E. coli  O157:H7 Intimin Expressed by Transgenic Plant Cells as a Candidate Oral Vaccine for Cattle

Objectives

This study focused on the development of a vaccine that would be delivered orally through corn using intimin_O157 to prevent cattle from becoming infected with E. coli O157:H7.

Conclusions

Mice were either immunized intraperitoneally with intimin expressed from the plant cells, fed transgenic plant cells, or both.  These mice generated an intimin-specific mucosal immune response when primed parenterally and then boosted orally and also exhibited a reduced duration of E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding after challenge.  Nonglycosylated bacterial proteins can be glycosylated in transgenic plant systems, previously not reported, which in this study negatively affected immune response and was unable to block the adherence of E. coli O157:H7.

Deliverable

Knowing that nonglycosylated bacterial proteins can be glycosylated in transgenic plant systems, will allow researchers to select a plant system for delivery of the vaccine that will decrease colonization of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle.