Molecular and Immunogenic Properties of Recombinant Falgellin of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104

Molecular properties of recombinant flagellin from Salmonella Typhimurium DT-104 were characterized. To assess the immunogenicity of the recombinant flagellin, doses of 30 micrograms of the recombinant flagellin in 100 ?l of the flagellin in PBS emulsified in equal volume of adjuvant, were inoculated into each of 10 BALB/c mice while a similar group of mice were injected with the same solution but without the flagellin protein, as a control. Three injections were administered into each mouse and blood was collected before each injection to determine the anti-flagellin serum titers. It was concluded that the recombinant flagellin has a good immunogenic properties. The relative protective effect of the anti-flagellin antibodies was assessed by subjecting the immunized and the control mice to lethal doses of the parent S. Typhimurium. A larger number of the immunized mice survived the challenge dose of S. Typhimurium than the control mice suggesting the protective value of the recombinant flagellin as a putative vaccine.