YopM Plague Vaccine Component: Immunogenicity, Protectiveness, and Mode of Action.
Abstract
The plague virulence protein YopM is being studied for immunogenicity, protectiveness, importance of its thrombin-binding, and its localization in infected tissue-culture. We purified > 1 g YopM, determined a good immunization protocol for it in mice, characterized the mouse humoral response to YopM, and collected mouse anti-YopM antibody. We used these to test for the ability of YopM to protect against lethal experimental plague and found no protection by passive or active immunization. We determined that YopM binds at thrombin's anion binding exosite I. Internally deleted YopMs were made, are being used to map where on YopM thrombin binds, and will serve in a test of the importance of thrombin-binding in plague. We have shown that at least some of YopM is targeted into J774 macrophage-like cells when infected by Y. pestis. These data show that YopM is not a good candidate for inclusion in a subunit vaccine, where induction of a protective antibody response is the goal. It may be useful for vaccination strategies aimed at stimulating a cytotoxic T cell response.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA319396
Entities
People
- Susan C. Straley
Organizations
- University of Kentucky