New vaccine antigens for the control of Streptococcus mutans

• Grant number: 13/06671-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Rita de Cássia Café Ferreira
• Grantee: Rita de Cássia Café Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project's main objective is to continue the study of energy-dependent ABC transporters (stands for ATP-Binding Cassette) in the physiology and pathogenicity of Streptococcus mutans and to pursuit the search of recombinant antigens to be incorporated into vaccine formulations aimed at the control of dental caries in humans. Studies dealing the functional and immunological characterization of ABC transporters will focus on specific ligand-binding components, particularly the phosphate-binding protein (PstS) and the glutamate-binding protein (GlnA). The role played by these elements on the physiology and pathogenicity of S. mutans will be based on the study of specific knockout mutants, precisely deleted in the respective genes, while immunological and immunization studies will be mainly carried out with recombinant proteins generated in Bacillus subtilis strains. In addition to these antigens, the search for S. mutans candidate antigens will also include fragments of the P1 protein, responsible for the initial stages of adhesion of bacteria to the tooth surface and the most studied vaccine antigen described to date. The recombinant antigens of S. mutans will be administered via mucosal (oral and sublingual) in association with adjuvants in order to induce IgA responses in saliva able to control the colonization of dental surfaces. We also intend to evaluate the antigen vector function of genetically modified B. subtilis based on a technology recently developed by the group. The data to be generated during the protect should contribute to the understanding of nutrient transport systems in S.mutans and to the development of new prophylactic strategies/therapies against dental caries. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BATISTA, MILENE TAVARES; SOUZA, RENATA D.; FERREIRA, EWERTON L.; ROBINETTE, REBEKAH; CROWLEY, PAULA J.; RODRIGUES, JULIANA F.; BRADY, L. JEANNINE; FERREIRA, LUIS C. S.; FERREIRA, RITA C. C.. Immunogenicity and In Vitro and In Vivo Protective Effects of Antibodies Targeting a Recombinant Form of the Streptococcus mutans P1 Surface Protein. Infection and Immunity, v. 82, n. 12, p. 4978-4988, DEC 2014. (12/51189-3, 13/06671-4)

BATISTA, MILENE TAVARES; FERREIRA, EWERTON LUCENA; PEREIRA, GISELA DE SOUZA; STAFFORD, PHILLIP; NASCIMENTO FABRIS MAEDA, DENICAR LINA; RODRIGUES, JULIANA FALCAO; BRADY, L. JEANNINE; JOHNSTON, STEPHEN ALBERT; DE SOUZA FERREIRA, LUIS CARLOS; CAFE FERREIRA, RITA DE CASSIA. LT adjuvant modulates epitope specificity and improves the efficacy of murine antibodies elicited by sublingual vaccination with the N-terminal domain of Streptococcus mutans P1. Vaccine, v. 35, n. 52, p. 7273-7282, DEC 19 2017. (15/15562-0, 12/51189-3, 13/06671-4)