ABSTRACT
Epitope LKVIRK on 47 kDa of heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 of Candida albicans, corresponding to residues 386-391 of the Hsp90, is recognized by patients recovering from invasive candidiasis. The efficacy of hybrid phage displaying epitope LKVIRK in the N-terminal region of the major coat protein (pVIII) in inducing anti-invasive candidiasis immune response was studied in C57BL/6 mice. Indirect phage-ELISA results demonstrated that the mice immunized with hybrid phage had significantly higher titers of epitope LKVIRK-specific serum IgG as compared to those immunized with heat-killed C. albicans (HK-CA). C57BL/6 mice immunized either with hybrid phage or with wild-type phage also developed significant levels of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and splenocyte proliferation, as well as with HK-CA. In addition, high levels of IFN-gamma in the CD4(+) splenocytes from phage-immunized mice were detected as well during 1 week post-inoculation. Furthermore, mice immunized with hybrid phage acquired a resistance to systemic C. albicans infection as confirmed by fewer C. albicans cells in the kidneys, and had a longer lifespan compared to control groups following intravenous challenge with C. albicans. These results indicate that hybrid phage displaying epitope LKVIRK may serve as a potential vaccine conferring a resistance to systemic candidiasis.
Subject(s)
Candida albicans/immunology , Candidiasis/prevention & control , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology , HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Inovirus/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Fungal/blood , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Candidiasis/pathology , Hypersensitivity, Delayed , Inovirus/genetics , Interferon-gamma/analysis , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Peptide LibrarySubject(s)
Candida albicans/immunology , Candidiasis/diagnosis , Peptide Library , Epitopes , Humans , Serologic TestsABSTRACT
alpha-Acetolactate decarboxylase(alpha-ALDC)gene has been cloned from Baillus brevis using PCR amplification. The amplified 0.97 kb DNA fragment was confirmed to be known alpha- ALDC gene by DNA sequencing. The fragment was inserted into the vector pBV220 to construct an expression plasmid pBVYI. This recombinant plasmid over expressed alpha-ALDC in E. coli DH5alpha. The alpha-ALDC activity of recombinant bacterium was 10 000-fold higher than that of Bacillus brevis. After purification, the properties of the recombinant alpha-ALDC were studied. The activity of this enzyme could be stimulated by Mn(2+), Sn(2+) and inhibited by Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+) and Cu(2+). Moreover, amino acid modifiers could inhibit differently its activity. The optimum pH of the enzyme reaction was 5.5.
