IMMUNOGENICITY STUDY OF RECOMBINANT AUTOLYSIN OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS IN BALB/C MICE

Background and Aim:Staphylococcal infections are common in the entire world. In this respect, autolysin protein as one of the adhesion molecule of bacteria plays an important role for binding bacteria to the host cells and cell division. Herein, the role of autolysin protein was evaluated as a vaccine candidate against all of Staphylococcus strains.Methods:Recombinant autolysin protein was produced and evaluated by SDS-page and western blot. Balb/c mice were injected subcutaneously with 20 µg of r-autolysin formulated in Montanide ISA-266 and Alum adjuvants three times with two week intervals with proper control group. Two weeks after the last immunization, sera were collected; total and specific isotype antibodies were evaluated by ELISA. IFN-γ and IL-4 assessed with commercial ELISA kits. Experimental mice were challenged with a sub-lethal dose of staphylococcus strains and following that, the number of bacteria from kidneys, liver and spleen were determined. Survival rate was recorded for 30 days.Results:Significant increase of antibody with high level of IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes was demonstrated in vaccinated mice versus the control groups (P < 0.005). IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines did not showed any significant differences in all of the experimental vaccine groups versus each other. The bacterial load in the internal organs from immunized mice was 1000 times less than control groups. Finally the life span of immunized mice after bacterial challenge was extended versus control mice.Conclusion:These results may indicate the capacity of autolysin as candidate vaccine to control the staphylococcus infections.

Keywords:

Autolysin , Staphylococcus , Microbial vaccine