title: Cell-wall preparation containing poly-γ-D-glutamate covalently linked to peptidoglycan, a straightforward extractable molecule, protects mice against experimental anthrax infection.
abstract: Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax that is characterized by septicemia and toxemia. Many vaccine strategies were described to counteract anthrax infection. In contrast with veterinary live vaccines, currently human vaccines are acellular with the protective antigen, a toxin component, as the main constituent. However, in animal models this vaccine is less efficient than the live vaccine. In this study, we analyzed the protection afforded by a single extractable surface element. The poly-γ-D-glutamate capsule is covalently linked to the peptidoglycan. A preparation of peptidoglycan-linked poly-γ-D-glutamate (GluPG) was tested for its immunogenicity and its protective effect. GluPG injection, in mice, elicited the production of specific antibodies directed against poly-glutamate and partially protected the animals against lethal challenges with a non-toxinogenic strain. When combined to protective antigen, GluPG immunization conferred full protection against cutaneous anthrax induced with a fully virulent strain.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Toxines et Pathogénie Bactériennes, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France. thomas.candela@u-psud.fr
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Candela
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dumetz
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tosi-Couture
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mock
authors.forename: Pierre L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fouet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000737:chemistry*; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid