Evaluation of nanoparticle-encapsulated outer membrane proteins for the control of Campylobacter jejuni colonization in chickens

Abstract

Numerous vaccination strategies have been evaluated to develop effective vaccines against Campylobacter jejuni colonization in poultry but with limited success. The following experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of biodegradable and biocompatible poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticle (NP) encapsulated outer membrane proteins (OMP) of C. jejuni. Chickens were vaccinated with different routes [subcutaneous (s/c) or oral] and doses (25, 125, or 250 µg) of candidate nanoparticle vaccine with appropriate control groups. Serum and cloacal fecal samples were taken at regular intervals of time, and the birds were euthanized 7 d postchallenge with C. jejuni. The results were interpreted based on anti-OMP immunoglobulin response in chicken and intestinal colonization of C. jejuni. The C. jejuni colonization in cecal and cloacal contents at 7 d postchallenge was below the detection limit in the s/c vaccinated groups, but the other groups demonstrated varying degrees of colonization. The serum IgA was higher in the group vaccinated s/c with OMP only compared with the rest of the groups. The serum- and fecal-IgY titers were consistently higher in the s/c vaccinated groups (with or without NP) than the rest of the groups. Elevated levels of OMP specific serum antibodies correlated with below the limit of detection levels of Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens receiving 125 μg of OMP alone and the OMP+NP vaccine s/c. In conclusion, the s/c route of vaccination with or without NP encapsulated OMP of C. jejuni may serve as a candidate vaccine for control of C. jejuni colonization in chickens.

Global Epidemiology of Campylobacter Infection

“…Clearly, if it were possible to successfully vaccinate chickens against Campylobacter, it would not only reduce Campylobacter levels in chickens but also reduce transmission to humans and eliminate postharvest procedures (421). While studies have investigated a range of vaccine candidates over the last 15 years, including the use of flagellar proteins, formalin-inactivated C. jejuni, C. jejuni inner membrane antigen, and killed C. jejuni, delivered intranasally, orally, orally using a Salmonella carrier, and intraperitoneally, respectively, none of these vaccines have completely prevented Campylobacter colonization in chickens (422). Interestingly, a recent study by Annamalai and colleagues which investigated the effect of nanoparticle-encapsulated outer membrane proteins (OMP) of C. jejuni as a vaccine in chickens has shown significant promise (422).…”

“…While studies have investigated a range of vaccine candidates over the last 15 years, including the use of flagellar proteins, formalin-inactivated C. jejuni, C. jejuni inner membrane antigen, and killed C. jejuni, delivered intranasally, orally, orally using a Salmonella carrier, and intraperitoneally, respectively, none of these vaccines have completely prevented Campylobacter colonization in chickens (422). Interestingly, a recent study by Annamalai and colleagues which investigated the effect of nanoparticle-encapsulated outer membrane proteins (OMP) of C. jejuni as a vaccine in chickens has shown significant promise (422). In birds that received subcutaneous vaccination, C. jejuni colonization levels in cecal and cloacal contents at 7 days postchallenge were shown to be below the detection limit, whereas the other groups showed various degrees of colonization.…”

“…In birds that received subcutaneous vaccination, C. jejuni colonization levels in cecal and cloacal contents at 7 days postchallenge were shown to be below the detection limit, whereas the other groups showed various degrees of colonization. Based on their study, Annamalai and colleagues considered the subcutaneous route of vaccination, using encapsulated OMP or OMP alone, to be efficacious in eliciting protective antibody responses and preventing colonization of C. jejuni in chickens (422). Strategies aimed at the processing level.…”

Lactic Acid Bacteria as a Surface Display Platform for Campylobacter jejuni Antigens

“…Additionally, an effective chicken vaccine should induce a rapid and strong immune response, yet due to the short life span of broiler chickens the birds should be immunized during the first week of life when the avian immune system is immature. A recent test of subunit vaccines that consisted of conserved Campylobacter antigens delivered by attenuated Salmonella strains, Eimeria or nanoparticles, generated promising results [Annamalai et al, 2013;Buckley et al, 2010;Clark et al, 2012;Layton et al, 2011;Łaniewski et al, 2012;Wyszyńska et al, 2004]. Several detailed reviews recapitulating recent approaches to control Campylobacter in poultry via vaccination have been published within the last 5 years [Curtiss et al, 2007;de Zoete et al, 2007;Jagusztyn-Krynicka et al, 2009;Lin, 2009].…”

Coadministration of the Campylobacter jejuni N-Glycan-Based Vaccine with Probiotics Improves Vaccine Performance in Broiler Chickens

“…Although biosecurity measures have the potential to reduce the contamination of meat during slaughter, vaccination of poultry is considered the most promising solution to decrease C. jejuni levels at the source and to reduce the rate of human infections. de Zoete et al (11) described various vaccination approaches to reduce C. jejuni, including the use of killed C. jejuni whole cells (12); live Salmonellavectored vaccines (13-15); encapsulated-particle vaccines (16); and parenteral, oral, nasal, or intramuscular subunit vaccines comprised of recombinant peptides (17), virulence factors, outer membrane proteins, flagellin, or transport proteins (18). Recent studies have investigated the importance of C. jejuni capsular polysaccharides (CPS) in various models (19)(20)(21)(22), including chickens (23), and their potential as a vaccine antigen for human use.…”