NCBI PubMed ID:29547971 Publication DOI:10.1093/femsre/fuy011 Journal NLM ID:8902526 Publisher: Oxford University Press Correspondence: Roberto Adamo <roberto.x.adamogsk.com> Institutions: GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena
Cell surface carbohydrates have been proven optimal targets for vaccine development. Conjugation of polysaccharides to a carrier protein triggers a T-cell dependent immune response to the glycan moiety. Licensed glycoconjugate vaccines are produced by chemical conjugation of capsular polysaccharides to prevent meningitis caused by meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b. However, other classes of carbohydrates (O-antigens, exopolysaccharides, wall/teichoic acids) represent attractive targets for developing vaccines.Recent analysis from WHO/CHO underpins alarming concern towards antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as the so called ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.) and additional pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and Group A Streptococcus. Fungal infections are also becoming increasingly invasive for immunocompromised patients or hospitalized individuals. Other emergencies could derive from bacteria which spread during environmental calamities (Vibrio cholerae) or with potential as bioterrorism weapons (Burkholderia pseudomallei and mallei, Francisella tularensis). Vaccination could aid reducing the use of broad spectrum antibiotics and provide protection by herd immunity also to individuals who are not vaccinated.This review analyses structural and functional differences of the polysaccharides exposed on the surface of emerging pathogenic bacteria, combined with medical need and technological feasibility of corresponding glycoconjugate vaccines.