CD4 T cell antigens from Staphylococcus aureus Newman strain identified following immunization with heat-killed bacteria

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2012 Apr;19(4):477-89. doi: 10.1128/CVI.05642-11. Epub 2012 Feb 8.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacterium associated with the skin and mucosal surfaces of humans and animals that can also cause chronic infection. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and strains causing chronic intramammary infections (IMI) in cows results in severe human and livestock infections. Conventional approaches to vaccine development have yielded only a few noneffective vaccines against MRSA or IMI strains, so there is a need for improved vaccine development. CD4 T lymphocytes are required for promoting gamma interferon (IFN-γ) mediated immunoglobulin isotype switching in B lymphocytes to produce high-affinity IgG antibodies and IFN-γ-mediated phagocyte activation for an effective resolution of bacterial infection. However, the lack of known CD4 T cell antigens from S. aureus has made it difficult to design effective vaccines. The goal of this study was to identify S. aureus proteins recognized by immune CD4 T cells. Using a reverse genetics approach, 43 antigens were selected from the S. aureus Newman strain. These included lipoproteins, proteases, transcription regulators, an alkaline shock protein, conserved-domain proteins, hemolysins, fibrinogen-binding protein, staphylokinase, exotoxin, enterotoxin, sortase, and protein A. Screening of expressed proteins for recall T cell responses in outbred, immune calves identified 13 proteins that share over 80% sequence identity among MRSA or IMI strains. These may be useful for inclusion in a broadly protective multiantigen vaccine against MRSA or IMI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cattle
  • Humans
  • Immunization / methods
  • Reverse Genetics / methods
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary*
  • Staphylococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Staphylococcal Vaccines