The use of transgenic plants as delivery system for antigenic proteins is attractive for its simplicity and increases likelihood for local immune response at sites of infection.Plant as edible vaccine present many potential advantages related to the management of intensive livestock because they can be administered in the feed without having to restrain the animals, which is both less stressful for the animals and reduces labour costs in terms of the multiple injections of traditional vaccines no longer being needed. Clinical signs of Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infections include palpebral oedema, neurological symptoms (i.e. ataxia, paralysis), recumbency, sudden death. The aetiology of the disease is complex, since changes on food composition and consistency, loss of passive protection from the sow and genetic susceptibility of the pigs are involved in the pathogenesis. The most important symptoms are related to Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e or VT2e). VT2e toxins are bipartite 70-kDa proteins composed of a single enzymatically active A subunit and five B subunits, responsible for binding the toxin to the cell surface. The VTEC strains colonize the ileum via host-specific F18 fimbriae that allow the bacteria to adhere to F18 receptors on small intestinal enterocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of oral administration of tobacco seeds, expressing the FedA, the major protein of the F18 adhesive fimbriae, and B subunit of verocitoxin, against VTEC strain in piglets.
- Principal Investigators: Federica Riva , Antonella Baldi , Giorgio Poli
- Lead organization: Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare (attivo dal 27/04/2012 al 01/01/2022), DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE VETERINARIE E SANITA' PUBBLICA (attivo dal 27/04/2012 al 01/03/2016)
- Financing institution: REGIONE LOMBARDIA, MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
- Type: RL_PRES - Bandi Presidenza
- Coordinatore: PLANTECHNO S.R.L.
- Start date: 2012
- Duration in months: 29 mesi
- Status: Closed