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Published on: January 27, 2015
Hybrid phage displaying SLAQVKYTSASSI induces protection against Candida albicans challenge in BALB/c mice
Yicun Wang1, Quanping Su1, Shuai Dong1
1Institute of Genetics and Cytology; School of Life Sciences; Northeast Normal University; Changchun City, Jilin Province, PR China.
Abstract:
The polymorphic fungus Candida albicans (C. albicans) can live as an aggressive pathogen and cause many diseases in hosts, for which no effective vaccine exists. The secreted aspartyl proteinase 2 (Sap2) plays a protective role in systemically infected BALB/c mice. Protective cellular immune responses can be preferentially induced when antigens are displayed on small particles. Therefore, the emphasis is placed on developing new phage vaccine to inhibit C. albicans infection. In this study, the ability of the hybrid phage displaying the epitope SLAQVKYTSASSI and recombinant protein of Sap2 (rSap2) for inducing immune protective responses against C. albicans infection was evaluated by lymphoproliferative assay, to gather cytokine and antibody measurements in BALB/c mice. Our results showed that, strong cellular and humoral immune responses were induced in a mouse model immunized with hybrid phage or rSap2. Furthermore, the protection against lethal challenge with C. albicans was observed in mice vaccinated hybrid phage without adjuvant. These findings demonstrate that the hybrid phage displaying the epitope SLAQVKYTSASSI might be a potential vaccine against C. albicans infections.
Insights
A novel phage vaccine displaying a Candida albicans epitope induced strong immune responses and protection against lethal infection in mice. This suggests a promising new vaccine strategy for C. albicans infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing significant disease, with no effective vaccine currently available.
- The secreted aspartyl proteinase 2 (Sap2) from C. albicans has shown a protective role in experimental infections.
- Antigen presentation on small particles, like phages, can enhance cellular immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a hybrid phage displaying a C. albicans epitope (SLAQVKYTSASSI) and recombinant Sap2 (rSap2) against C. albicans infection in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were immunized with the hybrid phage or rSap2.
- Immune responses were assessed using lymphoproliferative assays, cytokine measurements, and antibody quantification.
- Vaccinated mice were challenged with a lethal dose of C. albicans to evaluate protection.
Main Results:
- Immunization with the hybrid phage or rSap2 induced robust cellular and humoral immune responses.
- Mice vaccinated with the hybrid phage showed significant protection against a lethal C. albicans challenge, even without adjuvant.
- Both methods stimulated measurable cytokine production and antibody generation.
Conclusions:
- The hybrid phage displaying the SLAQVKYTSASSI epitope is a potential candidate for a novel vaccine against Candida albicans infections.
- Phage-based vaccines offer a promising platform for inducing protective immunity against fungal pathogens.
- Further research into optimizing phage display technology for vaccine development is warranted.
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