[Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of pertactin recombinants against Bordetella bronchiseptica challenge]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Vaccine Development

Background:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) causes significant respiratory disease in various animal species.
• Pertactin (PRN) is a key virulence factor of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica.
• Developing effective subunit vaccines against bordetellosis is crucial for animal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of five pertactin recombinants against Bordetella bronchiseptica challenge.
• To compare the survival rates of mice immunized with different pertactin fragments.
• To assess the potential of these recombinants as components of novel subunit vaccines.

Main Methods:

• Cloning and expression of five pertactin gene fragments (PRN, PN, PC, 2PR I, 2PR II) in E. coli.
• Purification and characterization of recombinant proteins (GST-PRN, GST-PN, GST-PC, GST-2PR I, GST-2PR II).
• Immunization of mice with purified recombinant proteins and subsequent challenge with virulent Bb.

Main Results:

• All five recombinant proteins elicited PRN-specific IgG antibody responses in mice.
• Mice immunized with GST-PC showed better survival rates against Bb challenge compared to those immunized with GST-PN.
• GST-2PR II and GST-2PR I also demonstrated significant protective efficacy, with varying survival rates observed across different challenge models.

Conclusions:

• The five pertactin recombinants exhibit differential immunogenicity and protective capabilities against Bb.
• GST-PC appears to be a promising candidate for developing subunit vaccines against bordetellosis.
• These findings support the development of safe and effective pertactin-based vaccines for preventing bordetellosis.