Synthesis and Immunological Evaluation of Escherichia coli O1- Derived Oligosaccharide–Protein Conjugates toward Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O1 Vaccine Development

Abstract Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli O1 (APEC O1) is a pathogenic bacterium that causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry and raises concerns about zoonotic infections. The development of effective vaccines against APEC O1 is essential due to antibiotic resistance and the potential for severe symptoms in both chickens and humans. In this context, we have been focusing on the O1A, O1B, and O1C antigen structures derived from E. coli O1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, the first synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating units of the O1B and O1C antigens was successfully achieved. The synthesis and immunological evaluation of their conjugates with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were conducted. Only the O1A-pentasaccharide structure is a glycotope candidate for APEC O1. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)–O1A-pentasaccharide conjugate was also synthesized, and its immunogenicity was evaluated by the ELISA assay. The efficient production of antibodies capable of binding to both APEC O1 LPS and the O1A-pentasaccharide structure was observed, indicating that O1A-pentasaccharide is a promising vaccine candidate against APEC O1.