Immunogenic characteristics of the outer membrane phosphoporin as a vaccine candidate against Klebsiella pneumoniae

In recent years, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) has caused disease outbreaks in different animals, resulting in serious economic losses and biosafety concerns. Considering the broad antibiotic resistance of KP, vaccines are the most effective tools against infection. However, there is still no KP vaccine available in the veterinary field. Our results indicate that the highly conserved outer membrane phosphoporin (PhoE) of KP is immunogenic in mice and elicits high titers of antibodies that were shown to be specific for PhoE by immunoblotting. Immunization with PhoE also induced robust cell-mediated immunity and elicited the secretion of high levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4, suggesting the induction of mixed Th1 and Th2 responses. Sera from PhoE-immunized mice induced significantly higher complement-mediated lysis of KP cells than did sera from the PBS control mice. Finally, mice immunized with PhoE were significantly protected against KP challenge, with better survival and a reduced visceral bacterial load. Our data underscore the great potential of PhoE as a novel candidate antigen for a vaccine against KP infection.

Automated summary

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) has caused disease outbreaks in animals, leading to economic losses and biosafety concerns. Vaccines are effective tools against KP infection, but there is currently no KP vaccine available in veterinary medicine. The highly conserved outer membrane phosphoporin (PhoE) of KP has been found to be immunogenic in mice, inducing high levels of specific antibodies and robust cell-mediated immunity. Immunization with PhoE also increased the secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4, suggesting the induction of mixed Th1 and Th2 responses. Mice immunized with PhoE showed significantly higher complement-mediated lysis of KP cells, and were protected against KP challenge with improved survival and reduced bacterial load.