title: A novel method to screen genomic libraries that combines genomic immunization with the prime-boost strategy.
abstract: We employed a prime-boost regimen in combination with the expression library immunization protocol to improve the protective effectiveness of a genomic library used as immunogen. To demonstrate the feasibility of this novel strategy, we used as a prime a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis random genomic library constructed in a eukaryotic expression vector. Mice immunized with different fractions of this library and boosted with a single dose of meningococcal outer membrane vesicles elicited higher bactericidal antibody titers compared with mice primed with the empty vector. After the boost, passive administration of sera from mice primed with two of these fractions significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria in the blood of infant rats challenged with live N. meningitidis. The method proposed could be applied to the identification of subimmunogenic antigens during vaccine candidate screening by employing expression library immunization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biotechnology, Finlay Institute, Havana, Cuba. dyero@finlay.edu.cu
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yero
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pajón
authors.forename: Evelin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Karem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cobas
authors.forename: Mildrey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fariñas
authors.forename: Yamilé
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acosta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015698:Genomic Library; D007114:Immunization; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines