Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is considered to be an attractive candidate for development of protective HCV vaccines. However, this protein may attenuate the induction of systemic immune responses due to its immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we constructed a HCV core gene-containing eukaryotic expression plamid pCI-C, and an in vivo-inducible prokaryotic expression plasmid pZW-C, and transformed the recombinant plasmids into an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium aroA strain SL7207. The resulting bacterial strains SL7207/pCI-C and SL7207/pZW-C were used to orally immunize BALB/c mice, and the immune responses specific to HCV core protein were assessed. Immunization with the recombinant bacteria SL7207/pCI-C led to a persistent drop in percentage of CD3 CD4 T cells, and induced a weak anti-core IgG production. Splenocytes from SL7207/pCI-C immunized mice developed a relatively weak proliferation response and inferior cytotoxic activity compared to those from the mice immunized with bacteria SL7207/pZW-C. Boost immunization with SL7207/ pCI-C yielded limited improvement in immune strength, while the boost with bacteria SL7207/pZW-C significantly enhanced the immune response. These results suggest that de novo synthesis of native HCV core protein may blunt the induction of immune responses. Attenuated S. typhimurium carrying HCV core protein could efficiently activate systemic cellular and humoral responses, and may be a promising strategy for the development of core-based HCV vaccines.
Animals ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology

In order to develop a recombinant attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as oral live vaccine vector, we constructed recombinant plasmid pYA-sopENt100 by replacing the trc promoter with the sopE promoter and secretion signal sequence sopENt100 of Salmonella typhimurium on the basis of plasmid pYA3493. Then, the complementary plasmid pYA-sopENt100 was transformed into ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 by electroporation to generate attenuated Salmonella typhimurium type III secretion system ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100). We further characterized ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100). We also constructed a recombinant strain ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100-egfp) that harbored the reporter gene-enhanced green fluorescent protein (egfp) gene. Vero cells were infected with ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100-egfp) and the ability of delivery foreign antigens was tested via Western blotting analysis. The results of PCR, enzyme digestion and sequencing showed that the ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100) type III secretion system was constructed successfully. The serotype of ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100) was identical to ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 and SL1344. Compared with wild strain SL1344, the biochemical characteristics of ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100) had obvious change, but it was basically the same with ΔcrpΔasdSL1344. The growth speed was much slower than that of the wild strain SL1344. The chicken virulence test (LD₅₀) showed that the virulence of ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100) was 7×10⁴ times lower than SL1344. In addition, we observed the 37 kDa SopENt100-egfp protein in the cultured supernatant of ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100-egfp) strain by Western blotting analysis. However, both the 37 kDa SopENt100-egfp protein and 27 kDa EGFP protein were detected in ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100-egfp)-infected Vero cells. These results demonstrated that the recombinant Salmonella typhimurium type III secretion system ΔcrpΔasdSL1344 (pYA-sopENt100) was successfully constructed, and it should be used as a live vaccine vector for expressing foreign genes.
Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; Type III Secretion Systems ; genetics ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; genetics ; Vero Cells ; Virulence

Mice and 3-day-old chickens were orally inoculated with the recombinant attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain ZJ111 carrying pcDNA3-F expression plasmid encoding the fusion protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The results showed that ZJ111/pcDNA3-F was relatively safe. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-F was stable within the host stain ZJ111 in vitro and in vivo as shown by restriction enzyme analysis and PCR identification of the F gene. In an experimental vaccination study, 3-day-old chickens were orally immunized with ZJ111/pcDNA3-F with a dose of 108 cfu per chicken and boosted two weeks later. At week 4 post boosting, all chickens were challenged with a lethal dose of a virulent NDV strain F48 E9. The results showed that oral vaccination with ZJ111/pcDNA3-F induced stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than intramuscular immunization with naked pcDNA3-F plasmid. It also exhibited higher protection rate than the latter (66.7% vs 50%). This study indicates that the DNA vaccine using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as delivery carrier had good safety, stability and immunogenicity and exhibited good potential of low cost and convenience for poultry disease control.
Animals ; Chickens ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Immunity, Humoral ; immunology ; Mice ; Newcastle Disease ; immunology ; virology ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vaccines, DNA ; adverse effects ; genetics ; immunology

Mutagenicity of CORAGRAF (natural coral) and REKAGRAF (hydroxyapatite) was tested in Ames test with and without an external metabolic activation system (S9). The test revealed no mutagenic activity of both locally produced osseous substitutes.
Base Pair Mismatch/drug effects ; Biotransformation/physiology ; Bone Substitutes/*toxicity ; Calcium Carbonate/*toxicity ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Hydroxyapatites/*toxicity ; *Materials Testing ; *Mutagenicity Tests ; Salmonella typhimurium/genetics

The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression plasmid was transformed into an attenuated AroA- autotrophic mutant of Salmonella typhimurium SL7207, the resultant bacteria was administered orally to BALB/c mice. EGFP expressed in spleen cells was detected by flow cytometry. A DNA vaccine encoding HBV large envelope protein was immunized BALB/c mice by oral delivery through SL7207 or by direct intramuscular injection. The serum antibodies, T lymphocyte proliferative response and cytotoxic T lymphocyte response of mice were detected. The results showed that both DNA immunization methods could induce cellular and humoral immune responses, whereas oral vaccination elicited stronger immune responses than intramuscular vaccination did. Therefor, oral administration with HBV DNA vaccine using attenuated Salmonella may be a simple and effective method for the therapy of hepatitis B.
Animals ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

The fusion protein (F) gene of Newcastle disease virus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the recombinant plasmid pVAX1-F, and subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pmcDNA3. 1+. The F gene was identified by sequencing. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL7207, and the recombinant was designated as SL7207 (pmcDNA3. 1-F). In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the plasmid stability of pmcDNA3. 1-F was apparently higher than that of pcDNA3. 1-F in SL7207. In order to compare the immune response induced by these two re combinant bacteria, BALB/c mice were immunized orally with them at the dosage of 2 x 10(9) CFU respectively. Both SL7207(pcDNA3. 1-F) and SL7207(pmcDNA3. 1-F) initiated F-specific serum and mucosal antibodies in immunized mice. Furthermore, 4-day-old SPF chickens were immunized with SL7207(pcDNA3. 1-F) and SL7207(pmcDNA3. 1-F) at the dosage of 5 x 10(9) CFU and boosted two weeks later with the same dosage. Humoral and intestinal mucosal immune responses were observed and their levels were significantly higher than that of negative and positive controls. The result of protective efficacy showed that the chickens immunized with SL7207(pmcDNA3. 1-F) had the protective rate of 70.0%, higher than that of the SL7207 (pcDNA3. 1-F) with 50.0%. In summary, the DNA vaccine delivered by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium has good immunogenicity. A novel mucosal DNA vaccine has been developed and could be useful for controlling the infection and epidemic of Newcastle disease in the poultry.
Animals ; Chickens ; Female ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Newcastle disease virus ; immunology ; Plasmids ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Cells, Cultured ; Coal ; toxicity ; Dust ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Mutagens ; toxicity ; Mutation ; drug effects ; Salmonella typhimurium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Sister Chromatid Exchange ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo increase the immune effect of gene vaccine, T7 RNA polymerase was used to establish a system of cytoplasmic expression.

METHODS(1) The plasmid pT7 EMCVP1, including T7 promoter sequence, 5'-untranslated sequence of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus, VP1 sequence of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), was cotransfected with the plasmid pAR 3132, which codes for the T7 RNA polymerase, into HeLa cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. (2) The plasmid pT7 EMCVP1 and pAR 3132 were respectively transformed into the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL 7207. The two kinds of transformed bacteria were coinfected into murine peritoneal macrophages.

RESULTS(1) The target antigen VP1 in the cytoplasm was about 2-4-fold higher than that of pcDNA3 VP1 singly transfected. (2) After the murine peritoneal macrophages were coinfected by two kinds of transformed bacteria, the target antigen VP1 could also be detected.

CONCLUSIONThe pT7 EMCVP1 and pAR 3132 could be expressed in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells and murine peritoneal macrophages and the amount of the antigen VP1 increased remarkably as compared with that of pcDNA3 VP1 singly transfected.

Animals ; Bacteriophage T7 ; genetics ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enterovirus B, Human ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; Transfection

To examine if polyprotein gene (VP2/VP4/VP3) of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) could be delivered into mammalian cells and expressed using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as vector. The IBDV polyprotein gene was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted in to pCI, an eukaryotic expression plasmid. The resulting recombinant pCI-VP2/VP4/VP3 was transformed by electroporation into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain ZJ111 (dam- and phoP-), which was then use to transfect the Vero cells. Gene specific RT-PCR revealed that VP2/VP4/VP3 was transcribed into mRNA in the Vero cells. Indirect immunofluorscence assay, SDS-PAGE and Western-blot analysis showed that VP2/VP4/VP3 was expressed and the product was immuno-reactive with anti-IBDV serum. This work provides essential precondition for developing a new oral DNA vaccine against IBDV.
Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Electroporation ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyproteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vero Cells ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

To construct a non-resistance and attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain which expresses conservative region of adhesin(AB) of Helicobacter pylori(Hp). The AB gene was amplified by PCR and inserted into the expression vector pYA248 containing asd gene and was introduceded into the delta Cya, delta Crp, delta Asd attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain by twice transformations, which is a balanced lethal recombinant. Bridged ELISA method was used to measure AB expressed in sonicate and culture supernatant. According to Meacock's way and growth curve, stability of the recombinant is evaluated. Semi-lethal capacity test was used to evaluate the safty of recombinant. Results showed S. typhimurium X4072(pYA248-AB) was constructed successfully, recombinant X4072(pYA248- AB) content of supernatant serum was higher than that of thallus lytic liquor confirmed by bridged ELISA, and after recombinant pYA248- AB cultured 100 generation without selection pressure, all the recombinant germ selected randomly can grow, and the AB antigen was positive by ELISA detection. The growth curve of the recombinant germ showed that the growth state of X4072(pYA248) and X4072(pYA248- AB) were coincidence on the whole, and the survival rate of C57BL/6 was still 100%, 30 days after taking X4072(pYA248- AB) 1.0 x 10(10)cfu. orally. Non-resistance S. typhimurium X4072(pYA248- AB) was constructed successfully. The recombinant plasmid was stable indicated by in vitro experiment. And the recombinant strain was safe confirmed by animal experiment. This live vaccine strain is worthy to be considered as a new live oral vaccine candidate against Hp infection.
Adhesins, Bacterial ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism