Mucosal vaccination with pili from Group A Streptococcus expressed on Lactococcus lactis generates protective immune responses

Abstract The human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS) produces pili that are involved in adhesion and colonisation of the host. These surface-exposed pili are immunogenic and therefore represent an attractive target for vaccine development. The pilus is encoded in the genomic region known as the f...

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Autores principales: Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Natalie Lorenz, Catherine J.-Y. Tsai, Adrina Hema J. Khemlani, Thomas Proft
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Nature Portfolio 2017
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/efa58e577bca4160909851cb9564e2f3
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Sumario:Abstract The human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS) produces pili that are involved in adhesion and colonisation of the host. These surface-exposed pili are immunogenic and therefore represent an attractive target for vaccine development. The pilus is encoded in the genomic region known as the fibronectin-collagen-T-antigen (FCT)-region, of which at least nine different types have been identified. In this study we investigate expressing two of the most common FCT-types (FCT-3 and FCT-4) in the food-grade bacteria Lactococcus lactis for use as a mucosal vaccine. We show that mucosally delivered L. lactis expressing GAS pili generates specific antibody responses in rabbits. Rabbit anti-pilus antibodies were shown to have both a neutralising effect on bacterial adhesion, and immunised rabbit antiserum was able to facilitate immune-mediated killing of bacteria via opsonophagocytosis. Furthermore, intranasal immunisation of mice improved clearance rates of GAS after nasopharyngeal challenge. These results demonstrate the potential for a novel, pilus-based vaccine to protect against GAS infections.