Objective Tuberculosis(TB)is a significant global public health issue,and the current vaccine,Bacil-lus Calmette-Guérin(BCG),offers limited protection for adults.This study aims to develop a novel TB subunit vaccine based on the AhpC antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)to enhance protection for adults.Methods The pET28a-AhpC recombinant plasmid was constructed by using genetic engineering techniques,and the AhpC protein was expressed and purified in E.coli.The immunogenicity of the AhpC antigen to be recognized by T cells in the peripheral blood of M.tb-infected individuals was detected by using Western Blot Immunoassay(WBIA)and Multiplex Fluoro-Cytometric Immunoassay(MFCIA).Further,the immunization experiment in mice was conducted to evaluate the immune response induced by the AhpC/IC31 vaccine,and its immunogenicity and protective potential were assessed through ELISA and cytokine detection.Results The recombinant AhpC an-tigen was successfully constructed and expressed.The rAhpC induced a significantly high level of INF-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α responses in the peripheral blood of M.tb-infected individuals.AhpC/IC31 successfully induced a strong Thl-type immune response in mice,which was enhanced after initial vaccination with BCG,leading to a higher level of immune response and protective potential.Conclusion This study provides a candidate target anti-gen for a new subunit vaccine against TB,offering a theoretical and experimental foundation for the prevention of adult tuberculosis and the protection of individuals with latent M.tb infection.
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