Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae P97 adhesin (P97) (P97)

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae P97 adhesin (P97) is a critical surface-exposed protein of the wall-less bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the primary causative agent of enzootic pneumonia in swine. This protein functions as a major adhesin, mediating the attachment of the pathogen to the ciliated respiratory epithelium of the host, which is a prerequisite for colonization and disease progression (Minion et al., 2000). As a key immunological target, P97 is widely utilized in the development of both whole-cell bacterin vaccines and recombinant subunit vaccines aimed at inducing protective mucosal immunity (Simionatto et al., 2013). Interaction with these vaccines triggers the production of neutralizing antibodies that block the protein's repeat regions, thereby preventing bacterial adherence and reducing the severity of lung lesions. Additionally, P97 serves as a significant diagnostic marker for monitoring herd exposure and vaccine efficacy through serological assays. Despite its importance, the high degree of genetic variability in the P97 gene across different strains presents a challenge for the design of universally effective vaccines (Hsu & Minion, 1998).

Other names

P97 proteinMhp1Adhesin P97Cilium-adhesin P97P46 antigenP102 antigenP159 antigen

Vaccines targeting the P97 adhesin induce the production of specific mucosal and systemic antibodies (IgA and IgG) that bind to the protein's R1 and R2 repeat regions, sterically hindering the bacterium's ability to adhere to the host's ciliated respiratory epithelium and preventing colonization.