BMC Research Notes (Jul 2011)

Molecular characterization of the <it>Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis hsp60-hsp10 </it>operon, and evaluation of the immune response and protective efficacy induced by <it>hsp60 </it>DNA vaccination in mice

  • Oliveira Sérgio C,
  • Portela Ricardo W,
  • Meyer Roberto,
  • Lipinska Barbara,
  • Laskowska Ewa,
  • Teixeira Maria FS,
  • Oliveira Diana M,
  • Fonseca Cristina T,
  • Dorella Fernanda A,
  • Almeida Síntia S,
  • McCulloch John A,
  • Costa Marcilia P,
  • Miyoshi Anderson,
  • Azevedo Vasco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-4-243
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
p. 243

Abstract

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Abstract Background Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses in mammals. We identified and characterized the hsp60-hsp10 bicistronic operon of the animal pathogen Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive bacterium of the class Actinobacteria, which causes caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in small ruminants. Findings To construct the DNA vaccine, the hsp60 gene of C. pseudotuberculosis was cloned in a mammalian expression vector. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with the recombinant plasmid (pVAX1/hsp60). Conclusion This vaccination induced significant anti-hsp60 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a isotype production. However, immunization with this DNA vaccine did not confer protective immunity.