Professor
Hieu Tran-Van
Laboratory of Laboratory of Biosensors, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Title: PEP1-Driven M-Cell Targeting Improves Mucosal Immunity and Oral Vaccine Performance
Laboratory of Laboratory of Biosensors, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology,
University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City
Oral vaccination offers a powerful route for inducing mucosal and systemic immunity, yet its effectiveness is often hindered by limited antigen uptake and the induction of tolerance. To address this challenge, we identified a novel M-cell-targeting peptide, PEP1, derived from Brucella abortus Hsp60 through structure-guided docking against the prion protein receptor (PrPᶜ). PEP1 exhibited strong predicted affinity for the PrPᶜ binding interface and, when fused to model antigens, efficiently directed them to intestinal M cells, resulting in robust enhancements of fecal IgA and systemic IgG responses. Building on this targeting strategy, we applied PEP1 to a relevant swine pathogen by fusing it to FedA, the major fimbrial subunit of F18⁺ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a primary cause of post-weaning diarrhea. Oral immunization with PEP–FedA elicited strong mucosal and systemic antibodies in mice, including fecal IgA that specifically recognized F18⁺ ETEC without cross-reactivity to F4⁺ strains. Together, these findings highlight PEP1 as a minimal, scalable targeting element that enhances mucosal immunogenicity across distinct antigens and demonstrate its potential for improving next-generation oral vaccines, including those aimed at controlling F18⁺ ETEC–associated disease.
Biography of the presenting author
Prof. Dr. Hieu Tran-Van is the Head of the Laboratory of Biosensors at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology (FBB), University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. He earned his PhD from Bayerisches Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany. At FBB, he founded the GMIF Biomedical Research group and Laboratory of Biosensors. His research focuses on conjugating immune sensors onto various material platforms, addressing global challenges related to healthcare, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance through biotechnological innovations. His work encompasses the biosynthesis of in silico-designed recombinant proteins, the development of mucosal vaccines, the formulation of biocompatible drug delivery systems, the creation of cost-effective, portable detection technologies, and the annotation of next-generation sequencing data for pathogenic bacteria.
Presenting author details
Full name: Hieu-Tran-Van
Contact number: +84983260781
Email: tvhieu@hcmus.edu.vn
Researchgate
Session name: Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Category: Oral presentation