Investigation into immunological responses against a native recombinant CTB whole-cell Vibrio cholerae vaccine in a rabbit model

Assessment of Mouse Ileal loop Protection against Clinically Isolated Vibrio cholerae Outer Membrane Vesicles as a Vaccine Candidate

Cholera, a life-threatening disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholera, remains a concern in developing countries. The present study investigated the immunogenicity and protective immunity of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and combination of OMV and killed whole cells (WC) of a local strain isolated from the last outbreak in Iran in addition to reference and local strains of V. cholerae El Tor O1 in comparison to Dukoral vaccine in mice model. The protein content, morphology, and size of extracted OMVs were evaluated by electrophoresis and microscopic analyses, respectively. The serum titers of total immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, IgG2a, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in addition to secretory IgA and total IgG in different mice groups were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, fluid accumulation (FA) assay regarding the resistance to live strain of V. cholerae in ligated ileal loops was carried out to determine immunogenicity by OMV or combination of OMV and WC in comparison to that reported for Dukoral vaccine. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified OMVs indicated protein profiles within the range of 34-52 kDa. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the spherical shaped vesicles of 50-200 nm. The results of ELISA showed significant titers of systemic and mucosal immune anti-OMV IgGs in immunized BALB/c mice with different vaccine regimens. Additionally, a notable increase in the FA ratio was demonstrated in this study. The obtained results of the present study revealed that the WC-OMV combination of local strain can induce a high level of antibody response indicating more protection than OMV or WC separately. Moreover, it can be considered an effective immunogen against V. cholerae.

Animal Models of Type III Secretion System-Mediated Pathogenesis

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a conserved virulence factor used by many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and has become an important target for anti-virulence drugs. Most T3SS inhibitors to date have been discovered using in vitro screening assays. Pharmacokinetics and other important characteristics of pharmaceuticals cannot be determined with in vitro assays alone. In vivo assays are required to study pathogens in their natural environment and are an important step in the development of new drugs and vaccines. Animal models are also required to understand whether T3SS inhibition will enable the host to clear the infection. This review covers selected animal models (mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, cat, dog, pig, cattle, primates, chicken, zebrafish, nematode, wax moth, flea, fly, and amoeba), where T3SS activity and infectivity have been studied in relation to specific pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Shigella spp., Bordetella spp., Vibrio spp., Chlamydia spp., and Yersinia spp.). These assays may be appropriate for those researching T3SS inhibition.

The roles of mesoporous silica and carbon nanoparticles in antigen stability and intensity of immune response against recombinant subunit B of cholera toxin in a rabbit animal model

Vaccines are the front line in the fight against diseases. However, setbacks with existing cholera vaccines have ignited a considerable effort to develop more suitable vaccine formulations. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of antigen stability and controlled release in inducing an immune response. Therefore, two types of silica and carbon mesoporous nanoparticles of the same size and shape but different pore architectures were synthesized and loaded with recombinant cholera toxin subunit B to serve as a model for antigen stability and controlled release of antigenic CTB. In order to evaluate immune response efficacy for these model formulations, IgG and IgA responses and fluid accumulation (FA) index were measured in immunized rabbits, which were challenged with wild-type Vibrio cholerae. Our result suggests that mesoporous silica nanoparticles have greater efficacy in inducing mucosal immune responses, and it proved more proficiency in overall immune responses in challenge experiments and FA index (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that mesoporous nanoparticles and, in particular, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, could be used in oral vaccine formulation against cholera.

Cumulative protective efficacy of rZot and rAce combination in challenge experiments with wild type Vibrio cholerae in mouse model

The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative immunogenicity properties of rZot and rAce combination and their potential ability to increase the clearance rate of pathogenic standard Vibrio cholerae strain in challenge experiments in mice model. The recombinant Zot and Ace proteins were produced and used to raise polyclonal antibodies of anti-Zot and anti-Ace recombinant proteins in rabbit. Six-week female BALB/c mice were immunized with different antigens via oral route. Blood samples were collected, and the total amount of IgG and IgA antibodies against rZot and rAce were measured in blood and stool samples of each immunized mouse. Challenge experiments were done with toxigenic V. cholerae strain. The anti-Zot and anti-Ace IgG titers were significantly higher in immunized mice in comparison with control group. The IgG and IgA titers were higher in the sera of mice immunized by recombinant Ace than in group immunized by rZot, indicating the higher immunogenicity of rAce than rZot. The use of rAce and rZot mixture led to synergistic activities in increasing the level of IgG and IgA in comparison with the use of each protein separately. The clearance rate was significantly higher in different challenge groups than in the control group, and the coherence between rZot and rAce reduced the bacterial shedding significantly. In conclusion, the use of recombinant Zot and Ace mixture can produce the proper amount of IgA and IgG against to toxigenic V. cholerae, reduce bacterial shedding in immunized mice significantly, and be used as a potent candidate in cholera vaccine research.

Cholera toxin B: one subunit with many pharmaceutical applications

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.

A single point mutation within the coding sequence of cholera toxin B subunit will increase its expression yield

Background: Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been extensively considered as an immunogenic and adjuvant protein, but its yield of expression is not satisfactory in many studies. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of native and mutant recombinant CTB (rCTB) in pQE vector. Methods: ctxB fragment from Vibrio cholerae O₁ ATCC14035 containing the substitution of mutant ctxB for amino acid S128T was amplified by PCR and cloned in pGETM-T easy vector. It was then transformed to E. coli Top 10F' and cultured on LB agar plate containing ampicillin. Sequence analysis confirmed the mature ctxB gene sequence and the mutant one in both constructs which were further subcloned to pQE-30 vector. Both constructs were subsequently transformed to E. coli M15 (pREP4) for expression of mature and mutant rCTB. Results: SDS-PAGE analysis showed the maximum expression of rCTB in both systems at 5 hours after induction and Western-blot analysis confirmed the presence of rCTB in blotting membranes. The expression of mutant rCTB was much higher than mature rCTB, which may be the result of serine-to-threonine substitution at position 128 of mature rCTB amino acid sequence created by PCR mutagenesis. The mutant rCTB retained pentameric stability and its ability to bind to anti- cholera toxin IgG antibodies. Conclusion: Point mutation in ctxB sequence resulted in over-expression of rCTB, probably due to the increase of solubility of produced rCTB. Consequently, this expression system can be used to produce rCTB in high yield.

The hows and whys of constructing a native recombinant cholera vaccine

Emergence of different ctxB genotypes within virulent Vibrio cholerae populations accentuates the need to develop a vaccine that has the potential to protect against all cholera toxin genotypes. Oral administration of rCTB-alone and in combination with 2 dominant domestic killed whole cells of V. cholerae (O1 Ogawa El Tor and O1 Inaba El Tor) plus one standard V. cholerae (O1 Ogawa classic ATCC 14035)-has shown satisfactory protection as a potent vaccine candidate against toxigenic V. cholerae.