Immune response anthrax

The advent of immunoproteomics made possible the identification of highly immunogenic proteins that can be used for vaccine development. Proteins that have the greatest potential for eliciting a protective immune response are collectively referred to as the pathogen s immunome. Immunoproteomics has been utilized to characterize the immu-nome of B. anthracis for the development of a safer and equally efficacious vaccine. The immunoreactive proteins are first identified by using 2DE Western blot analysis in conjunction with mass spectrometry. In B. anthracis, for example, antisera from humans post-infected with anthrax were used to probe Western blots of its various... 

Alileche, A., Serfass, E.R., Muehlhauer, S.M., Porcelli, S.A., Brojatsch, J. (2005). Anthrax lethal toxin-mediated killing of human and murine dendritic cells impairs the adaptive immune response. PLoS Pathogens 1 150-8. 

When anthrax spores enter the body, particularly when inhaled or ingested, they immediately become active, multiply, and release a three-part protein toxin, of which one part is deadly to humans and is referred to as the lethal factor. The lethal factor interferes with the body s ability to mount an immune response. Cutaneous (skin) infection with anthrax is rarely fatal if treated. Initial symptoms of cutaneous anthrax infection appear within days of exposure, beginning with an itchy bump that develops into a black sore, sometimes accompanied by flulike symptoms. Anthrax infection via ingestion (e.g., via contaminated food) causes food poisoning-like symptoms and may be fatal if untreated. Inhalational exposure to anthrax is the most serious form and is characterized by mild respiratory symptoms that develop into severe symptoms, breathing difficulties, shock, and eventually death if not treated. Typically symptoms appear within a week of exposure to infective B. anthracis but may not appear for 2 months (Inglesby et al. 2002). 

Klinman, DAI., Xie, H., Little, S.F., et al., 2004. CpG oligonucleotides improve the protective immune response induced by the anthrax vaccination of rhesus... 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Use of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2002 51(45) 1024-6. 

DOD Response to the Staff Report of the House Government Reform s Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations entitled, The Department of Defense Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program Unproven Force Protection, (February 29, 2000) p. 3. Found at... 

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