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Protection against Escherichia coli O157:H7 challenge by immunization of mice with purified Tir proteins

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Abstract

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infections cause serious public health problems worldwide. The translocation intimin receptor (Tir) is responsible for adhesion and attaching and effacing lesions. In the current study, we used a mitomycin-treated mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous vs intranasal administration of the recombinant Tir as vaccine. Following immunization, mice were infected with E. coli O157:H7 and faces were monitored for shedding. Mice immunized intrasally with purified Tir proteins produced higher IgG and IgA titers in serum and feces, resulting in significant reductions in fecal shedding of EHEC O157 and higher a survival rate (92.9%), compared with subcutaneous or control immunizations. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of Tir proteins in mucosal vaccine formulations to prevent colonization and shedding of E. coli O157:H7. Therefore, purified Tir protects mice against EHEC challenge after intranasal immunization and is worth further clinical development as a vaccine candidate.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Dean of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University (no. GW200801-039).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China

    Hong-ying Fan, Jun Luo & Bei-guo Long

  2. Experimental Center for Basic Medical Teaching, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China

    Ling Wang

Authors
  1. Hong-ying Fan
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  2. Ling Wang
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  3. Jun Luo
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  4. Bei-guo Long
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bei-guo Long.

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Hong-ying Fan and Ling Wang contributed equally to this work.

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Fan, Hy., Wang, L., Luo, J. et al. Protection against Escherichia coli O157:H7 challenge by immunization of mice with purified Tir proteins. Mol Biol Rep 39, 989–997 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-011-0824-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-011-0824-0

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