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Sangprasat K, Bulaon CJI, Rattanapisit K, Srisangsung T, Jirarojwattana P, Wongwatanasin A, Phoolcharoen W. Production of monoclonal antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin in Nicotiana benthamiana. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2329446. [PMID: 38525945 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2329446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulism is a fatal neurologic disease caused by the botulinum toxin (BoNT) produced by Clostridium botulinum. It is a rare but highly toxic disease with symptoms, such as cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and even death. Currently, two types of antitoxin are used: equine-derived heptavalent antitoxin and human-derived immunoglobulin (BabyBIG®). However, heptavalent treatment may result in hypersensitivity, whereas BabyBIG®, has a low yield. The present study focused on the development of three anti-BoNT monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 1B18, C25, and M2, in Nicotiana benthamiana. The plant-expressed mAbs were purified and examined for size, purity and integrity by SDS-PAGE, western blotting and size-exclusion chromatography. Analysis showed that plant-produced anti-BoNT mAbs can fully assemble in plants, can be purified in a single purification step, and mostly remain as monomeric proteins. The efficiency of anti-BoNT mAbs binding to BoNT/A and B was then tested. Plant-produced 1B18 retained its ability to recognize both mBoNT/A1 and ciBoNT/B1. At the same time, the binding specificities of two other mAbs were determined: C25 for mBoNT/A1 and M2 for ciBoNT/B1. In conclusion, our results confirm the use of plants as an alternative platform for the production of anti-BoNT mAbs. This plant-based technology will serve as a versatile system for the development botulism immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornchanok Sangprasat
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Program in Research for Enterprise, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Department of Research and Development, Baiya Phytopharm Co. Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theerakarn Srisangsung
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Program in Research for Enterprise, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Perawat Jirarojwattana
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Wei Y, Li G, Wang Z, Qian K, Zhang S, Zhang L, Lei C, Hu S. Development and characterization of a novel neutralizing scFv vectored immunoprophylaxis against botulinum toxin type A. J Drug Target 2024; 32:213-222. [PMID: 38164940 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2301418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Botulinum toxin is a protein toxin secreted by Clostridium botulinum that is strongly neurotoxic. Due to its characteristics of being super toxic, quick acting, and difficult to prevent, the currently reported antiviral studies focusing on monoclonal antibodies have limited effectiveness. Therefore, for the sake of effectively prevention and treatment of botulism and to maintain country biosecurity as well as the health of the population, in this study, we intend to establish a single chain antibody (scFv) targeting the carboxyl terminal binding functional domain of the botulinum neurotoxin heavy chain (BONT/AHc) of botulinum neurotoxin type A, and explore the value of a new passive immune method in antiviral research which based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated vector immunoprophylaxis (VIP) strategy. The scFv small-molecular single-chain antibody sequenced, designed, constructed, expressed and purified by hybridoma has high neutralising activity and affinity level, which can lay a good foundation for the modification and development of antibody engineering drugs. In vivo experiments, AAV-mediated scFv engineering drug has good anti-BONT/A toxin neutralisation ability, has advantages of simple operation, stable expression and good efficacy, and may be one of the effective treatment strategies for long-term prevention and protection of BONT/A botulinum neurotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongpeng Wei
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Hepatic Surgery Department V, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangyao Li
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Hepatic Surgery Department V, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kewen Qian
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyi Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Clinical Research Center of Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhai Lei
- Department of Biophysics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
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Moreira C, Rodrigues RR, da Cunha CEP, Donassolo RA, Ferreira MRA, Finger PF, Oliveira HGS, da Cruz KP, Moreira ÂN, Salvarani FM, Conceição FR. Evaluation of long-term immune response in cattle to botulism using a recombinant E. coli bacterin formulated with Montanide™ ISA 50 and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106596. [PMID: 38395317 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Botulism is a severe disease caused by potent botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum. This disease is associated with high-lethality outbreaks in cattle, which have been linked to the ingestion of preformed BoNT serotypes C and D, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines. The potency of current commercial toxoids (formaldehyde-inactivated BoNTs) is assured through tests in guinea pigs according to government regulatory guidelines, but their short-term immunity raises concerns. Recombinant vaccines containing the receptor-binding domain have demonstrated potential for eliciting robust protective immunity. Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of recombinant E. coli bacterin, eliciting high titers of neutralizing antibodies against C. botulinum and C. perfringens in target animal species. In this study, neutralizing antibody titers in cattle and the long-term immune response against BoNT/C and D were used to assess the efficacy of the oil-based adjuvant compared with that of the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in cattle. The vaccine formulation containing Montanide™ ISA 50 yielded significantly higher titers of neutralizing antibody against BoNT/C and D (8.64 IU/mL and 9.6 IU/mL, respectively) and induced an immune response that lasted longer than the response induced by aluminum, extending between 30 and 60 days. This approach represents a straightforward, cost-effective strategy for recombinant E. coli bacterin, enhancing both the magnitude and duration of the immune response to botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clovis Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Rodrigues
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos E P da Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Donassolo
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos R A Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Paula F Finger
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 97508-000, Brazil
| | - Hanna G S Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Karoline P da Cruz
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Ângela N Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe M Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, Pará, CEP 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Fabricio R Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
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Lu J, Jiang Y, Guo J, Chen L, Liu F, Li Z, Liu X, Du P, Yu Y, Wang R, Yang Z. A human bispecific antibody neutralizes botulinum neurotoxin serotype A. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20806. [PMID: 38012220 PMCID: PMC10681988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) shows high lethality and toxicity, marking it as an important biological threat. The only effective post-exposure therapy is botulinum antitoxin; however, such products have great potential for improvement. To prevent or treat BoNT, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are promising agents. Herein, we aimed to construct a bispecific antibody (termed LUZ-A1-A3) based on the anti-BoNT/A human monoclonal antibodies (HMAb) A1 and A3. LUZ-A1-A3 binds to the Hc and L-HN domains of BoNT/A, displaying potent neutralization activity against BoNT/A (124 × higher than that of HMAb A1 or HMAb A3 alone and 15 × higher than that of the A1 + A3 combination). LUZ-A1-A3 provided effective protection against BoNT/A in an in vivo mouse model. Mice were protected from infection with 500 × LD50 of BoNT/A by LUZ-A1-A3 from up to 7 days before intraperitoneal administration of BoNT/A. We also demonstrated the effective therapeutic capacity of LUZ-A1-A3 against BoNT/A in a mouse model. LUZ-A1-A3 (5 μg/mouse) neutralized 20 × LD50 of BoNT/A at 3 h after intraperitoneal BoNT/A administration and complete neutralized 20 × LD50 of BoNT/A at 0.5 h after intraperitoneal BoNT/A administration. Thus, LUZ-A1-A3 is a promising agent for the pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment of BoNT/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansheng Lu
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yujia Jiang
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiazheng Guo
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Fujia Liu
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiying Li
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Du
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yunzhou Yu
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.
| | - Rong Wang
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhixin Yang
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.
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Zhao FX, Lu XB, Fu WH. [Recalling the history of the prevention and treatment during the epidemics of four infectious diseases, including botulism in Xinjiang]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi 2023; 31:1229-1232. [PMID: 38238960 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20231017-00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- F X Zhao
- Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi 830054, China
| | - X B Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi 830011
| | - W H Fu
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Wulumuqi 830002, China; China
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Zhao B, Jin Z, Yu Y, Li Y, Wang J, Wan W, Hu C, Li X, Li Y, Xin W, Kang L, Yang H, Wang J, Gao S. A Thermostable Dissolving Microneedle Vaccine with Recombinant Protein of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120881. [PMID: 36548778 PMCID: PMC9781108 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a Class A bioterrorism agent, botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) carries the risk of being used by terrorists to cause mass poisoning. The microneedle (MN) patch has a great potential for application as a novel vaccine delivery method. The aim of this study is to develop a thermally stable, dissolving microneedle patch for the delivery of a recombinant protein vaccine using a recombinant C-terminal heavy chain of BoNT/A (Hc of BoNT/A, AHc) to prevent botulism. METHODS Fish gelatin, a natural non-toxic and bacteriostatic material, was selected as the microneedle matrix for the preparation of the dissolving microneedle vaccine. Subsequently, the mechanical performance, bacteriostatic properties, vaccination effect, and stability of the microneedle patches were evaluated using instruments such as the displacement-force test station and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner. RESULTS Fish gelatin matrix at high concentrations has good bacteriostatic properties, and excellent mechanical performance and vaccination effect, meeting the necessities of a vaccine. In both in vivo and in vitro neutralization experiments, MN vaccines containing different antigen doses achieved the same protective efficacy as subcutaneous vaccinations, protecting mice against 106 LD50 of BoNT/A injected intraperitoneally. Thermal stability analysis of the MN vaccines revealed that the fish gelatin matrix protected the AHc vaccine from protein denaturation even after 7 days of storage at 37 °C and enabled the vaccine patches to maintain good immunogenicity and protective efficacy even after 6 months of storage at room temperature. CONCLUSION In this study, we successfully prepared a bacteriostatic MN patch using a fish gelatin matrix that not only has a good vaccination effect, but also obviates the need for a cold chain for the AHc vaccine, providing the possibility of rapid, painless, and large-scale vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohua Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Zhiying Jin
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yunzhou Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wei Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chenyi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yanwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wenwen Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Lin Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (J.W.); (S.G.); Tel./Fax: +86+010+66948643 (H.Y. & S.G.); +86+010+66948531 (J.W.)
| | - Jinglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (J.W.); (S.G.); Tel./Fax: +86+010+66948643 (H.Y. & S.G.); +86+010+66948531 (J.W.)
| | - Shan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing 100071, China
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (J.W.); (S.G.); Tel./Fax: +86+010+66948643 (H.Y. & S.G.); +86+010+66948531 (J.W.)
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Patel EN, Lin L, Sneller MM, Eubanks LM, Tepp WH, Pellett S, Janda KD. Investigation of Salicylanilides as Botulinum Toxin Antagonists. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1637-1645. [PMID: 35877209 PMCID: PMC9592073 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the most potent toxin and as a Tier 1 biowarfare agent. The severity and longevity of botulism stemming from BoNT/A is of significant therapeutic concern, and early administration of antitoxin-antibody therapy is the only approved pharmaceutical treatment for botulism. Small molecule therapeutic strategies have targeted both the heavy chain (HC) and the light chain (LC) catalytic active site and α-/β-exosites. The LC translocation mechanism has also been studied, but an effective, nontoxic inhibitor remains underexplored. In this work, we screened a library of salicylanilides as potential translocation inhibitors. Potential leads following a primary screen were further scrutinized to identify sal30, which has a cellular minimal concentration of a drug that is required for 50% inhibition (IC50) value of 141 nM. The inquiry of salicylanilide sal30's mechanism of action was explored through a self-quenched fluorogenic substrate conjugated to bovine serum albumin (DQ-BSA) fluorescence, confocal microscopy, and vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) inhibition assays. The summation of these findings imply that endolysosomal proton translocation through the protonophore mechanism of sal30 causes endosome pH to increase, which in turn prevents LC translocation into cytosol, a process that requires an acidic pH. Thus, the inhibition of BoNT/A activity by salicylanilides likely occurs through disruption of pH-dependent endosomal LC translocation. We further probed BoNT inhibition by sal30 using additivity analysis studies with bafilomycin A1, a known BoNT/A LC translocation inhibitor, which indicated the absence of synergy between the two ionophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ealin N. Patel
- Department of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
| | - Lucy Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
| | - Molly M. Sneller
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Lisa M. Eubanks
- Department of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
| | - William H. Tepp
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Sabine Pellett
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Kim D. Janda
- Department of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
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Li Z, Lu J, Tan X, Wang R, Xu Q, Yu Y, Yang Z. Functional EL-HN Fragment as a Potent Candidate Vaccine for the Prevention of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020135. [PMID: 35202162 PMCID: PMC8880310 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is the most toxic known protein and the causative agent of human botulism. BoNTs have similar structures and functions, comprising three functional domains: catalytic domain (L), translocation domain (HN), and receptor-binding domain (Hc). In the present study, BoNT/E was selected as a model toxin to further explore the immunological significance of each domain. The EL-HN fragment (L and HN domains of BoNT/E) retained the enzymatic activity without in vivo neurotoxicity. Extensive investigations showed EL-HN functional fragment had the highest protective efficacy and contained some functional neutralizing epitopes. Further experiments demonstrated the EL-HN provided a superior protective effect compared with the EHc or EHc and EL-HN combination. Thus, the EL-HN played an important role in immune protection against BoNT/E and could provide an excellent platform for the design of botulinum vaccines and neutralizing antibodies. The EL-HN has the potential to replace EHc or toxoid as the optimal immunogen for the botulinum vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
- Institute of Life Science and Biotechnology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jiansheng Lu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
| | - Xiao Tan
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
- Institute of Life Science and Biotechnology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
| | - Qing Xu
- Institute of Life Science and Biotechnology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
- Correspondence: (Q.X.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Yunzhou Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
- Correspondence: (Q.X.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhixin Yang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (Z.L.); (J.L.); (X.T.); (R.W.)
- Correspondence: (Q.X.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
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Kim NY, Son WR, Lee MH, Choi HS, Choi JY, Song YJ, Yu CH, Song DH, Hur GH, Jeong ST, Hong SY, Shin YK, Shin S. A multipathogen DNA vaccine elicits protective immune responses against two class A bioterrorism agents, anthrax and botulism. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:1531-1542. [PMID: 35141866 PMCID: PMC8979915 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11812-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The potential use of biological agents has become a major public health concern worldwide. According to the CDC classification, Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum, the bacterial pathogens that cause anthrax and botulism, respectively, are considered to be the most dangerous potential biological agents. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine that is well suited for mass immunization in the event of an anthrax or botulism epidemic. In the present study, we developed a dual-expression system-based multipathogen DNA vaccine that encodes the PA-D4 gene of B. anthracis and the HCt gene of C. botulinum. When the multipathogen DNA vaccine was administered to mice and guinea pigs, high level antibody responses were elicited against both PA-D4 and HCt. Analysis of the serum IgG subtype implied a combined Th1/Th2 response to both antigens, but one that was Th2 skewed. In addition, immunization with the multipathogen DNA vaccine induced effective neutralizing antibody activity against both PA-D4 and HCt. Finally, the protection efficiency of the multipathogen DNA vaccine was determined by sequential challenge with 10 LD50 of B. anthracis spores and 10 LD50 of botulinum toxin, or vice versa, and the multipathogen DNA vaccine provided higher than 50% protection against lethal challenge with both high-risk biothreat agents. Our studies suggest the strategy used for this anthrax-botulinum multipathogen DNA vaccine as a prospective approach for developing emergency vaccines that can be immediately distributed on a massive scale in response to a biothreat emergency or infectious disease outbreak.
Key points • A novel multipathogen DNA vaccine was constructed against anthrax and botulism. • Robust immune responses were induced following vaccination. • Suggests a potential vaccine development strategy against biothreat agents. |
Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-11812-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Young Kim
- R&D Center, ABION Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Rak Son
- R&D Center, ABION Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hoon Lee
- R&D Center, ABION Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Young Jo Song
- The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi Ho Yu
- The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Song
- The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeung Haeng Hur
- The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Tae Jeong
- The 4th R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Youl Hong
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Shin
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Rasetti-Escargueil C, Popoff MR. Engineering Botulinum Neurotoxins for Enhanced Therapeutic Applications and Vaccine Development. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 13:1. [PMID: 33374954 PMCID: PMC7821915 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) show increasing therapeutic applications ranging from treatment of locally paralyzed muscles to cosmetic benefits. At first, in the 1970s, BoNT was used for the treatment of strabismus, however, nowadays, BoNT has multiple medical applications including the treatment of muscle hyperactivity such as strabismus, dystonia, movement disorders, hemifacial spasm, essential tremor, tics, cervical dystonia, cerebral palsy, as well as secretory disorders (hyperhidrosis, sialorrhea) and pain syndromes such as chronic migraine. This review summarizes current knowledge related to engineering of botulinum toxins, with particular emphasis on their potential therapeutic applications for pain management and for retargeting to non-neuronal tissues. Advances in molecular biology have resulted in generating modified BoNTs with the potential to act in a variety of disorders, however, in addition to the modifications of well characterized toxinotypes, the diversity of the wild type BoNT toxinotypes or subtypes, provides the basis for innovative BoNT-based therapeutics and research tools. This expanding BoNT superfamily forms the foundation for new toxins candidates in a wider range of therapeutic options.
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Winner BM, Bodt SML, McNutt PM. Special Delivery: Potential Mechanisms of Botulinum Neurotoxin Uptake and Trafficking within Motor Nerve Terminals. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228715. [PMID: 33218099 PMCID: PMC7698961 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly potent, neuroparalytic protein toxins that block the release of acetylcholine from motor neurons and autonomic synapses. The unparalleled toxicity of BoNTs results from the highly specific and localized cleavage of presynaptic proteins required for nerve transmission. Currently, the only pharmacotherapy for botulism is prophylaxis with antitoxin, which becomes progressively less effective as symptoms develop. Treatment for symptomatic botulism is limited to supportive care and artificial ventilation until respiratory function spontaneously recovers, which can take weeks or longer. Mechanistic insights into intracellular toxin behavior have progressed significantly since it was shown that toxins exploit synaptic endocytosis for entry into the nerve terminal, but fundamental questions about host-toxin interactions remain unanswered. Chief among these are mechanisms by which BoNT is internalized into neurons and trafficked to sites of molecular toxicity. Elucidating how receptor-bound toxin is internalized and conditions under which the toxin light chain engages with target SNARE proteins is critical for understanding the dynamics of intoxication and identifying novel therapeutics. Here, we discuss the implications of newly discovered modes of synaptic vesicle recycling on BoNT uptake and intraneuronal trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M. Winner
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, MD 21047, USA;
| | - Skylar M. L. Bodt
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Patrick M. McNutt
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Correspondence:
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12
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Tremblay JM, Vazquez-Cintron E, Lam KH, Mukherjee J, Bedenice D, Ondeck CA, Conroy MT, Bodt SML, Winner BM, Webb RP, Ichtchenko K, Jin R, McNutt PM, Shoemaker CB. Camelid VHH Antibodies that Neutralize Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E Intoxication or Protease Function. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12100611. [PMID: 32987745 PMCID: PMC7598594 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotype E is one of three serotypes that cause the preponderance of human botulism cases and is a Tier 1 Select Agent. BoNT/E is unusual among BoNT serotypes for its rapid onset and short duration of intoxication. Here we report two large panels of unique, unrelated camelid single-domain antibodies (VHHs) that were selected for their ability to bind to BoNT/E holotoxin and/or to the BoNT/E light chain protease domain (LC/E). The 19 VHHs which bind to BoNT/E were characterized for their subunit specificity and 8 VHHs displayed the ability to neutralize BoNT/E intoxication of neurons. Heterodimer antitoxins consisting of two BoNT/E-neutralizing VHHs, including one heterodimer designed using structural information for simultaneous binding, were shown to protect mice against co-administered toxin challenges of up to 500 MIPLD50. The 22 unique VHHs which bind to LC/E were characterized for their binding properties and 9 displayed the ability to inhibit LC/E protease activity. Surprisingly, VHHs selected on plastic-coated LC/E were virtually unable to recognize soluble or captured LC/E while VHHs selected on captured LC/E were poorly able to recognize LC/E coated to a plastic surface. This panel of anti-LC/E VHHs offer insight into BoNT/E function, and some may have value as components of therapeutic antidotes that reverse paralysis following BoNT/E exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M. Tremblay
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA; (J.M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Edwin Vazquez-Cintron
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Kwok-Ho Lam
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4560, USA; (K.-H.L.); (R.J.)
| | - Jean Mukherjee
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA; (J.M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Daniela Bedenice
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA;
| | - Celinia A. Ondeck
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Matthieu T. Conroy
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Skylar M. L. Bodt
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Brittany M. Winner
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Robert P. Webb
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA;
| | - Konstantin Ichtchenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4560, USA; (K.-H.L.); (R.J.)
| | - Patrick M. McNutt
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Fort Detrick, MD 21010, USA; (E.V.-C.); (C.A.O.); (M.T.C.); (S.M.L.B.); (B.M.W.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Charles B. Shoemaker
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA; (J.M.T.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
This focus article has been prepared by Paul Holmes from the APHA Diseases of Wildlife Scheme.
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Brunt J, van Vliet AHM, Stringer SC, Carter AT, Lindström M, Peck MW. Pan-Genomic Analysis of Clostridium botulinum Group II (Non-Proteolytic C. botulinum) Associated with Foodborne Botulism and Isolated from the Environment. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E306. [PMID: 32397147 PMCID: PMC7291236 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotoxin formed by Clostridium botulinum Group II is a major cause of foodborne botulism, a deadly intoxication. This study aims to understand the genetic diversity and spread of C. botulinum Group II strains and their neurotoxin genes. A comparative genomic study has been conducted with 208 highly diverse C. botulinum Group II strains (180 newly sequenced strains isolated from 16 countries over 80 years, 28 sequences from Genbank). Strains possessed a single type B, E, or F neurotoxin gene or were closely related strains with no neurotoxin gene. Botulinum neurotoxin subtype variants (including novel variants) with a unique amino acid sequence were identified. Core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified two major lineages-one with type E strains, and the second dominated by subtype B4 strains with subtype F6 strains. This study revealed novel details of population structure/diversity and established relationships between whole-genome lineage, botulinum neurotoxin subtype variant, association with foodborne botulism, epidemiology, and geographical source. Additionally, the genome sequences represent a valuable resource for the research community (e.g., understanding evolution of C. botulinum and its neurotoxin genes, dissecting key aspects of C. botulinum Group II biology). This may contribute to improved risk assessments and the prevention of foodborne botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Brunt
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK
- Gut Health and Food Safety, Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK; (S.C.S.); (A.T.C.)
| | - Arnoud H. M. van Vliet
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK;
| | - Sandra C. Stringer
- Gut Health and Food Safety, Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK; (S.C.S.); (A.T.C.)
| | - Andrew T. Carter
- Gut Health and Food Safety, Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK; (S.C.S.); (A.T.C.)
| | - Miia Lindström
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Michael W. Peck
- Gut Health and Food Safety, Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK; (S.C.S.); (A.T.C.)
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Matsumura T, Amatsu S, Misaki R, Yutani M, Du A, Kohda T, Fujiyama K, Ikuta K, Fujinaga Y. Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies Effectively Neutralizing Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype B. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050302. [PMID: 32392791 PMCID: PMC7291131 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is the most potent natural toxin known. Of the seven BoNT serotypes (A to G), types A, B, E, and F cause human botulism. Treatment of human botulism requires the development of effective toxin-neutralizing antibodies without side effects such as serum sickness and anaphylaxis. In this study, we generated fully human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) against serotype B BoNT (BoNT/B1) using a murine–human chimera fusion partner cell line named SPYMEG. Of these HuMAbs, M2, which specifically binds to the light chain of BoNT/B1, showed neutralization activity in a mouse bioassay (approximately 10 i.p. LD50/100 µg of antibody), and M4, which binds to the C-terminal of heavy chain, showed partial protection. The combination of two HuMAbs, M2 (1.25 µg) and M4 (1.25 µg), was able to completely neutralize BoNT/B1 (80 i.p. LD50) with a potency greater than 80 i.p. LD50/2.5 µg of antibodies, and was effective both prophylactically and therapeutically in the mouse model of botulism. Moreover, this combination showed broad neutralization activity against three type B subtypes, namely BoNT/B1, BoNT/B2, and BoNT/B6. These data demonstrate that the combination of M2 and M4 is promising in terms of a foundation for new human therapeutics for BoNT/B intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuhiro Matsumura
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.M.); (S.A.); (M.Y.)
| | - Sho Amatsu
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.M.); (S.A.); (M.Y.)
| | - Ryo Misaki
- Applied Microbiology Laboratory, International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (R.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Masahiro Yutani
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.M.); (S.A.); (M.Y.)
| | - Anariwa Du
- Department of Virology, Center for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (A.D.); (K.I.)
| | - Tomoko Kohda
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Rinkuouraikita, Izumisano, Osaka 598-8531, Japan;
| | - Kazuhito Fujiyama
- Applied Microbiology Laboratory, International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (R.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Kazuyoshi Ikuta
- Department of Virology, Center for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (A.D.); (K.I.)
- The Japan Science and Technology Agency/Japan International Cooperation Agency, Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
| | - Yukako Fujinaga
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan; (T.M.); (S.A.); (M.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-265-2200
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16
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Rasetti-Escargueil C, Popoff MR. Antibodies and Vaccines against Botulinum Toxins: Available Measures and Novel Approaches. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11090528. [PMID: 31547338 PMCID: PMC6783819 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is produced by the anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum. As one of the most poisonous toxins known and a potential bioterrosism agent, BoNT is characterized by a complex mode of action comprising: internalization, translocation and proteolytic cleavage of a substrate, which inhibits synaptic exocytotic transmitter release at neuro-muscular nerve endings leading to peripheral neuroparalysis of the skeletal and autonomic nervous systems. There are seven major serologically distinct toxinotypes (A-G) of BoNT which act on different substrates. Human botulism is generally caused by BoNT/A, B and E. Due to its extreme lethality and potential use as biological weapon, botulism remains a global public health concern. Vaccination against BoNT, although an effective strategy, remains undesirable due to the growing expectation around therapeutic use of BoNTs in various pathological conditions. This review focuses on the current approaches for botulism control by immunotherapy, highlighting the future challenges while the molecular underpinnings among subtypes variants and BoNT sequences found in non-clostridial species remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Rasetti-Escargueil
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Michel R Popoff
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
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Bever CS, Scotcher M, Cheng LW, Hnasko RM, Stanker LH. Development and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to Botulinum Neurotoxin Type E. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E407. [PMID: 31337022 PMCID: PMC6669634 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulism is a devastating disease caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) secreted primarily by Clostridium botulinum. Mouse bioassays without co-inoculation with antibodies are the standard method for the detection of BoNTs, but are not capable of distinguishing between the different serotypes (A-G). Most foodborne intoxications are caused by serotypes BoNT/A and BoNT/B. BoNT/E outbreaks are most often observed in northern coastal regions and are associated with eating contaminated marine animals and other fishery products. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the detection of BoNT/E3. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated against BoNT/E3 by immunizing with recombinant peptide fragments of the light and heavy chains of BoNT/E3. In all, 12 mAbs where characterized for binding to both the recombinant peptides and holotoxin, as well as their performance in Western blots and sandwich ELISAs. The most sensitive sandwich assay, using different mAbs for capture and detection, exhibited a limit of detection of 0.2 ng/ml in standard buffer matrix and 10 ng/mL in fish product matrices. By employing two different mAbs for capture and detection, a more standardized sandwich assay was constructed. Development of sensitive and selective mAbs to BoNT/E would help in the initial screening of potential food contamination, speeding diagnosis and reducing use of laboratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace S Bever
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Miles Scotcher
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Luisa W Cheng
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
| | - Robert M Hnasko
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Larry H Stanker
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlong Lou
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Room 3C-38, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
| | - James D Marks
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Room 3C-38, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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19
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Yu CH, Song DH, Choi JY, Joe HE, Jeong WH, Hur GH, Shin YK, Jeong ST. A mutated recombinant subunit vaccine protects mice and guinea pigs against botulinum type A intoxication. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:329-336. [PMID: 29140753 PMCID: PMC5806659 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1405201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins to mammals. A toxoid vaccine was previously used for prevention of botulinum intoxication; however, this vaccine is no longer available. Currently, no approved botulinum vaccines are available from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recently, a recombinant host cell receptor-binding subunit created for use as a potential vaccine completed phase 2 clinical trials. The current study designed a vaccine candidate against BoNT type A (BoNT/A) using a structural design. Our vaccine candidate was the BoNT/A heavy chain C-terminal region (HCR) that contained the point mutation BA15 (R1269A) within the ganglioside-binding site. A Biacore affinity test showed that the affinity of BA15 for ganglioside GT1b was 100 times lower than that of the HCR. A SNAP25 cleavage assay revealed that immunized sera blocked SNAP25 cleavage of the BoNT/A toxin via BA15. In an in vivo experiment, mice and guinea pigs immunized with BA15 produced neutralizing antibodies that protected against 3,000 LD50 of BoNT/A. In conclusion, the results of both in vitro and in vivo assays showed that our BA15 vaccine candidate was similar to the recombinant host cell receptor-binding subunit vaccine. The inability of BA15to bind ganglioside shows that BA15 is a potential safe vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ho Yu
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Song
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Choi
- Abion R&D Institute, Hanhwa Biz-Metro, Guro-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Eun Joe
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Jeong
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeung Haeng Hur
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Dajeon, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Tae Jeong
- Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Kodihalli S, Emanuel A, Takla T, Hua Y, Hobbs C, LeClaire R, O’Donnell DC. Therapeutic efficacy of equine botulism antitoxin in Rhesus macaques. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186892. [PMID: 29166654 PMCID: PMC5699824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are currently no licensed vaccines available for prevention of botulism in humans. The vaccination is not desirable due to expanding therapeutic indications of botulinum toxins. The only available specific treatment for botulism is antitoxin to remove circulating toxin, thus, preventing further neuronal damage. BAT® (Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)—(Equine)) has been developed and its therapeutic efficacy evaluated against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) in Rhesus macaques. Methods and findings In a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) study, animals were exposed to 4x LD50/kg of BoNT/A and administered intravenously with either BAT (1x or 0.1x scaled human dose), or placebo at 4 hours post-exposure. The animals were monitored for 14 days. For the therapeutic intervention studies, animals were exposed to a 1.7x LD50/kg of BoNT/A and treated intravenously with either placebo or BAT at a 1x scaled human dose at the onset of clinical signs. Animals were monitored on an hourly basis for 14 or 21 days. In the PEP study, all animals tolerated equine based antitoxin without any adverse clinical signs. A 100% survival was observed in groups treated with the BAT compared to 0% survival in those treated with the placebo (p<0.001, Fisher’s exact test). BAT antitoxin prevented the development of signs of neurotoxicity of botulinum toxin. In a therapeutic study, treatment with the BAT at scaled 1x human dose after the onset of clinical signs significantly enhanced survival compared to the placebo (46.6% vs. 0%, p<0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). Additionally, treatment with the BAT delayed the progression of signs (muscular weakness, respiratory distress, oral/nasal discharge) of toxin intoxication and reduced the severity of the disease. Conclusions A single dose of BAT, when administered to symptomatic monkeys, resulted in a statistically significant survival benefit compared to the placebo. Additionally, BAT completely protected monkeys from the clinical signs of intoxication and subsequent death when administered as PEP treatment. These data in part supported the licensure of BAT under the Animal Rule in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantha Kodihalli
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolution, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew Emanuel
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolution, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Teresa Takla
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolution, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yi Hua
- Clinical Research, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Charles Hobbs
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Ross LeClaire
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Denise C. O’Donnell
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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Azegami T, Yuki Y, Nakahashi R, Itoh H, Kiyono H. Nanogel-based nasal vaccines for infectious and lifestyle-related diseases. Mol Immunol 2017; 98:19-24. [PMID: 29096936 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Because the mucosa is the major entry route for most pathogens, the development of mucosal vaccines is a rational approach for protecting against these undesired agents. Mucosal administration of vaccine antigen is useful for non-infectious chronic diseases as well, because of its advantages over injection routes, including comparable efficacy in the induction of systemic immune responses, less pain, and no risk of adverse events at the injection site. However, because it is difficult to effectively induce and regulate antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses when antigen alone is mucosally administered, an appropriate form of mucosal delivery vehicle must be used. Antigen delivery systems involving nanogels, which act as artificial chaperones and mucosal adhesives, are a promising approach to overcoming this problem. Here, we introduce current perspectives regarding the development of nanogel-based nasal vaccines for both infectious and lifestyle-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhiko Azegami
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Yuki
- Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Rika Nakahashi
- Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Itoh
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kiyono
- Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
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Otaka DY, Barbosa JD, Moreira C, Ferreira MRA, Cunha CEP, Brito ARS, Donassolo RA, Moreira ÂN, Conceição FR, Salvarani FM. Humoral Response of Buffaloes to a Recombinant Vaccine against Botulism Serotypes C and D. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100297. [PMID: 28937601 PMCID: PMC5666344 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulism is a fatal intoxication caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are mainly produced by Clostridium botulinum and characterized by flaccid paralysis. The BoNTs C and D are the main serotypes responsible for botulism in animals, including buffaloes. Botulism is one of the leading causes of death in adult ruminants in Brazil due to the high mortality rates, even though botulism in buffaloes is poorly reported and does not reflect the real economic impact of this disease in Brazilian herds. Vaccination is reported as the most important prophylactic measure for botulism control, although there are no specific vaccines commercially available for buffaloes in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune response of buffalo groups vaccinated with three different concentrations of recombinant proteins (100, 200, and 400 µg) against BoNTs serotypes C and D as well as to compare the groups to each other and with a group vaccinated with a bivalent commercial toxoid. The recombinant vaccine with a concentration of 400 μg of proteins induced the highest titers among the tested vaccines and was proven to be the best choice among the formulations evaluated and should be considered as a potential vaccine against botulism in buffalo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Y Otaka
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, BR 316 Km 61, Saudade II, Cristo Redentor, Castanhal 68740-910, PA, Brazil.
| | - José D Barbosa
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, BR 316 Km 61, Saudade II, Cristo Redentor, Castanhal 68740-910, PA, Brazil.
| | - Clóvis Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marcos R A Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Carlos E P Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Antônio R S Brito
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, BR 316 Km 61, Saudade II, Cristo Redentor, Castanhal 68740-910, PA, Brazil.
| | - Rafael A Donassolo
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ângela N Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fabrício R Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Felipe M Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, BR 316 Km 61, Saudade II, Cristo Redentor, Castanhal 68740-910, PA, Brazil.
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Webb RP, Smith TJ, Smith LA, Wright PM, Guernieri RL, Brown JL, Skerry JC. Recombinant Botulinum Neurotoxin Hc Subunit (BoNT Hc) and Catalytically Inactive Clostridium botulinum Holoproteins (ciBoNT HPs) as Vaccine Candidates for the Prevention of Botulism. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9090269. [PMID: 28869522 PMCID: PMC5618202 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9090269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There are few available medical countermeasures against botulism and the discontinuation of the pentavalent botulinum toxoid vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011 has resulted in the need for a safe and effective prophylactic alternative. Advances in genetic engineering have resulted in subsequent vaccine efforts being primarily focused on the production of highly purified recombinant protein antigens representing one or more domains of the botulinum neurotoxin. Recombinant subunit vaccines based on the carboxy one-third of the toxin (Hc) developed in our lab against serotypes A-F have been shown to be safe and effective. However, in response to the identification of an ever increasing number of BoNT subtypes with significant amino acid heterogeneity, we have developed catalytically inactive BoNT holoproteins (ciBoNT HPs) in an attempt to elicit greater protective immunity to address these toxin variants. Here we report the production of ciBoNT/B1 HP, ciBoNT/C1 HP, ciBoNT/E1 HP and ciBoNT/F1 HP and compare the immunological and protective abilities of ciBoNT HPs and BoNT/A Hc, BoNT/B Hc, BoNT/C Hc, BoNT/E Hc and BoNT/F Hc vaccines when challenged with homologous and heterologous toxins. Our results suggest the ciBoNT HP vaccines exhibit superior potency after single vaccinations but multiple vaccinations with BoNT/Hc antigens resulted in increased survival rates at the toxin challenge levels used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Webb
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Theresa J Smith
- Ke'aki Technologies LLC, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Leonard A Smith
- Office of the Chief Scientist, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Patrick M Wright
- Clinical Research Management, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21707, USA.
| | - Rebecca L Guernieri
- Ke'aki Technologies LLC, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Brown
- Ke'aki Technologies LLC, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Janet C Skerry
- Ke'aki Technologies LLC, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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Guo J, Wang J, Gao S, Ji B, Waichi Chan E, Chen S. Substrate-based inhibitors exhibiting excellent protective and therapeutic effects against Botulinum Neurotoxin A intoxication. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16981. [PMID: 26584873 PMCID: PMC4653808 DOI: 10.1038/srep16981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Potent inhibitors to reverse Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) activity in neuronal cells are currently not available. A better understanding of the substrate recognition mechanism of BoNTs enabled us to design a novel class of peptide inhibitors which were derivatives of the BoNT/A substrate, SNAP25. Through a combination of in vitro, cellular based, and in vivo mouse assays, several potent inhibitors of approximately one nanomolar inhibitory strength both in vitro and in vivo have been identified. These compounds represent the first set of inhibitors that exhibited full protection against BoNT/A intoxication in mice model with undetectable toxicity. Our findings validated the hypothesis that a peptide inhibitor targeting the two BoNT structural regions which were responsible for substrate recognition and cleavage respectively could exhibit excellent inhibitory effect, thereby providing insight on future development of more potent inhibitors against BoNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiubiao Guo
- Shenzhen Key lab for Food Biological Safety Control, Food Safety and Technology Research Center, Hong Kong PolyU Shen Zhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, P. R. China
- State Key Lab of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jinglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Fengtai District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Fengtai District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Fengtai District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Edward Waichi Chan
- Shenzhen Key lab for Food Biological Safety Control, Food Safety and Technology Research Center, Hong Kong PolyU Shen Zhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, P. R. China
- State Key Lab of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sheng Chen
- Shenzhen Key lab for Food Biological Safety Control, Food Safety and Technology Research Center, Hong Kong PolyU Shen Zhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, P. R. China
- State Key Lab of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Abstract
Orange Flame is an Israeli preparedness build-up project, conducted by the Ministry of Health, that is aimed at improving national readiness and preparedness for unusual biological events. The project is intended for both medical and nonmedical organizations, and, since 2011, the exercise has also included operational units outside the medical corps. This has provided valuable insights into the consequences of bioterror or naturally occurring outbreaks for operative functionality and for the unique medical, logistical, and administrative efforts required from the armed forces in such an event. The 2-day drill reported on here executed a notional scenario in which category A bioterror agents were dispersed, causing civil and military casualties. Military personnel observed and assessed the performances of all participating organizations and observed the employment of emergency protocols during the drill. Military sustainment and operative capabilities were significantly affected by the occurrence of an unusual biological event. Comprehensive actions to be executed during such a scenario included quarantining military bases, considering postponement of military operations, and transferring on-call missions to other bases. Logistic consequences included the need for manpower and equipment reinforcement, as well as food and water supplies in cases of suspected source contamination. The project unveiled many operational and logistic quandaries and exposed various potential effects of a bioterror attack in the military. Lessons learned were used to revise preevent national and military doctrine for unusual biological events.
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Mukherjee J, Dmitriev I, Debatis M, Tremblay JM, Beamer G, Kashentseva EA, Curiel DT, Shoemaker CB. Prolonged prophylactic protection from botulism with a single adenovirus treatment promoting serum expression of a VHH-based antitoxin protein. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106422. [PMID: 25170904 PMCID: PMC4149568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapies for most acute toxin exposures are limited to administration of polyclonal antitoxin serum. We have shown that VHH-based neutralizing agents (VNAs) consisting of two or more linked, toxin-neutralizing heavy-chain-only VH domains (VHHs), each binding distinct epitopes, can potently protect animals from lethality in several intoxication models including Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A1 (BoNT/A1). Appending a 14 amino acid albumin binding peptide (ABP) to an anti-BoNT/A1 heterodimeric VNA (H7/B5) substantially improved serum stability and resulted in an effective VNA serum half-life of 1 to 2 days. A recombinant, replication-incompetent, adenoviral vector (Ad/VNA-BoNTA) was engineered that induces secretion of biologically active VNA, H7/B5/ABP (VNA-BoNTA), from transduced cells. Mice administered a single dose of Ad/VNA-BoNTA, or a different Ad/VNA, via different administration routes led to a wide range of VNA serum levels measured four days later; generally intravenous > intraperitoneal > intramuscular > subcutaneous. Ad/VNA-BoNTA treated mice were 100% protected from 10 LD50 of BoNT/A1 for more than six weeks and protection positively correlated with serum levels of VNA-BoNTA exceeding about 5 ng/ml. Some mice developed antibodies that inhibited VNA binding to target but these mice displayed no evidence of kidney damage due to deposition of immune complexes. Mice were also successfully protected from 10 LD50 BoNT/A1 when Ad/VNA-BoNTA was administered up to 1.5 hours post-intoxication, demonstrating rapid appearance of the protective VNA in serum following treatment. Genetic delivery of VNAs promises to be an effective method of providing prophylactic protection and/or acute treatments for many toxin-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Mukherjee
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Igor Dmitriev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michelle Debatis
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline M. Tremblay
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gillian Beamer
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elena A. Kashentseva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - David T. Curiel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Charles B. Shoemaker
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Skarin H, Tevell Åberg A, Woudstra C, Hansen T, Löfström C, Koene M, Bano L, Hedeland M, Anniballi F, De Medici D, Olsson Engvall E. The workshop on animal botulism in Europe. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S183-90. [PMID: 23971805 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A workshop on animal botulism was held in Uppsala, Sweden, in June 2012. Its purpose was to explore the current status of the disease in Europe by gathering the European experts in animal botulism and to raise awareness of the disease among veterinarians and others involved in biopreparedness. Animal botulism is underreported and underdiagnosed, but an increasing number of reports, as well as the information gathered from this workshop, show that it is an emerging problem in Europe. The workshop was divided into 4 sessions: animal botulism in Europe, the bacteria behind the disease, detection and diagnostics, and European collaboration and surveillance. An electronic survey was conducted before the workshop to identify the 3 most needed discussion points, which were: prevention, preparedness and outbreak response; detection and diagnostics; and European collaboration and surveillance. The main conclusions drawn from these discussions were that there is an urgent need to replace the mouse bioassay for botulinum toxin detection with an in vitro test and that there is a need for a European network to function as a reference laboratory, which could also organize a European supply of botulinum antitoxin and vaccines. The foundation of such a network was discussed, and the proposals are presented here along with the outcome of discussions and a summary of the workshop itself.
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Sachdeva A, Singh AK, Sharma SK. An electrochemiluminescence assay for the detection of bio threat agents in selected food matrices and in the screening of Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains associated with type A botulism. J Sci Food Agric 2014; 94:707-712. [PMID: 23873138 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific screening methods for complex food matrices are needed that enable unambiguous and sensitive detection of bio threat agents (BTAs) such as Bacillus anthracis spores and microbial toxins (e.g. staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and clostridial botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs)). The present study describes an image-based 96-well Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay for simultaneous detection of BTAs in dairy milk products. RESULTS The limit of detection of this ECL assay is 40 pg mL⁻¹ for BoNT/A complex, 10 pg mL⁻¹ for SEB and 40000 CFU mL⁻¹ for Bacillus anthracis spores in dairy milk products. The ECL assay was successfully applied to screen type A Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains. CONCLUSION The results of the study indicate that this ECL assay is very sensitive, rapid (<6 h) and multiplex in nature. The ECL assay has potential for use as an in vitro screening method for BTAs over other comparable immunoassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Sachdeva
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
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Abstract
The looming threat of bioterrorism has enhanced interest in the development of vaccines against agents such as botulinum toxin. This in turn has stimulated efforts to create vaccines that are effective by the oral and inhalation routes. Recently, considerable progress has been made in creating an inhalation vaccine against botulism. This work stems from the discovery that a polypeptide that represents a third of the toxin molecule retains the ability to be adsorbed from the airway and to evoke an immune response but retains none of the adverse effects of the native toxin. Interestingly, this polypeptide can also serve as a carrier molecule in the creation of inhalation vaccines against other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Beak Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, 1020 Locust Street, Room 314, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Lee JC, Hwang HJ, Sakaguchi Y, Yamamoto Y, Arimitsu H, Tsuji T, Watanabe T, Ohyama T, Tsuchiya T, Oguma K. C Terminal Half Fragment (50 kDa) of Heavy Chain Components ofClostridium botulinumType C and D Neurotoxins Can Be Used as an Effective Vaccine. Microbiol Immunol 2013; 51:445-55. [PMID: 17446685 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2007.tb03919.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant whole heavy chains (H, 100 kDa) and their N-terminal (Hn, 50 kDa) and C-terminal (Hc, 50 kDa) half fragments of Clostridium botulinum type C and D neurotoxins were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. GST eliminated-preparations of H (10 microg), Hn (5 microg), Hc (5 microg), or a mixture of Hn (5 microg) and Hc (5 microg) of types C and D were mixed with an equal volume of adjuvant, and then were twice injected into mice subcutaneously. After immunization, the mice were challenged with up to 10(6) the minimum lethal doses (MLD)/0.5 ml of C or D toxin, the type of which was same as that of the immunogens. All of the mice immunized with antigens except for Hn survived against 10(5) to 10(6) MLD/0.5 ml of the toxins, but the mice immunized with Hn were killed by 100 MLD/0.5 ml. The mice immunized with a mixture of C-Hc and D-Hc, each 5 microg, also showed a high level of resistance against both C and D toxins. Antibody levels immunized with GST fused-or GST eliminatedpreparation were quite similar. These results indicate that recombinant GST-fused Hc can be used as a safe and effective vaccine for type C and D botulism in animals. It also became clear that one time inoculation with a large amount of C-Hc or D-Hc, 100 microg, is useful for vaccine trials in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Chul Lee
- Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama, Japan
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31
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Gil LAF, da Cunha CEP, Moreira GMSG, Salvarani FM, Assis RA, Lobato FCF, Mendonça M, Dellagostin OA, Conceição FR. Production and evaluation of a recombinant chimeric vaccine against clostridium botulinum neurotoxin types C and D. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69692. [PMID: 23936080 PMCID: PMC3729698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine botulism is a fatal disease that is caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum serotypes C and D and that causes great economic losses, with nearly 100% lethality during outbreaks. It has also been considered a potential source of human food-borne illness in many countries. Vaccination has been reported to be the most effective way to control bovine botulism. However, the commercially available toxoid-based vaccines are difficult and hazardous to produce. Neutralizing antibodies targeted against the C-terminal fragment of the BoNT heavy chain (HC) are known to confer efficient protection against lethal doses of BoNTs. In this study, a novel recombinant chimera, consisting of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB), a strong adjuvant of the humoral immune response, fused to the HC of BoNT serotypes C and D, was produced in E. coli. Mice vaccinated with the chimera containing LTB and an equivalent molar ratio of the chimera without LTB plus aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) developed 2 IU/mL of antitoxins for both serotypes. Guinea pigs immunized with the recombinant chimera with LTB plus Al(OH)3 developed a protective immune response against both BoNT/C (5 IU/mL) and BoNT/D (10 IU/mL), as determined by a mouse neutralization bioassay with pooled sera. The results achieved with guinea pig sera fulfilled the requirements of commercial vaccines for prevention of botulism, as determined by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Supply. The presence of LTB was essential for the development of a strong humoral immune response, as it acted in synergism with Al(OH)3. Thus, the vaccine described in this study is a strong candidate for the control of botulism in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana A. F. Gil
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo P. da Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo M. S. G. Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Felipe M. Salvarani
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ronnie A. Assis
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Mendonça
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Odir A. Dellagostin
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabricio R. Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Grant KA, McLauchlin J, Amar C. Infant botulism: advice on avoiding feeding honey to babies and other possible risk factors. Community Pract 2013; 86:44-46. [PMID: 23914481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Botulism is a rare, but extremely serious, disease and Public Health England is responsible for its diagnosis and surveillance in the UK. Over the past five years (2008-2013), the most common form of the disease recognised in the UK has been infant botulism. The aim of this article is to raise awareness of infant botulism and highlight advice for parents and carers of infants that honey should not be fed to infants under 12 months old. Other possible risk factors for infant botulism are also discussed in this article, including household pet reptiles and herbal teas.
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Abstract
In Switzerland, the incidence of equine botulism and acute pasture myodystrophy have remarkably increased in the last five years. Equine fodder-borne botulism in Europe is most likely caused by Clostridium botulinum types C and D that produce the toxins BoNT/C and BoNT/D. Horses showing signs suggestive of botulism (muscle weakness and tremors, reduced tongue tone, slow chewing, salivation and difficulties swallowing, drooping eyelids, mydriasis), especially patients that have fed on suspect fodder (mostly haylage), must be treated with anti-serum as soon as possible. They also need intensive care, which is often difficult to provide and always expensive in the face of a guarded to poor prognosis. Therefore, prevention (high standards of forage quality and vaccination) is all the more important. Pasture myodystrophy is an acute disease with signs of rhabdomyolysis and lethality rate over 90%. It affects grazing horses under frosty, windy and rainy conditions. Preliminary results indicate that Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium bifermentans producing lethal toxin may play a role in pasture myodystrophy. Our efforts concentrate on developing a new subunit vaccine for equine botulism and understanding the ethiology and pathogenesis of pasture myodystrophy with the goal of improving prevention against these highly fatal diseases that present a significant risk to our horse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gerber
- Equine Clinic, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Berne, Switzerland.
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Nakamura Y, Sawada M, Ikeguchi K, Nakano I. [Food-borne botulism]. Nihon Rinsho 2012; 70:1381-1385. [PMID: 22894077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum, and classically presents as palsies of cranial nerves and acute descending flaccid paralysis. Food-borne botulism is the most common form of botulism, and caused by preformed neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. Electrophysiological studies play an important role in the early diagnosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis is based on the detection of botulinum toxins in the patient's serum or stool. In Japan, decades ago, botulism type E occurred, though only sporadically, almost every year, but in recent years, has dramatically decreased in frequency. Botulism is a curable disease when treated early and adequately. Differential diagnosis of cranial nerves and limb muscle palsies with rapid exacerbation should include food-borne botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nakamura
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jichi Medical University
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35
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Mosunova TN, Bakulina LB, Dubrovin MI, Bogacheva NV, Bochkareva TL. [The immune-enzyme testing of titers of serum anti-botulin antibodies type A during immunization of patients with botulin trianiatoxin]. Klin Lab Diagn 2012:36-38. [PMID: 22545474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The article discusses the effectiveness of the technique of immune-enzyme detection of anti-botulin antibodies type A in human blood serum. The presence of antibodies is registered in blood serum after second and subsequent immunization with botulin trianatoxin (titer from 1:400 to 1:3200). The establishment of relationship between the registered titers of anti-botulin antibodies and the activity of serum during protection of white mice from toxin revealed the correlation coefficient between these values as 0.58.
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36
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notice of CDC's discontinuation of investigational pentavalent (ABCDE) botulinum toxoid vaccine for workers at risk for occupational exposure to botulinum toxins. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011; 60:1454-5. [PMID: 22031218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Effective November 30, 2011, CDC will no longer provide investigational pentavalent (ABCDE) botulinum toxoid (PBT) for vaccination of workers at risk for occupational exposure to botulinum serotypes A, B, C, D, and E. This change might affect persons working in public health laboratories, research facilities, and manufacturing institutions who work with botulinum toxin or neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium. CDC's decision is based on an assessment of the available data, which indicate a decline in immunogenicity of some of the toxin serotypes. The occurrence of moderate local reactions related to annual booster doses also has increased, which was noted in the 1990s at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases and resulted in a change in boosting from an annual requirement to only boosting when antibody titers have declined significantly. Additionally, the PBT was manufactured more than 30 years ago. CDC, therefore, has decided not to continue offering this investigational product.
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Dhaked RK, Singh MK, Singh P, Gupta P. Botulinum toxin: bioweapon & magic drug. Indian J Med Res 2010; 132:489-503. [PMID: 21149997 PMCID: PMC3028942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins, causative agents of botulism in humans, are produced by Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic spore-former Gram positive bacillus. Botulinum neurotoxin poses a major bioweapon threat because of its extreme potency and lethality; its ease of production, transport, and misuse; and the need for prolonged intensive care among affected persons. A single gram of crystalline toxin, evenly dispersed and inhaled, can kill more than one million people. The basis of the phenomenal potency of botulinum toxin is enzymatic; the toxin is a zinc proteinase that cleaves neuronal vesicle associated proteins responsible for acetylcholine release into the neuromuscular junction. As a military or terrorist weapon, botulinum toxin could be disseminated via aerosol or by contamination of water or food supplies, causing widespread casualties. A fascinating aspect of botulinum toxin research in recent years has been development of the most potent toxin into a molecule of significant therapeutic utility . It is the first biological toxin which is licensed for treatment of human diseases. In the late 1980s, Canada approved use of the toxin to treat strabismus, in 2001 in the removal of facial wrinkles and in 2002, the FDA in the United States followed suit. The present review focuses on both warfare potential and medical uses of botulinum neurotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Kumar Dhaked
- Biotechnology Division, Defence Research & Development Establishment, Gwalior, India.
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Abstract
Foodborne botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease caused by consumption of botulinum neurotoxin formed by strains of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum and non-proteolytic C. botulinum during their growth in food. The botulinum neurotoxin is the most potent substance known, with as little as 30-100 ng potentially fatal, and consumption of just a few milligrams of neurotoxin-containing food is likely to be sufficient to cause illness and potentially death. In order to minimise the foodborne botulism hazard, it is necessary to extend understanding of the biology of these bacteria. This process has been recently advanced by genome sequencing and subsequent analysis. In addition to neurotoxin formation, endospore formation is also critical to the success of proteolytic C. botulinum and non-proteolytic C. botulinum as foodborne pathogens. The endospores are highly resistant, and enable survival of adverse treatments such as heating. To better control the botulinum neurotoxin-forming clostridia, it is important to understand spore resistance mechanisms, and the physiological processes involved in germination and lag phase during recovery from this dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Peck
- Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UA, UK.
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Nunn FG, Pirie RS, McGorum B, Wernery U, Poxton IR. Preliminary study of mucosal IgA in the equine small intestine: specific IgA in cases of acute grass sickness and controls. Equine Vet J 2010; 39:457-60. [PMID: 17910272 DOI: 10.2746/042516407x193189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY There is much evidence to suggest that group III Clostridium botulinum (types C and D) are involved in the aetiology of equine grass sickness (EGS). Antibodies have been detected previously in the blood and high levels associated with resistance to disease. Specific mucosal antibodies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are likely to be important in protection, and this study was performed to ascertain if such antibodies could be detected and if their levels were related to disease state. OBJECTIVES To develop a method for quantifying IgA antibodies to C. botulinum types C and D in the GI tract of horses and to relate antibody levels to disease status. METHODS Samples of tissue (n = 25: 6 duodenum, 7 jejunum and 12 ileum) were taken from acute grass sickness (AGS) cases and from control horses (n = 12; 4 samples from each site) at post mortem. They were extracted with the detergent saponin in the presence of protease inhibitors and assayed for total IgA, for specific IgA against botulinum neurotoxins types C and D (BoNT/C or BoNT/D), and against surface antigens of a BoNT/C negative strain of C. botulinum type C (SA) and of Clostridium tetani (TetSA), as a control. Specific IgA was expressed as percentage total IgA. RESULTS Compared to controls, significantly higher levels of specific IgA against BoNT/C were detected in the jejunum (P = 0.04) and ileum (P = 0.02) of AGS cases. Similarly, higher specific levels against BoNT/D were demonstrated in duodenum (P = 0.01) and jejunum (P = 0.02). Significantly higher levels of IgA against SA were demonstrated only in duodenal samples (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Levels of IgA antibody to BoNTs in control horses were at near undetectable levels, suggesting no recent exposure to toxins. In AGS cases, significantly higher levels of specific IgA were detected predominantly in jejunum and ileum. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE If specific IgA is protective then any successful vaccine for EGS should induce a mucosal response.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Nunn
- Medical Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UAE
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Cheng LW, Stanker LH, Henderson TD, Lou J, Marks JD. Antibody protection against botulinum neurotoxin intoxication in mice. Infect Immun 2009; 77:4305-13. [PMID: 19651864 PMCID: PMC2747958 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00405-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2009] [Revised: 05/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adulteration of food or feed with any of the seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a potential bioterrorism concern. Currently, there is strong interest in the development of detection reagents, vaccines, therapeutics, and other countermeasures. A sensitive immunoassay for detecting BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A), based on monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) F1-2 and F1-40, has been developed and used in complex matrices. The epitope for F1-2 has been mapped to the heavy chain of BoNT/A, and the epitope of F1-40 has been mapped to the light chain. The ability of these MAbs to provide therapeutic protection against BoNT/A intoxication in mouse intravenous and oral intoxication models was tested. High dosages of individual MAbs protected mice well both pre- and postexposure to BoNT/A holotoxin. A combination therapy consisting of antibodies against both the light and heavy chains of the toxin, however, significantly increased protection, even at a lower MAb dosage. An in vitro peptide assay for measuring toxin activity showed that pretreatment of toxin with these MAbs did not block catalytic activity but instead blocked toxin entry into primary and cultured neuronal cells. The timing of antibody rescue in the mouse intoxication models revealed windows of opportunity for antibody therapeutic treatment that correlated well with the biologic half-life of the toxin in the serum. Knowledge of BoNT intoxication and antibody clearance in these mouse models and understanding of the pharmacokinetics of BoNT are invaluable for future development of antibodies and therapeutics against intoxication by BoNT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa W Cheng
- Foodborne Contaminants Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
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42
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Holzhauer M, Roest HIJ, de Jong MG, Vos JH. [Botulism in dairy cattle in 2008: symptoms, diagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy, and prevention]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 2009; 134:564-570. [PMID: 19645252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Botulism affects about 20 dairy herds a year in the Netherlands. This article describes the dramatic outcome of botulism in a dairy herd. The main clinical symptoms in this herd were increased lying down, slight ataxia of the hind legs, and a high mortality (98%). The diagnosis is difficult to establish in adult cattle, and for this reason the clinical and laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, therapy, and preventive measures are discussed. On the basis of this outbreak, previous experience with botulism, and cases described in literature, it is suggested that presence of 'free-range" poultry could contaminate grazing pastures with botulism neurotoxins, causing clinical problems in cattle. If there is an increased risk of contamination of the pasture and/or silage with botulinum neurotoxins, vaccination should be considered to prevent substantial economic and emotional damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Peck
- Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, UK
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44
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Steinman A, Galon N, Arazi A, Bar-Giora Y, Shpigel NY. Cattle immune response to botulinum type D toxoid: Results of a vaccination study. Vaccine 2007; 25:7636-40. [PMID: 17913314 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2007] [Revised: 08/20/2007] [Accepted: 08/27/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cattle botulism is a food-borne intoxication caused by the ingestion of preformed botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) of serotypes B, C, or D. Protection in cattle against botulinum intoxication is based on the presence of specific serum neutralizing antibodies upon exposure. Outbreaks in vaccinated cattle have raised concerns about vaccine quality and efficacy. To this end, three different immunization protocols and the effect of maternal anti-BoNT/D antibodies, at the priming dose, were analyzed in 2-month-old dairy calves. Based on previously determined protective anti-BoNT/D antibody levels analyzed in field outbreaks, the immune response to type D toxoids was analyzed using an in-house ELISA system. Here we show that using the current vaccination strategy of using a priming dose in 2-month-old calves followed by booster doses after 4 weeks and annually thereafter, did not result in continuous protective levels of anti-BoNT/D antibodies. As a result of this vaccination protocol, only 15-31% of cattle in parities 1-3 were protected at the time of the annual booster. Vaccination study in calves indicated that adding a 6-month booster dose to the current protocol resulted in continuous protective levels of anti-BoNT/D antibodies well above the cut-off protective levels. The presence of maternally derived anti-BoNT/D antibodies did not interfere with the immune response to toxoids that can be administered to 2-month-old calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Steinman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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45
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Yu YZ, Zhang SM, Sun ZW, Wang S, Yu WY. Enhanced immune responses using plasmid DNA replicon vaccine encoding the Hc domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype A. Vaccine 2007; 25:8843-50. [PMID: 18022294 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2007] [Revised: 09/14/2007] [Accepted: 10/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In current study, the immunogenicity of a plasmid DNA replicon vaccine (pSCARSHc) encoding the Hc domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (AHc) was investigated and compared with a conventional plasmid DNA vaccine (pcDNASHc) encoding the same antigen. In vitro, pSCARSHc incorporating Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon could express AHc protein and induce apoptosis of transfected cells. Comparison with the conventional plasmid DNA vaccine (pcDNASHc) yielded several interesting results. First, our self-designed pSCARSHc could induce relatively higher AHc-specific antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses in immunized Balb/c mice, especially at low doses. Second, while both pSCARSHc and pcDNASHc induced Th2-type immune responses, the ratio of IgG1 to IgG2a was lower in pSCARSHc groups and the Th2- and Th1-type humoral immune responses induced by pSCARSHc were also stronger than that of the pcDNASHc vaccine. Third, it was shown that the sera from pSCARSHc-vaccinated mice conferred more efficient protection than those from pcDNASHc-vaccinated mice by BoNT/A neutralization assay. Finally, mice immunized with pSCARSHc could also elicit more efficient protection against BoNT/A than pcDNASHc. These results indicate that our plasmid DNA replicon vaccine can provide strong immunogenicity and should be a potential alternative strategy to conventional DNA vaccines in developing an efficacious vaccine against C. botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Zhou Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dong Dajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing 100071, China
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46
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Zeng M, Xu Q, Elias M, Pichichero ME, Simpson LL, Smith LA. Protective immunity against botulism provided by a single dose vaccination with an adenovirus-vectored vaccine. Vaccine 2007; 25:7540-8. [PMID: 17897756 PMCID: PMC2077857 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 08/15/2007] [Accepted: 08/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins cause botulism, a neuroparalytic disease in humans and animals. We constructed a replication-incompetent adenovirus encoding a synthesized codon-optimized gene for expression of the heavy chain C-fragment (H(C)50) of botulinum neurotoxin type C (BoNT/C). This recombinant human serotype 5 adenoviral vector (Ad5) was evaluated as a genetic vaccine candidate against botulism caused by BoNT/C in a mouse model. A one-time intramuscular injection with 10(5) to 2 x 10(7)pfu of adenoviral vectors elicited robust serum antibody responses against H(C)50 of BoNT/C as assessed by ELISA. Immune sera showed high potency in neutralizing the active BoNT/C in vitro. After a single dose of 2 x 10(7)pfu adenoviral vectors, the animals were completely protected against intraperitoneal challenge with 100 x MLD(50) of active BoNT/C. The protective immunity appeared to be vaccine dose-dependent. The anti-toxin protective immunity could last for at least 7 months without a booster injection. In addition, we observed that pre-existing immunity to the wild-type Ad5 in the host had no significant influence on the protective efficacy of vaccination. The data suggest that an adenovirus-vectored genetic vaccine is a highly efficient prophylaxis candidate against botulism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtao Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Box 672, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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47
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Kamrud KI, Custer M, Dudek JM, Owens G, Alterson KD, Lee JS, Groebner JL, Smith JF. Alphavirus replicon approach to promoterless analysis of IRES elements. Virology 2007; 360:376-87. [PMID: 17156813 PMCID: PMC1885372 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2006] [Revised: 08/30/2006] [Accepted: 10/30/2006] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we describe a system for promoterless analysis of putative internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements using an alphavirus (family Togaviridae) replicon vector. The system uses the alphavirus subgenomic promoter to produce transcripts that, when modified to contain a spacer region upstream of an IRES element, allow analysis of cap-independent translation of genes of interest (GOI). If the IRES element is removed, translation of the subgenomic transcript can be reduced >95% compared to the same transcript containing a functional IRES element. Alphavirus replicons, used in this manner, offer an alternative to standard dicistronic DNA vectors or in vitro translation systems currently used to analyze putative IRES elements. In addition, protein expression levels varied depending on the spacer element located upstream of each IRES. The ability to modulate the level of expression from alphavirus vectors should extend the utility of these vectors in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- K I Kamrud
- AlphaVax, Inc., 2 Triangle Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-0307, USA.
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48
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Abstract
Foodborne botulism is caused by consumption of preformed botulinum neurotoxin, with as little as 30 ng of neurotoxin being potentially lethal. Consumption of minute quantities of neurotoxin-containing food can result in botulism. In view of the severity of foodborne botulism, it is essential that new foods be developed safely without an increase in incidence of this disease. Minimally heated, chilled foods are a relatively new type of food, sales of which are currently increasing by about 10% per annum. These products meet consumer demand for high-quality foods that require little preparation time. Their safety and quality depends on mild heat treatment, chilled storage, restricted shelf life and sometimes on intrinsic properties of the foods. The principal microbiological hazard is nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum, and there is a concern that this may become an emerging issue. A considerable amount of research and development over the last 15 years has underpinned the safe production of commercial, minimally heated, chilled foods with respect to foodborne botulism, and it is essential that safe food continues to be developed. In particular, the desire to use lighter heat processes and a longer shelf life presents a challenge that will only be met by significant developments in quantitative microbiological food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Peck
- Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, UK.
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49
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Webb RP, Smith TJ, Wright PM, Montgomery VA, Meagher MM, Smith LA. Protection with recombinant Clostridium botulinum C1 and D binding domain subunit (Hc) vaccines against C and D neurotoxins. Vaccine 2007; 25:4273-82. [PMID: 17395341 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.02.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Revised: 02/21/2007] [Accepted: 02/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant botulinum Hc (rBoNT Hc) vaccines for serotypes C1 and D were produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris and used to determine protection against four distinct BoNT C and D toxin subtypes. Mice were vaccinated with rBoNT/C1 Hc, rBoNT/D Hc, or with a combination of both vaccines and challenged with BoNT C1, D, C/D, or D/C toxin. Mice receiving monovalent vaccinations were partially or completely protected against homologous toxin and not protected against heterologous toxin. Bivalent vaccine candidates completely survived challenges from all toxins except D/C toxin. These results indicate the recombinant C1 and D Hc vaccines are not only effective in a monovalent formula but offer complete protection against both parental and C/D mosaic toxin and partial protection against D/C mosaic toxin when delivered as a bivalent vaccine.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Bacterial Vaccines/genetics
- Bacterial Vaccines/immunology
- Base Sequence
- Botulinum Toxins/genetics
- Botulinum Toxins/immunology
- Botulism/immunology
- Botulism/prevention & control
- Clostridium botulinum/genetics
- Clostridium botulinum/immunology
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Female
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Pichia/genetics
- Pichia/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Survival Analysis
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/isolation & purification
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/isolation & purification
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Webb
- Integrated Toxicology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
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50
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Abstract
Infant botulism results from the absorption of heat-labile neurotoxin produced in situ by ingested Clostridium botulinum. Honey and environmental exposure are the main sources of acquisition of the organism. Clinical manifestations are owing to progressive neuromuscular blockade, initially of muscles innervated by cranial nerves and later of the trunk, extremities and diaphragm. Presynaptic autonomic nerves are also affected. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds and is confirmed by recovery of the organism or by detection of toxin in the stool. Management includes meticulous supportive intensive care that may include mechanical ventilation and administration of human botulinum immunoglobulin in severe cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Brook
- Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
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