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Bharathi JK, Suresh P, Prakash MAS, Muneer S. Exploring recent progress of molecular farming for therapeutic and recombinant molecules in plant systems. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37634. [PMID: 39309966 PMCID: PMC11416299 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37634] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
An excellent technique for producing pharmaceuticals called "molecular farming" enables the industrial mass production of useful recombinant proteins in genetically modified organisms. Protein-based pharmaceuticals are rising in significance because of a variety of factors, including their bioreactivity, precision, safety, and efficacy rate. Heterologous expression methods for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products have been previously employed using yeast, bacteria, and animal cells. However, the high cost of mammalian cell system, and production, the chance for product complexity, and contamination, and the hurdles of scaling up to commercial production are the limitations of these traditional expression methods. Plants have been raised as a hopeful replacement system for the expression of biopharmaceutical products due to their potential benefits, which include low production costs, simplicity in scaling up to commercial manufacturing levels, and a lower threat of mammalian toxin contaminations and virus infections. Since plants are widely utilized as a source of therapeutic chemicals, molecular farming offers a unique way to produce molecular medicines such as recombinant antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, plasma proteins, and vaccines whose molecular basis for use in therapy is well established. Biopharming provides more economical and extensive pharmaceutical drug supplies, including vaccines for contagious diseases and pharmaceutical proteins for the treatment of conditions like heart disease and cancer. To assess its technical viability and the efficacy resulting from the adoption of molecular farming products, the following review explores the various methods and methodologies that are currently employed to create commercially valuable molecules in plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jothi Kanmani Bharathi
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Preethika Suresh
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil-Nadu, India
- Department of Horticulture and Food Science, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil-Nadu, India
| | - Muthu Arjuna Samy Prakash
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sowbiya Muneer
- Department of Horticulture and Food Science, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil-Nadu, India
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Recent advances in molecular farming using monocot plants. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 58:107913. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Ghag SB, Adki VS, Ganapathi TR, Bapat VA. Plant Platforms for Efficient Heterologous Protein Production. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2021; 26:546-567. [PMID: 34393545 PMCID: PMC8346785 DOI: 10.1007/s12257-020-0374-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Production of recombinant proteins is primarily established in cultures of mammalian, insect and bacterial cells. Concurrently, concept of using plants to produce high-value pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, antibodies, and dietary proteins have received worldwide attention. Newer technologies for plant transformation such as plastid engineering, agroinfiltration, magnifection, and deconstructed viral vectors have been used to enhance the protein production in plants along with the inherent advantage of speed, scale, and cost of production in plant systems. Production of therapeutic proteins in plants has now a more pragmatic approach when several plant-produced vaccines and antibodies successfully completed Phase I clinical trials in humans and were further scheduled for regulatory approvals to manufacture clinical grade products on a large scale which are safe, efficacious, and meet the quality standards. The main thrust of this review is to summarize the data accumulated over the last two decades and recent development and achievements of the plant derived therapeutics. It also attempts to discuss different strategies employed to increase the production so as to make plants more competitive with the established production systems in this industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhesh B. Ghag
- School of Biological Sciences, UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, University of Mumbai campus, Kalina, Santacruz, Mumbai, 400098 India
| | - Vinayak S. Adki
- V. G. Shivdare College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Solapur, Maharashtra 413004 India
| | - Thumballi R. Ganapathi
- Plant Cell Culture Technology Section, Nuclear Agriculture & Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India
| | - Vishwas A. Bapat
- Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004 India
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Khan MS, Joyia FA, Mustafa G. Seeds as Economical Production Platform for Recombinant Proteins. Protein Pept Lett 2020; 27:89-104. [DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666191014151237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
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The cost-effective production of high-quality and biologically active recombinant
molecules especially proteins is extremely desirable. Seed-based recombinant protein production
platforms are considered as superior choice owing to lack of human/animal pathogenic organisms,
lack of cold chain requirements for transportation and long-term storage, easy scalability and
development of edible biopharmaceuticals in plants with objective to be used in purified or partially
processed form is desirable. This review article summarizes the exceptional features of seed-based
biopharming and highlights the needs of exploiting it for commercial purposes. Plant seeds offer a
perfect production platform for high-value molecules of industrial as well as therapeutic nature
owing to lower water contents, high protein storage capacity, weak protease activity and long-term
storage ability at ambient temperature. Exploiting extraordinarily high protein accumulation
potential, vaccine antigens, antibodies and other therapeutic proteins can be stored without effecting
their stability and functionality up to years in seeds. Moreover, ability of direct oral consumption
and post-harvest stabilizing effect of seeds offer unique feature of oral delivery of pharmaceutical
proteins and vaccine antigens for immunization and disease treatment through mucosal as well as
oral route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sarwar Khan
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Faiz Ahmad Joyia
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Mustafa
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Hefferon KL. The role of plant expression platforms in biopharmaceutical development: possibilities for the future. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:1301-1308. [PMID: 31829081 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1704264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Plant-made vaccines have been in the pipeline for nearly thirty years. Generated stably in transgenic plants or transiently using virus expression systems, pharmaceuticals have been developed to address global pandemics as well as several emerging One Health Diseases.Areas covered: This review describes the generation of plant-made vaccines to address some of the world's most growing health concerns, including both infectious and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer. The review provides an overview of the research taking place in this field over the past three to five years. The PubMed database was searched under the topic of plant-made vaccine between the periods of 2014 and 2019.Expert opinion: While vaccines and other biologics have been shown to be cheap safe and efficacious, they have not yet entered the marketplace largely due to regulatory constraints. The lack of an appropriate regulatory structure to guide plant-made vaccines through to commercial development has stalled efforts to provide life-saving medicines to low- and middle-income families. In my opinion, it is paramount that regulatory hurdles are mitigated to address emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola and Zika in a timely manner.
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Lan H, Hosomi K, Kunisawa J. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin-based protein engineering for the vaccine design and delivery system. Vaccine 2019; 37:6232-6239. [PMID: 31466706 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a major cause of food poisoning worldwide, with its enterotoxin (CPE) being the major virulence factor. The C-terminus of CPE (C-CPE) is non-toxic and is the part of the toxin that binds to epithelial cells via the claudins in tight junctions; however, C-CPE has low antigenicity. To address this issue, we have used protein engineering technology to augment the antigenicity of C-CPE and have developed a C-CPE-based vaccine against C. perfringens-mediated food poisoning. Moreover, C-CPE has properties that make it potentially useful for the development of vaccines against other bacterial toxins that cause food poisoning. For example, we hypothesized that the ability of C-CPE to bind to claudins could be harnessed to deliver vaccine antigens directly to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues, and we successfully developed a nasally administered C-CPE-based vaccine delivery system that promotes antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses. In addition, our group has revealed the roles that the nasal mucus plays in lowering the efficacy of C-CPE-based nasal vaccines. Here, we review recent advances in the development of C-CPE-based vaccines against the major bacterial toxins that cause food poisoning and discuss our C-CPE-based nasal vaccine delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huangwenxian Lan
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Koji Hosomi
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan.
| | - Jun Kunisawa
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine and Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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Ghaffari Marandi BH, Zolfaghari MR, Kazemi R, Motamedi MJ, Amani J. Immunization against Vibrio cholerae, ETEC, and EHEC with chitosan nanoparticle containing LSC chimeric protein. Microb Pathog 2019; 134:103600. [PMID: 31202906 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe intestinal infections caused by V. cholerae, ETEC and EHEC have contributed to the mortality rate in developing countries. Vibrio Cholera, ETEC and EHEC bacterium with the production of CT, LT and Stx2 toxins respectively lead to severe watery and bloody diarrhea. This study aimed to investigate a trimeric vaccine candidate containing recombinant chimeric protein, encapsulate the protein in chitosan nanoparticles and assess its immunogenicity. METHODS The LSC recombinant gene was used. It is composed of LTB (L), STXB (S) and CTXB (C) subunits respectively. The LSC recombinant protein was expressed and purified and confirmed by western blotting. The purified protein was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles, and its size was measured. BalB/c mice were immunized in four groups through oral and injection methods by LSC protein. The antibody titer was then evaluated by ELISA, and finally, the challenge test of the toxins from all three bacteria was done on the immunized mouse. RESULTS After expression and purification LSC protein size of nanoparticles containing protein was measured at 104.6 nm. Nanoparticles were able to induce systemic and mucosal immune responses by generating a useful titer of IgG and IgA. The challenge results with LT, CT and Stx toxins showed that the LSC protein might partially neutralize the effect of toxins. CONCLUSION LSC chimeric protein with the simultaneous three essential antigens have a protective effect against the toxins produced by ETEC, EHEC and Vibrio cholera bacteria and it can be used in vaccines to prevent Diarrhea caused by these three bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Reza Zolfaghari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | | | | | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Geetha S, Joshi JB, Kumar KK, Arul L, Kokiladevi E, Balasubramanian P, Sudhakar D. Genetic transformation of tropical maize ( Zea mays L.) inbred line with a phytase gene from Aspergillus niger. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:208. [PMID: 31093478 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A full-length cDNA of phyA gene of Aspergillus niger, encoding phytase enzyme, was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 cells and assayed for its activity. The phyA cDNA consisted of 1404 bp, which encoded 467 amino acid residues. The phytase activity of purified phytase was 826.33 U/mL. The phyA gene under the control of endosperm-specific promoters was transformed into an Indian maize inbred line, UMI29, using particle bombardment-mediated transformation method to generate transgenic maize plants over-expressing phytase in seeds. PCR and GUS analyses demonstrated the presence of transgenes in T0 transgenic plants and their stable inheritance in the T1 progenies. Three transgenic events expressing detectable level of A. niger phytase were characterized by western blot analysis. Phytase activity of 463.158 U/kg of seed was observed in one of the events, JB-UMI29-Z17/2. The phytase activity of transgenic maize seeds was 5.5- to 7-fold higher than the wild-type UMI29 seeds and, consequently, the seeds had 0.6- to 5-fold higher inorganic phosphorus content.
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Tabrizi NM, Amani J, Ebrahimzadeh M, Nazarian S, Kazemi R, Almasian P. Preparation and evaluation of chitosan nanoparticles containing CtxB antigen against Vibrio cholera. Microb Pathog 2018; 124:170-177. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Feng H, Li X, Song W, Duan M, Chen H, Wang T, Dong J. Oral Administration of a Seed-based Bivalent Rotavirus Vaccine Containing VP6 and NSP4 Induces Specific Immune Responses in Mice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:910. [PMID: 28620404 PMCID: PMC5449476 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrheal disease among newborns. Plant-based rotavirus vaccines have been developed in recent years and have been proven to be effective in animal models. In the present study, we report a bivalent vaccine candidate expressing rotavirus subunits VP6 and NSP4 fused with the adjuvant subunit B of E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LTB) in maize seeds. The RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that VP6 and LTB-NSP4 antigens were expressed and accumulated in maize seeds. The expression levels were as high as 0.35 and 0.20% of the total soluble protein for VP6 and LTB-NSP4, respectively. Oral administration of transgenic maize seeds successfully stimulated systemic and mucosal responses, with high titers of serum IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies, even after long-term storage. This study is the first to use maize seeds as efficient generators for the development of a bivalent vaccine against rotavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Weibin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center of China, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Mei Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Jiangli Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
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Rosales-Mendoza S, Sández-Robledo C, Bañuelos-Hernández B, Angulo C. Corn-based vaccines: current status and prospects. PLANTA 2017; 245:875-888. [PMID: 28349257 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-017-2680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Corn is an attractive host for vaccine production and oral delivery. The present review provides the current outlook and perspectives for this field. Among seed-crops, corn represents a key source of biomass for food, fuel production, and other applications. Since the beginning of the development of plant-based vaccines, corn was explored for the production and delivery of vaccines. About a dozen of pathogens have been studied under this technology with distinct degrees of development. A vaccine prototype against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial and several candidates targeting bacterial and viral diseases are under preclinical evaluation. The present review provides an updated outlook on this topic highlighting the employed expression strategies; perspectives for the field are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí, SLP, 78210, Mexico.
| | - Cristhian Sández-Robledo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, SC, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, BCS, 23096, Mexico
| | - Bernardo Bañuelos-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosí, SLP, 78210, Mexico
| | - Carlos Angulo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, SC, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, BCS, 23096, Mexico
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Kazemi R, Akhavian A, Amani J, Salimian J, Motamedi MJ, Mousavi A, Jafari M, Salmanian AH. Immunogenic properties of trivalent recombinant protein composed of B-subunits of LT, STX-2, and CT toxins. Microbes Infect 2016; 18:421-429. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Chan HT, Daniell H. Plant-made oral vaccines against human infectious diseases-Are we there yet? PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2015; 13:1056-70. [PMID: 26387509 PMCID: PMC4769796 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the plant-made vaccine field started three decades ago with the promise of developing low-cost vaccines to prevent infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics around the globe, this goal has not yet been achieved. Plants offer several major advantages in vaccine generation, including low-cost production by eliminating expensive fermentation and purification systems, sterile delivery and cold storage/transportation. Most importantly, oral vaccination using plant-made antigens confers both mucosal (IgA) and systemic (IgG) immunity. Studies in the past 5 years have made significant progress in expressing vaccine antigens in edible leaves (especially lettuce), processing leaves or seeds through lyophilization and achieving antigen stability and efficacy after prolonged storage at ambient temperatures. Bioencapsulation of antigens in plant cells protects them from the digestive system; the fusion of antigens to transmucosal carriers enhances efficiency of their delivery to the immune system and facilitates successful development of plant vaccines as oral boosters. However, the lack of oral priming approaches diminishes these advantages because purified antigens, cold storage/transportation and limited shelf life are still major challenges for priming with adjuvants and for antigen delivery by injection. Yet another challenge is the risk of inducing tolerance without priming the host immune system. Therefore, mechanistic aspects of these two opposing processes (antibody production or suppression) are discussed in this review. In addition, we summarize recent progress made in oral delivery of vaccine antigens expressed in plant cells via the chloroplast or nuclear genomes and potential challenges in achieving immunity against infectious diseases using cold-chain-free vaccine delivery approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Daniell
- Correspondence (Tel 215 746 2563; fax 215 898 3695; )
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Juárez-Montiel M, Romero-Maldonado A, Monreal-Escalante E, Becerra-Flora A, Korban SS, Rosales-Mendoza S, Jiménez-Bremont JF. The Corn Smut ('Huitlacoche') as a New Platform for Oral Vaccines. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26207365 PMCID: PMC4514630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of new alternative platforms for subunit vaccine production is a priority in the biomedical field. In this study, Ustilago maydis, the causal agent of common corn smut or ‘huitlacoche’has been genetically engineered to assess expression and immunogenicity of the B subunit of the cholera toxin (CTB), a relevant immunomodulatory agent in vaccinology. An oligomeric CTB recombinant protein was expressed in corn smut galls at levels of up to 1.3 mg g-1 dry weight (0.8% of the total soluble protein). Mice orally immunized with ‘huitlacoche’-derived CTB showed significant humoral responses that were well-correlated with protection against challenge with the cholera toxin (CT). These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using edible corn smut as a safe, effective, and low-cost platform for production and delivery of a subunit oral vaccine. The implications of this platform in the area of molecular pharming are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Juárez-Montiel
- Laboratorio de Estudios Moleculares de Respuesta a Estrés en Plantas, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AC, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Andrea Romero-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Elizabeth Monreal-Escalante
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Alicia Becerra-Flora
- Laboratorio de Estudios Moleculares de Respuesta a Estrés en Plantas, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AC, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Schuyler S. Korban
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
- * E-mail: (SRM); (JFJB)
| | - Juan Francisco Jiménez-Bremont
- Laboratorio de Estudios Moleculares de Respuesta a Estrés en Plantas, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AC, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
- * E-mail: (SRM); (JFJB)
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Makhzoum A, Benyammi R, Moustafa K, Trémouillaux-Guiller J. Recent advances on host plants and expression cassettes' structure and function in plant molecular pharming. BioDrugs 2015; 28:145-59. [PMID: 23959796 PMCID: PMC7100180 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-013-0062-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Plant molecular pharming is a promising system to produce important recombinant proteins such as therapeutic antibodies, pharmaceuticals, enzymes, growth factors, and vaccines. The system provides an interesting alternative method to the direct extraction of proteins from inappropriate source material while offering the possibility to overcome problems related to product safety and source availability. Multiple factors including plant hosts, genes of interest, expression vector cassettes, and extraction and purification techniques play important roles in the plant molecular pharming. Plant species, as a biosynthesis platform, are a crucial factor in achieving high yields of recombinant protein in plant. The choice of recombinant gene and its expression strategy is also of great importance in ensuring a high amount of the recombinant proteins. Many studies have been conducted to improve expression, accumulation, and purification of the recombinant protein from molecular pharming systems. Re-engineered vectors and expression cassettes are also pivotal tools in enhancing gene expression at the transcription and translation level, and increasing protein accumulation, stability, retention and targeting of specific organelles. In this review, we report recent advances and strategies of plant molecular pharming while focusing on the choice of plant hosts and the role of some molecular pharming elements and approaches: promoters, codon optimization, signal sequences, and peptides used for upstream design, purification and downstream processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Makhzoum
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7 Canada
| | - Roukia Benyammi
- Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology of the National Superior School of Agronomy, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Khaled Moustafa
- Institut Mondor de la Recherche Biomédicale, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, France
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Soh HS, Chung HY, Lee HH, Ajjappala H, Jang K, Park JH, Sim JS, Lee GY, Lee HJ, Han YH, Lim JW, Choi I, Chung IS, Hahn BS. Expression and functional validation of heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) and cholera toxin B (CTB) subunits in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa). SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:148. [PMID: 25853032 PMCID: PMC4380882 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-0847-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We expressed the heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) subunit from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and the cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit from Vibrio cholerae under the control of the rice (Oryza sativa) globulin (Glb) promoter. Binding of recombinant LTB and CTB proteins was confirmed based on GM1-ganglioside binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (GM1-ELISA). Real-time PCR of three generations (T3, T4, and T5) in homozygous lines (LCI-11) showed single copies of LTB, CTB, bar and Tnos. LTB and CTB proteins in rice transgenic lines were detected by Western blot analysis. Immunogenicity trials of rice-derived CTB and LTB antigens were evaluated through oral and intraperitoneal administration in mice, respectively. The results revealed that LTB- and CTB-specific IgG levels were enhanced in the sera of intraperitoneally immunized mice. Similarly, the toxin-neutralizing activity of CTB and LTB in serum of orally immunized mice was associated with elevated levels of both IgG and IgA. The results of the present study suggest that the combined expression of CTB and LTB proteins can be utilized to produce vaccines against enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholera, for the prevention of diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Seob Soh
- Division of Environmental Agricultural Research, Gyeonggido Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Hwaseong, 445-784 South Korea
| | - Ha Young Chung
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Nongsaengmyeong-ro 370, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 560-550 South Korea
| | - Hyun Ho Lee
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701 South Korea
| | - Hemavathi Ajjappala
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Nongsaengmyeong-ro 370, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 560-550 South Korea
| | - Kyoungok Jang
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701 South Korea
| | - Jong-Hwa Park
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701 South Korea
| | - Joon-Soo Sim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Nongsaengmyeong-ro 370, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 560-550 South Korea
| | - Gee Young Lee
- Division of Environmental Agricultural Research, Gyeonggido Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Hwaseong, 445-784 South Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Division of Environmental Agricultural Research, Gyeonggido Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Hwaseong, 445-784 South Korea
| | - Young Hee Han
- Division of Environmental Agricultural Research, Gyeonggido Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Hwaseong, 445-784 South Korea
| | - Jae Wook Lim
- Division of Environmental Agricultural Research, Gyeonggido Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Hwaseong, 445-784 South Korea
| | - Inchan Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Nongsaengmyeong-ro 370, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 560-550 South Korea
| | - In Sik Chung
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701 South Korea
| | - Bum-Soo Hahn
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Nongsaengmyeong-ro 370, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 560-550 South Korea
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Baldauf KJ, Royal JM, Hamorsky KT, Matoba N. Cholera toxin B: one subunit with many pharmaceutical applications. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:974-96. [PMID: 25802972 PMCID: PMC4379537 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7030974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholera, a waterborne acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, remains prevalent in underdeveloped countries and is a serious health threat to those living in unsanitary conditions. The major virulence factor is cholera toxin (CT), which consists of two subunits: the A subunit (CTA) and the B subunit (CTB). CTB is a 55 kD homopentameric, non-toxic protein binding to the GM1 ganglioside on mammalian cells with high affinity. Currently, recombinantly produced CTB is used as a component of an internationally licensed oral cholera vaccine, as the protein induces potent humoral immunity that can neutralize CT in the gut. Additionally, recent studies have revealed that CTB administration leads to the induction of anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vivo. This review will cover the potential of CTB as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent. We will also summarize various recombinant expression systems available for recombinant CTB bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan J Baldauf
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Joshua M Royal
- Owensboro Cancer Research Program of James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville School of Medicine, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA.
| | - Krystal Teasley Hamorsky
- Owensboro Cancer Research Program of James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville School of Medicine, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Nobuyuki Matoba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- Owensboro Cancer Research Program of James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville School of Medicine, Owensboro, KY 42303, USA.
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Hernández M, Rosas G, Cervantes J, Fragoso G, Rosales-Mendoza S, Sciutto E. Transgenic plants: a 5-year update on oral antipathogen vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 13:1523-36. [PMID: 25158836 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.953064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The progressive interest in transgenic plants as advantageous platforms for the production and oral delivery of vaccines has led to extensive research and improvements in this technology over recent years. In this paper, the authors examine the most significant advances in this area, including novel approaches for higher yields and better containment, and the continued evaluation of new vaccine prototypes against several infectious diseases. The use of plants to deliver vaccine candidates against viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic parasites within the last 5 years is discussed, focusing on innovative expression strategies and the immunogenic potential of new vaccines. A brief section on the state of the art in mucosal immunity is also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisela Hernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México, DF, México
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Ganapathy M, Perumal A, Mohan C, Palaniswamy H, Perumal K. Immunogenicity of Brugia malayi Abundant Larval Transcript-2, a potential filarial vaccine candidate expressed in tobacco. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2014; 33:179-88. [PMID: 24277081 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-013-1521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Transgenic tobacco plants with Bm ALT-2, a filarial vaccine candidate, were developed. The plant-produced antigen showed immunogenicity on par with the E.coli product. Transgenic tobacco plants were developed using Brugia malayi Abundant Larval Transcript-2 (Bm ALT-2), a major antigen produced from recombinant E.coli found to be experimentally successful as potential vaccine candidate against lymphatic filariasis. Results of experiments on the transformation and expression of the Bm ALT-2 in tobacco plant to produce plant-based vaccine are presented here. We have successfully transformed the tobacco plant with Bm ALT-2 and confirmed that the plants expressed the filarial protein by PCR analysis and Western blotting. The level of expression varied from 50 to 90 ng/μg of total soluble protein for ALT-2. Immunization of mice with plant-extracted protein indicated that the plant-produced protein had immunological characteristics similar to the E.coli-produced protein. Antibody titres produced by plant-produced recombinant ALT 2-immunized mice were on par with those immunized with recombinant protein produced by E.coli. Antibody isotype assay showed that plant-produced recombinant ALT-2 induced significant IgG1, whereas E.coli-produced recombinant ALT-2 induced IgG3. This result is a step forward towards the development of a model eukaryotic system for the production of recombinant filarial proteins, which can be utilized to produce therapeutic and diagnostic molecules against lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical infectious disease which has a negative impact on socioeconomic development. In addition, this is the first report of the immunogenicity of a plant-derived filarial antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathangi Ganapathy
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai, 600025, Tamil Nadu, India,
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Kwon KC, Verma D, Singh ND, Herzog R, Daniell H. Oral delivery of human biopharmaceuticals, autoantigens and vaccine antigens bioencapsulated in plant cells. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:782-99. [PMID: 23099275 PMCID: PMC3582797 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among 12billion injections administered annually, unsafe delivery leads to >20million infections and >100million reactions. In an emerging new concept, freeze-dried plant cells (lettuce) expressing vaccine antigens/biopharmaceuticals are protected in the stomach from acids/enzymes but are released to the immune or blood circulatory system when plant cell walls are digested by microbes that colonize the gut. Vaccine antigens bioencapsulated in plant cells upon oral delivery after priming, conferred both mucosal and systemic immunity and protection against bacterial, viral or protozoan pathogens or toxin challenge. Oral delivery of autoantigens was effective against complications of type 1 diabetes and hemophilia, by developing tolerance. Oral delivery of proinsulin or exendin-4 expressed in plant cells regulated blood glucose levels similar to injections. Therefore, this new platform offers a low cost alternative to deliver different therapeutic proteins to combat infectious or inherited diseases by eliminating inactivated pathogens, expensive purification, cold storage/transportation and sterile injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Chul Kwon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Dheeraj Verma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Nameirakpam D. Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Roland Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
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Guan ZJ, Guo B, Huo YL, Guan ZP, Dai JK, Wei YH. Recent advances and safety issues of transgenic plant-derived vaccines. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:2817-40. [PMID: 23447052 PMCID: PMC7080054 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-4566-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic plant-derived vaccines comprise a new type of bioreactor that combines plant genetic engineering technology with an organism's immunological response. This combination can be considered as a bioreactor that is produced by introducing foreign genes into plants that elicit special immunogenicity when introduced into animals or human beings. In comparison with traditional vaccines, plant vaccines have some significant advantages, such as low cost, greater safety, and greater effectiveness. In a number of recent studies, antigen-specific proteins have been successfully expressed in various plant tissues and have even been tested in animals and human beings. Therefore, edible vaccines of transgenic plants have a bright future. This review begins with a discussion of the immune mechanism and expression systems for transgenic plant vaccines. Then, current advances in different transgenic plant vaccines will be analyzed, including vaccines against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic parasites. In view of the low expression levels for antigens in plants, high-level expression strategies of foreign protein in transgenic plants are recommended. Finally, the existing safety problems in transgenic plant vaccines were put forward will be discussed along with a number of appropriate solutions that will hopefully lead to future clinical application of edible plant vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-jun Guan
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Life Sciences, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi 044000 China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093 China
| | - Bin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-lin Huo
- Centre of Biological and Chemical Exiperiment, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi 044000 China
| | - Zheng-ping Guan
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangshu 210095 China
| | - Jia-kun Dai
- Enzyme Engineering Institute of Shaanxi, Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710600 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-hui Wei
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069 People’s Republic of China
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Zhang W, Sack DA. Progress and hurdles in the development of vaccines against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in humans. Expert Rev Vaccines 2012; 11:677-94. [PMID: 22873126 DOI: 10.1586/erv.12.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in young children living in endemic countries and children and adults traveling to these areas. Pathogenesis of ETEC diarrhea has been well studied, and the key virulence factors are bacterial colonization factor antigens and enterotoxins produced by ETEC strains. Colonization factor antigens mediate bacteria attachment to host small intestinal epithelial cells and subsequent colonization, whereas enterotoxins including heat-labile and heat-stable toxins disrupt fluid homeostasis in host epithelial cells, which leads to fluid and electrolyte hypersecretion and diarrhea. Vaccines stimulating host anti-adhesin immunity to block ETEC attachment and colonization and also antitoxin immunity to neutralize enterotoxicity are considered optimal for prevention of ETEC diarrhea. Vaccines under development have been designed to stimulate local intestinal immunity and are either oral vaccines or transcutaneous vaccines. A cholera vaccine (Dukoral®) does stimulate anti-heat-labile toxin immunity and is licensed for short-term protection of ETEC diarrhea in travelers in some countries. Newer experimental ETEC vaccine candidates are being developed with hope to provide long-lasting and more broad-based protection against ETEC. Some have shown promising results in safety and immunogenicity studies and are approaching field trials for efficacy. A key problem is the development of a vaccine that is both practical and inexpensive so that it can be affordable for use in poor countries where it is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Zhang
- Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
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