Protection of red snapper (Lutjanus sanguineus) against Vibrio alginolyticus with a DNA vaccine containing flagellin flaA gene

Aims: The main aims of this study were to construct a DNA vaccine containing flagellin flaA gene from Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901 and to explore the potential application of pcDNA‐flaA as a DNA vaccine candidate for red snapper (Lutjanus sanguineus). Methods and Results: Plasmid DNA encoding flagellin flaA gene (designated as pcDNA‐flaA) was used as a DNA vaccine to immunize red snapper. The distribution, expression and immunoprotection of the DNA vaccine were analysed in tissues of the red snapper by PCR, RT‐PCR and challenge test. PCR results indicated that pcDNA‐flaA distributed in liver, spleen, kidney, gill and injection site muscle at 7–28 days after vaccination. RT‐PCR results indicated that the flaA gene was expressed in all above tissues of vaccinated fish at 7–28 days after vaccination. In addition, fish receiving the DNA vaccine developed a protective response to live V. alginolyticus challenge 28 days post inoculation, the relative per cent survival (RPS) was 88%. Conclusions: This study showed that injection of pcDNA‐flaA induced an efficient, systemic and antigen‐specific immune response in red snapper, which makes it an effective vaccine candidate against V. alginolyticus infection. Significance and Impact of the Study: The finding that red snapper does adequately respond to pcDNA‐flaA intramuscular injection makes pcDNA‐flaA a promising candidate for DNA vaccine treatment. Furthermore, the availability of red snapper for foreign gene expression represents a useful model to develop effective prophylactic strategies and opens new perspectives for the treatment of bacterial pathogens of marine cultured fish.