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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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Shahid N, Daniell H. Plant-based oral vaccines against zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:2079-2099. [PMID: 27442628 PMCID: PMC5095797 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The shared diseases between animals and humans are known as zoonotic diseases and spread infectious diseases among humans. Zoonotic diseases are not only a major burden to livestock industry but also threaten humans accounting for >60% cases of human illness. About 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans have been reported to originate from zoonotic pathogens. Because antibiotics are frequently used to protect livestock from bacterial diseases, the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of epidemic and zoonotic pathogens is now a major concern. Live attenuated and killed vaccines are the only option to control these infectious diseases and this approach has been used since 1890. However, major problems with this approach include high cost and injectable vaccines is impractical for >20 billion poultry animals or fish in aquaculture. Plants offer an attractive and affordable platform for vaccines against animal diseases because of their low cost, and they are free of attenuated pathogens and cold chain requirement. Therefore, several plant-based vaccines against human and animals diseases have been developed recently that undergo clinical and regulatory approval. Plant-based vaccines serve as ideal booster vaccines that could eliminate multiple boosters of attenuated bacteria or viruses, but requirement of injectable priming with adjuvant is a current limitation. So, new approaches like oral vaccines are needed to overcome this challenge. In this review, we discuss the progress made in plant-based vaccines against zoonotic or other animal diseases and future challenges in advancing this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Shahid
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Monreal-Escalante E, Govea-Alonso DO, Hernández M, Cervantes J, Salazar-González JA, Romero-Maldonado A, Rosas G, Garate T, Fragoso G, Sciutto E, Rosales-Mendoza S. Towards the development of an oral vaccine against porcine cysticercosis: expression of the protective HP6/TSOL18 antigen in transgenic carrots cells. PLANTA 2016; 243:675-685. [PMID: 26613600 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-015-2431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Taenia solium HP6/TSOL18 antigen was produced in carrot cells, yielding an immunogenic protein that induced significant protection in an experimental murine model against T. crassiceps cysticercosis when orally administered. This result supports the potential of HP6/TSOL18-carrot as a low-cost anti-cysticercosis vaccine candidate. Cysticercosis is a zoonosis caused by Taenia solium that can be prevented by interrupting the parasite life cycle through pig vaccination. Several injectable vaccine candidates have been reported, but the logistic difficulties and costs for its application limited its use in nationwide control programs. Oral plant-based vaccines can deal with this limitation, because of their easy administration and low cost. A stable expression of the HP6/TSOL18 anti-T. solium cysticercosis protective antigen in carrot calli transformed with an optimized transgene is herein reported. An antigen accumulation up to 14 µg g(-1) of dry-weight biomass was achieved in the generated carrot lines. Mouse immunization with one of the transformed calli induced both specific IgG and IgA anti-HP6/TSOL18 antibodies. A statistically significant reduction in the expected number of T. crassiceps cysticerci was observed in mice orally immunized with carrot-made HP6/TSOL18, in a similar extent to that obtained by subcutaneous immunization with recombinant HP6/TSOL18 protein. In this study, a new oral plant-made version of the HP6/TSOL18 anti-cysticercosis vaccine is reported. The vaccine candidate should be further tested against porcine cysticercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Monreal-Escalante
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Dania O Govea-Alonso
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Marisela Hernández
- Dpto. Inmunología. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - Jacquelynne Cervantes
- Dpto. Inmunología. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - Jorge A Salazar-González
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Andrea Romero-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Rosas
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Teresa Garate
- Dpto. de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gladis Fragoso
- Dpto. Inmunología. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - Edda Sciutto
- Dpto. Inmunología. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
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Rosales-Mendoza S, Angulo C, Meza B. Food-Grade Organisms as Vaccine Biofactories and Oral Delivery Vehicles. Trends Biotechnol 2016; 34:124-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Abstract
Three major plague pandemics caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis have killed nearly 200 million people in human history. Due to its extreme virulence and the ease of its transmission, Y. pestis has been used purposefully for biowarfare in the past. Currently, plague epidemics are still breaking out sporadically in most of parts of the world, including the United States. Approximately 2000 cases of plague are reported each year to the World Health Organization. However, the potential use of the bacteria in modern times as an agent of bioterrorism and the emergence of a Y. pestis strain resistant to eight antibiotics bring out severe public health concerns. Therefore, prophylactic vaccination against this disease holds the brightest prospect for its long-term prevention. Here, we summarize the progress of the current vaccine development for counteracting plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 110880, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0880, USA.
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Streatfield SJ, Kushnir N, Yusibov V. Plant-produced candidate countermeasures against emerging and reemerging infections and bioterror agents. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2015; 13:1136-59. [PMID: 26387510 PMCID: PMC7167919 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite progress in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, they continue to present a major threat to public health. The frequency of emerging and reemerging infections and the risk of bioterrorism warrant significant efforts towards the development of prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures. Vaccines are the mainstay of infectious disease prophylaxis. Traditional vaccines, however, are failing to satisfy the global demand because of limited scalability of production systems, long production timelines and product safety concerns. Subunit vaccines are a highly promising alternative to traditional vaccines. Subunit vaccines, as well as monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, can be produced in heterologous expression systems based on bacteria, yeast, insect cells or mammalian cells, in shorter times and at higher quantities, and are efficacious and safe. However, current recombinant systems have certain limitations associated with production capacity and cost. Plants are emerging as a promising platform for recombinant protein production due to time and cost efficiency, scalability, lack of harboured mammalian pathogens and possession of the machinery for eukaryotic post-translational protein modification. So far, a variety of subunit vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins (antivirals) have been produced in plants as candidate countermeasures against emerging, reemerging and bioterrorism-related infections. Many of these have been extensively evaluated in animal models and some have shown safety and immunogenicity in clinical trials. Here, we overview ongoing efforts to producing such plant-based countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natasha Kushnir
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
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Ganapathy M, Chakravarthi M, Charles SJ, Harunipriya P, Jaiganesh S, Subramonian N, Kaliraj P. Immunodiagnostic Properties of Wucheraria bancrofti SXP-1, a Potential Filarial Diagnostic Candidate Expressed in Tobacco Plant, Nicotiana tabacum. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 176:1889-903. [PMID: 26043851 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1685-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic tobacco plants were developed expressing WbSXP-1, a diagnostic antigen isolated from the cDNA library of L3 stage larvae of Wucheraria bancrofti. This antigen produced by recombinant Escherichia coli has been demonstrated by to be successful as potential diagnostic candidate against lymphatic filariasis. A rapid format simple and qualitative flow through immune-filtration diagnostic kit has been developed for the identification of IgG antibodies to the recombinant WbSXP-1 and is being marketed by M/S Span Diagnostics Ltd in India and Africa. Here, we present the results of experiments on the transformation and expression of the same filarial antigen, WbSXP-1, in tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum, to produce plant-based diagnostic antigen. It was possible to successfully transform the tobacco plant with WbSXP-1, the integration of the parasite-specific gene in plants was confirmed by PCR amplification and the expression of the filarial protein by Western blotting. The immunoreactivity of the plant-produced WbSXP-1 was assessed based on its reaction with the monoclonal antibodies developed against the E. coli-produced protein. Immunological screening using clinical sera from patients indicates that the plant-produced protein is comparable to E. coli-produced diagnostic antigen. The result demonstrated that plants can be used as suitable expression systems for the production of diagnostic proteins against lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical infectious disease which has a negative impact on socioeconomic development. This is the first report of the integration, expression and efficacy of a diagnostic candidate of lymphatic filariasis in plants.Key MessageTransgenic tobacco plants with WbSXP-1, a filarial diagnostic candidate, were developed. The plant-produced protein showed immunoreactivity on par with the E. coli product.
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9
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Abstract
Plants are susceptible to infection by a broad range of fungal pathogens. A range of proteins have been evaluated that can enhance tolerance to these pathogens by heterologous expression in transgenic carrot tissues. The protocols for carrot transformation with Arabidopsis NPR1 (Non-Expressor of Pathogenesis-Related Proteins 1) are described in this chapter, using the herbicide resistance gene bar, which encodes phosphinothricin acetyltransferase, as a selectable marker. In this protocol, petiole segments (0.5-1.0 cm long) from aseptically grown carrot seedlings are exposed to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 for 10-30 min and cocultivated for 2-3 days. Herbicide selection is then imposed for 8-12 weeks on a series of different tissue culture media until embryogenic calli are produced. The transfer of the embryogenic calli to hormone-free medium results in embryo development which eventually gives rise to transgenic plantlets. Embryogenic calli can also be propagated in suspension cultures. This protocol has yielded transgenic carrot plants with defined T-DNA inserts at the rate of between 1 and 3 Southern-positive independent events out of 100.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen S D Wally
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 2N2
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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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Vimolmangkang S, Gasic K, Soria-Guerra R, Rosales-Mendoza S, Moreno-Fierros L, Korban SS. Expression of the nucleocapsid protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in soybean seed yields an immunogenic antigenic protein. PLANTA 2012; 235:513-22. [PMID: 21971995 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1523-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by the PRRS virus (PRRSV), is a serious disease of swine and contributes to severe worldwide economic losses in swine production. Current vaccines against PRRS rely on the use of an attenuated-live virus; however, these are unreliable. Thus, alternative effective vaccines against PRRS are needed. Plant-based subunit vaccines offer viable, safe, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional vaccines. In this study, efforts have been undertaken to develop a soybean-based vaccine against PRRSV. A construct carrying a synthesized PRRSV-ORF7 antigen, nucleocapsid N protein of PRRSV, has been introduced into soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill. cvs. Jack and Kunitz, using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants carrying the sORF7 transgene have been successfully generated. Molecular analyses of T(0) plants confirmed integration of the transgene and transcription of the PRRSV-ORF7. Presence of a 15-kDa protein in seeds of T(1) transgenic lines was confirmed by Western blot analysis using PRRSV-ORF7 antisera. The amount of the antigenic protein accumulating in seeds of these transgenic lines was up to 0.65% of the total soluble protein (TSP). A significant induction of a specific immune response, both humoral and mucosal, against PRRSV-ORF7 was observed following intragastric immunization of BALB/c female mice with transgenic soybean seeds. These findings provide a 'proof of concept', and serve as a critical step in the development of a subunit plant-based vaccine against PRRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Soria-Guerra RE, Moreno-Fierros L, Rosales-Mendoza S. Two decades of plant-based candidate vaccines: a review of the chimeric protein approaches. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2011; 30:1367-1382. [PMID: 21505834 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-011-1065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Genetic engineering revolutionized the concept of traditional vaccines since subunit vaccines became reality. Additionally, over the past two decades plant-derived antigens have been studied as potential vaccines with several advantages, including low cost and convenient administration. More specifically, genetic fusions allowed the expression of fusion proteins carrying two or more components with the aim to elicit immune responses against different targets, including antigens from distinct pathogens or strains. This review aims to provide an update in the field of the production of plant-based vaccine, focusing on those approaches based on the production of chimeric proteins comprising antigens from human pathogens, emphasizing the case of cholera toxin/E. coli enterotoxin fusions, chimeric viruses like particles approaches as well as the possible use of adjuvant-producing plants as expression hosts. Challenges for the near future in this field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Elena Soria-Guerra
- Laboratorio de biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
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Plague: Infections of Companion Animals and Opportunities for Intervention. Animals (Basel) 2011; 1:242-55. [PMID: 26486314 DOI: 10.3390/ani1020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plague is a zoonotic disease, normally circulating in rodent populations, transmitted to humans most commonly through the bite of an infected flea vector. Secondary infection of the lungs results in generation of infectious aerosols, which pose a significant hazard to close contacts. In enzootic areas, plague infections have been reported in owners and veterinarians who come into contact with infected pets. Dogs are relatively resistant, but can import infected fleas into the home. Cats are acutely susceptible, and can present a direct hazard to health. Reducing roaming and hunting behaviours, combined with flea control measures go some way to reducing the risk to humans. Various vaccine formulations have been developed which may be suitable to protect companion animals from contracting plague, and thus preventing onward transmission to man. Since transmission has resulted in a number of fatal cases of plague, the vaccination of domestic animals such as cats would seem a low cost strategy for reducing the risk of infection by this serious disease in enzootic regions.
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Rosenzweig JA, Jejelowo O, Sha J, Erova TE, Brackman SM, Kirtley ML, van Lier CJ, Chopra AK. Progress on plague vaccine development. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2011; 91:265-86. [PMID: 21670978 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-011-3380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Yersinia pestis (YP), the gram-negative plague bacterium, has shaped human history unlike any other pathogen known to mankind. YP (transmitted by the bite of an infected flea) diverged only recently from the related enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis but causes radically different diseases. Three forms of plague exist in humans: bubonic (swollen lymph nodes or bubos), septicemic (spread of YP through the lymphatics or bloodstream from the bubos to other organs), and contagious, pneumonic plague which can be communicated via YP-charged respiratory droplets resulting in person-person transmission and rapid death if left untreated (50-90% mortality). Despite the potential threat of weaponized YP being employed in bioterrorism and YP infections remaining prevalent in endemic regions of the world where rodent populations are high (including the four corner regions of the USA), an efficacious vaccine that confers immunoprotection has yet to be developed. This review article will describe the current vaccine candidates being evaluated in various model systems and provide an overall summary on the progress of this important endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Rosenzweig
- Department of Biology, Center for Bionanotechnology and Environmental Research (CBER), Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004, USA.
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Williamson ED, Packer PJ, Waters EL, Simpson AJ, Dyer D, Hartings J, Twenhafel N, Pitt MLM. Recombinant (F1+V) vaccine protects cynomolgus macaques against pneumonic plague. Vaccine 2011; 29:4771-7. [PMID: 21570437 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.04.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Revised: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cynomolgus macaques, immunised at the 80 μg dose level with an rF1+rV vaccine (two doses, three weeks apart), were fully protected against pneumonic plague following inhalational exposure to a clinical isolate of Yersinia pestis (strain CO92) at week 8 of the schedule. At this time, all the immunised animals had developed specific IgG titres to rF1 and rV with geometric mean titres of 96.83±20.93 μg/ml and 78.59±12.07 μg/ml, respectively, for the 40 μg dose group; by comparison, the 80 μg dose group had developed titres of 114.4±22.1 and 90.8±15.8 μg/ml to rF1 and rV, respectively, by week 8. For all the immunised animals, sera drawn at week 8 competed with the neutralising and protective Mab7.3 for binding to rV antigen in a competitive ELISA, indicating that a functional antibody response to rV had been induced. All but one of the group immunised at the lower 40 μg dose-level were protected against infection; the single animal which succumbed had significantly reduced antibody responses to both the rF1 and rV antigens. Although a functional titre to rV antigen was detected for this animal, this was insufficient for protection, indicating that there may have been a deficiency in the functional titre to rF1 and underlining the need for immunity to both vaccine antigens to achieve protective efficacy against plague. This candidate vaccine, which has been evaluated as safe and immunogenic in clinical studies, has now been demonstrated to protect cynomolgus macaques, immunised in the clinical regimen, against pneumonic plague.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antigens, Bacterial/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Bacterial Proteins/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/immunology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Immunization, Secondary/methods
- Macaca fascicularis
- Plague/prevention & control
- Plague Vaccine/administration & dosage
- Plague Vaccine/genetics
- Plague Vaccine/immunology
- Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/administration & dosage
- Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/genetics
- Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/immunology
- Primate Diseases/prevention & control
- Vaccination/methods
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Yersinia pestis/immunology
- Yersinia pestis/pathogenicity
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