Sequential B-cell epitopes of Bacillus anthracis lethal factor bind lethal toxin-neutralizing antibodies

Infect Immun. 2009 Jan;77(1):162-9. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00788-08. Epub 2008 Nov 3.

Abstract

The bipartite anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) consisting of protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF) is a major virulence factor contributing to death from systemic Bacillus anthracis infection. The current vaccine elicits antibodies directed primarily to PA; however, in experimental settings serologic responses to LF can neutralize LeTx and contribute to protection against infection. The goals of the present study were to identify sequential B-cell epitopes of LF and to determine the capacity of these determinants to bind neutralizing antibodies. Sera of recombinant LF-immunized A/J mice exhibited high titers of immunoglobulin G anti-LF reactivity that neutralized LeTx in vitro 78 days after the final booster immunization and protected the mice from in vivo challenge with 3 50% lethal doses of LeTx. These sera bound multiple discontinuous epitopes, and there were major clusters of reactivity on native LF. Strikingly, all three neutralizing, LF-specific monoclonal antibodies tested bound specific peptide sequences that coincided with sequential epitopes identified in polyclonal antisera from recombinant LF-immunized mice. This study confirms that LF induces high-titer protective antibodies in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the binding of short LF peptides by LF-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies suggests that generation of protective antibodies by peptide vaccination may be feasible for this antigen. This study paves the way for a more effective anthrax vaccine by identifying discontinuous peptide epitopes of LF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / prevention & control
  • Anthrax Vaccines / immunology
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Bacillus anthracis / immunology*
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred A
  • Neutralization Tests

Substances

  • Anthrax Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • anthrax toxin