Construction of recombinant Bacillus subtilis spores surface-displaying PRRSV ORF1b, GP5, M, and N proteins in tandem and evaluation of their immunogenicity in mice

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a single-stranded RNA virus, is a highly contagious pathogen that causes severe reproductive and respiratory disorders in pigs, leading to significant economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. However, current commercial vaccines provide only limited protection against circulating PRRSV strains, highlighting the urgent need for novel vaccine strategies. B. Bacillus subtilis, a well-characterized probiotic, has emerged as a promising platform for mucosal vaccine delivery due to its safety profile and ability to induce robust immune responses. In this study, we screened B cell and T cell linear epitopes from PRRSV-ORF1b, GP5, M, and N proteins to construct a recombinant tandem antigen (ER), which was displayed on the surface of B. subtilis 168 spores. The resulting recombinant strain, designated B. subtilis BE, was evaluated for immunogenicity in mice via oral administration. The results showed that Oral immunization with B. subtilis BE significantly elevated antigen-specific secretory IgA levels in intestinal contents and IgG levels in serum, indicating potent mucosal and systemic humoral responses. Moreover, B. subtilis BE induced measurable neutralizing antibody titers and enhanced cellular immunity, as evidenced by increased frequencies of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and upregulation of IFN-, TNF-, and IFN-{gamma} expression in intestinal tissues. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that B. subtilis BE elicits both humoral and cellular immune responses and may serve as a novel oral vaccine candidate against PRRSV, offering a promising alternative for controlling the ongoing epidemic.