Discussion
The results indicate efficacy of the recombinant chimeric protein as an effective immunogen, which induces strong humoral response as well as protection against ETEC adherence and toxicity.
Methods
In the present research, a chimeric trivalent protein composed of CssB, CssA and LTB was constructed. The chimeric gene was synthesized with codon bias of E. coli for enhanced expression of the protein. Recombinant proteins were expressed and purified. Mice were immunized with the recombinant protein. The antibody titer and specificity of the immune sera were analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting. Efficiency of the immune sera against ETEC was evaluated.
Results
Antibody induction was followed by immunization of mice with the chimeric protein. Pretreatment of the ETEC cells with immunized animal antisera remarkably decreased their adhesion to Caco-2 cells.