DOI: 10.4103/mjbl.mjbl_1504_23 ISSN: 1812-156X

Production of Local Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ghosts Vaccine by Using the Sponge-Like Reduced Protocol and Evaluation of their Immunogenicity in a Mice Model

Rawia Hussein Ali, Ibtisam Habeeb Al-Azawi, Adnan Hamad Al-Hamadani

Abstract

Background:

In recent years, extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has caused several infections in humans, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. According to several studies, bacterial ghosts (BGs) could be a novel strategy for preventing P. aeruginosa infections. BGs are bacterial cellular membranes that have been evacuated of most of their protein and genetic contents but have retained their surface characteristics.

Objectives:

Prepare P. aeruginosa ghosts (PAGs) as an alternative vaccine and evaluate their efficiency in stimulating cellular immune responses in mice compared with P. aeruginosa outer membrane proteins.

Materials and Methods:

The current study used a simple and cost-effective method to generate P. aeruginosa ghosts using certain chemicals. The integrity of cells was demonstrated by using a light microscope. Furthermore, high-quality PAGs were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Subculturing was used to establish the absence of live cells. The mice were given three doses of safety PAGs with an adjuvant over a 14-day period and then challenged with a virulent P. aeruginosa . The expression of interferon gamma (IFN -γ ) cytokine was done by using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The mice were then challenged with a virulent P. aeruginosa .

Results:

The results showed punctured cells with intact outer shells were visible in the SEM image of improved high-quality P. aeruginosa ghost preparation.

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ditionally, subculturing supported the absence of live cells. The results of gene expression showed that vaccinated mice with subcutaneous-PAGs group (A2) produced higher levels of IFN -γ than other groups, indicating a good immune response. Also, the challenge test demonstrated that the produced PAGs are immunogenic and equally effective as the outer-membrane proteins vaccine after the challenge.

Conclusion:

The PAGs vaccine stimulated significant cellular immune responses by increasing the level of IFN -γ cytokine in the immunized mice, also giving complete protection against virulent P. aeruginosa . According to these findings, PAGs may serve as a novel vaccine candidate for P. aeruginosa infections.

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