Development of vaccines against anthrax

摘要：本项目旨在将炭疽芽孢杆菌关键保护性抗原编码基因导入安全的伤寒沙门氏菌减毒活疫苗载体中。炭疽保护性抗原基因(s)将被插入到几个质粒载体后面的组合启动子，允许低或高水平的组成表达。或者，启动子只在感染或宿主细胞内“打开”炭疽基因。这些质粒结构将首先检查抗原产生水平和伤寒沙门氏菌疫苗载体的遗传稳定性。将对几种选定的口服活沙门氏菌炭疽疫苗在小鼠中的免疫原性和在小动物模型中的保护功效进行评估

Summary: This project is aimed at introducing genes encoding key protective antigens of Bacillus anthracis into a safe, attenuated live Salmonella typhi vaccine vector. The anthrax protective antigen gene(s) will be inserted into several plasmid vectors behind assorted promoters that allow for a low or high level of constituitive expression. Alternatively, promoters that "turn on" the anthrax gene(s) only upon infection or only inside host cells will be employed. These plasmid constructs will initially be examined for level of antigen production and genetic stability in S. typhi vaccine vectors. Several selected candidate live, oral Salmonella-based vaccines against anthrax will be assessed for immunogenicity in mice and for protective efficacy in small animal models