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Oral anti-IgE immunization with epitope-displaying phage
A W Zuercher1, S M Miescher, M Vogel
1Institute of Immunology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
European Journal of Immunology
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Epitope-displaying bacteriophages can survive the stomach and induce oral antibody responses. M13 phage carrying specific epitopes successfully generated anti-IgE antibodies in mice, demonstrating a novel oral vaccine strategy.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Oral vaccines require antigen stability in the stomach.
- Bacteriophages are naturally resilient to gastric conditions.
- M13 bacteriophages were explored as carriers for oral vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the stability and immunogenicity of epitope-displaying M13 bacteriophages in a simulated gastric environment.
- To evaluate the potential of bacteriophages as oral vaccine carriers for inducing specific antibody responses.
Main Methods:
- Epitope-displaying M13 bacteriophages (with mimotopes or anti-IgE Fab) were incubated in simulated gastric fluid.
- Phage infectivity and epitope recognition by antibody BSW17 were tested.
- Mice were orally immunized with phages or purified pVIII protein.
- Antibody responses and phage DNA presence in feces were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Phages remained infective after simulated gastric treatment.
- Epitopes on the pVIII protein retained recognition, while pIII-displayed epitopes were inactivated.
- Oral immunization with phages induced anti-IgE antibodies in mice.
- Phage DNA was detectable in feces for 10 days post-feeding.
Conclusions:
- Epitope-displaying bacteriophages are stable in simulated gastric fluid.
- M13 bacteriophages displaying epitopes on pVIII can induce specific oral antibody responses.
- Bacteriophages represent a viable platform for oral vaccine development.