Quantitative analysis identifies possible vaccine proteins

Scientists have used quantitative analysis methods to identify a bacterial protein which has the potential to be used in future vaccines to protect pigs from disease.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) causes a respiratory disease in swine across the world, with high rates of morbidity and mortality.

In the study, published by Proteome Science, the team used an immunoproteomic approach to identify APP protein antigens that may educe an immune response in serotype one naturally infected swine and serotype one virulent strain S259-immunized rabbits.

Using quantitative analysis methods including western blot analysis and two-dimensional electrophoresis, the scientists identified a number of immunoreactive protein spots, including the known antigens ApxIIA, protective surface antigen D15, outer membrane proteins P5 and subunit NqrA.

The team identified 42 immunoreactive proteins of the APP serotype 1 virulent strain S259 in total, with 32 different examples found.

During the process, however, the scientists found several with novel immunoreactive factors, which have the potential to be researched to create vaccines against the disease.