Vaccine potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O-polysaccharide-toxin A conjugates

Serologically reactive O-polysaccharide from nine serotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were covalently linked to toxin A via reductive amination, with adipic acid dihydrazide serving as a spacer molecule. The conjugates were composed of toxin A/O-polysaccharide ratios ranging from 1.17:1 to 3:1. All possessed an average Mr of greater than 10(6), were devoid of ADP ribosyltransferase activity associated with toxin A, and were nontoxic for mice and guinea pigs. The conjugates were stable from toxic reversion when stored at 37 degrees C for 28 days. The conjugation condition used preserved a substantial proportion of critical epitopes on the toxin A molecule as shown by the ability of toxin A-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to react with the various conjugates. All nine conjugates were capable of evoking an antitoxin A and an antilipopolysaccharide immunoglobulin G (IgG) response in mice and rabbits. Rabbit antitoxin A IgG was capable of neutralizing the cytotoxic effect of toxin A, whereas mice immunized with any of the conjugates were protected against toxin A intoxication. Rabbit anti-conjugate IgG, when passively transferred to mice, was highly effective at preventing fatal P. aeruginosa burn wound sepsis.