Una vacuna de vesículas de membrana externa de Vibrio cholerae es aún una promesa: Caracterización proteómica / Outer membrane vesicle vaccine from Vibrio cholerae is still a promise: Proteomic characterization

Las epidemias de cólera afectan a un gran número de países africanos, asiáticos y del Caribe. Los cambios climatológicos y las constantes migraciones hacen que esta enfermedad se extienda, por lo que resulta necesario disponer de vacunas protectoras. En el presente trabajo se caracterizó una nueva vacuna de vesículas de membrana externa (VMEs) obtenidas de Vibrio cholerae O1 biotipo El Tor serotipo Ogawa cepa C7258, en el Instituto Finlay de vacunas (Cuba), a través de métodos proteómicos. Se identificaron 53 proteínas presentes en las VME (4 proteínas por banda electroforética) separadas por electroforesis unidimensional (1D) y digeridas con tripsina. Los fragmentos obtenidos fueron separados por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC) acoplada a espectrometría de masa, secuenciados e identificados mediante bases de datos de proteínas Swiss-Prot y TrEMBL. El patrón proteico obtenido presentó algunas de las proteínas (12 proteínas citoplasmáticas y 5 proteínas de membrana externa) sugeridas dentro del proteoma de buena calidad para candidatos vacunales. Se estudiaron las mejores condiciones para la separación de las proteínas a través de electroforesis bidimensional. Las VME evaluadas cuentan con una composición fundamentada en proteínas necesarias para garantizar una respuesta inmune que proteja contra Vibrio cholerae O1 biotipo El Tor serotipo Ogawa.

Cholera epidemics affect a large number of African, Asian and Caribbean countries. The climate changes and the constant migrations cause this disease to spread, making it is necessary to obtain protective vaccines. In the present work, a new vaccine of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from V. cholerae O1 El Tor biotype Ogawa serotype strain C7258 at Finlay Institute of vaccines (Cuba) was characterized by proteomic methods. A total of 53 proteins present in the OMV (approximate ratio of 4 proteins by electrophoresis band) were identified, separated by one dimension electrophoresis and digested by tripsin method. The fragments were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry, sequenced and identified, using Swiss-Prot and TrEMBL protein databases. The pattern showed some proteins (12 cytoplasmic proteins and 5 outer membrane proteins) suggested within the highest quality proteome for vaccine candidate. The best conditions for proteins separation by two dimension electrophoresis were studied. The OMV composition was based on proteins described to the immunity response and protection against V. cholerae O1 El Tor biotype Ogawa serotype.

As epidemias de cólera afetam um grande número de países africanos, asiáticos e caribenhos. As mudanças climáticas e as constantes migrações fazem com que esta doença se espalhe, portanto é necessário ter vacinas protectoras. No presente trabalho, uma nova vacina de vesículas de membrana externa (VMEs) obtidas de Vibrio cholerae 01 biotipo El Tor sorotipo Ogawa cepa C7258, no Instituto de Vacinas Finlay (Cuba), através de métodos proteômicos. Foram identificadas 53 proteínas presentes nas VME (4 proteínas por banda eletroforética) separadas por eletroforese unidimensional (1D) e digeridas com tripsina. Os fragmentos obtidos foram separados por cromatografia de alta resolução (HPLC) acoplada a espectrometria de massa, sequenciados e identificados usando bancos de dados de proteínas Swiss-Prot e TrEMBL. O padrão proteico obtido apresentou algumas das proteínas (12 proteínas citoplasmáticas e 5 proteínas de membrana externa) sugeridas dentro do proteoma de boa qualidade para candidatos vacinais. As melhores condições para a separação de proteínas através de eletroforese bidimensional foram estudadas. As VME avaliados possuem uma composição baseada em proteínas necessárias para garantir uma resposta imune que proteja contra Vibrio cholerae O1 biotipo El Tor sorotipo Ogawa.

Outer membrane vesicles extracted from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X for prevention of meningococcal disease in Africa.

Meningococcal disease is caused mainly by serogroups A, B, C, Y, W of N. meningitidis. However, numerous cases of meningitis caused by serogroup X N. meningitidis (MenX) have recently been reported in several African countries. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines against this pathogen and most of the MenX cases have been caused by meningococci from clonal complex (c.c) 181. Detergent extracted meningococcal outer membrane vesicle (dOMV) vaccines have previously shown to be safe and effective against epidemics of serogroup B meningococcal disease in all age groups. The aim of this work is therefore to obtain, characterize and evaluate the vaccine potential of dOMVs derived from a MenX strain (OMVx). Three experimental lots of OMVx were prepared by deoxycholate extraction from the MenX strain BF 2/97. Size and morphology of the vesicles was determined by Dynamic Light Scattering and electron microscopy, whereas the antigenic composition was characterized by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. OMVx were thereafter adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (OMVx/AL) and two doses of OMVx were administered s.c. to groups of Balb/c mice three weeks apart. The immunogenicity and functional antibody activities in sera were evaluated by ELISA (anti-OMVx specific IgG responses) and serum bactericidal activity (SBA) assay. The size range of OMVx was shown to be between 90 and 120nm, whereas some of the antigens detected were the outer membrane proteins PorA, OpcA and RmpM. The OMVx/AL elicited high anti-OMVx antibody responses with bactericidal activity and no bactericidal activity was observed in the control group of no immunised mice. The results demonstrate that OMVx are immunogenic and could form part of a future vaccine to prevent the majority of meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt.

Combined meningococcal serogroup A and W135 outer-membrane vesicles activate cell-mediated immunity and long-term memory responses against non-covalent capsular polysaccharide A.

Outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) have inherent adjuvant properties, and many vaccines use OMV as vaccine components. Utilizing the adjuvant properties of OMV could lead to the formulation of vaccines that are less expensive and potentially more immunogenic than covalently conjugated polysaccharide vaccines. We evaluated the adjuvant effect in Balb/c mice of combinations of OMV from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and W135 as compared to that of the non-covalently conjugated capsular polysaccharide A. Both antigens were adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide. The mice were given a booster dose of plain polysaccharide A to stimulate an immunologic memory response. Subclasses determination and cytokine assays demonstrated the capacity of OMV to induce a IgG2a/IgG2b isotype profile and IFN-γ production, suggesting the induction of a Th1 pattern immune response. Lymphoproliferative responses to OMVs were high, with affinity maturation of antibodies observed. Bactericidal titers after the booster dose were also observed. Memory B cells and long-term memory T cells were also detected. The results of this study indicate that combined meningococcal serogroup A and W135 OMV can activate cell-mediated immunity and induce a long-term memory response.

Repeated dose toxicity study of Vibrio cholerae-loaded gastro-resistant microparticles.

CONTEXT: Microencapsulation of antigens has been extensively studied over the last decades aiming at improving the immunogenicity of vaccine candidates. OBJECTIVE: Addressing microparticles (MPs) toxicity in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spray-dried Eudragit® L 30 D-55 MPs and Eudragit® L 30 D-55 alginate MPs were elaborated and characterized. MPs obtained were administered to rats, three groups were defined: G1, control group; G2, administered with Vibrio cholerae (VC)-loaded MPs; G3, receiving VC-loaded alginate MPs. Animals received three vaccine doses. Body weight, food and water intake were controlled during the study. Haematological parameters, vibriocidal titres, organ weight and histology in necropsy were also analyzed. RESULTS: All animals grew healthy. Body weight gain, food and water intake and haematological parameters remained within physiological values, showing no treatment-related differences. Moreover, organ weight changes were not detected and animals developed protective vibriocidal titres. CONCLUSION: VC-loaded MPs and VC-loaded alginate MPs have proved to be safe and effective in the assessed conditions.

New proteoliposome vaccine formulation from N. meningitidis serogroup B, without aluminum hydroxide, retains its antimeningococcal protectogenic potential as well as Th-1 adjuvant capacity.

Proteoliposomes purified from the Outer Membrane of Neisseria meningitidis B, have been successfully used as core for adjuvants and vaccine formulations. We have tried to increase their structural definition and to conserve their efficacy and stability avoiding the addition of the aluminum hydroxide to the final formulation. Liposomal particle systems were prepared from components of defined molecular structure, such as a Neisseria meningitidis B protein complex, extracted and purified without forming vesicle structures. Liposomes were prepared from a mixture of dioleoyl phosphatidyl serine and cholesterol, using the classical dehydration-rehydration method. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the liposomes. BALB/c mice were used for animal testing procedures. Analysis of specific IgG response, serum bactericidal activity as well as DTH reaction was carried out. Isolation and purification of mRNA and real-time PCR, was performed to determine the dominating Th lymphokine pattern. The new antimeningococcal formulation without aluminum hydroxide prepared with components of defined molecular structure assembled itself into Neoproteoliposomes (NPL) ranging from 50 to 70 nm in diameter. The extraction and purification of selected membrane proteins to provide the antigen for this new formulation (PD-Tp), as well as the NPL-formulation favors a Th1 response pattern, suggested by the higher percentages of DTH, increased expression of proinflamatory lymphokine mRNAs when administered by intramuscular and intranasal routes. It stimulates a systemic bactericidal antibody response against Neisseria meningitidis B and immunologic memory similar to the Cuban VA-MENGOC-BC vaccine, even at lower dosages and is less reactogenic at the injection site in comparison with the formulation with aluminum hydroxide. This new adjuvant formulation could be applicable to the development of new and improved vaccines against meningococcal disease, and eventually as modulators of the immune response against other diseases.

Evaluation of enteric-coated tablets as a whole cell inactivated vaccine candidate against Vibrio cholerae.

A vaccine candidate against cholera was developed in the form of oral tablets to avoid difficulties during application exhibited by current whole cell inactivated cholera vaccines. In this study, enteric-coated tablets were used to improve the protection of the active compound from gastric acidity. Tablets containing heat-killed whole cells of Vibrio cholerae strain C7258 as the active pharmaceutical compound was enteric-coated with the polymer Kollicoat(®) MAE-100P, which protected them efficiently from acidity when a disintegration test was carried out. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibition test and Western blot assay revealed the presence of V. cholerae antigens as LPS, mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA) and outer membrane protein U (Omp U) in enteric-coated tablets. Immunogenicity studies (ELISA and vibriocidal test) carried out by intraduodenal administration in rabbits showed that the coating process of tablets did not affect the immunogenicity of V. cholerae-inactivated cells. In addition, no differences were observed in the immune response elicited by enteric-coated or uncoated tablets, particularly because the animal model and immunization route used did not allow discriminating between acid resistances of both tablets formulations in vivo. Clinical studies with volunteers will be required to elucidate this aspect, but the results suggest the possibility of using enteric-coated tablets as a final pharmaceutical product for a cholera vaccine.

Ensayo bactericida del suero para la evaluación de la respuesta inmune inducida por vacunas antimeningocócicas y anticoléricas / Bactericide serum assay to assess the immune response induced by meningococcal and cholera vaccines

La susceptibilidad al sistema bactericida del suero es una característica de las bacterias gramnegativas. Existen muchos ejemplos en las enterobacterias, de hecho cualquier procariote que presente una membrana lipídica pudiera ser potencialmente susceptible a la lisis mediada por anticuerpos dependiente del complemento, aunque existen cepas que muestran resistencia al sistema bacteriolítico. Estas son frecuentemente aisladas como agente causal de infecciones que involucran daño tisular, lo que indica que la resistencia a la actividad lítica del suero es determinante de la virulencia en algunas infecciones debido a bacterias gramnegativas. Para algunas enfermedades causadas por estas bacterias la vacunación constituye la medida de prevención más efectiva, como es el caso del cólera y la enfermedad meningocócica. La inducción de anticuerpos con capacidad lítica, producto de la vacunación, se considera en muchos casos el mejor correlato con la protección y se estima que individuos que desarrollan anticuerpos bactericidas, ya sea por una infección clínica o por la vacunación, están protegidos contra la infección o la enfermedad. De ahí que el ensayo bactericida del suero sea la prueba de oro para evaluar la eficacia de muchas vacunas. Ensayos clínicos llevados a cabo con vacunas contra los serogrupos A, B, C, Y y W 135 de N. meningitidis y con vacunas de cólera, ya sean vivas atenuadas o inactivadas, han demostrado la inducción de anticuerpos con actividad lítica que luego han correlacionado con la protección en ensayos de eficacia o frente a un reto experimental. Por lo que resulta imprescindible la estandarización y validación de estos ensayos para su empleo como criterio de inmunogenicidad en el desarrollo de estas vacunas(AU)

The susceptibility to the serum bactericidal system is a characteristic of gram-negative bacteria. There are many well-documented instances of enterobacterial susceptibility to complement. In fact, any prokaryote that presents a lipid bilayer membrane would appear to be potentially susceptible to complement killing, although there are gram-negative bacteria that appear refractory to the serum bactericidal and bacteriolytic systems; these resistant strains are frequently isolated as causative agents of infections involving tissue damage. It has therefore been suggested that serum resistance is an important determinant of virulence in at least some infections due to gram-negative bacteria. In some diseases caused for these bacteria, vaccination constitutes the more effective way, such as cholera and meningococci meningitis. Antibodies with lytic capacity induced for vaccination protect against infection and/or disease, that is why serum bactericidal assay is the gold test for evaluating the efficacy of many vaccines. Clinical trials conducted with N. meningitidis A, B, C, Y and W135 vaccines and with live attenuated or inactivated cholera vaccines have shown the induction of antibodies with lytic activity which have correlated with protection in efficacy trials or in a experimental challenge, for that reason is important the standardization and validation of these assays for its application as immunogenicity rule in the vaccines development(AU)

Cochleates derived from Vibrio cholerae O1 proteoliposomes: the impact of structure transformation on mucosal immunisation.

Cochleates are phospholipid-calcium precipitates derived from the interaction of anionic lipid vesicles with divalent cations. Proteoliposomes from bacteria may also be used as a source of negatively charged components, to induce calcium-cochleate formation. In this study, proteoliposomes from V. cholerae O1 (PLc) (sized 160.7±1.6 nm) were transformed into larger (16.3±4.6 µm) cochleate-like structures (named Adjuvant Finlay Cochleate 2, AFCo2) and evaluated by electron microscopy (EM). Measurements from transmission EM (TEM) showed the structures had a similar size to that previously reported using light microscopy, while observations from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the structures were multilayered and of cochleate-like formation. The edges of the AFCo2 structures appeared to have spaces that allowed penetration of negative stain or Ovalbumin labeled with Texas Red (OVA-TR) observed by epi-fluorescence microscopy. In addition, freeze fracture electron microscopy confirmed that the AFCo2 structures consisted of multiple overlapping layers, which corresponds to previous descriptions of cochleates. TEM also showed that small vesicles co-existed with the larger cochleate structures, and in vitro treatment with a calcium chelator caused the AFCo2 to unfold and reassemble into small proteoliposome-like structures. Using OVA as a model antigen, we demonstrated the potential loading capacity of a heterologous antigen and in vivo studies showed that with simple admixing and administration via intragastric and intranasal routes AFCo2 provided enhanced adjuvant properties compared with PLc.

Validación del ensayo bactericida en suero para los serogrupos A, C y W135 de Neisseria meningitidis / Validation of the serum bactericidal assay for Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C and W135

El ensayo bactericida en suero se considera la herramienta más eficaz para medir el estado de la inmunidad en individuos vacunados contra N. meningitidis y constituye el soporte analítico para el desarrollo de las vacunas a base de polisacáridos. Las normas de Buenas Prácticas de Fabricación y control de la calidad de productos farmacéuticos plantean que la validación debe aplicarse tanto a los procesos de fabricación como a los métodos de análisis y de control. Es de particular interés en el caso de los bioensayos con resultados más variables que los métodos fisicoquímicos. Por esta razón se llevó a cabo la validación del ensayo bactericida por el método de la placa inclinada, para los serogrupos A, C y W135 , mediante la determinación de la precisión, especificidad, exactitud y robustez del mismo. Los resultados estuvieron dentro del criterio de aceptación para este tipo de prueba, por lo que se considera apto para la evaluación de la respuesta inmune estimulada por vacunas polisacarídicas de los serogrupos A, C y W 135 contra la meningitis meningocócica(AU)

Serum bactericidal assay is considered the most efficient tool for measuring the immunity status in people vaccinated against N. meningitidis and it is the analytical support for the development of polysaccharide vaccines. Good Manufacturing Practice and Quality Control of Pharmaceutical Products regulate the validation procedure for manufacturing process and the analysis and control methods, especially for bioassays that are more variable than physicochemical assays. For that reason, the validation of bactericidal assay for the tilt method was carried out by the determination of precision, specificity, accuracy and robustness. The results were in the range of acceptance criteria, that is why this assay is considered suitable for the evaluation of the immune response induced by A, C and W135 polysaccharide vaccines against meningococcal meningitis(AU)

A new oral vaccine candidate based on the microencapsulation by spray-drying of inactivated Vibrio cholerae.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the microencapsulation by spray-drying of inactivated Vibrio cholerae, using methacrylic copolymers Eudragit® L30D-55 and FS30D. The microparticles obtained presented a particle size around 3.0 µm. The preparation temperature affected the morphology and the antigenicity of microparticles, but it did not affect the V. cholerae content. In vitro release studies showed that in acid medium less than 5% of bacteria was released, and in neutral medium, Eudragit® L30D-55 microparticles released 86% after 24 h, whereas FS30D released less than 30%. Rats inoculated with microparticles exhibited vibriocidal antibody titres. Microencapsulation by spray-drying of inactivated V. cholerae could be proposed as a method to obtain an oral vaccine which provides controlled release of the bacteria.

Pharmacology and toxicology of an oral tablet whole cells inactivated cholera vaccine in Sprague Dawley rats.

Here we further investigate the pharmacological and toxicological properties of a cholera vaccine based on inactivated whole cells presented in either enteric coated (COA) or uncoated (U/C) tablet formulation from Vibrio cholerae C7258 strain. Tablets were dispersed in 2mL drinking water and administered orally to Sprague Dawley rats distributed in five groups (I COA7, II U/C7 immunized at 0, 7, 69days and III COA14, IV U/C14 immunized at 0, 14, 69days and V control group). Serum vibriocidal antibody response was measured after the administration of two doses with an interval of 7-14days. To further investigate the toxicological aspects a third dose was applied 10 weeks after the initial one. Animals were observed daily and water and food consumption was measured every other day. Periodic blood extractions were performed for hematology, biochemistry, and the titer of serum vibriocidal antibodies was determined. Anatomopathological analysis was performed at days 3 or 14 after the third dose. Results from clinical observations, as well as from water and food consumption and body weigh indicated no toxicity of the vaccine product. Meanwhile, no biological differences were found among different groups in hematological, hemo-chemistry, and anatomopathological studies. Moreover, enteric coated and uncoated tablets against human cholera were found to induce an immune response in rats.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of live oral cholera vaccine 638 in Cuban adults.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and the immunogenicity of a 2 x 10(9)CFU dose of the 638 lyophilized live attenuated cholera vaccine for oral administration, formulated and produced at Finlay Institute, City of Havana, Cuba. Thirty-six healthy female and male adult volunteers from 18 to 40 years old were involved, clinically examined and laboratory tested after the informed consent signature. Adverse events were monitored and seroconversion rates and geometrical mean titer (GMT) of vibriocidal antibodies were tested in volunteer's sera samples. Neither serious adverse events nor other damages to the volunteers due to vaccine or placebo feeding were reported during the clinical follow-up period of this study; none of the adverse events registered within the first 72 h after inoculation were life-threatening for volunteers. Neither severe nor moderate adverse events were reported. Sixty-one percent of subjects showed mild expected adverse events in an interval lower than 24h up to the first 72 h, 75% of these in the vaccinated group and 18% in the placebo group. Fourteen days after inoculation the GMT of vibriocidal antibodies in the vaccine group significantly increased in comparison to the placebo group. All subjects in the vaccine group (24) seroconverted (100%). Results show that this vaccine is safe, well tolerated and immunogenic in healthy female and male volunteers.

Intranasal administration of proteoliposome-derived cochleates from Vibrio cholerae O1 induce mucosal and systemic immune responses in mice.

Conservative estimates place the death toll from cholera at more than 100,000 persons each year. A particulate mucosal vaccine strategy combining antigens and immune stimulator molecules from Vibrio cholerae to overcome this problem is described. Proteoliposomes extracted from V. cholerae O1 were transformed into cochleates (AFCo2, Adjuvant Finlay cochleate 2) through a calcium inducible rotary dialysis method. Light microscopy was carried out and tubules of 16.25+/-4.57 microm in length were observed. Western blots were performed to verify the immunochemical properties of the main AFCo2 incorporated antigens, revealing full recognition of the outer membrane protein U (OmpU), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) antigens. AFCo2 were administered by the intranasal route using a two or three dose schedule and the immune response against V. cholerae antigens was assessed. Three AFCo2 doses were required to induce significant (p<0.05), antigen specific IgA in saliva (1.34+/-0.135) and feces (0.60+/-0.089). While, two or three doses of AFCo2 or proteoliposomes induce similar specific IgG and vibriocidal activity responses in sera. These results show for the first time that AFCo2 can be obtained from V. cholerae O1 proteoliposomes and have the potential to protect against the pathogen when administered intranasally.

A proteoliposome based formulation administered by the nasal route produces vibriocidal antibodies against El Tor Ogawa Vibrio cholerae O1 in BALB/c mice.

A vaccine candidate against the enteric pathogen Vibrio cholerae was developed based on a proteoliposome (PL) formulation using a wild type strain C7258, V. cholerae O1, El Tor Ogawa as part of strategy to develop a combined formulation against enteric diseases preventable by the stimulation of the mucosal immune system. A detergent extraction method was applied to obtain the PL. Scanning electron microscopy and molecular exclusion chromatography showed the presence of two PL populations. Photon correlation spectroscopy studies were then carried out to evaluate the size (169.27+/-3.85nm), polydispersity (0.410) and zeta potential (-23.28+/-1.21mV) of the PL. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA) and a range of outer membrane proteins, including OmpU. BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with two doses of PL containing 25mug of LPS each 28 days apart. The mice showed high anti-LPS IgG titres (3.36+/-0.235) and vibriocidal antibodies (3.70+/-0.23) after two weeks from last dose. These results show for the first time that PL can be obtained from V. cholerae O1 and when administer by intranasal route has the potential to protect against this pathogen.

Biomodelo para la evaluación de cepas atenuadas como candidatosvacunales contra el cólera humano I: estudio de la virulencia, capacidadde colonización y adherencia a la mucosa intestinal / Biomodel for evaluating attenuated Vibrio cholerae strains as human cholera vaccine candidates I: virulence, colonizing capacity and adherence to the intestinal mucosa

El cólera continúa siendo en muchos países un problema para la salud humana, manteniéndose como una enfermedad epidémica o endémica que afecta tanto a niños como adultos y causa la muerte en casos no tratados. Una vacuna viva oral contra esta enfermedad puede ser la solución. En el presente trabajo se seleccionó y aplicó un biomodelo para la evaluación de cepas atenuadas genéticamente de Vibrio cholerae como candidatas vacunales contra el cólera. La virulencia, capacidad de colonización y adherencia a la mucosa intestinal de las cepas fueron evaluadas mediante el usode ratones neonatos de 2 a 4 días de nacidos de la línea Balb/c, con un peso entre 1,5-2 g. Los resultados obtenidos con este biomodelo demostraron que las cepas atenuadas genéticamente son no virulentas, colonizan y se adhieren a lamucosa intestinal. Se concluye que el biomodelo utilizado permite la evaluación y selección de cepas candidatas para vacunas vivas orales contra el cólera(AU)

Cholera is still a human health problem in many countries. It is an epidemic or endemic disease affecting both children and adults that causes death of untreated cases. A live oral vaccine could be the solution against this disease. In the present study a biomodel was selected and applied for the evaluation of genetically attenuated Vibrio cholerae strains as vaccinecandidates. The virulence, colonizing capacity and adherence to the intestinal mucosa of the strains were evaluated using 2-4 day-old neonatal Balb/c mice, weighing from 1.5-2 g. The results obtained with this biomodel showed that genetically attenuated strains are not virulent, colonize and adhere to the intestinal mucosa. The conclusion was that the biomodel used allows the evaluation and selection of candidate strains for live oral cholera vaccines(AU)

Consideraciones sobre el empleo de antisueros somáticos en la clasificación por serotipos de cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Considerations about somatic antisera uses in classifying Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains by serotypes

El lipopolisacárido (LPS) de bacterias gramnegativas se emplea en el desarrollo de candidatos vacunales, como antígeno expuesto en la preparación o formando parte de esta para aumentar su poder inmunogénico. Sin embargo, esta estructura química de la membrana externa puede ser también utilizada para clasificar bacterias. Según el LPS, presente en la membrana externa bacteriana, Pseudomonas aeruginosa se puede clasificar en 20 tipos somáticos diferentes, clasificación muy útil para estudios epidemiológicos. P aeruginosa expone sus LPS en la membrana de forma estable, pero ocurren cambios en el fenotipo del LPS bacteriano durante la infección, sucesos que dificultan su clasificación. En estos momentos, los estudios que se desarrollan en el Instituto Finlay necesitan del empleo de tecnologías modernas de clasificación y del diagnóstico molecular para poder establecer patrones más precisos deexpresión de los LPS por métodos que junto a los ya existentes permitan diferenciar cepas bacterianas de la misma especie en cualquier tipo de infección(AU)

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of gramnegative bacteria are used for developing vaccine candidates as a complete exposed antigen in the preparation or as essential part of vaccines to improve its immunogenic power. Nevertheless, this outer membrane structure can also be used in bacterial classification according to the LPS chemical structure in outer membrane structure. Twenty different LPS have been reported as somatic antigens useful in P aeruginosa strains classification in epidemiologicalstudies. Current studies of Finlay Institute need the introduction of up-dated classification technologies and molecular diagnosis tools to establish more accurate epidemiological standards to improve the reports about the presence of new strains at theinfection site(AU)

Evaluación en animales del efecto protector de una inmunoglobulina anti Pseudomonas aeruginosa para uso terapéutico / Evaluation in animals of the protective effect of an anti Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa constituye uno de los agentes patógenos oportunistas de mayor frecuencia de aislamiento en los diversos procesos infecciosos, por lo que es reconocido como un gran problema de salud a nivel mundial. Al no existir un fármaco de alta efectividad ni vacunas disponibles contra esta bacteria, se emplea una terapia con inmunoglobulinas polivalentes comerciales que de forma combinada con los antibióticos contribuyen a eliminar la infección, aunque los preparados disponibles en el mercado no contienen concentraciones suficientemente elevadas de anticuerpos específicos contra este microorganismo. En este trabajo se llevó a cabo la evaluación en un modelo animal de una inmunoglobulina anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa para uso terapéutico mediante un ensayo de reto con una cepa virulenta. Se evaluó dosis y vía de administración de la misma, así como el valor profiláctico o terapéutico de los anticuerpos. Esta gammaglobulina resultó ser protectora en animales mostrando una sobreviviencia cercana a un 75 por ciento en comparación con el grupo control no protegido y además se logra eliminar el estado de portador en los individuos infectados(AU)

Evaluación de la respuesta de anticuerpos hacia antígenos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Evaluation of antibodies response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigens

Pseudomonas aeruginosa es un patógeno extracelular que genera una respuesta de anticuerpos específicos con utilidad para el diagnóstico y vacunas. En el presente estudio nos propusimos evaluar en suero humano los niveles de anticuerpos contra antígenos relevantes de P aeruginosa. Realizamos la determinación de anticuerpos IgG contra tres exoenzimas, consideradas como factores de virulencia de mayor importancia en infecciones. Este resultado dio paso a la evaluación del reconocimiento de IgG e IgA hacia antígenos de la envoltura celular bacteriana por ELISA de células enteras. Todos los sueros evaluados mostraron títulos de IgG e IgA superiores a los individuos sanos, con excepción de dos muestras de pacientes que no mostraron alto título. Este ensayopermitió analizar el nivel de reconocimiento hacia los antígenos más expuestos de la bacteria que incluyen principalmente LPS y proteínas de membrana externa. Se encontró diferencias entre los valores de densidad óptica a 450 nm de individuos sanos y enfermos. El método usado permitió seleccionar dos sueros de pacientes de diferentes tipos de infecciones que fueron comparados por Western blot. Se observó que aunque los sueros tenían reacción hacia distintos serotipos de P aeruginosa, la intensidad del reconocimiento variaba según el tipo de infección(AU)

Preparation and evaluation of vibrio cholerae O1 EL Tor Ogawa lipopolysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugates.

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Vibrio cholerae is considered one of the most important antigens from the point of view of immunogenicity in these bacteria. We have undertaken detoxification of this LPS by basic hydrolysis and the resultant amine groups were used for their conjugation to tetanus toxoid as carrier protein using carbodiimide-mediated coupling. The resulting conjugates were inoculated in Balb/c mice for immunogenicity studies. The anti-LPS IgG and vibriocidal antibodies were measured in serum. The antigenicity of this conjugated was evaluated by ELISA, with serums of humans vaccinated with a strain genetically modified. The conjugated elicited: high titers of IgG anti-LPS, high titers of vibriocidal antibodies and there was recognition of LPS by antibodies from cholerae immunised human serum. These results show that the conjugated LPS obtained by us, could be evaluated like a potential vaccine for human use.

Obtención de extractos de membrana externa de Vibrio cholerae O1, mediante el uso de diferentes detergentes / Obtaining Vibrio cholerae 01 outer membrane extracts with different detergents

En la actualidad existen dos variantes principales de vacunas orales contra el cólera: una basada en células inactivadas de diferentes biotipos y serotipos y otra basada en la administración de cepas vivas genéticamente atenuadas. Una vacuna por subunidades pudiera ser una variante muy atractiva. Este trabajo describe la purificación parcial y caracterización preliminar de extractos de proteínas de membrana externa-lipopolisacárido (PME-LPS), obtenidos a partir de Vibrio cholerae O1, con el interés de seleccionar un proteoliposoma que posteriormente será estructurado en forma de cocleatos para su uso por vía oral en humanos. Las preparaciones fueron obtenidas a través del uso de diferentes detergentes. La cantidad de LPS en cada preparación fue estimada mediante la determinación de las unidades endotóxicas en el ensayo del Limulus (LAL). La composición de cada muestra fue evaluada mediante SDS-PAGE y Dot Blot. La inoculación intranasal (IN) en ratones Balb/c se utilizó para la evaluación de la inmunogenicidad de las preparaciones, y la respuesta inmune fue determinada por ELISA y el título de anticuerpos vibriocidas. El tamaño molecular de la preparación con mejores resultados en inmunogenicidad se estimó mediante la cromatografía en Sephacryl S-1000. Se obtuvieron diferentes perfiles electroforéticos de acuerdo con el tipo de detergente utilizado. El LPS fue identificado en todas las preparaciones y aquella obtenida con el SDS al 15(por ciento) mostró la más baja relación proteínas/LPS y los mejores resultados en los ensayos de inmunogenicidad. Adicionalmente se comprobó que su tamaño molecular es similar al observado en el proteoliposoma de VAMENGOC-BC. La preparación obtenida con el SDS al 15(por ciento) constituye un proteoliposoma, con capacidad para estimular altos nivelesde anticuerpos IgG anti-LPS y altos títulos de anticuerpos vibriocidas, luego de su administración por vía intranasal en ratones. Estos resultados constituyen un importante paso en las investigaciones dirigidas a la obtención de una vacuna por subunidades, como alternativa preventiva contra el cólera(AU)