MucoRice-cholera toxin B-subunit, a rice-based oral cholera vaccine, down-regulates the expression of α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor-like protein family as major rice allergens

J Proteome Res. 2013 Jul 5;12(7):3372-82. doi: 10.1021/pr4002146. Epub 2013 Jun 25.

Abstract

To develop a cold chain- and needle/syringe-free rice-based cholera vaccine (MucoRice-CTB) for human use, we previously advanced the MucoRice system by introducing antisense genes specific for endogenous rice storage proteins and produced a molecularly uniform, human-applicable, high-yield MucoRice-CTB devoid of plant-associated sugar. To maintain the cold chain-free property of this vaccine for clinical application, we wanted to use a polished rice powder preparation of MucoRice-CTB without further purification but wondered whether this might cause an unexpected increase in rice allergen protein expression levels in MucoRice-CTB and prompt safety concerns. Therefore, we used two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis and shotgun MS/MS proteomics to compare rice allergen protein expression levels in MucoRice-CTB and wild-type (WT) rice. Both proteomics analyses showed that the only notable change in the expression levels of rice allergen protein in MucoRice-CTB, compared with those in WT rice, was a decrease in the expression levels of α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor-like protein family such as the seed allergen protein RAG2. Real-time PCR analysis showed mRNA of RAG2 reduced in MucoRice-CTB seed. These results demonstrate that no known rice allergens appear to be up-reregulated by genetic modification of MucoRice-CTB, suggesting that MucoRice-CTB has potential as a safe oral cholera vaccine for clinical application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Allergens / genetics
  • Allergens / isolation & purification
  • Antigens, Plant / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Plant / genetics*
  • Cholera / drug therapy
  • Cholera / pathology
  • Cholera / prevention & control*
  • Cholera Toxin / genetics*
  • Cholera Toxin / therapeutic use
  • Cholera Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cholera Vaccines / genetics
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Humans
  • Oryza / genetics
  • Oryza / immunology
  • Plant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Proteomics
  • Seeds / genetics
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / biosynthesis
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • alpha-Amylases / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Cholera Vaccines
  • Plant Proteins
  • RAG2 protein, Oryza sativa
  • Trypsin Inhibitors
  • Cholera Toxin
  • alpha-Amylases