The urease E subunit vaccine stimulate the immune response versus Helicobacter pylori in animal model

Immunol Res. 2025 Apr 22;73(1):74. doi: 10.1007/s12026-025-09625-6.

Abstract

There is a strong association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the occurrence of gastritis and gastric mucosal lymphoma in the human population. Vaccination is a viable preventive measure in light of the escalating issue of antibiotic resistance. The use of DNA vaccines presents a potentially effective approach. This study used the utilization of antigenic H. pylori urease E subunit (UreE) for the development of a DNA vaccine. The UreE gene was chemically cloned into pIRES2-DsRed-Express (pDNA), and PCR and restriction enzyme digestion verified the cloning. The immunogenicity and immune-protective efficacy of the vaccination were assessed in BALB/c mice. In contrast, blood samples from BALB/c mice inoculated with pDNA-UreE showed higher levels of IgG, IFN-γ, IL- 4, and IL- 17. Furthermore, stomach damage and bacterial loads were reduced, and BALB/c mice inoculated with pDNA-UreE exhibited a significant protection rate (87.5%) against the H. pylori challenge. pDNA-UreE generated a combination of Th1-Th2-Th17 immune responses, perhaps contributing to adequate protection. Based on our findings, using this DNA immunization as a preventive measure against H. pylori infection is a viable approach.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; DNA vaccine; Urease E subunit.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bacterial Proteins* / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins* / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines* / genetics
  • Bacterial Vaccines* / immunology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections* / immunology
  • Helicobacter Infections* / prevention & control
  • Helicobacter pylori* / immunology
  • Helicobacter pylori* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Urease* / genetics
  • Urease* / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA* / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA* / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology

Substances

  • Urease
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin G