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. 1995 Aug;63(8):2854–2858. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.8.2854-2858.1995

Active immunization with recombinant V antigen from Yersinia pestis protects mice against plague.

S E Leary 1, E D Williamson 1, K F Griffin 1, P Russell 1, S M Eley 1, R W Titball 1
PMCID: PMC173387  PMID: 7622205

Abstract

The gene encoding V antigen from Yersinia pestis was cloned into the plasmid expression vector pGEX-5X-2. When electroporated into Escherichia coli JM109, the recombinant expressed V antigen as a stable fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase. The glutathione S-transferase-V fusion protein was isolated from recombinant E. coli and cleaved with factor Xa to yield purified V antigen as a stable product. Recombinant V antigen was inoculated intraperitoneally into mice and shown to induce a protective immune response against a subcutaneous challenge with 3.74 x 10(6) CFU of virulent Y. pestis. Protection correlated with the induction of a high titer of serum antibodies and a T-cell response specific for recombinant V antigen. These results indicate that V antigen should be a major component of an improved vaccine for plague.

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Selected References

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