DNA vaccine containing Flagellin A gene induces significant immune responses against Helicobacter pylori infection: An in vivo study

Objective(s): Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent human infectious agents that is directly involved in various upper digestive tract diseases. Although antibioticsbased therapy and proton pump inhibitors eradicate the bacteria mostly, their effectiveness has been declined recently due to emergence of antibioticresistant strains. Development of a DNA vaccine is a promising approach against bacterial pathogens. Genes encoding motility factors are promising immunogens to develop a DNA vaccine against H. pylori infection due to critical role of these genes in bacterial attachment and colonization within the gastric lumen. The present study aimed to synthesize a DNA vaccine construct based on the Flagellin A gene (flaA), the predominant flagellin subunit in H. pylori flagella. Materials and Methods: The coding sequence of flaA was amplified through PCR and subcloned in the pBudCE4.1 vector. The recombinant vector was introduced into the human dermal fibroblast cells, and its potency to express the flaA protein was analyzed using SDS-PAGE. The recombinant construct was intramuscularly (IM) injected into the mice, and the profiles of cytokines and immunoglobulins were measured using ELISA. Results: It has been found that flaA was successfully expressed in cells. Recombinantvector also increased the serum levels of evaluated cytokines and immunoglobulins in mice. Conclusion: These findings showed that the pBudCE4.1-flaA construct was able to activate the immune responses. This study is the first step towards synthesis of recombinant-construct based on the flaA gene. Immunization with such construct may inhibit the H. pylori-associated infection; however, further experiments are urgent.