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Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
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Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model

Published on: June 23, 2015

Evaluation of Proteus mirabilis structural fimbrial proteins as antigens against urinary tract infections

Rafael Pellegrino1, Umberto Galvalisi, Paola Scavone

  • 1Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, P.O. Box 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
|May 3, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis fimbrial proteins were evaluated as vaccine candidates against urinary tract infections (UTIs). MrpA demonstrated significant protection in mouse models, highlighting its potential for UTI vaccine development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis is a significant cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Fimbriae play a role in P. mirabilis pathogenesis, but their precise function in UTIs remains unclear.
  • Key fimbrial proteins include mannose-resistant/Proteus-like (MrpA), uroepithelial cell adhesin (UcaA), and P. mirabilis fimbriae (PmfA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the protective potential of recombinant MrpA, UcaA, and PmfA as vaccine candidates against P. mirabilis UTIs.
  • To investigate the correlation between antibody responses and protection in experimental UTI models.

Main Methods:

  • Expression and purification of recombinant fimbrial proteins: MrpA, UcaA, and PmfA.
  • Immunization of mice with purified proteins.
  • Challenge experiments using ascending and hematogenous models of UTI.
  • Measurement of specific serum and urinary antibody responses.

Main Results:

  • MrpA conferred significant protection in both ascending and hematogenous UTI models, indicating its promise as a vaccine candidate.
  • UcaA provided protection only in the hematogenous model.
  • All tested proteins induced strong serum IgG responses, but antibody levels did not correlate with protection.
  • PmfA induced a significant urinary antibody response but failed to protect against infection.

Conclusions:

  • MrpA is a promising vaccine candidate for preventing P. mirabilis UTIs.
  • UcaA warrants further investigation for its potential role in UTI pathogenesis and prevention.
  • Fimbrial antigenicity does not directly correlate with protective immunity against P. mirabilis UTIs.

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