Bacterial ghosts as carriers of protein subunit and DNA-encoded antigens for vaccine applications

Abstract

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) represent vaccine delivery systems gifted with outstanding natural adjuvant properties. BGs are empty cell envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria lacking cytoplasmic content yet retaining all unaltered morphological and structural features of their living counterparts. The intact surface make-up of BGs is easily recognized by professional APCs through pattern-recognition receptors, making them ideal for mucosal administration through oral, ocular, intranasal or aerogenic routes, which represent the most desirable methods of application in advanced vaccine use. BGs have been designed to be used as carriers of active substances and foreign antigens (protein and/or DNA) for vaccine development. This review highlights the salient features of the BGs’ versatile multipurpose vaccine platform for application in a wide range of human and veterinary medicines.

Keywords::

• antigen delivery system
• bacterial ghosts
• natural adjuvant
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by Biotech Innovation Research Development company (BIRD-C ) GmbH&CoKG, Kritzendorf, Austria. PhD studentship of A Muhammad is funded by Higher Education Commission Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan. PhD studentship of J Champeimont is funded by FWF Austrian Science Fund, Vienna, Austria. A Muhammad and J Champeimont performed their PhD work under the supervision of W Lubitz, the CEO of the BIRD-C GmbH&CoKG, Kritzendorf, Austria, in the laboratory of BIRD-C. P Kudela, UB Mayr and W Lubitz are employees of BIRD-C GmbH&CoKG, Kritzendorf, Austria. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.