Truncated abrin A chain expressed in Escherichia coli: a promising vaccine candidate

Abrin toxin (AT) is a highly potent toxin, and is classified as one of the most important biological warfare and bioterrorism agents. There is currently no approved vaccine for AT. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine is important in the prevention of intoxication by abrin. In this study, five vectors containing different gene of truncated abrin toxin A chain (tATA) fragments were constructed, and two of them (tATA1(1-126), tATA4(1-188)) were successfully expressed as a soluble form in E.coli strain. Both of the two tATA retained most of their immunogenicity with either low or no toxic effects as determined by both in vitro and in vivo assays. They were used to immunize BALB/c mice three times at an interval of three weeks apart. As a result, the tATA1 can elicite 80% protective efficacy against i.p. challenge of 5×LD50 of abrin, and the tATA4 provides a better protection, which can elicite 100% protective efficacy against intraperitoneal challenge of 40×LD50 of abrin. The superior fragment (tATA4(1-188)) should be considered as a promising vaccine candidate for further investigations.