Immunoprotective Properties of Outer Membrane Vesicles from Vibrio vulnificus in Zebrafish

Vibrio vulnificus is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for severe infections in both humans and aquatic organisms, posing a serious threat to public health and aquaculture. This study evaluates the immunoprotective potential of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from V. vulnificus. OMVs were isolated by differential centrifugation and characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and protein quantification. Proteomic profiling identified key immunogenic proteins and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) within the OMVs. In zebrafish models, OMVs elicited a dose-dependent immune response, providing significant protection against V. vulnificus infection. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of immune pathways, suggesting that OMVs not only promote an immediate immune response but also enhance long-term immune protection. These findings position V. vulnificus OMVs as a promising adjuvant-free vaccine candidate for disease control in aquaculture. This study highlights the potential of OMVs in improving pathogen-host interactions and offers new avenues for therapeutic development in both aquaculture and broader human health contexts.