Related Experiment Videos
Vaccination with FimA from Streptococcus parasanguis protects rats from endocarditis caused by other viridans
Todd Kitten1, Cindy L Munro, Aijuan Wang
1The Philips Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Department of Adult Health Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. tkitten@vcu.edu
Abstract:
The FimA protein of Streptococcus parasanguis is a virulence factor in the rat model of endocarditis, and immunization with FimA protects rats against homologous bacterial challenge. Because FimA-like proteins are widespread among the oral streptococci, the leading cause of native valve endocarditis, we evaluated the ability of this vaccinogen to protect rats when challenged by other streptococcal species. Here we report that FimA vaccination produced antibodies that cross-reacted with and protected against challenge by the oral streptococci S. mitis, S. mutans, and S. salivarius. FimA thus has promise as a vaccinogen to control infective endocarditis caused by oral streptococci.
Insights
Immunizing with the FimA protein from Streptococcus parasanguis protects against endocarditis. Antibodies generated by FimA vaccination also cross-react with and protect against other oral streptococci species.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Vaccinology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- The FimA protein of Streptococcus parasanguis is a known virulence factor in experimental endocarditis.
- Oral streptococci are the primary cause of native valve endocarditis.
- FimA-like proteins are common among oral streptococci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the protective efficacy of FimA vaccination against challenge by various oral streptococcal species.
- To determine if FimA can serve as a broad-spectrum vaccinogen for preventing infective endocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Rats were immunized with the FimA protein.
- Vaccinated rats were challenged with different species of oral streptococci.
- Antibody cross-reactivity and protective effects were evaluated.
Main Results:
- FimA vaccination induced antibodies that cross-reacted with Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus salivarius.
- Protection was observed against challenge by these homologous and heterologous oral streptococcal species.
- FimA demonstrated efficacy as a vaccinogen against multiple oral streptococci.
Conclusions:
- FimA vaccination provides protection against Streptococcus parasanguis and cross-protection against other key oral streptococci.
- FimA shows significant potential as a vaccinogen for controlling infective endocarditis caused by a range of oral streptococci.