Topical Application of Escherichia coli -Vectored Vaccine as a Simple Method for Eliciting Protective Immunity

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Abstract
We report here that animals can be protected against lethal infection by Clostridium tetani cells and Bacillus anthracis spores following topical application of intact particles of live or γ-irradiated Escherichia coli vectors overproducing tetanus and anthrax antigens, respectively. Cutaneous γδT cells were rapidly recruited to the administration site. Live E. coli cells were not found in nonskin tissues after topical application, although fragments of E. coli DNA were disseminated transiently. Evidence suggested that intact E. coli particles in the outer layer of skin may be disrupted by a γδT-cell-mediated innate defense mechanism, followed by the presentation of E. coli ligand-adjuvanted intravector antigens to the immune system and rapid degradation of E. coli components. The nonreplicating E. coli vector overproducing an exogenous immunogen may foster the development of a new generation of vaccines that can be manufactured rapidly and administered noninvasively in a wide variety of disease settings.