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  • Title: The Corn Smut ('Huitlacoche') as a New Platform for Oral Vaccines.
    Author: Juárez-Montiel M, Romero-Maldonado A, Monreal-Escalante E, Becerra-Flora A, Korban SS, Rosales-Mendoza S, Jiménez-Bremont JF.
    Journal: PLoS One; 2015; 10(7):e0133535. PubMed ID: 26207365.
    Abstract:
    The development of new alternative platforms for subunit vaccine production is a priority in the biomedical field. In this study, Ustilago maydis, the causal agent of common corn smut or 'huitlacoche'has been genetically engineered to assess expression and immunogenicity of the B subunit of the cholera toxin (CTB), a relevant immunomodulatory agent in vaccinology. An oligomeric CTB recombinant protein was expressed in corn smut galls at levels of up to 1.3 mg g-1 dry weight (0.8% of the total soluble protein). Mice orally immunized with 'huitlacoche'-derived CTB showed significant humoral responses that were well-correlated with protection against challenge with the cholera toxin (CT). These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using edible corn smut as a safe, effective, and low-cost platform for production and delivery of a subunit oral vaccine. The implications of this platform in the area of molecular pharming are discussed.
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