Engineering Enhanced Immunogenicity of Surface-Displayed Immunogens in a Killed Whole-Cell Genome-Reduced Bacterial Vaccine Platform Using Class I Viral Fusion Peptides.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: New vaccine platforms that rapidly yield low-cost, easily manufactured vaccines are highly desired, yet current approaches lack key features. We developed the Killed Whole-Cell/Genome-Reduced Bacteria (KWC/GRB) platform, which uses a genome-reduced Gram-negative chassis to enhance antigen exposure and modularity via an autotransporter (AT) system. Integrated within a Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) framework, KWC/GRB enables rapid iteration of engineered antigens and immunomodulatory elements. Here, we applied this platform to the HIV-1 fusion peptide (FP) and tested multiple antigen engineering strategies to enhance its immunogenicity. Methods: For a new vaccine, we synthesized DNA encoding the antigen together with selected immunomodulators and cloned

SUBMITTER: Quintero-Barbosa JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12846404 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature