Author:
Hosomi Koji,Hatanaka Noritoshi,Hinenoya Atsushi,Adachi Jun,Tojima Yoko,Furuta Mari,Uchiyama Keita,Morita Makiko,Nagatake Takahiro,Saika Azusa,Kawai Soichiro,Yoshii Ken,Kondo Saki,Yamasaki Shinji,Kunisawa Jun
Abstract
IntroductionCampylobacter spp. are a public health concern, yet there is still no effective vaccine or medicine available.MethodsHere, we developed a Campylobacter jejuni-specific antibody and found that it targeted a menaquinol cytochrome c reductase complex QcrC.ResultsThe antibody was specifically reactive to multiple C. jejuni strains including clinical isolates from patients with acute enteritis and was found to inhibit the energy metabolism and growth of C. jejuni. Different culture conditions produced different expression levels of QcrC in C. jejuni, and these levels were closely related not only to the energy metabolism of C. jejuni but also its pathogenicity. Furthermore, immunization of mice with recombinant QcrC induced protective immunity against C. jejuni infection.DiscussionTaken together, our present findings highlight a possible antibody- or vaccination-based strategy to prevent or control Campylobacter infection by targeting the QcrC-mediated metabolic pathway.
Funder
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development