Immunization with glutathioneS-transferase and mutant toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 fusion protein protects againstStaphylococcus aureusinfection

Abstract

To investigate whether immunization with glutathione S-transferase (GST) and mutant toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (mTSST-1) fusion protein can protect against Staphylococcus aureus infection, we purified a non-toxic mutant GST-mTSST-1 fusion protein. Mice were immunized with the GST-mTSST-1 plus alum adjuvant and then challenged with viable S. aureus. The results showed that the survival rate of GST-mTSST-1-immunized group was higher and the bacteria counts in the organs were significantly lower than those of the non-immunized mice. Immunization with GST-mTSST-1 induced strongly the production of TSST-1 specific antibodies, especially immunoglobulin G1 and immunoglobulin G2b. Furthermore, the serum samples from GST-mTSST-1-immunized mice also significantly inhibited interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from murine spleen cells by TSST-1. These results suggest that vaccination with GST-mTSST-1 provides protection against S. aureus infection and that the protection might be mediated by TSST-1-neutralizing antibody.

The effect ofStaphylococcus aureuscarriage in late pregnancy on antibody levels to staphylococcal toxins in cord blood and breast milk

“…In conclusion, carriage of a S. aureus toxin‐producing isolate in the later stages of pregnancy triggers the production of specific IgG and IgA, which in turn provides protection for the infant in the first few months of life. Experimental research is being carried out on the development of vaccines that induce IgG to the staphylococcal pyrogenic toxins (Cui et al , 2005; Hu et al , 2005; Narita et al , 2008). Vaccination of pregnant women may be possible in the future and prevent infants being born with little or no passive immunity to the toxins.…”

Staphylococcal Infection, Antibiotic Resistance and Therapeutics

“…The results indicate the efficacy of this protein in the elimination of bacterial load from the organs as well as in the inhibition of production of pro-inflammatory cytokines due to TSST-1 in the splenic cells. Furthermore immunization with GST-mTSST-1 strongly induced the production of TSST-1 specific antibodies, especially immunoglobulin G1 and immunoglobulin G2b (Cui et al, 2005). Varshney et al, 2010 showed that four murine monoclonal antibodies bind to conformational epitopes that are destroyed by deletion of the distal C-terminal 11 Amino acids (Varshney et al, 2010).…”

Progress in the Development of Effective Vaccines to Prevent Selected Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections

“…Non-toxic forms of staphylococcal enterotoxins have protected laboratory animals 41, 45, 46. Mixed results have been seen with TSST-1 as a vaccine candidate 42, 47. Passive immunization with antibodies evoked by PVL failed to protect mice 40…”