PspA family fusion proteins delivered by attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium extend and enhance protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Infect Immun. 2009 Oct;77(10):4518-28. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00486-09. Epub 2009 Aug 17.

Abstract

Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is highly immunogenic and can induce a protective immune response against pneumococcal infection. PspA is divided into two major families based on serological variability: family 1 and family 2. To provide broad protection, PspA proteins from pneumococcal strains Rx1 (family 1) and EF5668 (family 2) were combined to form two PspA fusion proteins, PspA/Rx1-EF5668 and PspA/EF5668-Rx1. Each protein was fused to a type II secretion signal and delivered by a recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV). Both PspA/Rx1-EF5668 and PspA/EF5668-Rx1 were synthesized in the RASV and secreted into the periplasm and supernatant. The fusion proteins reacted strongly with both anti-PspA/Rx1 and anti-PspA/EF5668 antisera. Oral immunization of BALB/c mice with RASV synthesizing either PspA fusion protein elicited serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA responses against both families of PspA. Analysis of IgG isotypes (IgG2a and IgG1) indicated a strong Th1 bias to the immune responses to both proteins. Sera from mice immunized with RASV synthesizing PspA/Rx1-EF5668 bound to the surface and directed C3 complement deposition on representative strains from all five PspA clades. Immunization with RASV synthesizing either protein protected mice against intraperitoneal challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae WU2 strain (family 1), intravenous challenge with S. pneumoniae 3JYP2670 strain (family 2), and intranasal challenge with S. pneumoniae A66.1 (family 1). The PspA/Rx1-EF5668 protein elicited significantly greater protection than PspA/EF5668-Rx1, PspA/Rx1, or PspA/EF5668. These results indicate an RASV synthesizing a PspA fusion protein representing both PspA families constitutes an effective antipneumococcal vaccine, extending and enhancing protection against multiple strains of S. pneumoniae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pneumococcal Infections / immunology
  • Pneumococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / genetics
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / immunology*
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • pneumococcal surface protein A