Role of Shigella flexneri 2a 34 kDa outer membrane protein in induction of protective immune response

Emergence of Shigella vaccine is in great need in developing countries. In this paper we have shown that 34 kDa Shigella flexneri 2a outer membrane protein has a role in eliciting immune responses. When injected parentarally this protein gives significant protection against challenge with virulent Shigella flexneri 2a. Macrophages activated with the 34 kDa protein resulted in the dose dependent production of nitric oxide, the highly reactive free radical responsible for killing of invading bacterial pathogen. Also, treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages with the 34 kDa protein showed dose dependent increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-12. However, there was no dose dependent increase in interleukin-10 production. These data indicated that the 34 kDa outer membrane protein has the ability to modulate the protective immune response against the invading bacterial pathogen, mainly through TH1 mediated pathway. So, the 34 kDa outer mebrane protein can be one of the major components for developing subunit vaccine against shigellosis.