Recombinant Bacillus anthracis spore proteins enhance protection of mice primed with suboptimal amounts of protective antigen.

ABSTRACT: Inactivated Bacillus anthracis spores given with protective antigen (PA) contribute to immunity against anthrax in several animal models. Antiserum raised against whole irradiated B. anthracis spores has been shown to have anti-germination and opsonic activities in vitro. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that surface-exposed spore proteins might serve as supplemental components of a PA-based anthrax vaccine. The protective anti-spore serum was tested for reactivity with recombinant forms of 30 proteins known, or believed to be, present within the B. anthracis exosporium. Eleven of those proteins were reactive with this antiserum, and, subsequently a subset of this group was used to generate rabbit polyclonal antibodies. These sera were evaluated for recognition of the immunogen

SUBMITTER: Cybulski RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2586003 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature