Identification of novel immunogenic proteins of Vibrio alginolyticus by immunoproteomic methodologies

Vibrio alginolyticus is one of the most serious diseases in cultured marine and freshwater fish and shellfish. The absence of suitable vaccine or virulent marker can be the bottleneck to control V. alginolyticus infection. In this study, immunoproteomic approaches were undertaken to study the immunogenicity of the whole-cell protein of V. alginolyticus HY9901. The whole-cell proteins were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent immunoblotting using the rabbit anti-V. alginolyticus HY9901 serum. A total of 55 immunogenic proteins were identified by immunoproteomic analysis. Of the 55 proteins, 51 are specific immunoreactive proteins and four are nonspecific immunoreactive proteins. Furthermore, outer membrane protein N (spot 2) was used as immunogens to immunize Epinephelus coioides for investigation of protective abilities and activities. The E. coioides immunized with OmpN has abilities to fight against infections caused by V. alginolyticus. The other novel immunogenic proteins may be developed as alternative antigens for further study of V. alginolyticus vaccine and diagnostics. These data show that immunoproteomics methods can be successfully applied in identifying immunogenic proteins of V. alginolyticus, which helps to search for the protective antigens in future.