Active and passive immunization with rHyr1p-N protects mice against hematogenously disseminated candidiasis

PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e25909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025909. Epub 2011 Oct 10.

Abstract

We previously reported that Candida albicans cell surface protein Hyr1 encodes a phagocyte killing resistance factor and active vaccination with a recombinant N-terminus of Hyr1 protein (rHyr1p-N), significantly protects immunocompetent mice from disseminated candidiasis. Here we report the marked efficacy of rHyr1p-N vaccine on improving the survival and reducing the fungal burden of disseminated candidiasis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice using the FDA-approved adjuvant, alum. Importantly, we also show that pooled rabbit anti-Hyr1p polyclonal antibodies raised against 8 different peptide regions of rHyr1p-N protected mice in a hematogenously disseminated candidiasis model, raising the possibility of developing a successful passive immunotherapy strategy to treat this disease. Our data suggest that the rabbit anti-Hyr1p antibodies directly neutralized the Hyr1p virulence function, rather than enhanced opsonophagocytosis for subsequent killing by neutrophil in vitro. Finally, the rHyr1p-N vaccine was protective against non-albicans Candida spp. These preclinical data demonstrate that rHyr1p-N is likely to be a novel target for developing both active and passive immunization strategies against Candida infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Alum Compounds / pharmacology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / immunology
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Candidiasis / prevention & control*
  • Cross Reactions / immunology
  • Female
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fungal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Fungal Vaccines / chemistry
  • Fungal Vaccines / immunology
  • Immunization, Passive / methods*
  • Immunocompetence / immunology
  • Immunocompromised Host / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology*
  • Survival Rate
  • Vaccination / methods*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Alum Compounds
  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Fungal Vaccines
  • HYR1 protein, Candida albicans
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • aluminum sulfate