Anthrax, toxins and vaccines: a 125-year journey targeting Bacillus anthracis.
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a disease that plagues both humans and various animal species. Effective vaccines are available, but those approved for human use are crude culture supernatants that require multiple injections and a yearly boost. Many experts agree that it is now time for the next generation of human vaccines against anthrax. Accordingly, this review will succinctly focus upon: pathogenesis of B. anthracis, with particular emphasis upon the immune system; the pertinent biophysical nature of protective antigen, which includes how the protein toxin component affords protection as a vaccine target; alternative methods for improving protective antigen as an immunogen; and additional B. anthracis antigens that might further sustain protective titers in humans. In addition to a better understanding of the disease process elicited by B. anthracis, which will logically lead to better vaccines (and therapeutics), there also needs to be the same level of open-mindedness applied to the politics of anthrax.
Tournier
Jean-Nicolas
JN
CRSSA, Unité interactions hôte-pathogène, Département de biologie des agents transmissibles, BP 87, F-38702 La Tronche, France. jntournier@crssa.net
Ulrich
Robert G
RG
Quesnel-Hellmann
Anne
A
Mohamadzadeh
Mansour
M
Stiles
Bradley G
BG
D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D037521:Virulence Factors; C030325:anthrax toxin