Gene

Bacteria

Biology

Plague (disease)

Anthrax vaccines

Virology

DNA vaccination

Biochemistry

Bacteriophage

Immunology

Genetics

Yersinia pestis

Antigen

Toxicology

Immunization

Microbiology

Escherichia coli

Biological warfare

Medicine

Bacillus anthracis

Virulence

Pathology

mBio

Following the deadly anthrax attacks of 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis that cause anthrax and plague, respectively, are two Tier 1 select agents that pose the greatest threat to the national security of the United States. Both cause rapid death, in 3 to 6 days, of exposed individuals. We engineered a virus nanoparticle vaccine using bacteriophage T4 by incorporating key antigens of both B. anthracis and Y. pestis into one formulation. Two doses of this vaccine provided complete protection against both inhalational anthrax and pneumonic plague in animal models. This dual anthrax-plague vaccine is a strong candidate for stockpiling against a potential bioterror attack involving either one or both of these biothreat agents. Further, our results establish the T4 nanoparticle as a novel platform to develop multivalent vaccines against pathogens of high public health significance.

A Bacteriophage T4 Nanoparticle-Based Dual Vaccine against Anthrax and Plague