Immunogenic Potential and Therapeutic Efficacy of Multi-Epitope Encapsulated Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa-Mediated Urinary Tract Infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major concern among hospital-acquired infections. The need for an effective vaccine that reduces the infections is imperative. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-epitope vaccine encapsulated in silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNPs) against P. aeruginosa-mediated UTIs. A multi-epitope was constructed from nine proteins of P. aeruginosa using immunoinformatic analysis, expressed, and purified in BL21 (DE3) cells. The encapsulation efficiency of the multi-epitope in SFNPs was 85% with a mean particle size of 130 nm and 24% of the encapsulated antigen was released after 35 days. The vaccine formulations adjuvanted with SFNPs or alum significantly improved systemic and mucosal humoral responses and the cytokine profile (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17) in mice. Additionally, the longevity of the IgG response was maintained for at least 110 days in a steady state. In a bladder challenge, mice treated with the multi-epitope admixed with alum or encapsulated in SFNPs demonstrated significant protection of the bladder and kidneys against P. aeruginosa. This study highlights the promising therapeutic potential of a multi-epitope vaccine encapsulated in SFNPs or adjuvanted with alum against P. aeruginosa infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.