The Rho GTPase activators CNF1 and DNT bacterial toxins have mucosal adjuvant properties

Vaccine. 2005 Apr 8;23(20):2551-6. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.11.042.

Abstract

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) from uropathogenic Escherichia coli belongs to a family of factors activating Rho GTPases. We report the in vivo effects of CNF1 in mice co-fed toxin and the soluble protein antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Similar to cholera toxin, CNF1 elicits adjuvanticity anti-OVA responses, both systemic and mucosal. In contrast, the catalytic inactive mutant CNF1-C866S demonstrated no effects. Using dermonecrotic toxin (DNT), a closely related Rho activating toxin from Bordetella, we discovered that the adjuvant property is within the DNT catalytic domain. Manipulation of Rho proteins thus provides a possible new approach for the development of effective mucosal immunoadjuvants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Immunity, Mucosal / drug effects*
  • Immunization
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Transglutaminases / genetics
  • Transglutaminases / pharmacology*
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / genetics
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / pharmacology*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella
  • dermonecrotic toxin, Bordetella
  • cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1
  • Ovalbumin
  • Transglutaminases
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins