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- Title
Calreticulin as a hydrophilic chimeric molecular adjuvant enhances IgG responses to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
- Authors
Qiu, Xiang; Hong, Chao; Li, Yue; Bao, Wanrong; Gao, Xiao-Ming
- Abstract
ABSTRACT Fragment 450-650 of the spike (S) protein (S450-650) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) contains epitopes capable of being recognized by convalescent sera of SARS patients. Vaccination of mice with recombinant S450-650 (rS450-650) can induce Abs against SARS-CoV, although the titer is relatively low. In the present study, a fusion protein linking a fragment (residues 39-272) of murine calreticulin (CRT) to S450-650 in a prokaryotic expression system was created. Compared with target antigen alone, the recombinant fusion product (rS450-650-CRT) has much improved hydrophilicity and immunogenicity. The S450-650-specific IgG Abs of BALB/c mice subcutaneously immunized with rS450-650-CRT were in substantially higher titer (approximately fivefold more). Furthermore, the fusion protein, but not rS450-650 alone, was able to elicit S450-650-specific IgG responses in T cell deficient nude mice. Given that rCRT/39-272 can drive the maturation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells, directly activate macrophages and B cells, and also elicit helper T cell responses in vivo, we propose that fragment 39-272 of CRT is an effective molecular adjuvant capable of enhancing target Ag-specific humoral responses in both a T cell-dependent and independent manner. Fusion protein rS450-650-CRT is a potential candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV infection.
- Subjects
CALRETICULIN; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; SARS disease; EPITOPES; GENE expression; VACCINATION; LABORATORY mice
- Publication
Microbiology & Immunology, 2012, Vol 56, Issue 8, p554
- ISSN
0385-5600
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1348-0421.2012.00467.x