Immunogenicity of the B monomer of Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin expressed on the surface of Streptococcus gordonii

Infect Immun. 2000 Feb;68(2):760-6. doi: 10.1128/IAI.68.2.760-766.2000.

Abstract

The B monomer of the Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (LTB) was expressed on the surface of the human oral commensal bacterium Streptococcus gordonii. Recombinant bacteria expressing LTB were used to immunize BALB/c mice subcutaneously and intragastrically. The LTB monomer expressed on the streptococcal surface proved to be highly immunogenic, as LTB-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum titers of 140,000 were induced after systemic immunization. Most significantly, these antibodies were capable of neutralizing the enterotoxin in a cell neutralization assay. Following mucosal delivery, antigen-specific IgA antibodies were found in feces and antigen-specific IgG antibodies were found in sera. Analysis of serum IgG subclasses showed a clear predominance of IgG1 when recombinant bacteria were inoculated subcutaneously, while a prevalence of IgG2a was observed upon intragastric delivery, suggesting, in this case, the recruitment of a Th1 type of immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
  • Enterotoxins / immunology*
  • Escherichia coli / immunology*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Streptococcus / genetics
  • Streptococcus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • heat-labile enterotoxin, E coli