Functional and Immunological Analyses of Superoxide Dismutases and Other Spore-Associated Proteins of Bacillus anthracis
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis pathogenesis depends on the highly-resistant spore form of the organism. The outermost structure of the spore, the exosporium, contains proteins that are visible to the host and are potential targets for a protective immunological response. We tested whether exosporium components could enhance the protection afforded by immunization with B. anthacis protective antigen (PA). Mice were challenged with B.anthracis spores after they were immunized with suboptimal doses of PA and boosted with individual exosporium proteins. Successful enhancement of PA-based protection was achieved with two proteins, BxpB (also known as ExsF) and p5303. Antibodies generated against these proteins did not recapitulate the germination inhibitory effect seen in vitro with whole spore antisera.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2008
- Accession Number
- AD1013516
Entities
People
- Robert Jr J. Cybulski
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences