A vaccine against S. pyogenes: design and experimental immune response

Methods. 2009 Dec;49(4):316-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.03.024. Epub 2009 May 4.

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes causes severe invasive infections: the post-streptococcal sequelae of acute rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), acute glomerulonephritis, and uncomplicated pharyngitis and pyoderma. Efforts to produce a vaccine against S. pyogenes began several decades ago, and different models have been proposed. Here, we describe the methodology used in the development of a new vaccine model, consisting of both T and B protective epitopes constructed as synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins. Two adjuvants were tested in an experimental inbred mouse model: a classical Freund's adjuvant and a new adjuvant (AFCo1) that induces mucosal immune responses and is obtained by calcium precipitation of a proteoliposome derived from the outer membrane of Neisseria meningitides B. The StreptInCor vaccine epitope co-administrated with AFCo1 adjuvant induced mucosal (IgA) and systemic (IgG) antibodies as preferential Th1-mediated immune responses. No autoimmune reactions were observed, suggesting that the vaccine epitope is safe.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Drug Design*
  • Female
  • Immunity, Mucosal / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / chemical synthesis
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / drug effects
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*

Substances

  • Streptococcal Vaccines