Cloning, expression and evaluation of a recombinant sub-unit vaccine against Clostridium botulinum type F toxin

A synthetic gene encoding the He (binding) domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin F (FHc) was expressed in Escherichia coli fused to maltose bindi ng protein (MBP). The purified MBP-FHc and FHc isolated after removal of MB P were evaluated in mice for their ability to protect against toxin challen ge. Balb/c mice developed a protective immune response following administra tion of either protein via the intraperitoneal or intramuscular routes. A c omparison of antibody titres and protection following single and multiple v accinations and the effects of dosage are shown. The long term protection a fforded by the vaccines was also investigated. Ten months following vaccina tion mice were still protected when challenged with 10(4) MLD50 doses of bo tulinum toxin F. Crown Copyright (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.