An O-Antigen Glycoconjugate Vaccine Produced Using Protein Glycan Coupling Technology Is Protective in an Inhalational Rat Model of Tularemia

Recombinant production platform for Group A Streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccines

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is a human-exclusive bacterial pathogen killing annually more than 500,000 patients, and no current licensed vaccine exists. Strep A bacteria are highly diverse, but all produce an essential, abundant, and conserved surface carbohydrate, the Group A Carbohydrate, which contains a rhamnose polysaccharide (RhaPS) backbone. RhaPS is a validated universal vaccine candidate in a glycoconjugate prepared by chemical conjugation of the native carbohydrate to a carrier protein. We engineered the Group A Carbohydrate biosynthesis pathway to enable recombinant production using the industry standard route to couple RhaPS to selected carrier proteins within Escherichia coli cells. The structural integrity of the produced recombinant glycoconjugate vaccines was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Purified RhaPS glycoconjugates elicited carbohydrate-specific antibodies in mice and rabbits and bound to the surface of multiple Strep A strains of diverse M-types, confirming the recombinantly produced RhaPS glycoconjugates as valuable vaccine candidates.

Analysis of immunogenicity and purification methods in conjugated polysaccharide vaccines: a new approach in fighting pathogenic bacteria

Carbohydrates are commonly found in conjunction with lipids or proteins, resulting in the formation of glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans. These glycoconjugates are essential in various biological activities, including inflammation, cell-cell recognition, bacterial infections, and immune response. Nonetheless, the isolation of naturally occurring glycoconjugates presents challenges due to their typically heterogeneous nature, resulting in variations between batches in structure and function, impeding a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms of action. Consequently, there is a strong need for the efficient synthesis of artificial glycoconjugates with precisely described compositions and consistent biological properties. The chemical and enzymatic approaches discussed in this paper present numerous research opportunities to develop customised glycoconjugate vaccines.

Investigation into the efficiency of diverse N-linking oligosaccharyltransferases for glycoengineering using a standardised cell-free assay

The application of bacterial oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) such as the Campylobacter jejuni PglB for glycoengineering has attracted considerable interest in glycoengineering and glycoconjugate vaccine development. However, PglB has limited specificity for glycans that can be transferred to candidate proteins, which along with other factors is dependent on the reducing end sugar of glycans. In this study, we developed a cell-free glycosylation assay that offers the speed and simplicity of a 'yes' or 'no' determination. Using the assay, we tested the activity of eleven PglBs from Campylobacter species and more distantly related bacteria. The following assorted glycans with diverse reducing end sugars were tested for transfer, including Streptococcus pneumoniae capsule serotype 4, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium O antigen (B1), Francisella tularensis O antigen, Escherichia coli O9 antigen and Campylobacter jejuni heptasaccharide. Interestingly, while PglBs from the same genus showed high activity, whereas divergent PglBs differed in their transfer of glycans to an acceptor protein. Notably for glycoengineering purposes, Campylobacter hepaticus and Campylobacter subantarcticus PglBs showed high glycosylation efficiency, with C. hepaticus PglB potentially being useful for glycoconjugate vaccine production. This study demonstrates the versatility of the cell-free assay in rapidly assessing an OST to couple glycan/carrier protein combinations and lays the foundation for future screening of PglBs by linking amino acid similarity to glycosyltransferase activity.

A glucan-particle based tularemia subunit vaccine induces T-cell immunity and affords partial protection in an inhalation rat infection model

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the facultative intracellular gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis has a very low infection dose by the aerosol route which can result in an acute, and potentially lethal, infection in humans. Consequently, it is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is a pathogen of concern for the International Biodefence community. There are currently no licenced tularemia vaccines. In this study we report on the continued assessment of a tularemia subunit vaccine utilising β-glucan particles (GPs) as a vaccine delivery platform for immunogenic F. tularensis antigens. Using a Fischer 344 rat infection model, we demonstrate that a GP based vaccine comprising the F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide antigen together with the protein antigen FTT0814 provided partial protection of F344 rats against an aerosol challenge with a high virulence strain of F. tularensis, SCHU S4. Inclusion of imiquimod as an adjuvant failed to enhance protective efficacy. Moreover, the level of protection afforded was dependant on the challenge dose. Immunological characterisation of this vaccine demonstrated that it induced strong antibody immunoglobulin responses to both polysaccharide and protein antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the FTT0814 component of the GP vaccine primed CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from immunised F344 rats to express interferon-γ, and CD4+ cells to express interleukin-17, in an antigen specific manner. These data demonstrate the development potential of this tularemia subunit vaccine and builds on a body of work highlighting GPs as a promising vaccine platform for difficult to treat pathogens including those of concern to the bio-defence community.

Evaluation of a FlpA Glycoconjugate Vaccine with Ten N-Heptasaccharide Glycan Moieties to reduce Campylobacter jejuni Colonisation in Chickens

Campylobacter is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans, and infections can be followed by inflammatory neuropathies and other sequelae. Handling or consumption of poultry meat is the primary risk factor for human campylobacteriosis, and C. jejuni remains highly prevalent in retail chicken in many countries. Control of Campylobacter in the avian reservoir is expected to limit the incidence of human disease. Toward this aim, we evaluated a glycoconjugate vaccine comprising the fibronectin-binding adhesin FlpA conjugated to up to ten moieties of the conserved N-linked heptasaccharide glycan of C. jejuni or with FlpA alone. The glycan dose significantly exceeded previous trials using FlpA with two N-glycan moieties. Vaccinated birds were challenged with C. jejuni orally or by exposure to seeder-birds colonised by C. jejuni to mimic natural transmission. No protection against caecal colonisation was observed with FlpA or the FlpA glycoconjugate vaccine. FlpA-specific antibody responses were significantly induced in vaccinated birds at the point of challenge relative to mock-vaccinated birds. A slight but significant antibody response to the N-glycan was detected after vaccination with FlpA-10×GT and challenge. As other laboratories have reported protection against Campylobacter with FlpA and glycoconjugate vaccines in chickens, our data indicate that vaccine-mediated immunity may be sensitive to host- or study-specific variables.

Current vaccine strategies and novel approaches to combatting Francisella infection

Tularemia is caused by subspecies of Francisella tularensis and can manifest in a variety of disease states, with the pneumonic presentation resulting in the greatest mortality. Despite decades of research, there are no approved vaccines against F. tularensis in the United States. Traditional vaccination strategies, such as live-attenuated or subunit vaccines, are not favorable due to inadequate protection or safety concerns. Because of this, novel vaccination strategies are needed to combat tularemia. Here we discuss the current state of and challenges to the tularemia vaccine field and suggest novel vaccine approaches going forward that might be better suited for protecting against F. tularensis infection.

Recent Advancements and Novel Approaches Contributing to the Present Arsenal of Prophylaxis and Treatment Strategies Against Category A Bacterial Biothreat Agents

Bacterial pathogens have always been a part of the ecosystem in which we thrive. Some pathogens have caused deadly outbreaks in the past and have been exploited as an agent of threat. Natural hotspots for these biological pathogens are widely distributed throughout the world and hence they remain clinically important. Technological advancement and change in general lifestyle has driven the evolution of these pathogens into more virulent and resistant variants. There has been a growing concern over the development of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains that could be used as bioweapons. This rapid change in pathogens also propels the field of science to develop and innovate new strategies and methodologies which are superior and safer to the existing ones. Some bacterial agents like-Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis and toxins produced by strains of Clostridium botulinum, have been segregated as Category A substances as they pose imminent threat to public health with a history of life threatening and catastrophic disease. This review highlights some encouraging developments and value additions in the current plan of action for protection against these select biothreat bacterial pathogens.

Profiling Germinal Center-like B Cell Responses to Conjugate Vaccines Using Synthetic Immune Organoids

Glycoengineered bacteria have emerged as a cost-effective platform for rapid and controllable biosynthesis of designer conjugate vaccines. However, little is known about the engagement of such conjugates with naïve B cells to induce the formation of germinal centers (GC), a subanatomical microenvironment that converts naïve B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells. Using a three-dimensional biomaterials-based B-cell follicular organoid system, we demonstrate that conjugates triggered robust expression of hallmark GC markers, B cell receptor clustering, intracellular signaling, and somatic hypermutation. These responses depended on the relative immunogenicity of the conjugate and correlated with the humoral response in vivo. The occurrence of these mechanisms was exploited for the discovery of high-affinity antibodies against components of the conjugate on a time scale that was significantly shorter than for typical animal immunization-based workflows. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of synthetic organoids for rapidly predicting conjugate vaccine efficacy as well as expediting antigen-specific antibody discovery.

Progress towards a glycoconjugate vaccine against Group A Streptococcus

The Group A Carbohydrate (GAC) is a defining feature of Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is a conserved and simple polysaccharide, comprising a rhamnose backbone and GlcNAc side chains, further decorated with glycerol phosphate on approximately 40% GlcNAc residues. Its conservation, surface exposure and antigenicity have made it an interesting focus on Strep A vaccine design. Glycoconjugates containing this conserved carbohydrate should be a key approach towards the successful mission to build a universal Strep A vaccine candidate. In this review, a brief introduction to GAC, the main carbohydrate component of Strep A bacteria, and a variety of published carrier proteins and conjugation technologies are discussed. Components and technologies should be chosen carefully for building affordable Strep A vaccine candidates, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Towards this, novel technologies are discussed, such as the prospective use of bioconjugation with PglB for rhamnose polymer conjugation and generalised modules for membrane antigens (GMMA), particularly as low-cost solutions to vaccine production. Rational design of "double-hit" conjugates encompassing species specific glycan and protein components would be beneficial and production of a conserved vaccine to target Strep A colonisation without invoking an autoimmune response would be ideal.

Carriers and Antigens: New Developments in Glycoconjugate Vaccines

Glycoconjugate vaccines have proven their worth in the protection and prevention of infectious diseases. The introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine is the prime example, followed by other glycoconjugate vaccines. Glycoconjugate vaccines consist of two components: the carrier protein and the carbohydrate antigen. Current carrier proteins are tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, CRM197, Haemophilus protein D and the outer membrane protein complex of serogroup B meningococcus. Carbohydrate antigens have been produced mainly by extraction and purification from the original host. However, current efforts show great advances in the development of synthetically produced oligosaccharides and bioconjugation. This review evaluates the advances of glycoconjugate vaccines in the last five years. We focus on developments regarding both new carriers and antigens. Innovative developments regarding carriers are outer membrane vesicles, glycoengineered proteins, new carrier proteins, virus-like particles, protein nanocages and peptides. With regard to conjugated antigens, we describe recent developments in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ESKAPE pathogens.

Classical- and bioconjugate vaccines: comparison of the structural properties and immunological response

Glycoconjugate vaccines have been effectively used in humans for about 40 years. The glycoconjugates have substituted plain polysaccharide vaccines that have many limitations, especially in infants. The covalent linking of protein to carbohydrates has allowed to overcome T-cell-dependent type-2 response of sugars. Glycoconjugates can show improved responses (over plain saccharides) also in elderly and immunocompromised (and depending on the endpoint also in immunocompetent adults), but infants represent the main target of these vaccines because of their unique immune system. Differently from the plain polysaccharide vaccines, the glycoconjugates are also able to induce Immunoglobulin G (IgG) response in infants. Recently, vaccines containing conjugates directly expressed in Escherichia coli (bioconjugates) have been tested in the clinic against Shigella dysenteriae type 1, uropathogenic E. coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, we report an overall comparison of classical- and bioconjugate vaccines in terms of the structural properties and the immunological response elicited.

PglB function and glycosylation efficiency is temperature dependent when the pgl locus is integrated in the Escherichia coli chromosome

Background

Campylobacter is an animal and zoonotic pathogen of global importance, and a pressing need exists for effective vaccines, including those that make use of conserved polysaccharide antigens. To this end, we adapted Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT) to develop a versatile Escherichia coli strain capable of generating multiple glycoconjugate vaccine candidates against Campylobacter jejuni.

Results

We generated a glycoengineering E. coli strain containing the conserved C. jejuni heptasaccharide coding region integrated in its chromosome as a model glycan. This methodology confers three advantages: (i) reduction of plasmids and antibiotic markers used for PGCT, (ii) swift generation of many glycan-protein combinations and consequent rapid identification of the most antigenic proteins or peptides, and (iii) increased genetic stability of the polysaccharide coding-region. In this study, by using the model glycan expressing strain, we were able to test proteins from C. jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (both Gram-negative), and Clostridium perfringens (Gram-positive) as acceptors. Using this pgl integrant E. coli strain, four glycoconjugates were readily generated. Two glycoconjugates, where both protein and glycan are from C. jejuni (double-hit vaccines), and two glycoconjugates, where the glycan antigen is conjugated to a detoxified toxin from a different pathogen (single-hit vaccines). Because the downstream application of Live Attenuated Vaccine Strains (LAVS) against C. jejuni is to be used in poultry, which have a higher body temperature of 42 °C, we investigated the effect of temperature on protein expression and glycosylation in the E. coli pgl integrant strain.

Conclusions

We determined that glycosylation is temperature dependent and that for the combination of heptasaccharide and carriers used in this study, the level of PglB available for glycosylation is a step limiting factor in the glycosylation reaction. We also demonstrated that temperature affects the ability of PglB to glycosylate its substrates in an in vitro glycosylation assay independent of its transcriptional level.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01728-7.

Evaluation of a Campylobacter jejuni N-glycan-ExoA glycoconjugate vaccine to reduce C. jejuni colonisation in chickens

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide and handling or consumption of contaminated poultry meat is the key source of infection. Glycoconjugate vaccines containing the C. jejuni N-glycan have been reported to be partially protective in chickens. However, our previous studies with subunit vaccines comprising the C. jejuni FlpA or SodB proteins with up to two or three C. jejuni N-glycans, respectively, failed to elicit significant protection. In this study, protein glycan coupling technology was used to add up to ten C. jejuni N-glycans onto a detoxified form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ExoA). The glycoprotein, G-ExoA, was evaluated for efficacy against intestinal colonisation of White Leghorn chickens by C. jejuni strains M1 and 11168H relative to unglycosylated ExoA. Chickens were challenged with the minimum dose required for reliable colonisation, which was 10² colony-forming units (CFU) for strain M1 and and 10⁴ CFU for strain 11168H. Vaccine-specific serum IgY was detected in chickens vaccinated with both ExoA and G-ExoA. However, no reduction in caecal colonisation by C. jejuni was observed. While the glycan dose achieved with G-ExoA was higher than FlpA- or SodB-based glycoconjugates that were previously evaluated, it was lower than that of glycoconjugates where protection against C. jejuni has been reported, indicating that protection may be highly sensitive to the amount of glycan presented and/or study-specific variables.

Multivalent poultry vaccine development using Protein Glycan Coupling Technology

BACKGROUND

Poultry is the world's most popular animal-based food and global production has tripled in the past 20 years alone. Low-cost vaccines that can be combined to protect poultry against multiple infections are a current global imperative. Glycoconjugate vaccines, which consist of an immunogenic protein covalently coupled to glycan antigens of the targeted pathogen, have a proven track record in human vaccinology, but have yet to be used for livestock due to prohibitively high manufacturing costs. To overcome this, we use Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT), which enables the production of glycoconjugates in bacterial cells at considerably reduced costs, to generate a candidate glycan-based live vaccine intended to simultaneously protect against Campylobacter jejuni, avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and Clostridium perfringens. Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning, whereas colibacillosis and necrotic enteritis are widespread and devastating infectious diseases in poultry.

RESULTS

We demonstrate the functional transfer of C. jejuni protein glycosylation (pgl) locus into the genome of APEC χ7122 serotype O78:H9. The integration caused mild attenuation of the χ7122 strain following oral inoculation of chickens without impairing its ability to colonise the respiratory tract. We exploit the χ7122 pgl integrant as bacterial vectors delivering a glycoprotein decorated with the C. jejuni heptasaccharide glycan antigen. To this end we engineered χ7122 pgl to express glycosylated NetB toxoid from C. perfringens and tested its ability to reduce caecal colonisation of chickens by C. jejuni and protect against intra-air sac challenge with the homologous APEC strain.

CONCLUSIONS

We generated a candidate glycan-based multivalent live vaccine with the potential to induce protection against key avian and zoonotic pathogens (C. jejuni, APEC, C. perfringens). The live vaccine failed to significantly reduce Campylobacter colonisation under the conditions tested but was protective against homologous APEC challenge. Nevertheless, we present a strategy towards the production of low-cost "live-attenuated multivalent vaccine factories" with the ability to express glycoconjugates in poultry.

Development, Phenotypic Characterization and Genomic Analysis of a Francisella tularensis Panel for Tularemia Vaccine Testing

Francisella tularensis is one of several biothreat agents for which a licensed vaccine is needed to protect against this pathogen. To aid in the development of a vaccine protective against pneumonic tularemia, we generated and characterized a panel of F. tularensis isolates that can be used as challenge strains to assess vaccine efficacy. Our panel consists of both historical and contemporary isolates derived from clinical and environmental sources, including human, tick, and rabbit isolates. Whole genome sequencing was performed to assess the genetic diversity in comparison to the reference genome F. tularensis Schu S4. Average nucleotide identity analysis showed >99% genomic similarity across the strains in our panel, and pan-genome analysis revealed a core genome of 1,707 genes, and an accessory genome of 233 genes. Three of the strains in our panel, FRAN254 (tick-derived), FRAN255 (a type B strain), and FRAN256 (a human isolate) exhibited variation from the other strains. Moreover, we identified several unique mutations within the Francisella Pathogenicity Island across multiple strains in our panel, revealing unexpected diversity in this region. Notably, FRAN031 (Scherm) completely lacked the second pathogenicity island but retained virulence in mice. In contrast, FRAN037 (Coll) was attenuated in a murine pneumonic tularemia model and had mutations in pdpB and iglA which likely led to attenuation. All of the strains, except FRAN037, retained full virulence, indicating their effectiveness as challenge strains for future vaccine testing. Overall, we provide a well-characterized panel of virulent F. tularensis strains that can be utilized in ongoing efforts to develop an effective vaccine against pneumonic tularemia to ensure protection is achieved across a range F. tularensis strains.

Modern Development and Production of a New Live Attenuated Bacterial Vaccine, SCHU S4 ΔclpB, to Prevent Tularemia

Inhalation of small numbers of Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis (Ftt) in the form of small particle aerosols causes severe morbidity and mortality in people and many animal species. For this reason, Ftt was developed into a bona fide biological weapon by the USA, by the former USSR, and their respective allies during the previous century. Although such weapons were never deployed, the 9/11 attack quickly followed by the Amerithrax attack led the U.S. government to seek novel countermeasures against a select group of pathogens, including Ftt. Between 2005–2009, we pursued a novel live vaccine against Ftt by deleting putative virulence genes from a fully virulent strain of the pathogen, SCHU S4. These mutants were screened in a mouse model, in which the vaccine candidates were first administered intradermally (ID) to determine their degree of attenuation. Subsequently, mice that survived a high dose ID inoculation were challenged by aerosol or intranasally (IN) with virulent strains of Ftt. We used the current unlicensed live vaccine strain (LVS), first discovered over 70 years ago, as a comparator in the same model. After screening 60 mutants, we found only one, SCHU S4 ΔclpB, that outperformed LVS in the mouse ID vaccination-respiratory-challenge model. Currently, SCHU S4 ΔclpB has been manufactured under current good manufacturing practice conditions, and tested for safety and efficacy in mice, rats, and macaques. The steps necessary for advancing SCHU S4 ΔclpB to this late stage of development are detailed herein. These include developing a body of data supporting the attenuation of SCHU S4 ΔclpB to a degree sufficient for removal from the U.S. Select Agent list and for human use; optimizing SCHU S4 ΔclpB vaccine production, scale up, and long-term storage; and developing appropriate quality control testing approaches.

Development of an automated platform for the optimal production of glycoconjugate vaccines expressed in Escherichia coli

Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT) uses purposely modified bacterial cells to produce recombinant glycoconjugate vaccines. This vaccine platform holds great potential in this context, namely due to its modular nature, the simplified production process in comparison to traditional chemical conjugation methods, and its amenability to scaled-up operations. As a result, a considerable reduction in production time and cost is expected, making PGCT-made vaccines a suitable vaccine technology for low-middle income countries, where vaccine coverage remains predominantly low and inconsistent. This work aims to develop an integrated whole-process automated platform for the screening of PGCT-made glycoconjugate vaccine candidates. The successful translation of a bench scale process for glycoconjugate production to a microscale automated setting was achieved. This was integrated with a numerical computational software that allowed hands-free operation and a platform adaptable to biological variation over the course of a production process. Platform robustness was proven with both technical and biological replicates and subsequently the platform was used to screen for the most favourable conditions for production of a pneumococcal serotype 4 vaccine candidate. This work establishes an effective automated platform that enabled the identification of the most suitable E. coli strain and genetic constructs to be used in ongoing early phase research and be further brought into preclinical trials.

On-demand biomanufacturing of protective conjugate vaccines

Conjugate vaccines are among the most effective methods for preventing bacterial infections. However, existing manufacturing approaches limit access to conjugate vaccines due to centralized production and cold chain distribution requirements. To address these limitations, we developed a modular technology for in vitro conjugate vaccine expression (iVAX) in portable, freeze-dried lysates from detoxified, nonpathogenic Escherichia coli. Upon rehydration, iVAX reactions synthesize clinically relevant doses of conjugate vaccines against diverse bacterial pathogens in 1 hour. We show that iVAX-synthesized vaccines against Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis (type A) strain Schu S4 protected mice from lethal intranasal F. tularensis challenge. The iVAX platform promises to accelerate development of new conjugate vaccines with increased access through refrigeration-independent distribution and portable production.

Synthetic Glycobiology: Parts, Systems, and Applications

Protein glycosylation, the attachment of sugars to amino acid side chains, can endow proteins with a wide variety of properties of great interest to the engineering biology community. However, natural glycosylation systems are limited in the diversity of glycoproteins they can synthesize, the scale at which they can be harnessed for biotechnology, and the homogeneity of glycoprotein structures they can produce. Here we provide an overview of the emerging field of synthetic glycobiology, the application of synthetic biology tools and design principles to better understand and engineer glycosylation. Specifically, we focus on how the biosynthetic and analytical tools of synthetic biology have been used to redesign glycosylation systems to obtain defined glycosylation structures on proteins for diverse applications in medicine, materials, and diagnostics. We review the key biological parts available to synthetic biologists interested in engineering glycoproteins to solve compelling problems in glycoscience, describe recent efforts to construct synthetic glycoprotein synthesis systems, and outline exemplary applications as well as new opportunities in this emerging space.

Application of an O-Linked Glycosylation System in Yersinia enterocolitica Serotype O:9 to Generate a New Candidate Vaccine against Brucella abortus

Brucellosis is a major zoonotic public health threat worldwide, causing veterinary morbidity and major economic losses in endemic regions. However, no efficacious brucellosis vaccine is yet available, and live attenuated vaccines commonly used in animals can cause human infection. N- and O-linked glycosylation systems have been successfully developed and exploited for the production of successful bioconjugate vaccines. Here, we applied an O-linked glycosylation system to a low-pathogenicity bacterium, Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9 (Y. enterocolitica O:9), which has repeating units of O-antigen polysaccharide (OPS) identical to that of Brucella abortus (B. abortus), to develop a bioconjugate vaccine against Brucella. The glycoprotein we produced was recognized by both anti-B. abortus and anti-Y. enterocolitica O:9 monoclonal antibodies. Three doses of bioconjugate vaccine-elicited B. abortus OPS-specific serum IgG in mice, significantly reducing bacterial loads in the spleen following infection with the B. abortus hypovirulent smooth strain A19. This candidate vaccine mitigated B. abortus infection and prevented severe tissue damage, thereby protecting against lethal challenge with A19. Overall, the results indicated that the bioconjugate vaccine elicited a strong immune response and provided significant protection against brucellosis. The described vaccine preparation strategy is safe and avoids large-scale culture of the highly pathogenic B. abortus.

Glycoengineering bioconjugate vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics in E. coli

The first, general glycosylation pathway in bacteria, the N-linked glycosylation system of Campylobacter jejuni, was discovered two decades ago. Since then, many diverse prokaryotic glycosylation systems have been characterized, including O-linked glycosylation systems that have no homologous counterparts in eukaryotic organisms. Shortly after these discoveries, glycosylation pathways were recombinantly introduced into E. coli creating the field of bacterial glycoengineering. Bacterial glycoengineering is an emerging biotechnological tool that harnesses prokaryotic glycosylation systems for the generation of recombinantly glycosylated proteins using E. coli as a host. Over the last decade, as our understanding of prokaryotic glycosylation systems has advanced, so too has the glycoengineering toolbox. Currently, glycoengineering utilizes two broad approaches to recombinantly glycosylate proteins, both of which can generate N- or O-linkages: oligosaccharyltransferase (OTase)-dependent and OTase-independent. This review discusses the applications of these bacterial glycoengineering techniques as they relate to the development of glycoconjugate vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and diagnostics.

Recent advances in the production of recombinant glycoconjugate vaccines

Glycoconjugate vaccines against bacteria are one of the success stories of modern medicine and have led to a significant reduction in the global occurrence of bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. Glycoconjugate vaccines are produced by covalently linking a bacterial polysaccharide (usually capsule, or more recently O-antigen), to a carrier protein. Given the success of glycoconjugate vaccines, it is surprising that to date only vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae have been fully licenced. This is set to change through the glycoengineering of recombinant vaccines in bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, that act as mini factories for the production of an inexhaustible and renewable supply of pure vaccine product. The recombinant process, termed Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT) or bioconjugation, offers a low-cost option for the production of pure glycoconjugate vaccines, with the in-built flexibility of adding different glycan/protein combinations for custom made vaccines. Numerous vaccine candidates have now been made using PGCT, which include those improving existing licenced vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal), entirely new vaccines for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and (because of the low production costs) veterinary pathogens. Given the continued threat of antimicrobial resistance and the potential peril of bioterrorist agents, the production of new glycoconjugate vaccines against old and new bacterial foes is particularly timely. In this review, we will outline the component parts of bacterial PGCT, including recent advances, the advantages and limitations of the technology, and future applications and perspectives.