Journal article
Vaccination of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein adjuvanted with poly I:C, a host defense peptide and polyphosphazine, elicits strong and long lasting cellular and humoral immune responses
Vaccine, Vol.32(44), pp.5781-5786
2014
Abstract
Chlamydial infections are wide spread in koalas across their range and a solution to this debilitating disease has been sought for over a decade. Antibiotics are the currently accepted therapeutic measure, but are not an effective treatment due to the asymptomatic nature of some infections and a low efficacy rate. Thus, a vaccine would be an ideal way to address this infectious disease threat in the wild. Previous vaccine trials have used a three-dose regimen; however this is very difficult to apply in the field as it would require multiple capture events, which are stressful and invasive processes for the koala. In addition, it requires skilled koala handlers and a significant monetary investment. To overcome these challenges, in this study we utilized a polyphosphazine based poly I:C and a host defense peptide adjuvant combined with recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) antigen to induce long lasting (54 weeks) cellular and humoral immunity in female koalas with a novel single immunizing dose. Immunized koalas produced a strong IgG response in plasma, as well as at mucosal sites. Moreover, they showed high levels of C. pecorum specific neutralizing antibodies in the plasma as well as vaginal and conjunctival secretions. Lastly, Chlamydia-specific lymphocyte proliferation responses were produced against both whole chlamydial elementary bodies and rMOMP protein, over the 12-month period. The results of this study suggest that a single dose rMOMP vaccine incorporating a poly I:C, host defense peptide and polyphosphazine adjuvant is able to stimulate both arms of the immune system in koalas, thereby providing an alternative to antibiotic treatment and/or a three-dose vaccine regime.
Details
- Title
- Vaccination of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein adjuvanted with poly I:C, a host defense peptide and polyphosphazine, elicits strong and long lasting cellular and humoral immune responses
- Authors
- Shahneaz Khan (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyCourtney Waugh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringGalit Rawlinson (Author) - Lone Pine Koala SanctuaryJacqui Brumm (Author) - Lone Pine Koala SanctuaryKaren Nilsson (Author) - Lone Pine Koala SanctuaryVolker Gerdts (Author) - University of Saskatchewan, CanadaAndrew Potter (Author) - University of Saskatchewan, CanadaAdam Polkinghorne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringKenneth Beagley (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyPeter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Vaccine, Vol.32(44), pp.5781-5786
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Date published
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.08.037
- ISSN
- 0264-410X
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449011402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Immunology
- Medicine, Research & Experimental
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