Many Gram-negative pathogens utilize a type III secretion (T3S) system to directly deliver effector molecules into host eukaryotic cells to manipulate cellular processes. These surface-exposed syringe-like structures are highly conserved, necessary for pathogenesis, and hence are therapeutic targets against a number of Gram-negative pathogens. Here we describe a protocol for using purified needle proteins to immunize mice, and subsequently, ways to characterize the immune response to immunization.
Keywords: Antibodies; Cytokines; ELISA; Immunization; Type III secretion.