title: Immunization with the binding domain of FimH, the adhesin of type 1 fimbriae, does not protect chickens against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaccination with the sugar-binding domain of FimH (FimH156) was able to protect chickens against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). FimH156 was expressed and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Binding of FimH156 to mannosylated bovine serum albumin demonstrated that the protein retained its biological activity. Moreover, anti-FimH156 antisera were able to inhibit in vitro binding of E. coli to mannosylated bovine serum albumin. In a first vaccination experiment, FimH156 was administered intramuscularly as a water-in-oil emulsion to specific pathogen free broiler chicks. A predisposing infection with the Newcastle disease virus strain Lasota was administered 3 weeks later, followed 3 days later by an aerosol challenge with the virulent APEC strain CH2. A good anti-FimH156 immunoglobulin (Ig)G immune response was detected in serum, but no protective effects of FimH156 against APEC were seen. In a second experiment, SPF chicks were vaccinated intramuscularly or intranasally with FimH156. Booster vaccinations were administered 20 days later. While the intramuscular immunization yielded a strong IgG response in the serum and trachea, no significant IgA response could be detected in tracheal washes. Intranasal immunization did not yield a significant IgG or IgA response in serum and trachea. No protective effects of the FimH156 could be detected, confirming the results of the first experiment. Thus, although the FimH156 induced a strong immune response, it was unable to protect chickens against APEC.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Immunology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Applied Bioscience and Engineering, Catholic University Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001, Leuven, Belgium. Frederic.vandemaele@agr.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Fréderic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandemaele
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ververken
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bleyen
authors.forename: Jorina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geys
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Hulst
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Addwebi
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Empel
authors.forename: Bruno Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Goddeeris
mesh_terms: D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D022361:Escherichia coli Vaccines; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
chemical_list: D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D022361:Escherichia coli Vaccines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C058769:fimH protein, E coli; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins