Deglycosylation of eukaryotic-expressed flagellin restores adjuvanticity

Flagellin, the TLR5 agonist, shows potent adjuvant activities in diverse vaccines and immunotherapies. Vibrio vulnificus flagellin B expressed in eukaryotic cells (eFlaB) could not stimulate TLR5 signaling. Enzymatic deglycosylation restored eFlaB's TLR5 stimulating functionality, suggesting that glycosylation interferes with eFlaB binding to TLR5. Site-directed mutagenesis of N-glycosylation residues restored TLR5 stimulation and adjuvanticity. Collectively, deglycosylated eFlaB may provide a built-in adjuvant platform for eukaryotic-expressed antigens and nucleic acid vaccines.

Automated summary

Enzymatic deglycosylation restores the TLR5 stimulating functionality of eukaryotic-expressed Vibrio vulnificus flagellin B (eFlaB), suggesting that glycosylation interferes with eFlaB binding to TLR5. Site-directed mutagenesis of N-glycosylation residues restores TLR5 stimulation and adjuvanticity.