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Genetically Engineered Virus Nanofibers as an Efficient Vaccine for Preventing Fungal Infection
Yanyan Huai1,2, Shuai Dong1, Ye Zhu2
1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, 130024, China.
Abstract:
Candida albicans (CA) is a kind of fungus that can cause high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, preventing CA infection in these patients is still a daunting challenge. Herein, inspired from the fact that immunization with secreted aspartyl proteinases 2 (Sap2) can prevent the infection, it is proposed to use filamentous phage, a human-safe virus nanofiber specifically infecting bacteria (≈900 nm long and 7 nm wide), to display an epitope peptide of Sap2 (EPS, with a sequence of Val-Lys-Tyr-Thr-Ser) on its side wall and thus serve as a vaccine for preventing CA infection. The engineered virus nanofibers and recombinant Sap2 (rSap2) are then separately used to immunize mice. The humoral and cellular immune responses in the immunized mice are evaluated. Surprisingly, the virus nanofibers significantly induce mice to produce strong immune response as rSap2 and generate antibodies that can bind Sap2 and CA to inhibit the CA infection. Consequently, immunization with the virus nanofibers in mice dramatically increases the survival rate of CA-infected mice. All these results, along with the fact that the virus nanofibers can be mass-produced by infecting bacteria cost-effectively, suggest that virus nanofibers displaying EPS can be a vaccine candidate against fungal infection.
Insights
Filamentous phage displaying a Candida albicans (CA) epitope peptide act as a novel vaccine. This engineered virus nanofiber vaccine effectively prevents CA infection and increases survival rates in mice.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Nanotechnology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Candida albicans (CA) poses a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals, causing high morbidity and mortality.
- Preventing CA infections in vulnerable populations remains a critical challenge in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel vaccine strategy against Candida albicans infection using engineered filamentous phage.
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy of filamentous phage displaying a Sap2 epitope peptide (EPS) as a potential anti-fungal vaccine.
Main Methods:
- Engineered filamentous phage to display the Sap2 epitope peptide (EPS) on their surface.
- Immunized mice with engineered phage and recombinant Sap2 (rSap2) to assess immune responses.
- Evaluated humoral and cellular immunity, antibody binding to Sap2 and CA, and survival rates post-CA infection.
Main Results:
- Virus nanofibers induced strong immune responses comparable to rSap2.
- Generated antibodies effectively bound Sap2 and CA, inhibiting fungal infection.
- Immunization significantly increased survival rates in CA-infected mice.
Conclusions:
- Engineered filamentous phage displaying EPS show promise as a cost-effective vaccine candidate against fungal infections.
- This nanotechnology-based approach offers a novel strategy for preventing Candida albicans infections.
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