Recent developments for Pseudomonas vaccines

Abstract

Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major health problem for immune-compromised patients and individuals with cystic fibrosis. A vaccine against: P. aeruginosa has long been sought after, but is so far not available. Several vaccine candidates have been assessed in experimental animals and humans, which include sub-cellular fractions, capsule components, purified and recombinant proteins. Unique characteristics of the host and the pathogen have complicated the vaccine development. This review summarizes the current state of vaccine development for this ubiquitous pathogen, in particular to provide mucosal immunity against infections of the respiratory tract in susceptible individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Figure 1

Strategies for Ad vector-based vaccines against P. aeruginosa. (A) Expression of transgenes encoding P. aeruginosa antigenic proteins (e.g., OprF) by replication-defective (deletions in E1 and E3 genes) Ad vectors. (B) Modification of Ad capsid proteins to incorporate antigenic epitope (e.g., Epi8 of OprF in hexon) or targeting moities (e.g., RGD on fiber knob to target integrins on dendritic cells). (C) Use of alternate serotypes or non-human Ad vectors to circumvent the pre-existing immunity to prevalent human Ads.