Effect of immunization with a recombinant cholera toxin B subunit/somatostatin fusion protein on immune response and growth hormone levels in mice

Biotechnol Lett. 2012 Dec;34(12):2199-203. doi: 10.1007/s10529-012-1027-z. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

Abstract

Somatostatin (SS) is a hormone that inhibits growth hormone secretion. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) is a widely used adjuvant to improve the immunogenicity of co-administrated antigen. To block the growth hormone-inhibiting effect of SS, a fusion gene of CTB and SS was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified CTB/SS fusion protein polymerized into a biologically active pentamer required for CTB binding to the GM1 ganglioside receptor. Immunization with the CTB/SS protein induced specific immunity against CTB and SS in mice. The serum growth hormone of the CTB/SS-treated mice increased by 29 % (P < 0.05) compared with the control. The results indicated that the CTB/SS fusion protein was effective in inducing immune response against SS as well as elevating the growth hormone level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cholera Toxin / administration & dosage*
  • Cholera Toxin / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Growth Hormone / blood*
  • Immunization / methods
  • Mice
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Somatostatin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Somatostatin / genetics
  • Somatostatin / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Somatostatin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Cholera Toxin