Basic Research Effort Toward Development of a Vaccine Against Human Brucellosis
Abstract
This project identified several potentially protective Brucella antigens: YajC, GroEL, GroES, SOD, SecD, l8kDa, 16kDa and TolB. Some potential virulence factors have also been identified. Antigens have been purified as fusion proteins and/or native antigens for further characterization. Selected antigens have also been cloned into Baculovirus for antigen characterization and immunization purposes. Several vaccinia/Brucella recombinants with selected Brucella antigens have been produced and have been tested in mice. Mice are able to respond to these antigens immunologically but protection has not yet been achieved. New recombinants using more effective early/late synthetic promoters and able to express IL-12 are being constructed to overcome this problem. Vaccinia/listeriolysin and Brucella L7/l12 recombinants are being constructed to assess vector efficacy. To assess the true protective abilities of the selected Brucella antigens, B. abortus vaccine strain RB5l disruption mutants have been constructed and DNA vaccines have been produced. These are being tested in mice for their ability to induce specific immune responses and protection against challenge with virulent Brucella spp.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA358044
Entities
People
- Gerhardt G. Schurig