Open AccessRecombinant Bacillus subtilis spores expressing MPT 64 evaluated as a vaccine against tuberculosis in the murine model
Author(s) -
Sibley Laura,
Reljic Rajko,
Radford David S.,
Huang JenMin,
Hong Huynh A.,
Cranenburgh Rocky M.,
Cutting Simon M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12525
Subject(s) - recombinant dna , spore , bacillus subtilis , microbiology and biotechnology , elispot , biology , antigen , tuberculosis vaccines , virology , tuberculosis , immunology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , bacteria , gene , medicine , genetics , cd8 , pathology
Recombinant Bacillus subtilis spores expressing a TB antigen, MPT 64, were tested for their ability to protect mice against tuberculosis challenge. A chimeric gene consisting of the spore coat gene cotB fused to mpt64 was constructed, and expression of a stable CotB‐ MPT 64 hybrid protein of the spore coat verified. Spores were evaluated as a live vaccine and also formaldehyde inactivated. Mice were given three doses of spores or alternatively used in a prime‐boost regimen with BCG . The results showed that inactivated recombinant spores were able to reduce the bacterial burden in the lungs of mice to comparable levels to that of BCG . In the prime‐boost regimen, both live and inactivated spores showed a reduction in bacterial load in comparison with BCG . ELISPOT and polyfunctional T‐cell analysis were performed to examine cellular responses and showed that antigen‐specific secretion of Th1 cytokines was stimulated after immunisation with inactive recombinant spores and BCG . In summary, recombinant spores can elicit Th1 responses, which are important for protection against TB disease.