FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>

Background: Brucellosis poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating effective vaccine development. Current vaccines have limitations such as safety concerns and inadequate mucosal immunity. This study aims to develop an FcRn-targeted mucosal <i>Brucella</i> vaccine by fusi...

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Main Authors: Tingting Tian, Yuejie Zhu, Kaiyu Shang, Huidong Shi, Ruixue Xu, Mingzhe Li, Fuling Pu, Junyu Kuang, Jianbing Ding, Fengbo Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/567
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author Tingting Tian
Yuejie Zhu
Kaiyu Shang
Huidong Shi
Ruixue Xu
Mingzhe Li
Fuling Pu
Junyu Kuang
Jianbing Ding
Fengbo Zhang
author_facet Tingting Tian
Yuejie Zhu
Kaiyu Shang
Huidong Shi
Ruixue Xu
Mingzhe Li
Fuling Pu
Junyu Kuang
Jianbing Ding
Fengbo Zhang
author_sort Tingting Tian
collection DOAJ
description Background: Brucellosis poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating effective vaccine development. Current vaccines have limitations such as safety concerns and inadequate mucosal immunity. This study aims to develop an FcRn-targeted mucosal <i>Brucella</i> vaccine by fusing the human Fc domain with <i>Brucella</i>’s multi-epitope protein (MEV), proposing a novel approach for human brucellosis prevention. Methods: The study developed a recombinant antigen (h-tFc-MEV) through computational analyses to validate antigenicity, structural stability, solubility, and allergenic potential. Molecular simulations confirmed FcRn binding. The vaccine was delivered orally via chitosan nanoparticles in murine models. Immunization was compared to MEV-only immunization. Post-challenge assessments were conducted to evaluate protection against <i>Brucella</i> colonization. Mechanistic studies investigated dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation. Results: Computational analyses showed that the antigen had favorable properties without allergenic potential. Molecular simulations demonstrated robust FcRn binding. In murine models, oral delivery elicited enhanced systemic immunity with elevated serum IgG titers and amplified CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios compared to MEV-only immunization. Mucosal immunity was evidenced by significant IgA upregulation across multiple tracts. Long-term immune memory persisted for six months. Post-challenge assessments revealed markedly reduced <i>Brucella</i> colonization in visceral organs. Mechanistic studies identified FcRn-mediated dendritic cell activation through enhanced MHC-II expression and antigen presentation efficiency. Conclusions: The FcRn-targeted strategy establishes concurrent mucosal and systemic protective immunity against <i>Brucella</i> infection. This novel vaccine candidate shows potential for effective human brucellosis prevention, offering a promising approach to address the limitations of current vaccines.
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spelling doaj-art-e54aa1c77370451b84335699c8c3cfdf2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-05-0113656710.3390/vaccines13060567FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>Tingting Tian0Yuejie Zhu1Kaiyu Shang2Huidong Shi3Ruixue Xu4Mingzhe Li5Fuling Pu6Junyu Kuang7Jianbing Ding8Fengbo Zhang9State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High-Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Graduate School, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaReproductive Fertility Assistance Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High-Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Graduate School, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High-Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Graduate School, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, ChinaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, ChinaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, ChinaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High-Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Graduate School, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High-Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Graduate School, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaBackground: Brucellosis poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating effective vaccine development. Current vaccines have limitations such as safety concerns and inadequate mucosal immunity. This study aims to develop an FcRn-targeted mucosal <i>Brucella</i> vaccine by fusing the human Fc domain with <i>Brucella</i>’s multi-epitope protein (MEV), proposing a novel approach for human brucellosis prevention. Methods: The study developed a recombinant antigen (h-tFc-MEV) through computational analyses to validate antigenicity, structural stability, solubility, and allergenic potential. Molecular simulations confirmed FcRn binding. The vaccine was delivered orally via chitosan nanoparticles in murine models. Immunization was compared to MEV-only immunization. Post-challenge assessments were conducted to evaluate protection against <i>Brucella</i> colonization. Mechanistic studies investigated dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation. Results: Computational analyses showed that the antigen had favorable properties without allergenic potential. Molecular simulations demonstrated robust FcRn binding. In murine models, oral delivery elicited enhanced systemic immunity with elevated serum IgG titers and amplified CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios compared to MEV-only immunization. Mucosal immunity was evidenced by significant IgA upregulation across multiple tracts. Long-term immune memory persisted for six months. Post-challenge assessments revealed markedly reduced <i>Brucella</i> colonization in visceral organs. Mechanistic studies identified FcRn-mediated dendritic cell activation through enhanced MHC-II expression and antigen presentation efficiency. Conclusions: The FcRn-targeted strategy establishes concurrent mucosal and systemic protective immunity against <i>Brucella</i> infection. This novel vaccine candidate shows potential for effective human brucellosis prevention, offering a promising approach to address the limitations of current vaccines.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/567FcRn: neonatal Fc receptorMEV: multi-epitope vaccinemucosal vaccine
spellingShingle Tingting Tian
Yuejie Zhu
Kaiyu Shang
Huidong Shi
Ruixue Xu
Mingzhe Li
Fuling Pu
Junyu Kuang
Jianbing Ding
Fengbo Zhang
FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
Vaccines
FcRn: neonatal Fc receptor
MEV: multi-epitope vaccine
mucosal vaccine
title FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
title_full FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
title_fullStr FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
title_full_unstemmed FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
title_short FcRn-Driven Nanoengineered Mucosal Vaccine with Multi-Epitope Fusion Induces Robust Dual Immunity and Long-Term Protection Against <i>Brucella</i>
title_sort fcrn driven nanoengineered mucosal vaccine with multi epitope fusion induces robust dual immunity and long term protection against i brucella i
topic FcRn: neonatal Fc receptor
MEV: multi-epitope vaccine
mucosal vaccine
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/567
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