• Vaccine Name: Brucella abortus cysteine synthase A subunit vaccine
• Target Pathogen: Brucella spp.
• Target Disease: Brucellosis
• Vaccine Ontology ID: VO_0009185
• Type: Subunit vaccine
• Status: Research
• Host Species for Licensed Use: Cattle
• Host Species as Laboratory Animal Model: Mus musculus (BALB/c mice)
• Antigen: cysteine synthase A
• Adjuvant: Freund's adjuvant; aluminium hydroxide gel;
• Preparation: Identification of immunogenic proteins from B. abortus cell envelope using proteomic techniques including 2-DE, MALDI-TOF MS, and LC-MS/MS; Western blot analyses with sera from infected bovine and human patients identified immunogenic proteins. (Connolly et al, 2006)
  rCysK was formulated with Freund's adjuvant, aluminium hydroxide gel, or without any adjuvant. (Jain et al, 2013)
• Description: Live attenuated vaccines S19 and RB51 are used to control bovine brucellosis but have safety issues for humans and pregnant cattle; this study aims to identify novel candidate proteins from B. abortus cell envelope for safer vaccine development. Immune response: Several new immunogenic proteins identified by Western blot using antisera from infected bovine and human patients, indicating potential to elicit immune response. (Connolly et al, 2006)
  Recombinant cysteine synthase A (rCysK) of Brucella abortus was generated in Escherichia coli and purified by metal affinity chromatography to homogeneity. Efficacy: Significant protection against virulent B. abortus strain 544 challenge was observed in all rCysK immunized groups compared to PBS control; the best protection was in mice immunized with rCysK plus aluminium hydroxide gel (1.064 units of protection). Immune response: High titers of anti-rCysK IgG antibodies predominated by IgG1 were observed; spleen lymphocytes from mice immunized with rCysK plus aluminium hydroxide gel produced significant IFN-γ; overall, rCysK induced primarily a Th2 type immune response and partial protection. (Jain et al, 2013)

Mouse Response

• Host Strain: BALB/c
• Immune Response: High titers of anti-rCysK IgG antibodies predominated by IgG1 were observed; spleen lymphocytes from mice immunized with rCysK plus aluminium hydroxide gel produced significant IFN-γ; overall, rCysK induced primarily a Th2 type immune response and partial protection. (Jain et al, 2013)
• Challenge Protocol: Immunogenicity and protective efficacy were evaluated in BALB/c mice by measuring antibody titers, cytokine production from spleen lymphocytes, and protection against challenge with virulent B. abortus strain 544. (Jain et al, 2013)
• Efficacy: Significant protection against virulent B. abortus strain 544 challenge was observed in all rCysK immunized groups compared to PBS control; the best protection was in mice immunized with rCysK plus aluminium hydroxide gel (1.064 units of protection). (Jain et al, 2013)
• Description: Immunogenicity and protective efficacy were evaluated in BALB/c mice by measuring antibody titers, cytokine production from spleen lymphocytes, and protection against challenge with virulent B. abortus strain 544. (Jain et al, 2013)