Muropeptidase (MurO) as Surface Protein Anchor for Anti HIV-1 2F5 Epitope on Lactobacillus plantarum

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a major public health concern because it cannot yet be prevented by vaccination. Mucosal surfaces are the primary sites for the HIV-1 transmission. Vaccine capable of protecting HIV-1 depends on the induction of long term mucosal immune responses. In the infected individuals, anti HIV-1 epitope can generate neutralizing antibodies and have protective effects. Vaccine which can induce local mucosal immunity may prevent HIV-1 replication within local tissues prior to systemic dissemination. The 2F5 human monoclonal antibody (MAb) has HIV-1 neutralizing activity. A conserved linear sequence ELDKWA which is present within the envelope glycoprotein of HIV virus is an epitope of 2F5 MAb. Expression of anti HIV-1 ELDKWA epitope on the cell surface of L. plantarum via anchor protein can be a strategy to develop HIV-1 vaccines. Lactobacillus plantarum are probiotics and have cell surface displaying ability. The aim of this study was to express anti HIV-1 2F5 epitope ELDKWA on the L. plantarum NC8 cell surface using muropeptidase (MurO) of L. plantarum CCUG 9289. The expression of recombinant protein MurO. 2F5 in L. plantarum NC8 was determined by Western blot following cloning techniques. BLASTP analysis showed that MurO has two putative lysine motif (LysM) domains that can bind to peptidoglycan. Our results suggest that MurO of L. plantarum can be used as an anchor protein for anti HIV-1 ELDKWA epitope expression in L. plantarum. This implies that using L. plantarum together with anchor protein MurO could effectively be used as a vaccine delivery system against HIV-1 infection.