Molecular cloning and immunogenicity evaluation of IsdE protein of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus as vaccine candidates

Killed whole-cell Staphylococcus aureus formulation in Montanide ISA266 and Alum adjuvants: different vaccine formulations varied in the vaccine's potency and efficacy

Immunotherapy can be a sensible alternative because invasive Staphylococcus aureus infection mortality, morbidity, and cost are still alarmingly high despite the development of multiple new medications to treat methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections. Herein, killed whole-cell Staphylococcus aureus was formulated in Montanide ISA266 and Alum adjuvants, and the potency and efficacy of the vaccine were studied. After the preparation of two kinds of whole-cell vaccine (bacterin and lysate), 20 µg of each vaccine candidate was formulated in Montanide ISA266 and Alum adjuvants, then subcutaneously injected in distinct groups. Blood samples were taken two weeks after each booster injection, and two booster shots were given at 2-week intervals. Sera were examined by ELISA for total IgG, isotypes (IgG1 and IgG2a), and cytokine production (IFN-γ and IL-4), respectively, to ascertain the kind of induced immune response. Experimental mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 5 × 108 CFU of bacteria 2 weeks after their last immunization, and the mortality rate and bacterial load were measured. Both immunogens elicited strong humoral immune responses, producing antibodies that improved opsonic capability, IFN-γ, and IL-4 production and protectivity in response to the experimental challenge. Compared to other immunized groups, the lysate formulation with Montanide ISA266 produced a greater antibody titer and IgG1 isotype and showed the highest vaccine potency. Additionally, combining the whole-cell vaccine (bacterin and lysate) with the adjuvant Montanide ISA266 increased IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines response and protection in the experimental challenge. These findings show that avoiding S. aureus infection using active vaccination with inactivated whole-cell vaccines (bacterin and lysate) may be a successful strategy. The type of adjuvant in the vaccine formulation is important and influences vaccine potency and efficacy.

Monophosphoryl lipid A as a co-adjuvant in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus vaccine development: improvement of immune responses in a mouse model of infection

To increase the effectiveness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus vaccines (MRSA), a new generation of immune system stimulating adjuvants is necessary, along with other adjuvants. In some vaccines, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) as a toll-like receptor 4 agonist is currently used as an adjuvant or co-adjuvant. MPLA could increase the immune response and vaccine immunogenicity. The current investigation assessed the immunogenicity and anti-MRSA efficacy of recombinant autolysin formulated in MPLA and Alum as co-adjuvant/adjuvant. r-Autolysin was expressed and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and characterized by SDS-PAGE. Then, the vaccine candidate formulation in MPLAs and Alum was prepared. To investigate the immunogenic responses, total IgG, isotype (IgG1 and IgG2a) levels, and cytokines (IL-4, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) profiles were evaluated by ELISA. Also, the bacterial burden in internal organs, opsonophagocytosis, survival rate, and pathobiology changes was compared among the groups. Results demonstrated that mice immunized with the r-Autolysin + Alum + MPLA Synthetic and r-Autolysin + Alum + MPLA Biologic led to increased levels of opsonic antibodies, IgG1, IgG2a isotype as well as increased levels of cytokines profiles, as compared with other experimental groups. More importantly, mice immunized with MPLA and r-Autolysin exhibited a decrease in mortality and bacterial burden, as compared with the control group. The highest level of survival was seen in the r-Autolysin + Alum + MPLA Synthetic group. We concluded that both MPLA forms, synthetic and biological, are reliable candidates for immune response improvement against MRSA infection.

Functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins at the host-microbe interface

Surface proteins of Gram-positive pathogens are key determinants of virulence that substantially shape host-microbe interactions. Specifically, these proteins mediate host invasion and pathogen transmission, drive the acquisition of heme-iron from hemoproteins, and subvert innate and adaptive immune cell responses to push bacterial survival and pathogenesis in a hostile environment. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the multi-facetted roles of cell wall-anchored proteins of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a common etiological agent of purulent skin and soft tissue infections as well as severe systemic diseases in humans. In particular, we focus on the functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins and discuss their impact on the variety of clinical manifestations of S. aureus infections. We also describe mechanistic and underlying principles of staphylococcal surface protein-mediated immune evasion and coupled strategies S. aureus utilizes to paralyze patrolling neutrophils, macrophages, and other immune cells. Ultimately, we provide a systematic overview of novel therapeutic concepts and anti-infective strategies that aim at neutralizing S. aureus surface proteins or sortases, the molecular catalysts of protein anchoring in Gram-positive bacteria.

Synthetic selenium nanoparticles as co-adjuvant improved immune responses against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections worldwide, which is resistant to many antibiotics, resulting in significant mortality in societies. Vaccination is a well-known approach to preventing disease. Autolysin, a surface-associated protein in S. aureus with multiple functions, is a suitable candidate for vaccine development. As a co-adjuvant, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) can increase the immune system, presumably resulting in increased vaccine efficacy. The present study evaluated the immunogenicity and defense of recombinant autolysin formulated in SeNPs and Alum adjuvants against MRSA. r-Autolysin was expressed and purified by the Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. SeNPs were synthetically obtained from sodium dioxide, followed by an assessment of shape and size using SEM and DLS. Balb/c mice were injected subcutaneously with 20 mg of r-autolysin formulated in Alum and SeNps adjuvants three times with the proper control group in 2 weeks intervals. Cytokine profile and isotyping ELISA were conducted to determine the type of induced immunity. Opsonophagocytosis tests assessed the functional activity of the vaccine, and the bacterial burden from the infected tissues was determined. Results showed that mice receiving SeNps and r-Autolysin had higher levels of total IgG and isotypes (IgG1 and IgG2a) and increased cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-4) as compared with those only receiving autolysin and PBS as a control. More importantly, mice immunized with SeNps and r-Autolysin exhibited a decrease in mortality and bacterial burden compared to the control group. We concluded that SeNps could stimulate immune responses and can be used as an adjuvant element in vaccine formulation.