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Protein and antigen profiles of prevalent serovars of Leptospira interrogans
J A Brown1, R B LeFebvre, M J Pan
1VM Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis 95616.
Abstract:
Whole-cell and detergent-soluble proteins, enriched for outer membrane antigens, of the Leptospira interrogans serovars present in commercially available pentavalent vaccines (hardjo, pomona, icterohaemorrhagiae, grippotyphosa, and canicola) were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting (immunoblotting). Protein and antigenic profiles of these serovars, representing several serogroups, were compared with similar profiles of the most common North American bovine pathogen, serovar hardjo type hardjo bovis. The reference strain of serovar balcanica and a hardjoprajitno bovine field isolate (serovar hardjo) were also assayed. Coomassie blue-stained gels revealed extensive protein similarities, and Western blots demonstrated antigenic relatedness throughout the low- and high-molecular-weight regions. Possible quantitative differences in protein expression among the strains were noted, as were similarities in the protein profiles of type hardjo bovis and the balcanica reference strain. A cocktail composed of these homologous antigens may serve as an efficacious subunit vaccine for leptospirosis.
Insights
Pentavalent vaccines contain Leptospira interrogans serovars with shared protein and antigenic profiles. This suggests a potential subunit vaccine cocktail for leptospirosis using these homologous antigens.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Immunology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease affecting livestock and humans.
- Commercial pentavalent vaccines contain specific Leptospira interrogans serovars.
- Understanding antigenic similarities is crucial for vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the protein and antigenic profiles of Leptospira interrogans serovars in pentavalent vaccines.
- To assess the relatedness of these serovars to North American bovine pathogens.
- To evaluate the potential of homologous antigens for subunit vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for protein separation.
- Western blotting (immunoblotting) to analyze antigenic profiles.
- Comparison of protein and antigen profiles across multiple serovars and strains.
Main Results:
- Extensive protein similarities were observed among the assayed Leptospira interrogans serovars.
- Antigenic relatedness was demonstrated across various molecular weight regions.
- Similarities were noted between serovar hardjo type hardjo bovis and the serovar balcanica reference strain.
Conclusions:
- The Leptospira interrogans serovars in pentavalent vaccines exhibit significant protein and antigenic overlap.
- Homologous antigens from these serovars could form the basis of an effective subunit vaccine.
- Further research into quantitative protein expression differences may refine vaccine strategies.