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Frosth S, Reddick D, Righetti F, Bjerketorp J, Jacobsson K, Henriques-Normark B, Jacobson M, Guss B, Wood T, Frykberg L, Flock JI, Waller A. Sow vaccination with a novel recombinant protein vaccine protects piglets against Streptococcus suis infection. Vaccine 2025; 53:127077. [PMID: 40198933 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2025] [Revised: 03/25/2025] [Accepted: 03/27/2025] [Indexed: 04/10/2025]
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a severe zoonotic pathogen affecting weaned piglets. No commercial vaccine that provides protection against S. suis is available. A prototype vaccine, tentatively called VASIP (Vaccine Against Streptococcus suis Infection in Pigs), composed of five recombinant fusion proteins, encompassing 23 different protein domains, was used in this study. Pregnant sows were vaccinated on three occasions, at 68, 47 and 19 days prior to farrowing, resulting in high antibody levels, both in sera and in colostrum. Antibodies were transferred to the litter via colostrum. The litters from VASIP-vaccinated and placebo-vaccinated sows were challenged intravenously with S. suis at four or seven weeks of age in two different arms of the study. Body temperature and clinical signs (demeanour, behavioural CNS, and mobility) of infection showed that piglets from vaccinated sows were significantly protected against S. suis infection in the 4-week-old group and that the incidence of severe clinical signs was lower in the 7-week-old group compared with piglets from placebo sows. The study demonstrates the feasibility of vaccinating sows, rather than piglets, using recombinant fusion proteins to maximise protection against S. suis during the period in which they are most at risk of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Frosth
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Reddick
- Moredun Scientific, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Righetti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 280, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joakim Bjerketorp
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Jacobsson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Henriques-Normark
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 280, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Jacobson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bengt Guss
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tim Wood
- Simplexia AB, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Fogdevreten, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - Lars Frykberg
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan-Ingmar Flock
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 280, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Andrew Waller
- Intervacc AB, Box 112, Västertorpsvägen 135, SE-12944 Hägersten, Sweden
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Yan Z, Pan R, Zhang J, Sun J, Ma X, Dong N, Yao X, Wei J, Liu K, Qiu Y, Sealey K, Nichols H, Jarvis MA, Upton M, Li X, Ma Z, Liu J, Li B. Immunogenicity and Protective Capacity of Sugar ABC Transporter Substrate-Binding Protein against Streptococcus suis Serotype 2, 7 and 9 Infection in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:544. [PMID: 38793795 PMCID: PMC11126002 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background:Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes substantial disease in pigs. S. suis is also an emerging zoonoses in humans, primarily in Asia, through the consumption of undercooked pork and the handling of infected pig meat as well as carcasses. The complexity of S. suis epidemiology, characterized by the presence of multiple bacterial serotypes and strains with diverse sequence types, identifies a critical need for a universal vaccine with the ability to confer cross-protective immunity. Highly conserved immunogenic proteins are generally considered good candidate antigens for subunit universal vaccines. Methods: In this study, the cross-protection of the sugar ABC transporter substrate-binding protein (S-ABC), a surface-associated immunogenic protein of S. suis, was examined in mice for evaluation as a universal vaccine candidate. Results: S-ABC was shown to be highly conserved, with 97% amino acid sequence identity across 31 S. suis strains deposited in GenBank. Recombinantly expressed S-ABC (rS-ABC) was recognized via rabbit sera specific to S. suis serotype 2. The immunization of mice with rS-ABC induced antigen-specific antibody responses, as well as IFN-γ and IL-4, in multiple organs, including the lungs. rS-ABC immunization conferred high (87.5% and 100%) protection against challenges with S. suis serotypes 2 and 9, demonstrating high cross-protection against these serotypes. Protection, albeit lower (50%), was also observed in mice challenged with S. suis serotype 7. Conclusions: These data identify S-ABC as a promising antigenic target within a universal subunit vaccine against S. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zujie Yan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ruyi Pan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Jianhe Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Xiaochun Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Nihua Dong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Xiaohui Yao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Katie Sealey
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK;
| | | | - Michael A. Jarvis
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK; (H.N.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (M.U.); (X.L.)
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (M.U.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiangdong Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (M.U.); (X.L.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Juxiang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Beibei Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (Z.Y.); (R.P.); (J.Z.); (X.M.); (N.D.); (X.Y.); (J.W.); (K.L.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
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Liang S, Zhang S, Bao Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Yao H, Liu G. Combined Immunoinformatics to Design and Evaluate a Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate against Streptococcus suis Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:137. [PMID: 38400121 PMCID: PMC10892848 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple serotypes, and thus, multivalent vaccines generating cross-protection against S. suis infections are urgently needed to improve animal welfare and reduce antibiotic abuse. In this study, we established a systematic and comprehensive epitope prediction pipeline based on immunoinformatics. Ten candidate epitopes were ultimately selected for building the multi-epitope vaccine (MVSS) against S. suis infections. The ten epitopes of MVSS were all derived from highly conserved, immunogenic, and virulence-associated surface proteins in S. suis. In silico analyses revealed that MVSS was structurally stable and affixed with immune receptors, indicating that it would likely trigger strong immunological reactions in the host. Furthermore, mice models demonstrated that MVSS elicited high titer antibodies and diminished damages in S. suis serotype 2 and Chz infection, significantly reduced sequelae, induced cytokine transcription, and decreased organ bacterial burdens after triple vaccination. Meanwhile, anti-rMVSS serum inhibited five important S. suis serotypes in vitro, exerted beneficial protective effects against S. suis infections and significantly reduced histopathological damage in mice. Given the above, it is possible to develop MVSS as a universal subunit vaccine against multiple serotypes of S. suis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shidan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yinli Bao
- Engineering Research Center for the Prevention and Control of Animal Original Zoonosis, Fujian Province University, College of Life Science, Longyan University, Longyan 364012, China
| | - Yumin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Guangjin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- OIE Reference Lab for Swine Streptococcosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya 572000, China
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Zhang Y, Zhao G, Xiong Y, Li F, Chen Y, Cheng Y, Ma J, Wang H, Yan Y, Wang Z, Sun J. Development of a Universal Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate against Streptococcus suis Infections Using Immunoinformatics Approaches. Vet Sci 2023; 10:383. [PMID: 37368769 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10060383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a significant zoonotic pathogen that is a great threat not only to the swine industry but also to human health, causing arthritis, meningitis, and even streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome. Owing to its many serotypes and high geographic variability, an efficacious cross-protective S. suis vaccine is not readily available. Therefore, this study aimed to design a universal multi-epitope vaccine (MVHP6) that involved three highly immunogenic proteins of S. suis, namely, the surface antigen containing a glycosaminoglycan binding domain (HP0197), endopeptidase (PepO), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD). Forecasted T-cell and B-cell epitopes with high antigenic properties and a suitable adjuvant were linked to construct a multi-epitope vaccine. In silico analysis showed that the selected epitopes were conserved in highly susceptible serotypes for humans. Thereafter, we evaluated the different parameters of MVHP6 and showed that MVHP6 was highly antigenic, non-toxic, and non-allergenic. To verify whether the vaccine could display appropriate epitopes and maintain high stability, the MVHP6 tertiary structure was modeled, refined, and validated. Molecular docking studies revealed a strong binding interaction between the vaccine and the toll-like receptor (TLR4), whereas molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the vaccine's compatibility, binding stability, and structural compactness. Moreover, the in silico analysis showed that MVHP6 could evoke strong immune responses and enable worldwide population coverage. Moreover, MVHP6 was cloned into the pET28a (+) vector in silico to ensure the credibility, validation, and proper expression of the vaccine construct. The findings suggested that the proposed multi-epitope vaccine can provide cross-protection against S. suis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Guoqing Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yangjing Xiong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Feiyu Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yuqiang Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Jingjiao Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Henan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yaxian Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Zhaofei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Jianhe Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201100, China
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5
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Dong N, Nichols H, Sun Q, Chen X, Zheng J, Guan Z, Zhang H, Davison A, Wezel Y, Li Z, Li B, Liu K, Shao D, Qiu Y, Sun J, Li X, Upton M, Ma Z, Jarvis MA, Wei J. Bovine Herpesvirus-4 Based Vaccine Provides Protective Immunity against Streptococcus suis Disease in a Rabbit Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1004. [PMID: 37243109 PMCID: PMC10222682 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11051004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a bacterial pathogen of pigs that has a major animal health and economic impact on the pig industry. Bovine herpesvirus-4 (BoHV-4) is a new virus-based vaccine vector that has been used for the immunogenic delivery of antigens from a variety of pathogens. In the present study, two recombinant BoHV-4-based vectors were evaluated for their ability to induce immunity and protection against S. suis in a rabbit model. The GMD protein is a fusion protein consisting of multiple dominant B-cell epitopes ((B-cell dominant epitopes of GAPDH, MRP, and DLDH antigens) (BoHV-4/GMD)) and the second suilysin (SLY) (BoHV-4/SLY) from S. suis serotype 2 (SS2). Both GMD and SLY delivered by the BoHV-4 vectors were recognized by sera from SS2-infected rabbits. The vaccination of rabbits with the BoHV-4 vectors induced antibodies against SS2, as well as against additional S. suis serotypes, SS7 and SS9. However, sera from BoHV-4/GMD-vaccinated animals promoted a significant level of phagocytic activity by pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) against SS2, SS7, and SS9. In contrast, sera from rabbits immunized with BoHV-4/SLY induced PAM phagocytic activity against only SS2. In addition, BoHV-4 vaccines differed in the associated level of protection against lethal SS2 challenge, which ranged from high (71.4%) to low (12.5%) for BoHV-4/GMD and BoHV-4/SLY, respectively. These data suggest BoHV-4/GMD as a promising vaccine candidate against S. suis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihua Dong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Hester Nichols
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth PL6 8BX, UK; (H.N.); (Y.W.)
| | - Qing Sun
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Xiaojun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Jiayang Zheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Zhixin Guan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Andrew Davison
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Yvonne Wezel
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth PL6 8BX, UK; (H.N.); (Y.W.)
| | - Zongjie Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Beibei Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Donghua Shao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Jianhe Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Xiangdong Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK;
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
| | - Michael A. Jarvis
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth PL6 8BX, UK; (H.N.); (Y.W.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK;
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (N.D.); (Q.S.); (X.C.); (J.Z.); (Z.G.); (H.Z.); (Z.L.); (B.L.); (K.L.); (D.S.); (Y.Q.); (Z.M.)
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6
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Yan Z, Yao X, Pan R, Zhang J, Ma X, Dong N, Wei J, Liu K, Qiu Y, Sealey K, Nichols H, Jarvis MA, Upton M, Li X, Ma Z, Liu J, Li B. Subunit Vaccine Targeting Phosphate ABC Transporter ATP-Binding Protein, PstB, Provides Cross-Protection against Streptococcus suis Serotype 2, 7, and 9 in Mice. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10010048. [PMID: 36669049 PMCID: PMC9953333 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a significant pathogen in pigs and a newly emerging zoonotic agent in humans. The presence of multiple serotypes and strains with diversified sequence types in pig herds highlights the need for the identification of broadly cross-reactive universal vaccine antigen targets, capable of providing cross-protection against S. suis infection. Subunit vaccines based on the conserved proteins shared between different S. suis serotypes are potential candidates for such a universally protective vaccine. In the present study, phosphate ABC transporter ATP-binding protein PstB (PstB), an immunogenic protein of the S. suis bacterium, was expressed and purified, and then subjected to cross-protection evaluation in mice. The PstB protein showed nearly 100% amino acid similarity across a panel of 31 S. suis isolates representing different serotypes, which were collected from different countries. A recombinant PstB (rPstB) protein (S. suis serotype 2) was recognized by rabbit sera specific to this serotype, and induced high levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in mice immunized with the recombinant protein. These cytokines are considered important for protection against S. suis infection. Immunization of mice with rPstB resulted in an 87.5% protection against challenge with S. suis serotype 2 and 9 strains, suggesting a high level of cross-protection for S. suis serotypes 2 and 9. A lower protection rate (62.5%) was observed in mice challenged with the S. suis serotype 7 strain. These data demonstrate that PstB is a promising target antigen for development as a component of a universal subunit vaccine against multiple S. suis serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zujie Yan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Xiaohui Yao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ruyi Pan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiaochun Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Nihua Dong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Katie Sealey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Hester Nichols
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Devon PL6 8BX, UK
| | - Michael A. Jarvis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
- The Vaccine Group Ltd., Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Devon PL6 8BX, UK
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Xiangdong Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Juxiang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (B.L.)
| | - Beibei Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (B.L.)
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Neutrophils in Streptococcus suis Infection: From Host Defense to Pathology. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112392. [PMID: 34835517 PMCID: PMC8624082 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a swine pathogen and zoonotic agent responsible for economic losses to the porcine industry. Infected animals may develop meningitis, arthritis, endocarditis, sepsis and/or sudden death. The pathogenesis of the infection implies that bacteria breach mucosal host barriers and reach the bloodstream, where they escape immune-surveillance mechanisms and spread throughout the organism. The clinical manifestations are mainly the consequence of an exacerbated inflammation, defined by an exaggerated production of cytokines and recruitment of immune cells. Among them, neutrophils arrive first in contact with the pathogens to combat the infection. Neutrophils initiate and maintain inflammation, by producing cytokines and deploying their arsenal of antimicrobial mechanisms. Furthermore, neutrophilic leukocytosis characterizes S. suis infection, and lesions of infected subjects contain a large number of neutrophils. Therefore, this cell type may play a role in host defense and/or in the exacerbated inflammation. Nevertheless, a limited number of studies addressed the role or functions of neutrophils in the context of S. suis infection. In this review, we will explore the literature about S. suis and neutrophils, from their interaction at a cellular level, to the roles and behaviors of neutrophils in the infected host in vivo.
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Wang Z, Guo M, Kong L, Gao Y, Ma J, Cheng Y, Wang H, Yan Y, Sun J. TLR4 Agonist Combined with Trivalent Protein JointS of Streptococcus suis Provides Immunological Protection in Animals. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020184. [PMID: 33671673 PMCID: PMC7926372 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) serotype 2 (SS2) is the causative agent of swine streptococcosis and can cause severe diseases in both pigs and humans. Although the traditional inactive vaccine can protect pigs from SS2 infection, novel vaccine candidates are needed to overcome its shortcomings. Three infection-associated proteins in S. suis—muramidase-released protein (MRP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and DLD, a novel putative dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase—have been previously identified by immunoproteomic assays. In this study, the effective immune protection of the recombinant trivalent protein GAPDH-MRP-DLD (JointS) against SS2, SS7, and SS9 was determined in zebrafish. To improve the immune efficacy of JointS, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) as a TLR4 agonist adjuvant, which induces a strong innate immune response in the immune cells of mice and pigs, was combined with JointS to immunize the mice. The results showed that immunized mice could induce the production of a high titer of anti-S. suis antibodies; as a result, 100% of mice survived after SS2 infection. Furthermore, JointS provides good protection against virulent SS2 strain infections in piglets. Given the above, there is potential to develop JointS as a novel subunit vaccine for piglets to prevent infection by SS2 and other S. suis serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Mengting Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Licheng Kong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jingjiao Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuqiang Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Henan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yaxian Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianhe Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.W.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (Y.G.); (J.M.); (Y.C.); (H.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-3420-6926
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