Genetically derived toxoids; a new approach to produce clostridial toxoid vaccines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESThe current clostridial vaccines are composed of chemically detoxified toxins (toxoids). Today with molecular biology and biotechnology advances, low-toxic or non-toxic derivatives of clostridial toxins can be obtained by site directed mutagenesis of the toxin genes. The aim of this study was to design and produce the genetically derived toxoids of Clostridium perfringens toxins.MATERIALS AND METHODSVarious mutants were created in specific locations of C. perfringens toxin genes, using mutated complementary primers based on the overlap-extension PCR technique. These specific genes were cloned in Escherichia coli DE۳ strain and toxin mutants devoid of any toxic activity has been produced and evaluated with in vivo and in vitro studies.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe results showed that genetically derived toxoids of C. perfringens toxins could be well expressed in Escherichia coli. These toxoids were safe in in vivo and in vitro evaluations and were able to stimulate moucosal and parentral immune responses.CONCLUSIONThese genetically derived toxoids of C. perfringens toxins are superior to the classical toxoids both in safety and in immunogenicity. Thus they should replace the old toxoids in the existing clostridial vaccines and can be used to produce a new generation of toxoid vaccines.

کلیدواژه ها:

Clostridium perfringens ، Genetically derived toxoids ، Toxin ، Vaccine