DNA vaccine containing Flagellin A gene induces significant immune responses against Helicobacter pylori infection: An in vivo study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Biotechnology, Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz Branch, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent human infectious agents that is directly involved in various upper digestive tract diseases. Although antibiotics-based therapy and proton pump inhibitors eradicate the bacteria mostly, their effectiveness has been declined recently due to emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Development of a DNA vaccine is a promising approach against bacterial pathogens. Genes encoding motility factors are promising immunogens to develop a DNA vaccine against H. pylori infection due to critical role of these genes in bacterial attachment and colonization within the gastric lumen. The present study aimed to synthesize a DNA vaccine construct based on the Flagellin A gene (flaA), the predominant flagellin subunit in H. pylori flagella.
Materials and Methods: The coding sequence of flaA was amplified through PCR and sub-cloned in the pBudCE4.1 vector. The recombinant vector was introduced into the human dermal fibroblast cells, and its potency to express the flaA protein was analyzed using SDS-PAGE. The recombinant construct was intramuscularly (IM) injected into the mice, and the profiles of cytokines and immunoglobulins were measured using ELISA.
Results: It has been found that flaA was successfully expressed in cells. Recombinant-vector also increased the serum levels of evaluated cytokines and immunoglobulins in mice.
Conclusion: These findings showed that the pBudCE4.1-flaA construct was able to activate the immune responses. This study is the first step towards synthesis of recombinant-construct based on the flaA gene. Immunization with such construct may inhibit the H. pylori-associated infection; however, further experiments are urgent.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 6
June 2021
Pages 796-804

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