Efficient Expression of an Alzheimer's Disease Vaccine Candidate in the Microalga Schizochytrium sp. Using the Algevir System.

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, where ß-amyloid (Aß) plays a key role in forming conglomerated senile plaques. The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a therapeutic target since it transports Aß into the central nervous system, favoring the pathology progression. Due to the lack of effective therapies for AD, several therapeutic approaches are under development, being vaccines considered a promising alternative. Herein, the use of the Algevir system was explored to produce in the Schizochytrium sp. microalga the LTBRAGE vaccine candidate. Algevir relies in an inducible geminiviral vector and led to yields of up to 380 µg LTBRAGE/g fresh weight biomass at 48-h post-induction. The Schizochytrium-produced LTBRAGE vaccine retained its antigenic activity and was highly stable up to temperatures of 60 °C. These data demonstrate the potential of Schizochytrium sp. as a platform for high production of thermostable recombinant antigens useful for vaccination against AD.