title: Recognition of mycobacterial antigens delivered by genetically detoxified Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase by T cells from cattle with bovine tuberculosis.
abstract: The exponential increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle over the last two decades in the British national herd constitutes a significant economic problem. Therefore, research efforts are under way to develop cattle tuberculosis vaccines and specific diagnostic reagents to allow the distinction of vaccinated from infected animals. Mycobacterial antigens like ESAT-6 and CFP10 allow this distinction. This study investigates whether fusion protein of ESAT-6 or CFP10 with genetically detoxified Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase (CyaA) are recognized by Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle more effectively than conventional recombinant proteins are, thus enhancing sensitivity or reducing the amount of antigens required. By measuring the frequencies of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing cells, we were able to show that the presentation of CFP10 as a CyaA fusion protein enhanced the molecular efficiency of its recognition 20-fold, while the recognition of ESAT-6 was not improved by CyaA delivery. Furthermore, in the whole-blood IFN-gamma test currently used in the field, the delivery of CFP10 and ESAT-6 by fusion to CyaA increased the amount of IFN-gamma produced and hence the proportion of infected animals responding to CFP10. The improved T-cell recognition of CyaA336/CFP10 was found to be dependent upon interaction with CD11b. In addition, presentation of CyaA336/CFP10 to CD4+ T cells was chloroquine sensitive, and CFP10 delivery by CyaA resulted in its accelerated presentation to T cells. In conclusion, the use of CyaA fusion proteins with ESAT-6 and CFP10 has the potential to improve the sensitivity of immunodiagnostic tests detecting bovine tuberculosis in cattle.
authors.affiliation: TB Research Group, Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK. mvordermeier.vla@gtnet.gov.uk
authors.forename: H Martin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Vordermeier
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simsova
authors.forename: Katalin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: R Glyn
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hewinson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sebo
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leclerc
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D002417:Cattle; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C093276:ESAT-6 protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases