H. Pylori Vaccine Shows Promise In Mice

Researchers in China have developed an oral vaccine against H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for some forms of gastric cancer.

Asian Scientist (Dec. 26, 2013) – Researchers in China have developed an oral vaccine against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers and some forms of gastric cancer, and have successfully tested it in mice.

In their research, published in the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, the researchers constructed a live recombinant bacterial vaccine by expressing adhesin Hp0410, a H. pylori antigen, in the food-grade bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus.

When tested in mice, the vaccine elicited specific anti-Hp0410 IgG antibodies in serum, and showed “a significant increase” in the level of protection against gastric Helicobacter infection.

When H. pylori was introduced to the mice, the researchers found that immunized mice had significantly lower bacterial loads than non-immunized mice.

“Our results collectively indicate that adhesin Hp0410 is a promising candidate vaccine antigen and recombinant Lactobacillus acidophilus expressing Hp0410 is likely to constitute an effective, low-cost live bacterial vaccine against H. pylori,” said Fan Hongying, the first author of the paper.

The article can be found at: Fan H et al. (2013) Oral Immunization With Recombinant Lactobacillus Acidophilus Expressing The Adhesin Hp0410 Of Helicobacter Pylori Induces Mucosal And Systemic Immune Responses.

——

Source: American Society for Microbiology; Image: euthman/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning science and technology magazine that highlights R&D news stories from Asia to a global audience. The magazine is published by Singapore-headquartered Wildtype Media Group.

Related Stories from Asian Scientist