Expression of foreign proteins on gram-positive commensal bacteria for mucosal vaccine delivery

✍ Scribed by Vincent A. Fischetti; Donata Medaglini; Marco Oggioni; Gianni Pozzi

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1993
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 815 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0958-1669
• DOI: 10.1016/0958-1669(93)90084-a

✦ Synopsis

Non-pathogenic Gram-positive oral commensal bacteria expressing recombinant fusion proteins on their cell surface have been successfully used to raise both a mucosal and a systemic immune response to foreign antigens while colonizing the oropharynx. In this system, fusion-protein vaccines are delivered and anchored to the surface of a commensal, which occupies the mucosal niche invaded by a particular pathogen. Surface expression of these foreign proteins is achieved by exploiting the common mechanism employed by Gram-positive bacteria for translocating and anchoring proteins to the cell surface. The process offers a safe alternative to the use of engineered pathogens as live vaccine delivery vehicles.