Oral immunization with attenuated Salmonella expressing human sperm antigen induces antibodies in serum and the reproductive tract

Biol Reprod. 1995 Aug;53(2):462-71. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod53.2.462.

Abstract

Induction of immune responses in the reproductive tract will be crucial for a functional gamete antigen-based antifertility vaccine. Here we describe the construction and development of an avirulent Salmonella as an oral vaccine delivery vector to elicit sperm-specific immune responses in reproductive tract secretions. A cDNA sequence encoding the human sperm antigen SP10 was cloned on an asd+vector and expressed to a high level in an avirulent delta cya, delta crp, and delta asd vaccine strain of Salmonella typhimurium. Oral immunization of female BALB/c mice with this recombinant Salmonella elicited high-titer anti-SP10 IgG antibodies in serum and IgA antibodies in vaginal secretions. Anti-SP10 antibody titers could be increased by secondary and tertiary oral administrations of the recombinant Salmonella. Induction of sperm-specific antibodies in the reproductive tract following oral administration of a recombinant Salmonella could lead to the development of a simple, safe, efficient, and easy-to-use antifertility vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Antigens / genetics*
  • Antigens / immunology*
  • Contraception, Immunologic
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / genetics*
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization*
  • Immunoglobulin A / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Vagina / immunology

Substances

  • ACRV1 protein, human
  • Acrv1 protein, mouse
  • Antibodies
  • Antigens
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Vaccines, Synthetic