Open AccessImmunization with a ZmpB-Based Protein Vaccine Could Protect against Pneumococcal Diseases in Mice
Author(s) -
Yi Gong,
Wenchun Xu,
Yali Cui,
Xuemei Zhang,
Rui Yao,
Dairong Li,
Hong Wang,
Yujuan He,
Ju Cao,
Yibing Yin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.00717-10
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , antiserum , pneumolysin , recombinant dna , polyclonal antibodies , streptococcus pneumoniae , pneumococcal infections , antigen , immunization , virology , antibody , pneumococcal vaccine , immunology , gene , antibiotics , biochemistry
Zinc metalloprotease B (ZmpB) is present in all isolated pneumococcal strains and contributes to the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infection. In this study, recombinant ZmpB was cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli . The expression of ZmpB by different pneumococcal strains was detectable by Western blotting with antisera raised to recombinant ZmpB. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that anti-ZmpB polyclonal antibodies could bind to the cell surface of the pneumococcal strains analyzed. Both recombinant ZmpB protein and anti-ZmpB polyclonal antibodies significantly inhibited the adhesion ofStreptococcus pneumoniae D39 to A549 cells. In mouse models, mucosal immunization with recombinant ZmpB could significantly reduce pneumococcal lung colonization caused byS. pneumoniae serotypes 19F and 14 and significantly increase mice survival times following invasive pneumococcal challenge with different pneumococcal strains, including serotypes 2, 3, 6B, and 14. Furthermore, intraperitoneal immunization with recombinant ZmpB in combination with the recombinant pneumolysin mutant (DeltaA146 Ply) and heat shock protein 40 (DnaJ) could enhance the protection against pneumococcal infection compared to protection provided by single-protein antigens. Passive immunization with hyperimmune antisera against these three antigens also demonstrated that the combination of three hyperimmune antisera could provide better protection than single antisera. Taken together, our results suggest that ZmpB is a good candidate pneumococcal vaccine antigen.