Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Ahmad Karimi Rahjerdi 1
- Mahyat Jafari 1
- Mohammad Javad Motamedi 2
- Jafar Amani 3
- Ali Hatef Salmanian 1
1 Department of Plant Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
2 Green Gene Company, Tehran, Iran
3 Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under five. Two strains of E. coli, namely Enterotoxigenic, ETEC and Enterohemorrhagic EHEC are the most important causes of this disease in developing countries. EHEC is a major causative agent of bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic uremic syndrome, while ETEC is the most important cause of diarrhea in neonates and travelers. Objective: To evaluate the immunologic properties of a subunit vaccine candidate comprising the main immunogenic epitopes from these two bacterial strains. Methods: The construct comprised of LTB and CfaB antigens from ETEC, and Intimin and Stx2B antigens from EHEC, was designed, analyzed and synthesized using bioinformatics methods. The chimeric gene was sub-cloned in the expression vector and expressed in E. coli host. The purified chimera protein was injected subcutaneously into the experimental animals. The production of specific antibodies was confirmed by immunological methods, and the protection capacity was evaluated by the challenge of immunized mice with the pathogenic bacteria. Results: Chimeric recombinant protein was able to increase IgG titer. Neutralization assay indicated that the antibodies generated against LtB moiety were able to neutralize ETEC toxin. In animal challenge study, all non-immune mice died within 3 days after the injection of toxin, but all immunized mice survived from Stx toxin. Conclusion: The immunity to both ETEC and EHEC bacteria is significant, and this structure can be considered as a candidate for vaccine production against these bacterial strains.
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