Abstract:
Background: S. pyogenes is a human pathogen that can cause a wide range of diseases such as tonsillitis, impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, and acute rheumatic fever. There is currently no safe and effective vaccine available against this pathogen. The cell surface of S. pyogenes is decorated with hair-like appendages, known as pili. These are generally involved in adhesion and colonisation of the host during infection. Purpose: To construct a multivalent vaccine based on the backbone protein of the pilus (also known as the T-antigen). Methods: The first multivalent recombinant protein (TeeVax1) was constructed by joining individual N- and C-terminal domains of the T-antigen from 6 distinct S. pyogenes strains using molecular biology techniques. This protein was expressed and purified from E. coli and used to immunise rabbits. Antibody responses from immunised rabbit serum was determined by ELISA. Results: TeeVax1 was able to be expressed as soluble fusion protein and purified. Immunised rabbits produced high antibody titres against all six T-antigens, with some cross-reactivity observed. Conclusion: Generation of a soluble multivalent vaccine based on the T-antigen of S. pyogenes is possible, and able to produce robust antibody responses.
