Recombinant Antigen from Helicobacter pylori Urease Shows Promise as Vaccine Against H.-Pylori-Associated Disease

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Researchers in Japan have developed a recombinant antigen from Helicobacter pylori urease that shows promise as a vaccine against H.-pylori-associated disease. The study, published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, found that a recombinant fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) expressed in Escherichia coli was effective in inducing specific antibodies against the antigen. The antibodies, which were produced using the UreB-GST as the immunogen, showed a high specificity to UreB and inhibited the enzymatic activity of the urease in about 70% of the established monoclonal antibodies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The recombinant antigen from Helicobacter pylori urease was expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST).
  • Seventeen monoclonal antibodies, UA-1-17, were produced using the UreB-GST as the immunogen, and about 70% of them displayed an inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of the urease.
  • The antiserum induced by immunization with a recombinant UreB-GST into rabbits displayed a specific binding to mucosal surfaces of the human stomach infected with the pathogen H. pylori.
  • The antibodies produced by the researchers were able to suppress the enzymatic activity of H. pylori urease, which is a key virulence factor for the bacterium.
  • The study found that about 53% of the enzymatic activity of the urease could be reduced by one of the monoclonal antibodies, UA-15 MAb.

Statistics:

  • 70% of the established monoclonal antibodies displayed an inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of the urease.
  • About 53% of the enzymatic activity of the urease could be reduced by one of the monoclonal antibodies, UA-15 MAb.
  • Seventeen monoclonal antibodies, UA-1-17, were produced using the UreB-GST as the immunogen.

Sources:

  • Fujii, R., et al. "Recombinant antigen from Helicobacter pylori urease as vaccine against H.-pylori-associated disease." Biotechnology and Bioengineering 86.7 (2004): 737-746.
  • Publisher contact information for the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 USA.
  • This article comes under the major subject areas of Helicobacter Vaccine, Gastroenterology Vaccine, Stomach Ulcer, Bacteriology, Gastroenterology, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Proteomics, and Vaccine Development.