Analysis of the Vaccine Potential of Plasmid DNA Encoding Nine Mycolactone Polyketide Synthase Domains in Mycobacterium ulcerans Infected Mice

Autor: Sacha J. Pidot, Kris Huygen, Christophe Van den Poel, F Jurion, Virginie Roupie, Timothy P. Stinear, Tobba Einarsdottir
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 8, Iss 1, p e2604 (2014)
ISSN: 1935-2735
1935-2727
Popis: There is no effective vaccine against Buruli ulcer. In experimental footpad infection of C57BL/6 mice with M. ulcerans, a prime-boost vaccination protocol using plasmid DNA encoding mycolyltransferase Ag85A of M. ulcerans and a homologous protein boost has shown significant, albeit transient protection, comparable to the one induced by M. bovis BCG. The mycolactone toxin is an obvious candidate for a vaccine, but by virtue of its chemical structure, this toxin is not immunogenic in itself. However, antibodies against some of the polyketide synthase domains involved in mycolactone synthesis, were found in Buruli ulcer patients and healthy controls from the same endemic region, suggesting that these domains are indeed immunogenic. Here we have analyzed the vaccine potential of nine polyketide synthase domains using a DNA prime/protein boost strategy. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated against the following domains: acyl carrier protein 1, 2, and 3, acyltransferase (acetate) 1 and 2, acyltransferase (propionate), enoylreductase, ketoreductase A, and ketosynthase load module. As positive controls, mice were vaccinated with DNA encoding Ag85A or with M. bovis BCG. Strongest antigen specific antibodies could be detected in response to acyltransferase (propionate) and enoylreductase. Antigen-specific Th1 type cytokine responses (IL-2 or IFN-γ) were induced by vaccination against all antigens, and were strongest against acyltransferase (propionate). Finally, vaccination against acyltransferase (propionate) and enoylreductase conferred some protection against challenge with virulent M. ulcerans 1615. However, protection was weaker than the one conferred by vaccination with Ag85A or M. bovis BCG. Combinations of these polyketide synthase domains with the vaccine targeting Ag85A, of which the latter is involved in the integrity of the cell wall of the pathogen, and/or with live attenuated M. bovis BCG or mycolactone negative M. ulcerans may eventually lead to the development of an efficacious BU vaccine.
Author Summary Buruli ulcer (BU) is an infectious disease, characterized by deep, ulcerating skin lesions, particularly on arms and legs, which are provoked by a toxin. BU is caused by a microbe of the genus that also cause tuberculosis and leprosy. The 33 countries where Buruli ulcer has been detected, especially in West Africa, have mainly tropical and subtropical climates, although the disease is also present in temperate areas of Australia and Japan. There is no effective vaccine against BU and it is still not fully understood which immune defence mechanisms (antibodies and/or T cells) are needed to control the infection. The identification of microbial components that are involved in immune control is an essential step in the development of an effective vaccine. In this paper, we used an experimental mouse model to demonstrate the immunogenicity and the vaccine potential of enzymes involved in the toxin synthesis. Combinations with other vaccine candidates, such as a subunit vaccine against Ag85A targeting cell wall synthesis or with live, attenuated M. bovis BCG or mycolactone negative Mycobacterium ulcerans remain to be tested.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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