Immunoprotection of chickens against Eimeria acervulina by recombinant α-tubulin protein

Abstract

Tubulins are heterodimeric molecules responsible for the polymerization of microtubules in apicomplexan parasites. The α-tubulin, a subcellular structural protein of Eimeria acervulina, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as an α-tubulin-GST fusion protein. Immunogenicity of the recombinant protein was studied in chickens by subcutaneous injection of 50, 100, or 150 μg of the protein with or without Freund’s adjuvant. Immunization with 150 μg α-tubulin-GST protein in combination with Freund’s adjuvant conferred partial protection against E. acervulina oocyst challenge, as shown by a 36% reduction in oocyst shedding, a marked decrease in intestinal lesion score and a significant increase in body weight gain in comparison with the nonimmunized controls. The results suggest that α-tubulin protein may be used as an effective vaccine antigen for the control of Eimeria infection.