NanH and PknG putative virulence factors as a recombinant subunit immunogen against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in mice

• Published in: Vaccine 2020-12, Vol.38 (51), p.8099-8106
• Main Authors: Thais de Oliveira Silva, Mara, Barros de Pinho, Rodrigo, da Rocha Fonseca, Bárbara, Silvestre Brilhante Bezerra, Francisco, Severo Sabedra Sousa, Fernanda, Kommling Seixas, Fabiana, Collares, Tiago, José Meyer Nascimento, Roberto, Wagner Portela, Ricardo, Ariston Carvalho Azevedo, Vasco, Borsuk, Sibele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscesses; Animal models; Animals; Antibodies; Antigens; Bacterial Vaccines; Caseous lymphadenitis; Cellular response; CLA; Corynebacterium Infections - prevention & control; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis - genetics; Cytokines; E coli; Enzymes; Gene expression; Genes; Immune response; Immune response (humoral); Immune system; Immunization; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoprophylaxis; Interferon; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 12; Interleukin 4; Kinases; Lymphadenitis; Lymphadenitis - prevention & control; Lymphocytes T; Mice; Neuraminidase H; Protein kinase G; Proteins; Pseudotuberculosis; Saline solutions; Saponins; Survival; Vaccines; Virulence; Virulence factors; Virulence Factors - genetics; γ-Interferon
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.11.010

•Mice immunized with rNanH+saponin (G2) exhibited a survival rate of 60%.•Mice immunized with rPknG+saponin (G3) exhibited a survival rate of 20%.•G2 showed the best protection against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis challenge.•rNanH induced significant production of IgG2a antibodies.•rNanH induced significant production of cytokines related to a Th1 immune response. Despite the economic and zoonotic relevance of caseous lymphadenitis, a competent immunoprophylaxis tool is still necessary. Here, we evaluated two putative virulence factors of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, rNanH, and rPknG, as recombinant subunit vaccines in a murine model against the infection by C. pseudotuberculosis. Three groups of ten Balb/c mice each were inoculated with a sterile 0.9% saline solution (G1), rNanH (G2), or rPknG (G3) in formulations containing saponin as an adjuvant. The mice received two vaccine doses intercalated by a 21-day interval and were challenged with 2 × 104 CFU/mL of the C. pseudotuberculosis MIC–6 strain 21 days after the last immunization. The total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a production levels increased significantly in the experimental groups (G2 and G3) on day 42. The highest levels of IgG2a antibodies in G2 and G3 were observed compared to IgG1 levels. G3 showed a significant (p