Subunit approach to evaluation of the immune protective potential of leptospiral antigens.
Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world. Current vaccines are based on whole-cell preparations that cause severe side effects and do not induce satisfactory immunity. In light of the leptospiral genome sequences recently made available, several studies aimed at identification of protective recombinant immunogens have been performed; however, few such immunogens have been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate 27 recombinant antigens to determine their potential to induce an immune response protective against leptospirosis in the hamster model. Experiments were conducted with groups of female hamsters immunized with individual antigen preparations. Hamsters were then challenged with a lethal dose of Leptospira interrogans. Thirteen antigens induced protective immune responses; however, only recombinant proteins LIC10325 and LIC13059 induced significant protection against mortality. These results have important implications for the development of an efficacious recombinant subunit vaccine against leptospirosis.
Núcleo de Biotecnologia--CDTec, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 96010-900 RS, Brazil.
Samuel R
SR
Félix
Daiane D
DD
Hartwig
Ana Paula C
AP
Argondizzo
Éverton F
ÉF
Silva
Fabiana K
FK
Seixas
Amilton C P Seixas
AC
Neto
Marco A
MA
Medeiros
Walter
W
Lilenbaum
Odir A
OA
Dellagostin
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D021122:Protein Subunits; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic