Vaccine-Elicited Antibodies Restrict Glucose Availability to Control Brucella Infection

The impact of vaccine-induced immune responses on host metabolite availability has not been well studied. Here we show that prior vaccination alters the metabolic profile of mice challenged with Brucella melitensis. In particular, glucose levels were reduced in vaccinated mice in an antibody-dependent manner. We also found the glucose transporter gene gluP plays a lesser role in B melitensis virulence in vaccinated wild type mice relative to vaccinated mice unable to secrete antibodies. These data indicate that vaccine-elicited antibodies protect the host in part by restricting glucose availability. Moreover, Brucella and other pathogens may need to employ different metabolic strategies in vaccinated hosts. Prior vaccination alters tissue metabolite levels during Brucella infection. In particular, vaccine-elicited antibodies lower tissue glucose levels and diminish the role of a glucose transporter in the virulence of Brucella.