. Herein, we report on the synthesis of the so-called nano-MIPs which can be utilized for molecular recognition of PCV2. The morphology and structure of nano-MIPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nano-MIPs are spherical with sizes around 120-150 nm. Binding experiments demonstrate that the fluorescence intensity of PCV2 samples decreases proportionally to increasing the concentration of nano-MIPs due to quenching, while non-imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nano-NIPs) do not affect the signal. The Stern-Volmer constant of nano-MIPs binding to PCV2 was 1.3 × 10-3 mL/µg, whereas nano-NIPs led to 7 × 10-5 mL/µg, i.e., 1.8 orders of magnitude lower. The detection limit for binding MIP particles to PCV2 by fluorescence measurements is 47 µg/mL. This affinity test allows for designing both direct and competitive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) assays for PCV2 leading to QCM measurements. The QCM results show nano-MIPs binding to PCV2 immobilized on the sensor surface with appreciable reproducibility. QCM sensor characteristics reveal signal saturation above around 200 µg/mL at a response of - 354 Hz and an LOD of approximately 35 µg/mL. Nano-MIPs also show selectivity factors of 2-5 for CSFV and PRRSV probably because the three viruses have similar diameters around 50 nm.

Both recombinant Bacillus subtilis Expressing PCV2d Cap protein and PCV2d-VLPs can stimulate strong protective immune responses in mice

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the most serious pathogens in pig herds worldwide. The Capsid protein (Cap), a structural protein of PCV2, is involved in the host's immune response; it induces neutralizing-antibody production and has good immunogenicity. The main PCV2 subtype currently prevalent in the Chinese pig herd is PCV2d. In this study, We constructed a recombinant Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) capable of secreting Cap protein, named pHT43-Cap/B. subtilis; we concentrated the supernatant of the recombinant bacteria and observed virus-like particles (VLPs) of PCV2d formed by Cap protein under transmission electron microscopy, named PCV2d-VLPs. The immunocompetence of the pHT43-Cap/B. subtilis and PCV2d-VLPs were then assessed by oral administration and by intramuscular injection into mice, respectively. The results showed that the levels of PCV2d-Cap protein-specific IgG in the serum and of PCV2d-Cap protein-specific sIgA in the small intestinal fluid of pHT43-Cap/B. subtilis immunized mice were elevated compared to the control group, both of them highly significant (p < 0.01), and the corresponding serum-specific IgG antibodies were effective in neutralizing PCV2d virulence. The virus load in the liver of the immunized mice was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.01), as was the virus load in the spleen and lungs of the immunized mice (p < 0.05). In addition, the serum levels of PCV2d-Cap-specific IgG in mice immunized with PCV2d-VLPs by intramuscular injection were significantly elevated compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and the viral load in all tissues was significantly lower in immunized mice (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the recombinant bacterium pHT43-Cap/B. subtilis can induce effective mucosal and humoral immunity in mice, PCV2d-VLPs can induce humoral immunity in mice, and both vaccines have good immunogenicity; these results provide a theoretical and material basis for the development of a new vaccine against PCV2d.

Live-Attenuated Salmonella-Based Oral Vaccine Candidates Expressing PCV2d Cap and Rep by Novel Expression Plasmids as a Vaccination Strategy for Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses against PCV2d

Oral vaccines are highly envisaged for veterinary applications due to their convenience and ability to induce protective mucosal immunity as the first line of defense. The present investigation harnessed live-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium to orally deliver novel expression vector systems containing the Cap and Rep genes from porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), a significant swine pathogen. The antigen expression by the vaccine candidates JOL2885 and JOL2886, comprising eukaryotic pJHL204 and pro-eukaryotic expression pJHL270 plasmids, respectively, was confirmed by Western blot and IFA. We evaluated their immunogenicity and protective efficacy through oral vaccination in a mouse model. This approach elicited both mucosal and systemic immunity against PCV2d. Oral administration of the candidates induced PCV2-specific sIgA, serum IgG antibodies, and neutralizing antibodies, resulting in reduced viral loads in the livers and lungs of PCV2d-challenged mice. T-lymphocyte proliferation and flow-cytometry assays confirmed enhanced cellular immune responses after oral inoculation. The synchronized elicitation of both Th1 and Th2 responses was also confirmed by enhanced expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, MHC-I, and MHC-II. Our findings highlight the effectiveness and safety of the constructs with an engineered-attenuated S. Typhimurium, suggesting its potential application as an oral PCV2 vaccine candidate.

Construction of a recombinant food-grade Lactococcus lactis expressing P23 protein of Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum infects enterocytes in diverse vertebrates, including humans, and causes diarrheal illness. However, no effective drugs are available for this protozoan infection. The P23 protein of C. parvum is a protective antigen, considered a potential candidate for developing an effective vaccine against cryptosporidiosis. In this study, the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the p23 gene was subcloned to Escherichia coli DH5α, with one nucleotide difference. The constructed plasmid pNZ8149-P23 was transferred by electroporation to Lactococcus lactis NZ3900, and the recombinant L. lactis NZ3900/pNZ8149-P23 strain was screened in Elliker-medium by adding bromocresolpurple indicator. A 23-kDa protein was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) after nisin induction in LM17 broth medium, suggesting that P23 protein was in the form of glycosylation. Simultaneously, an optimal induction time of 9 h was determined, and the density of OD₆₀₀ = 2.7 was tested. Through western blot and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analysis, the immunocompetence of expressed P23 antigen was identified, and its location of release to the cell interior of recombinant L. lactis was manifested. The first report of a food-grade genetically engineered L. lactis strain expressing a P23 antigen of C. parvum is herein presented. This result provides a novel and safe utilization method of P23 against C. parvum infection.

Selection and Characterization of a Single-Chain Variable Fragment against Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Capsid and Impedimetric Immunosensor Development

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) that causes huge global economic losses for the swine industry. Effective strategies or rapid detection of PCV2 in pig are essential to control PCVAD. Here, single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) were selected and characterized against the PCV2 capsid using phage display technology. Phage scFv clones were selected from the human scFv phagemid library (Tomlinson I + J) for direct panning against the PCV2 capsid. Eighty-four monoclonal phage scFvs were individually tested for binding to the PCV2 capsid by ELISA. Eight scFv clones showed significant binding to the PCV2 capsid and only three clones (clone nos. 13, 37, and 81) contained both VHCDRs and VLCDRs in the sequence. Clone scFv no. 81 had the highest reactivity to the PCV2 capsid and was constructed in the pET22b (+) expression vector. The recombinant was transformed to Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) for expression and purification. The scFv showed appropriate affinity to the PCV2 capsid by western blot analysis. Kinetics of scFv and the PCV2 capsid were determined using surface plasmon resonance and showed binding affinity in the nanomolar range (K D = 57.2 nM). Our scFv was first applied in the development of an impedimetric immunosensor for PCV2 capsid detection, and results showed that impedance increased with increasing PCV2 capsid expression with limit of detection = 114 nM. Findings demonstrated that our scFv has potential for use as a receptor for biosensor devices.

Expression and evaluation of porcine circovirus type 2 capsid protein mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8

Background

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an important infectious pathogen implicated in porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), which has caused significant economic losses in the pig industry worldwide.

Objectives

A suitable viral vector-mediated gene transfer platform for the expression of the capsid protein (Cap) is an attractive strategy.

Methods

In the present study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 (rAAV8) vector was constructed to encode Cap (Cap-rAAV) in vitro and in vivo after gene transfer.

Results

The obtained results showed that Cap could be expressed in HEK293T cells and BABL/c mice. The results of lymphocytes proliferative, as well as immunoglobulin G (IgG) 2a and interferon-γ showed strong cellular immune responses induced by Cap-rAAV. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers obtained and the IgG1 and interleukin-4 levels showed that humoral immune responses were also induced by Cap-rAAV. Altogether, these results demonstrated that the rAAV8 vaccine Cap-rAAV can induce strong cellular and humoral immune responses, indicating a potential rAAV8 vaccine against PCV2.

Conclusions

The injection of rAAV8 encoding PCV2 Cap genes into muscle tissue can ensure long-term, continuous, and systemic expression.

Plasmid Replicons for the Production of Pharmaceutical-Grade pDNA, Proteins and Antigens by Lactococcus lactis Cell Factories

The Lactococcus lactis bacterium found in different natural environments is traditionally associated with the fermented food industry. But recently, its applications have been spreading to the pharmaceutical industry, which has exploited its probiotic characteristics and is moving towards its use as cell factories for the production of added-value recombinant proteins and plasmid DNA (pDNA) for DNA vaccination, as a safer and industrially profitable alternative to the traditional Escherichia coli host. Additionally, due to its food-grade and generally recognized safe status, there have been an increasing number of studies about its use in live mucosal vaccination. In this review, we critically systematize the plasmid replicons available for the production of pharmaceutical-grade pDNA and recombinant proteins by L. lactis. A plasmid vector is an easily customized component when the goal is to engineer bacteria in order to produce a heterologous compound in industrially significant amounts, as an alternative to genomic DNA modifications. The additional burden to the cell depends on plasmid copy number and on the expression level, targeting location and type of protein expressed. For live mucosal vaccination applications, besides the presence of the necessary regulatory sequences, it is imperative that cells produce the antigen of interest in sufficient yields. The cell wall anchored antigens had shown more promising results in live mucosal vaccination studies, when compared with intracellular or secreted antigens. On the other side, engineering L. lactis to express membrane proteins, especially if they have a eukaryotic background, increases the overall cellular burden. The different alternative replicons for live mucosal vaccination, using L. lactis as the DNA vaccine carrier or the antigen producer, are critically reviewed, as a starting platform to choose or engineer the best vector for each application.

The Main DNA Viruses Significantly Affecting Pig Livestock

Swine DNA viruses have developed unique mechanisms for evasion of the host immune system, infection and DNA replication, and finally, construction and release of new viral particles. This article reviews four classes of DNA viruses affecting swine: porcine circoviruses, African swine fever virus, porcine parvoviruses, and pseudorabies virus. Porcine circoviruses belonging to the Circoviridae family are small single-stranded DNA viruses causing different diseases in swine including poly-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, and porcine respiratory disease complex. African swine fever virus, the only member of the Asfivirus genus in the Asfarviridae family, is a large double-stranded DNA virus and for its propensity to cause high mortality, it is currently considered the most dangerous virus in the pig industry. Porcine parvoviruses are small single-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the Parvoviridae family that cause reproductive failure in pregnant gilts. Pseudorabies virus, or suid herpesvirus 1, is a large double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family and Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. Recent findings including general as well as genetic classification, virus structure, clinical syndromes and the host immune system responses and vaccine protection are described for all four swine DNA virus classes.

Evaluation of novel recombinant porcine circovirus type 2d (PCV2d) vaccine in pigs naturally infected with PCV2d

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenic porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes significant economic losses in pig production. Emergence of the PCV2d genotype has been linked with PCV2-associated disease (PCVAD) outbreaks. However, no study has been conducted efficacy of an experimental PCV2d-based subunit vaccine in pigs. Therefore, PCV2b- and PCV2d-based capsid (CP) proteins were generated using a baculovirus (Bac) expression system, and we evaluated the protective immune responses in a commercial pig farm where predominant PCV2d is circulating.

METHODS

Eighteen 3-week-old pigs with maternal antibodies were randomly divided into four groups, and were immunized with purified Bac-2dCP, mixed 1:1 ratio with purified Bac-2bCP and Bac-2dCP (Bac-mCP), a commercial PCV2a-based subunit vaccine (VAC) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as controls.

RESULTS

The Bac-2dCP and Bac-mCP groups had significantly higher PCV2b- or PCV2d- specific IgG and neutralizing antibody without interference by maternal antibody compared to control group in pigs naturally infected with PCV2d. Interestingly, not only serum IL-4 level was significantly increased in the Bac-2dCP group, but also PCV2d viremia level was significantly reduced than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The recombinant Bac-2dCP subunit vaccine is a good candidate for the effective reduction against PCV2d infection.

Mucosal Vaccination with Lactococcus lactis-Secreting Surface Immunological Protein Induces Humoral and Cellular Immune Protection against Group B Streptococcus in a Murine Model

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the primary etiological agent of sepsis and meningitis in newborns and is associated with premature birth and stillbirth. The development of a licensed vaccine is one of the pending challenges for the World Health Organization. Previously, we showed that oral immunization with surface immune protein (SIP) decreases vaginal colonization of GBS and generates functional opsonizing antibodies, which was determined by opsonophagocytic assays (OPA) in vitro. We also showed that the protein has an adjuvant vaccine profile. Therefore, an oral vaccine based on SIP may be an attractive alternative to employ in the development of new vaccines against GBS. Lactococcus lactis is a highlighted oral vaccine probiotic inducer of the mucosal immune response. This bacterium could serve as an antigen-delivering vehicle for the development of an edible vaccine and has been used in clinical trials. In this study, we showed that an oral vaccine with a recombinant L. lactis strain secreting SIP from GBS (rL. lactis-SIP) can induce protective humoral and cellular immunity in an experimental model of GBS vaginal colonization in C57BL/6 mice. Mice immunized with rL. lactis-SIP were protected against clinical symptoms and bacterial colonization after GBS vaginal colonization. Our rL. lactis-SIP vaccine also induces an increase of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) specifically against SIP. The adoptive transfer of serum from vaccinated mice to naïve mice generated protection against GBS vaginal colonization. Moreover, the rL.lactis-SIP strain induces the activation of SIP-specific T cells, which could decrease GBS vaginal colonization and generate protective antibodies when transferred to other mice. Our experimental observations strongly support the notion that rL. lactis-SIP induces protective humoral and cellular immunity and could be considered as a novel alternative in the development of vaccines for GBS.

Immune response in piglets orally immunized with recombinant Bacillus subtilis expressing the capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2

BACKGROUND

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, and is associated with a number of other diseases. PCV2 is widely distributed in most developed swine industries, and is a severe economic burden. With an eye to developing an effective, safe, and convenient vaccine against PCV2-associated diseases, we have constructed a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain (B. subtilis-Cap) that expresses the PCV2 capsid protein (Cap).

METHODS

Electroporation of a plasmid shuttle vector encoding the PCV2 Cap sequence was use to transform Bacillus subtilis. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate in vitro bone marrow derived dendritic cell (BM-DC) maturation and T cell proliferation induced by B. subtilis-Cap. Orally inoculated piglets were used for in vivo experiments; ELISA and western blotting were used to evaluate B. subtilis-Cap induced PCV2-specific IgA and IgG levels, as well as the secretion of cytokines and the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9).

RESULTS

We evaluated the immune response to B. subtilis-Cap in vitro using mouse BM-DCs and in vivo using neonatal piglets orally inoculated with B. subtilis-Cap. Our results showed that the recombinant B. subtilis-Cap activated BM-DCs, significantly increased co-stimulatory molecules (CD40 and CD80) and major histocompatibility complex II, and induced allogenic T cells proliferation. Piglets immunized with B. subtilis-Cap had elevated levels of PCV2-specific IgA in the mucosal tissues of the digestive and respiratory tract, and PCV2-specific IgG in serum (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Ileal immunocompetent cells, such as the IgA-secreting cells (P < 0.01), intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) (P < 0.01), CD3+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.01) and CD4+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.01) increased significantly in the B. subtilis-Cap immunized piglets. Additionally, B. subtilis-Cap inoculation resulted in increased the expression of TLR2 and TLR9 (P < 0.01), and induced the secretion of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ, and β-defensin 2 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed a prototype PCV2 vaccine that can be administered orally and elicits a more robust humoral and cellular immunity than inactivated PCV2. B. subtilis-Cap is a promising vaccine candidate that is safe, convenient, and inexpensive. Further in vivo research is needed to determine its full range of efficacy in pigs.