Virtually all living cells secrete membrane enclosed extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play crucial roles in intercellular communication, signaling and the transfer of biomolecules both within and between different species. In bacteria, these nano sized spherical structures contain cargo such as proteins, DNA, and RNA and can be considered a non-replicating mini version of the mother cell. The secretion of bacterial EVs are associated with a range of phenotypes including cell-cell communication, host-pathogen interactions, and antimicrobial resistance development.
EV may also elicit both a humoral and antibody mediated immune response after immunization of a host making them an interesting vaccine candidate against intracellular pathogens. This is explored by a range of research groups and biotech firms against several infectious diseases and one EV based vaccine is already on the market against Neisseria meningitides type B. In a One Health perspective our research group has investigated the use of EV as a potential vaccine against several intracellular bacterial pathogens creating problems in farmed animals including fish. Immunization with EV revealed protection against some diseases, but not in others where we hypothesized that the EV was part of the microbial pathogenesis.
To circumvent possible negative side effects of natural EV, we explore the immunogenic properties of recombinant rEV isolated from E. coli expressing antigens from other infectious bacterial species. In this talk I will give an introduction of the exiting biology of bacterial EVs, explain how we got interested in exploring their properties and how they have taken us into the world of innovation and pharmaceuticals.
Food will be served from 12:00; the presentation starts at 12:15