| Autor: |
Silva AJD; Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy-LEMTE, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., de Jesus ALS; Federal Institute of Mato Grosso, Lucas do Rio Verde 78455-000, Brazil., Leal LRS; Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy-LEMTE, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., de Macêdo LS; Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy-LEMTE, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., da Silva Barros BR; Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., de Sousa GF; Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., da Paz Leôncio Alves S; Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., Pena LJ; Department of Virology and Experimental Therapy, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., de Melo CML; Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil., de Freitas AC; Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy-LEMTE, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Improving antigen presentation is crucial for the success of immunization strategies. Yeasts are classically used as biofactories to produce recombinant proteins and are efficient vehicles for antigen delivery, in addition to their adjuvant properties. Despite the absence of epidemic outbreaks, several vaccine approaches continue to be developed for Zika virus infection. The development of these prophylactic strategies is fundamental given the severity of clinical manifestations, mainly due to viral neurotropism. The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo the immune response induced by P. pastoris recombinant strains displaying epitopes of the envelope (ENV) and NS1 ZIKV proteins. Intramuscular immunization with heat-attenuated yeast enhanced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, in addition to the activation of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, in BALB/c mice. P. pastoris displaying ENV epitopes induced a more robust immune response, increasing immunoglobulin production, especially IgG isotypes. Both proposed vaccines showed the potential to induce immune responses without adverse effects, confirming the safety of administering P. pastoris as a vaccine vehicle. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the evaluation of a vaccine against ZIKV based on a multiepitope construct using yeast as a delivery system and reinforcing the applicability of P. pastoris as a whole-cell vaccine. |
