Evaluation of a live attenuated s. Sonnei vaccine strain in the human enteroid model

Giulia Pilla, Tao Wu, Christen Grassel, Jonathan Moon, Jennifer Foulke-Abel, Christoph M. Tang, Eileen M. Barry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Shigella is a leading cause of bacillary dysentery worldwide, responsible for high death rates especially among children under five in low–middle income countries. Shigella sonnei prevails in high-income countries and is becoming prevalent in industrializing countries, where multi-drug resistant strains have emerged, as a significant public health concern. One strategy to combat drug resistance in S. sonnei is the development of effective vaccines. There is no licensed vaccine against Shigella, and development has been hindered by the lack of an effective small-animal model. In this work, we used human enteroids, for the first time, as a model system to evaluate a plasmid-stabilized S. sonnei live attenuated vaccine strain, CVD 1233-SP, and a multivalent derivative, CVD 1233-SP::CS2-CS3, which expresses antigens from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The strains were also tested for immunogenicity and protective capacity in the guinea pig model, demonstrating their ability to elicit serum and mucosal antibody responses as well as protection against challenge with wild-type S. sonnei. These promising results highlight the utility of enteroids as an innovative pre-clinical model to evaluate Shigella vaccine candidates, constituting a significant advance for the development of preventative strategies against this important human pathogen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1079
JournalPathogens
Volume10
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Human enteroids
  • Shigella sonnei
  • Shigella vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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