The use of corn smut for the production of recombinant vaccines has been recently implemented by our
group. In this study, the stability and immunogenic properties of the corn smut-based cholera vaccine,
based on the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), were determined in mouse. The immunogenic potential of
distinct corn smut CTB doses ranging from 1 to 30 g were assessed, with maximum humoral responses
at both the systemic (IgG) and intestinal (IgA) levels at a dose of 15 g. The humoral response last for up
to 70 days after the third boost. Mice were fully protected against a challenge with cholera toxin after
receiving three 15 g-doses. Remarkably, the corn smut-made vaccine retained its immunogenic activity
after storage at room temperature for a period of 1 year and no reduction on CTB was observed following
exposure at 50 ◦C for 2 h. These data support the use of the corn smut-made CTB vaccine as a highly stable
and effective immunogen and justify its evaluation in target animal models, such as piglet and sheep, as
well as clinical evaluations in humans.
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