Vibrio cholerae surface antigens (V. cholerae antigens)

Vibrio cholerae surface antigens, including flagellin and various outer membrane proteins, are the primary targets for prophylactic vaccines against cholera. Flagellin, particularly the FlaA subunit, is the major component of the bacterial flagellum and is essential for the motility and chemotaxis required for the pathogen to penetrate the mucus layer of the small intestine (UniProt P0C6C7). Other critical surface proteins, such as the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) and outer membrane protein U (OmpU), facilitate the adherence and colonization of the intestinal epithelium (PubMed: 11004594). When these antigens are presented to the host via oral vaccines, they stimulate the production of secretory IgA and systemic vibriocidal antibodies. These immune components neutralize the pathogen by blocking its ability to move and attach to host cells, thereby preventing the subsequent release of cholera toxin and the development of severe secretory diarrhea (WHO Cholera Vaccines Position Paper). Current therapeutic strategies focus on using inactivated whole-cell preparations or recombinant subunits to provide broad protection against various serogroups, primarily O1 and O139 (CDC Yellow Book).

Other names

Vibrio cholerae flagellinFlaAOuter membrane protein U (OmpU)Toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP)Vibrio cholerae surface protein antigensBacterial flagellar filament protein

Induction of active mucosal and systemic immunity; stimulation of secretory IgA and serum vibriocidal antibodies that inhibit bacterial motility and attachment to the intestinal mucosa.