1
|
Poston TB, Girardi J, Polson AG, Bhardwaj A, Yount KS, Jaras Salas I, Trim LK, Li Y, O'Connell CM, Leahy D, Harris JM, Beagley KW, Goonetilleke N, Darville T. Viral-vectored boosting of OmcB- or CPAF-specific T-cell responses fail to enhance protection from Chlamydia muridarum in infection-immune mice and elicits a non-protective CD8-dominant response in naïve mice. Mucosal Immunol 2024:S1933-0219(24)00066-7. [PMID: 38969067 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
A vaccine is needed to combat the Chlamydia epidemic. Replication-deficient viral vectors are safe and induce antigen-specific T-cell memory. We tested the ability of intramuscular immunization with modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus or chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAd) expressing chlamydial outer membrane protein (OmcB) or the secreted protein, chlamydial protease-like activating factor (CPAF), to enhance T-cell immunity and protection in mice previously infected with plasmid-deficient Chlamydia muridarum CM972 and elicit protection in naïve mice. MVA.OmcB or MVA.CPAF increased antigen-specific T cells in CM972-immune mice ∼150 and 50-fold, respectively, but failed to improve bacterial clearance. ChAd.OmcB/MVA.OmcB prime-boost immunization of naïve mice elicited a cluster of differentiation (CD) 8-dominant T-cell response dominated by cluster of differentiation (CD)8 T cells that failed to protect. ChAd.CPAF/ChAd.CPAF prime-boost also induced a CD8-dominant response with a marginal reduction in burden. Challenge of ChAd.CPAF-immunized mice genetically deficient in CD4 or CD8 T cells showed that protection was entirely CD4-dependent. CD4-deficient mice had prolonged infection, whereas CD8-deficient mice had higher frequencies of CPAF-specific CD4 T cells, earlier clearance, and reduced burden than wild-type controls. These data reinforce the essential nature of the CD4 T-cell response in protection from chlamydial genital infection in mice and the need for vaccine platforms that drive CD4-dominant responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jenna Girardi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - A Grace Polson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Aakash Bhardwaj
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kacy S Yount
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian Jaras Salas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Logan K Trim
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yanli Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Catherine M O'Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Darren Leahy
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Harris
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nilu Goonetilleke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Richardson S, Medhavi F, Tanner T, Lundy S, Omosun Y, Igietseme JU, Carroll D, Eko FO. Cellular Basis for the Enhanced Efficacy of the Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand (FL) Adjuvanted VCG-Based Chlamydia abortus Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698737. [PMID: 34249004 PMCID: PMC8264281 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacious vaccines are needed to control genital chlamydial diseases in humans and the veterinary industry. We previously reported a C. abortus (Cab) vaccine comprising recombinant Vibrio cholerae ghosts (rVCG) expressing the conserved and immunogenic N-terminal region of the Cab polymorphic membrane protein D (rVCG-Pmp18.1) protein that protected mice against intravaginal challenge. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of the hematopoietic progenitor activator cytokine, Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-ligand (FL) when co-administered with the rVCG-Pmp18.1 vaccine as a strategy to enhance the protective efficacy and the potential mechanism of immunomodulation. Groups of female C57BL/6J mice were immunized and boosted twice intranasally (IN) with rVCG-PmpD18.1 with and without FL or purified rPmp18.1 or rVCG-gD2 (antigen control) or PBS (medium) per mouse. The results revealed that co-administration of the vaccine with FL enhanced antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses and protected against live Cab genital infection. Comparative analysis of immune cell phenotypes infiltrating mucosal and systemic immune inductive tissue sites following immunization revealed that co-administration of rVCG-Pmp18.1 with FL significantly enhanced the number of macrophages, dendritic and NK cells, γδ and NK T cells in the spleen (systemic) and iliac lymph nodes (ILN) draining the genital tract (mucosal) tissues compared to rVCG-Pmp18.1 alone. Furthermore, FL enhanced monocyte infiltration in the ILN, while CD19+ B cells and CD4+ T cells were enhanced in the spleen. These results indicate that the immunomodulatory effect of FL is associated with its ability to mobilize innate immune cells and subsequent activation of robust antigen-specific immune effectors in mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakyra Richardson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fnu Medhavi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tayhlor Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie Lundy
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Darin Carroll
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng N, Sun L, Pang G, Zha X, Niu W, Tan L, Zhang H, Bai H. Chlamydia muridarum infection induces CD4+ T cells apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signal pathway. Pathog Dis 2020; 77:5492259. [PMID: 31107947 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftz029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is essential for the homeostatic control of the lymphocytes number during the development of an immune response to an invasive microorganism. CD4+ T cells play a major role in homeostasis of the immune system and are sufficient to confer protection against Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) infection in mice. The present study demonstrated that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) p110δ mRNA and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (p-AKT) level were significantly increased in lung cells and spleen cells at day 3 and day 7 post-infection, p-AKT level was inhibited when adding PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Moreover, Cm infection induced high levels of IL-2/IL-2Rα in CD4+ T cells, which may relate to PI3K/AKT signal pathway activation. We observed that Cm infection significantly induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. The related apoptosis proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 uneven expression levels were induced in CD4+ T cells by Cm infection. These findings provided in vivo and in vitro evidence that Cm infection induces CD4+ T cells apoptosis possibly via PI3K/AKT signal pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ningbo Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Lida Sun
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Gaoju Pang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zha
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Wenhao Niu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Lu Tan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Hong Bai
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Educational Ministry of China, No.22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
O'Neill LM, Keane OM, Ross PJ, Nally JE, Seshu J, Markey B. Evaluation of protective and immune responses following vaccination with recombinant MIP and CPAF from Chlamydia abortus as novel vaccines for enzootic abortion of ewes. Vaccine 2019; 37:5428-5438. [PMID: 31375438 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MIP and CPAF from Chlamydia have been shown to be effective in inducing immune responses important in clearing chlamydial infections. This study evaluates the protection conferred by MIP and CPAF as novel vaccines in pregnant C. abortus challenged ewes. Fifty C. abortus sero-negative sheep were randomly allocated into 5 groups of 10 according to the treatment they were to receive (1) 100 µg of MBP-MIP (2) 100 µg CPAF (3) 50 µg MBP-MIP and 50 µg CPAF (4) Tris-buffer (negative control) (5) Enzovax (positive control). Booster inoculations were administered 3 weeks after primary inoculations. Blood samples were taken pre-vaccination and weekly for 5 weeks. Five months after vaccination the ewes were mated. Pregnant ewes were then challenged on day 90 of gestation. Blood samples taken at four time-points post challenge were analysed for IFNγ levels, TNFα and IL-10 expression and anti-chlamydial antibody levels. Vaginal swabs, placental and foetal tissue and bacterial shedding were analysed using qPCR to quantify levels of C. abortus. Enzovax was 100% effective with no abortions occurring. The MIP/CPAF combined vaccine offered the greatest protection of the novel vaccines with 67% of ewes giving birth to one or more live lambs equating to a 50% vaccine efficacy rate. MIP and CPAF administered singly did not confer protection. Enzovax and MIP/CPAF vaccinated ewes had longer gestations and lambs with higher birth weights than negative control ewes. Aborting ewes shed higher numbers of C. abortus than ewes that had live lambs, all vaccinated ewes demonstrated lower levels of bacterial shedding than negative control ewes with Enzovax ewes shedding significantly fewer bacteria. Ewes that went on to abort had significantly higher levels of IFNγ and IL-10 at day 35 post challenge and significantly higher levels of anti-chlamydial antibodies at 24 h post lambing compared to ewes that had live lambs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L M O'Neill
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
| | - O M Keane
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - P J Ross
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - J E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - J Seshu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centre of Excellence in Infection Genomics and Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - B Markey
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pais R, Omosun Y, Igietseme JU, Fujihashi K, Eko FO. Route of Vaccine Administration Influences the Impact of Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand (Flt3L) on Chlamydial-Specific Protective Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1577. [PMID: 31333682 PMCID: PMC6621642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that the impact of the Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-ligand (Flt3L; FL) on recombinant Vibrio cholerae ghost (rVCG) vaccine-induced chlamydial immunity is influenced by route of vaccine delivery. Female C57BL/6J mice were immunized rectally (IR) or intramuscularly (IM) with rVCG co-expressing the Chlamydia trachomatis PmpD and PorB proteins (rVCG- PmpD/PorB) with and without FL or glycoprotein D of HSV-2 (rVCG-gD2) as antigen control. Vaccine evaluation was based on measurement of T cell proliferation, Th1/Th2 cytokine, and humoral responses at systemic and mucosal compartments, and protection against intravaginal challenge infection. Results revealed that high levels of CD4+ T cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, were elicited in mice as a function of both IR and IM immunization. Unexpectedly, co-administration of vaccine with FL enhanced specific Th1-type cytokine levels and T cell proliferative responses following IR but not IM immunization. While administration of vaccine with FL enhanced the specific mucosal and systemic IgA antibody responses following both immunization routes, IgG2c responses were not enhanced following IR delivery. The vaccine-induced immune effectors protected mice against live heterologous C. muridarum infection irrespective of route of vaccine administration, with the regimen incorporating FL having a protective advantage. Further evaluation showed that protection afforded by the FL adjuvanted vaccine was facilitated by CD4+ T cells, as indicated by reduction in the intensity and duration of genital chlamydial shedding by naïve mice following adoptive transfer of immune CD4+ T cells. Taken together, the results indicate that comparable protective immunity, which is enhanced by co-delivery with FL, is elicited in the female genital tract against Chlamydia infection after mucosal and systemic administration, highlighting the ability of FL to function as an effective immunostimulator at both mucosal and systemic sites. The differential modulation of humoral and cellular immune responses, and protective immunity afforded by the FL adjuvanted vaccine following IR administration indicates that the immunomodulatory impact of FL on chlamydial-specific immunity is influenced by the route of vaccine administration. Thus, targeting of VCG-based vaccines to antigen presenting cells by co-delivery with FL is a feasible immunization approach for inducing effective chlamydial immunity in the female genital tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Pais
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kohtaro Fujihashi
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Institute of Oral Health Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qiao S, Zheng N, Sun L, Pang G, Wang S, Jia P, Uzonna JE, Bai H, Yang X. The p110δ isoforme of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays an important role in host defense against chlamydial lung infection through influencing CD4+ T-cell function. Pathog Dis 2018; 76:5035814. [PMID: 29893841 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/fty053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PI3Ks display integrant significance in T-cell development and differentiation, which is related to host defense against infections. Here, we investigated the role of p110δ isoform of PI3Ks in host defense against chlamydial lung infection in a mouse model. Our data showed that lung infection with Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) activated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Compared to WT mice, p110δD910A mice, mice with an inactivating knockin mutation in the p110δ Isoform of PI3Ks, showed more sever disease phenotype and slower recovery, which was associated with reduced Chlamydia-specific Th1 and Th17 immune responses following infection. Further adoptive transfer experiment showed that mice which received CD4+ T cells from infected p110δD910A mice exhibited greater body weight loss and higher bacterial loads in the lung than those which received CD4+ T cells from WT mice following challenge infection. These results provide in vivo evidence that p110δ isoform of PI3Ks plays an important role in host defense against chlamydial infection by promoting CD4+ T-cell immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sai Qiao
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070 Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Ningbo Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070 Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Lida Sun
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070 Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Gaoju Pang
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070 Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Shuhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada
| | - Ping Jia
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada
| | - Jude Ezeh Uzonna
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada
| | - Hong Bai
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070 Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E0T5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li W, Gudipaty P, Li C, Henderson KK, Ramsey KH, Murthy AK. Intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor attenuates atherosclerotic pathology following Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in mice. Immunol Cell Biol 2018; 97:85-91. [PMID: 30051926 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have shown previously that intranasal vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF: antigen) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant induces robust protection against pathological consequences of female genital tract infection with Chlamydia muridarum, a closely related species and a rodent model for the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. Another related species Chlamydia pneumoniae, a human respiratory pathogen, has been associated with exacerbation of atherosclerotic pathology. CPAF is highly conserved among Chlamydia spp. leading us to hypothesize that immunization with rCPAF with IL-12 will protect against high-fat diet (HFD) and C. pneumoniae-induced acceleration of atherosclerosis. rCPAF ± IL-12 immunization induced robust splenic antigen (Ag)-specific IFN-γ and TNF-α production and significantly elevated serum total anti-CPAF Ab, IgG2c, and IgG1 antibody levels compared to mock or IL-12 alone groups. The addition of IL-12 to rCPAF significantly elevated splenic Ag-specific IFN-γ production and IgG2c/IgG1 anti-CPAF antibody ratio. Following intranasal C. pneumoniae challenge and HFD feeding, rCPAF ± IL-12-immunized mice displayed significantly enhanced splenic IFN-γ, not TNF-α, response on days 6 and 9 after challenge, and significantly reduced lung chlamydial burden on day 9 post-challenge compared to mock- or IL-12-immunized mice. Importantly, rCPAF ± IL-12-immunized mice displayed significantly reduced atherosclerotic pathology in the aortas after C. pneumoniae challenge. Serum cholesterol levels were comparable between the groups suggesting that the observed differences in pathology were due to protective immunity against the infection. Together, these results confirm and extend our previous observations that CPAF is a promising candidate antigen for a multisubunit vaccine regimen to protect against Chlamydia-induced pathologies, including atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weidang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
| | - Pareesha Gudipaty
- College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
| | - Chuxi Li
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA.,College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kyle K Henderson
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA.,Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Ashlesh K Murthy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Update on Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccinology. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00543-16. [PMID: 28228394 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00543-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Attempts to produce a vaccine to protect against Chlamydia trachomatis-induced trachoma were initiated more than 100 years ago and continued for several decades. Using whole organisms, protective responses were obtained. However, upon exposure to C. trachomatis, disease exacerbation developed in some immunized individuals, precluding the implementation of the vaccine. Evidence of the role of C. trachomatis as a sexually transmitted pathogen started to emerge in the 1960s, and it soon became evident that it can cause acute infections and long-term sequelae in women, men, and newborns. The main focus of this minireview is to summarize recent findings and discuss formulations, including antigens, adjuvants, routes, and delivery systems for immunization, primarily explored in the female mouse model, with the goal of implementing a vaccine against C. trachomatis genital infections.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wali S, Gupta R, Yu JJ, Lanka GKK, Chambers JP, Guentzel MN, Zhong G, Murthy AK, Arulanandam BP. Chlamydial protease-like activity factor mediated protection against C. trachomatis in guinea pigs. Immunol Cell Biol 2016; 95:454-460. [PMID: 27990018 PMCID: PMC5449249 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2016.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We have comprehensively demonstrated using the mouse model that intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) leads to a significant reduction in bacterial burden, genital tract pathology and preserves fertility following intravaginal genital chlamydial challenge. In the present report, we evaluated the protective efficacy of rCPAF immunization in guinea pigs, a second animal model for genital chlamydial infection. Using a vaccination strategy similar to the mouse model, we intranasally immunized female guinea pigs with rCPAF plus CpG deoxynucleotides (CpG; as an adjuvant), and challenged intravaginally with C. trachomatis serovar D (CT-D). Immunization with rCPAF/CpG significantly reduced vaginal CT-D shedding and induced resolution of infection by day 24, compared to day 33 in CpG alone treated and challenged animals. Immunization induced robust anti-rCPAF serum IgG 2 weeks following the last immunization, and was sustained at a high level 4 weeks post challenge. Upregulation of antigen specific IFN-γ gene expression was observed in rCPAF/CpG vaccinated splenocytes. Importantly, a significant reduction in inflammation in the genital tissue in rCPAF/CpG-immunized guinea pigs compared to CpG-immunized animals was observed. Taken together, this study provides evidence of the protective efficacy of rCPAF as a vaccine candidate in a second animal model of genital chlamydial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shradha Wali
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jieh-Juen Yu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gopala Krishna Koundinya Lanka
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - James P Chambers
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M Neal Guentzel
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Bernard P Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gupta R, Arkatkar T, Keck J, Koundinya GKL, Castillo K, Hobel S, Chambers JP, Yu JJ, Guentzel MN, Aigner A, Christenson LK, Arulanandam BP. Antigen specific immune response in Chlamydia muridarum genital infection is dependent on murine microRNAs-155 and -182. Oncotarget 2016; 7:64726-64742. [PMID: 27556515 PMCID: PMC5323111 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-chlamydial immunity involves efficient presentation of antigens (Ag) to effector cells resulting in Ag-specific immune responses. There is limited information on inherent underlying mechanisms regulating these events. Previous studies from our laboratory have established that select microRNAs (miRs) function as molecular regulators of immunity in Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) genital infection. In this report, we investigated immune cell type-specific miRs, i.e. miR-155 and -182, and the role in Ag-specific immunity. We observed significant up-regulation of miR-155 in C57BL/6 bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC), and miR-182 in splenic Ag-specific CD4+ T-cells. Using mimics and inhibitors, we determined that miR-155 contributed to BMDC activation following Cm infection. Co-cultures of miR-155 over-expressed in BMDC and miR-182 over-expressed in Ag-specific CD4+ T-cells, or miR-155-/- BMDC with miR-182 inhibitor treated Ag-specific CD4+ T-cells, resulted in IFN-γ production comparable to Ag-specific CD4+ T-cells isolated from Cm infected mice. Additionally, miR-182 was significantly up-regulated in intranasally vaccinated mice protected against Cm infection. In vivo depletion of miR-182 resulted in reduction in Ag-specific IFN-γ and genital pathology in Cm infected mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report an interaction of miR-155 (in Cm infected DC) and miR-182 (in CD4+ T-cell) resulting in Ag specific immune responses against genital Cm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tanvi Arkatkar
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jonathon Keck
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gopala Krishna Lanka Koundinya
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kevin Castillo
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sabrina Hobel
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, HärtelstraΔe, Leipzig, Germany
| | - James P. Chambers
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jieh-Juen Yu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M. Neal Guentzel
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, HärtelstraΔe, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lane K. Christenson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bernard P. Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lanka GKK, Yu JJ, Gong S, Gupta R, Mustafa SB, Murthy AK, Zhong G, Chambers JP, Guentzel MN, Arulanandam BP. IgA modulates respiratory dysfunction as a sequela to pulmonary chlamydial infection as neonates. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftv121. [PMID: 26755533 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal Chlamydia lung infections are associated with serious sequelae such as asthma and airway hyper-reactivity in children and adults. Our previous studies demonstrated the importance of Th-1 type cytokines, IL-12 and IFN-γ in protection against neonatal pulmonary chlamydial challenge; however, the role of the humoral arm of defense has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that B-cells and IgA, the major mucosal antibody, play a protective role in newborns against development of later life respiratory sequelae to Chlamydia infection. Our studies using neonatal mice revealed that all WT and IgA-deficient (IgA(-/-)) animals survived a sublethal pulmonary Chlamydia muridarum challenge at one day after birth with similar reduction in bacterial burdens over time. In contrast, all B-cell-deficient (μMT) mice succumbed to infection at the same challenge dose correlating to failure to control bacterial burdens in the lungs. Although IgA may not be important for bacterial clearance, we observed IgA(-/-) mice displayed greater respiratory dysfunction 5 weeks post challenge. Specifically, comparative respiratory functional analyses revealed a significant shift upward in P-V loops, and higher dynamic resistance in IgA(-/-) animals. This study provides insight(s) into the protective role of IgA in neonates against pulmonary chlamydial infection induced respiratory pathological sequelae observed later in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gopala Krishna Koundinya Lanka
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Jieh-Juen Yu
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Siqi Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Rishein Gupta
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Shamimunisa B Mustafa
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - James P Chambers
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - M Neal Guentzel
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Bernard P Arulanandam
- Department of Biology, The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Maternal Genital Tract Infection. Mucosal Immunol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-415847-4.00113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
13
|
Wali S, Gupta R, Veselenak RL, Li Y, Yu JJ, Murthy AK, Cap AP, Guentzel MN, Chambers JP, Zhong G, Rank RG, Pyles RB, Arulanandam BP. Use of a Guinea pig-specific transcriptome array for evaluation of protective immunity against genital chlamydial infection following intranasal vaccination in Guinea pigs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114261. [PMID: 25502875 PMCID: PMC4263467 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Guinea pigs have been used as a second animal model to validate putative anti-chlamydial vaccine candidates tested in mice. However, the lack of guinea pig-specific reagents has limited the utility of this animal model in Chlamydia sp. vaccine studies. Using a novel guinea pig-specific transcriptome array, we determined correlates of protection in guinea pigs vaccinated with Chlamydia caviae (C. caviae) via the intranasal route, previously reported by us and others to provide robust antigen specific immunity against subsequent intravaginal challenge. C. caviae vaccinated guinea pigs resolved genital infection by day 3 post challenge. In contrast, mock vaccinated animals continued to shed viable Chlamydia up to day 18 post challenge. Importantly, at day 80 post challenge, vaccinated guinea pigs experienced significantly reduced genital pathology - a sequelae of genital chlamydial infections, in comparison to mock vaccinated guinea pigs. Sera from vaccinated guinea pigs displayed antigen specific IgG responses and increased IgG1 and IgG2 titers capable of neutralizing GPIC in vitro. Th1-cellular/inflammatory immune genes and Th2-humoral associated genes were also found to be elevated in vaccinated guinea pigs at day 3 post-challenge and correlated with early clearance of the bacterium. Overall, this study provides the first evidence of guinea pig-specific genes involved in anti-chlamydial vaccination and illustrates the enhancement of the utility of this animal model in chlamydial pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shradha Wali
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
| | - Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
| | - Ronald L. Veselenak
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States of America
| | - Yansong Li
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, BHT2, Building 3610/Room224-1, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, United States of America
| | - Jieh-Juen Yu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
| | - Ashlesh K. Murthy
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, Downer's Grove, Illinois, 60148, United States of America
| | - Andrew P. Cap
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, BHT2, Building 3610/Room224-1, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, United States of America
| | - M. Neal Guentzel
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
| | - James P. Chambers
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7702 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States of America
| | - Roger G. Rank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Pyles
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States of America
| | - Bernard P. Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United Stats of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
A Conrad T, Yang Z, Ojcius D, Zhong G. A path forward for the chlamydial virulence factor CPAF. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:1026-32. [PMID: 24141088 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CPAF is a conserved and secreted protease from obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Chlamydiales. Recently, it was demonstrated that most of its host targets are an artifact of inaccurate methods. This review aims to summarize key features of CPAF and propose new approaches for evaluating its role in chlamydial pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Turner A Conrad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li W, Murthy AK, Lanka GK, Chetty SL, Yu JJ, Chambers JP, Zhong G, Forsthuber TG, Guentzel MN, Arulanandam BP. A T cell epitope-based vaccine protects against chlamydial infection in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice. Vaccine 2013; 31:5722-8. [PMID: 24096029 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) has been shown to provide robust protection against genital Chlamydia infection. Adoptive transfer of IFN-γ competent CPAF-specific CD4⁺ T cells was sufficient to induce early resolution of chlamydial infection and reduction of subsequent pathology in recipient IFN-γ-deficient mice indicating the importance of IFN-γ secreting CD4⁺ T cells in host defense against Chlamydia. In this study, we identify CD4⁺ T cell reactive CPAF epitopes and characterize the activation of epitope-specific CD4⁺ T cells following antigen immunization or Chlamydia challenge. Using the HLA-DR4 (HLA-DRB1*0401) transgenic mouse for screening overlapping peptides that induced T cell IFN-γ production, we identified at least 5 CPAF T cell epitopes presented by the HLA-DR4 complex. Immunization of HLA-DR4 transgenic mice with a rCPAFep fusion protein containing these 5 epitopes induced a robust cell-mediated immune response and significantly accelerated the resolution of genital and pulmonary Chlamydia infection. rCPAFep vaccination induced CPAF-specific CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen were detected using HLA-DR4/CPAF-epitope tetramers. Additionally, CPAF-specific CD4⁺ clones could be detected in the mouse spleen following Chlamydia muridarum and a human Chlamydia trachomatis strain challenge using these novel tetramers. These results provide the first direct evidence that a novel CPAF epitope vaccine can provide protection and that HLA-DR4/CPAF-epitope tetramers can detect CPAF epitope-specific CD4⁺ T cells in HLA-DR4 mice following C. muridarum or C. trachomatis infection. Such tetramers could be a useful tool for monitoring CD4⁺ T cells in immunity to Chlamydia infection and in developing epitope-based human vaccines using the murine model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weidang Li
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center for Excellence in Infection Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States; Department of Pathology and Department of Dental Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Antibody signature of spontaneous clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis ocular infection and partial resistance against re-challenge in a nonhuman primate trachoma model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2248. [PMID: 23738030 PMCID: PMC3667776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiological agent of trachoma the world's leading cause of infectious blindness. Here, we investigate whether protracted clearance of a primary infection in nonhuman primates is attributable to antigenic variation or related to the maturation of the anti-chlamydial humoral immune response specific to chlamydial antigens. Methodology/Principal Findings Genomic sequencing of organisms isolated throughout the protracted primary infection revealed that antigenic variation was not related to the inability of monkeys to efficiently resolve their infection. To explore the maturation of the humoral immune response as a possible reason for delayed clearance, sera were analyzed by radioimmunoprecipitation using intrinsically radio-labeled antigens prepared under non-denaturing conditions. Antibody recognition was restricted to the antigenically variable major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and a few antigenically conserved antigens. Recognition of MOMP occurred early post-infection and correlated with reduction in infectious ocular burdens but not with infection eradication. In contrast, antibody recognition of conserved antigens, identified as PmpD, Hsp60, CPAF and Pgp3, appeared late and correlated with infection eradication. Partial immunity to re-challenge was associated with a discernible antibody recall response against all antigens. Antibody recognition of PmpD and CPAF was destroyed by heat treatment while MOMP and Pgp3 were partially affected, indicating that antibody specific to conformational epitopes on these proteins may be important to protective immunity. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that delayed clearance of chlamydial infection in NHP is not the result of antigenic variation but rather a consequence of the gradual maturation of the C. trachomatis antigen-specific humoral immune response. However, we cannot conclude that antibodies specific for these proteins play the primary role in host protective immunity as they could be surrogate markers of T cell immunity. Collectively, our results argue that an efficacious subunit trachoma vaccine might require a combination of these antigens delivered in their native conformation. Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiological agent of trachoma the world's leading cause of infectious blindness. In this study, we investigated whether delayed clearance of a primary infection in nonhuman primates was attributable to antigenic variation or related to gradual changes in the humoral immune response specific to chlamydial antigens. We found that antigenic variation was not related to the inability of monkeys to efficiently resolve their infection. However, exploring changes in the immune response as a possible reason for delayed clearance revealed that antibody recognition was restricted to the antigenically variable major surface protein and a few conserved polypeptides. Antibody recognition of the major antigenically variable surface protein correlated with the initial reduction in infectious burdens while recognition of conserved chlamydial antigens occurred late and correlated with infection eradication. These findings suggest that delayed clearance of chlamydial infection is not the result of antigenic variation but a consequence of a gradually evolving humoral immune response specific to different chlamydial antigens. Antibody recognition was at least partially directed against conformational epitopes, indicating that an efficacious subunit trachoma vaccine might require a combination of antigens delivered in their native conformation.
Collapse
|
17
|
Huston WM, Harvie M, Mittal A, Timms P, Beagley KW. Vaccination to protect against infection of the female reproductive tract. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2012; 8:81-94. [PMID: 22149343 DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Infection of the female genital tract can result in serious morbidities and mortalities from reproductive disability, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer, to impacts on the fetus, such as infant blindness. While therapeutic agents are available, frequent testing and treatment is required to prevent the occurrence of the severe disease sequelae. Hence, sexually transmitted infections remain a major public health burden with ongoing social and economic barriers to prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, while there are two success stories in the development of vaccines to protect against HPV infection of the female reproductive tract, many serious infectious agents impacting on the female reproductive tract still have no vaccines available. Vaccination to prevent infection of the female reproductive tract is an inherently difficult target, with many impacting factors, such as appropriate vaccination strategies/mechanisms to induce a suitable protective response locally in the genital tract, variation in the local immune responses due to the hormonal cycle, selection of vaccine antigen(s) that confers effective protection against multiple variants of a single pathogen (e.g., the different serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis) and timing of the vaccine administration prior to infection exposure. Despite these difficulties, there are numerous ongoing efforts to develop effective vaccines against these infectious agents and it is likely that this important human health field will see further major developments in the next 5 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wilhelmina M Huston
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, 60 Musk Avenue, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lu C, Zeng H, Li Z, Lei L, Yeh IT, Wu Y, Zhong G. Protective immunity against mouse upper genital tract pathology correlates with high IFNγ but low IL-17 T cell and anti-secretion protein antibody responses induced by replicating chlamydial organisms in the airway. Vaccine 2011; 30:475-85. [PMID: 22079265 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
To search for optimal immunization conditions for inducing protective immunity against upper genital tract pathologies caused by chlamydial intravaginal infection, we compared protection efficacy in mice immunized intranasally or intramuscularly with live or inactivated Chlamydia muridarum organisms. Mice immunized intranasally with live organisms developed strong protection against both vaginal shedding of infectious organisms and upper genital tract pathologies. The protection correlated with a robust antigen-specific T cell response with high IFNγ but low IL-17. Although a significant level of IL-5 was also detected, these mice maintained an overall Th1-dorminant immunity following immunization and challenge infection. On the contrary, mice immunized intranasally with inactivated organisms or intramuscularly with live or inactivated organisms produced high levels of IL-17 and still developed significant upper genital tract pathologies. High titers of antibodies against chlamydial secretion antigens were detected only in mice immunized intranasally with live organisms but not mice in other groups, suggesting that the intranasally inoculated live organisms were able to undergo replication and immune responses to the chlamydial secretion proteins may contribute to protective immunity. These observations have provided important information on how to develop subunit vaccines for inducing protective immunity against urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen C, Dow C, Wang P, Sidney J, Read A, Harmsen A, Samuel JE, Peters B. Identification of CD4+ T cell epitopes in C. burnetii antigens targeted by antibody responses. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17712. [PMID: 21423609 PMCID: PMC3057979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes acute Q fever and chronic infections in humans. A killed, whole cell vaccine is efficacious, but vaccination can result in severe local or systemic adverse reactions. Although T cell responses are considered pivotal for vaccine derived protective immunity, the epitope targets of CD4+ T cell responses in C. burnetii vaccination have not been elucidated. Since mapping CD4+ epitopes in a genome with over 2,000 ORFs is resource intensive, we focused on 7 antigens that were known to be targeted by antibody responses. 117 candidate peptides were selected from these antigens based on bioinformatics predictions of binding to the murine MHC class II molecule H-2 IAb. We screened these peptides for recognition by IFN-γ producing CD4+ T cell in phase I C. burnetii whole cell vaccine (PI-WCV) vaccinated C57BL/6 mice and identified 8 distinct epitopes from four different proteins. The identified epitope targets account for 8% of the total vaccination induced IFN-γ producing CD4+ T cells. Given that less than 0.4% of the antigens contained in C. burnetii were screened, this suggests that prioritizing antigens targeted by antibody responses is an efficient strategy to identify at least a subset of CD4+ targets in large pathogens. Finally, we examined the nature of linkage between CD4+ T cell and antibody responses in PI-WCV vaccinated mice. We found a surprisingly non-uniform pattern in the help provided by epitope specific CD4+ T cells for antibody production, which can be specific for the epitope source antigen as well as non-specific. This suggests that a complete map of CD4+ response targets in PI-WCV vaccinated mice will likely include antigens against which no antibody responses are made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Courtney Dow
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI), La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Peng Wang
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI), La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John Sidney
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI), La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Amanda Read
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Allen Harmsen
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - James E. Samuel
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI), La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Murthy AK, Li W, Guentzel MN, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Vaccination with the defined chlamydial secreted protein CPAF induces robust protection against female infertility following repeated genital chlamydial challenge. Vaccine 2011; 29:2519-22. [PMID: 21300093 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.01.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Revised: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We previously have shown the efficacy of recombinant (r) chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) vaccination against hydrosalpinx development following primary genital chlamydial challenge. In this study, we evaluated further the protection induced by rCPAF vaccination against infertility. Following primary challenge, fertility levels were not significantly different between the mock- and CPAF-vaccinated and Chlamydia alone challenged mice. However, following secondary genital chlamydial challenge, mock (PBS) immunized mice displayed a significant reduction of fertility compared to age-matched naïve mice, while mice vaccinated intranasally with rCPAF+CpG displayed significant prevention of infertility. These results suggest that hydrosalpinx may be a reliable indicator of impending infertility, and that rCPAF is a promising candidate to prevent infertility resulting from repeated genital chlamydial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vaccination against Chlamydia genital infection utilizing the murine C. muridarum model. Infect Immun 2010; 79:986-96. [PMID: 21078844 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00881-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection is a worldwide public health problem, and considerable effort has been expended on developing an efficacious vaccine. The murine model of C. muridarum genital infection has been extremely useful for identification of protective immune responses and in vaccine development. Although a number of immunogenic antigens have been assessed for their ability to induce protection, the majority of studies have utilized the whole organism, the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), or the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF). These antigens, alone and in combination with a variety of immunostimulatory adjuvants, have induced various levels of protection against infectious challenge, ranging from minimal to nearly sterilizing immunity. Understanding of the mechanisms of natural infection-based immunity and advances in adjuvant biology have resulted in studies that are increasingly successful, but a vaccine licensed for use in humans has not yet been brought to fruition. Here we review immunity to chlamydial genital infection and vaccine development using the C. muridarum model.
Collapse
|
22
|
CD4+ T cells and antibody are required for optimal major outer membrane protein vaccine-induced immunity to Chlamydia muridarum genital infection. Infect Immun 2010; 78:4374-83. [PMID: 20660610 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00622-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite effective antimicrobial chemotherapy, control of Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infection will likely require a vaccine. We have assessed the protective effect of an outer membrane protein-based vaccine by using a murine model of chlamydial genital infection. Female mice were first vaccinated with Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) plus the adjuvants CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720; then they were challenged with C. muridarum. Vaccinated mice shed 2 log(10) to 3 log(10) fewer inclusion-forming units (IFU) than ovalbumin-vaccinated or naïve animals, resolved infection sooner, and had a lower incidence of hydrosalpinx. To determine the relative contribution of T cells to vaccine-induced protection, mice were vaccinated, depleted of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, and then challenged vaginally with C. muridarum. Depletion of CD4(+) T cells, but not depletion of CD8(+) T cells, diminished vaccine-induced protection, with CD4-depleted mice shedding 2 log(10) to 4 log(10) more IFU than CD8-depleted or nondepleted mice. The contribution of antibodies to vaccine-induced protection was demonstrated by the absence of protective immunity in vaccinated B-cell-deficient mice and by a 2 log(10) to 3 log(10) decrease in bacterial shedding by mice passively administered an anti-MOMP serum. Thus, optimal protective immunity in this model of vaccine-induced protection depends on contributions from both CD4(+) T cells and antibody.
Collapse
|
23
|
Immunization with a combination of integral chlamydial antigens and a defined secreted protein induces robust immunity against genital chlamydial challenge. Infect Immun 2010; 78:3942-9. [PMID: 20605976 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00346-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF; a secreted chlamydial protein) in inducing antigen-specific CD4+ T cell/gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-mediated but not antibody-mediated chlamydial clearance and reduction of upper genital tract (UGT) pathological sequelae. Since chlamydial integral antigens may induce neutralizing antibody protection, we further evaluated induction of protective immunity using a combination of rCPAF and UV-inactivated chlamydial elementary bodies (UV-EB) against vaginal chlamydial challenge in comparison to immunization with the individual components or live EB. The rCPAF-UV-EB immunization induced a significantly enhanced anti-UV-EB cellular and antibody response and a reduced anti-CPAF cellular and antibody response, compared to immunization with the respective individual components. Moreover, vaccination with UV-EB and rCPAF-UV-EB induced serum antibodies that neutralized chlamydial infectivity. The rCPAF-UV-EB immunization resulted in a significant reduction of vaginal chlamydial shedding and induced earlier bacterial clearance than vaccination of mice with the individual components. Importantly, the UGT sequelae were significantly reduced in mice immunized with rCPAF or rCPAF-UV-EB, but not in those immunized with UV-EB alone, and approached the levels of protection induced by live EB. These results collectively suggest that a combination of neutralizing antibodies induced by integral chlamydial antigens and cell-mediated responses induced by secreted proteins such as CPAF induces optimal protective immunity against genital chlamydial infections.
Collapse
|
24
|
Olsen AW, Theisen M, Christensen D, Follmann F, Andersen P. Protection against Chlamydia promoted by a subunit vaccine (CTH1) compared with a primary intranasal infection in a mouse genital challenge model. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10768. [PMID: 20505822 PMCID: PMC2874006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 04/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chlamydial proteins CT443 (OmcB) and CT521 (rl16) have previously been identified as human B and/or T cell targets during a chlamydial infection in humans. Here we compare the protective effector mechanism promoted by a fusion protein composed of CT521 and CT443 (CTH1) with a primary intranasal Chlamydia muridarum infection known to provide high levels of protection against a genital chlamydial challenge. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The fusion protein CTH1, adjuvanted with a strong Th1 inducing cationic adjuvant (CAF01), significantly reduced the bacterial shedding compared to a control group in both a C. trachomatis Serovar D and C. muridarum challenge model. The CTH1/CAF01 vaccine was found to induce polyfunctional T cells consisting of TNFalpha/IL-2 and TNFalpha/IL-2/IFN-gamma positive cells and high titers of CTH1 specific IgG2a and IgG1. By depletion experiments the protection in the C. muridarum challenge model was demonstrated to be mediated solely by CD4(+) T cells. In comparison, an intranasal infection with C. muridarum induced a T cell response that consisted predominantly of TNFalpha/IFN-gamma co-expressing effector CD4(+) T cells and an antibody response consisting of C. muridarum specific IgG1, IgG2a but also IgA. This response was associated with a high level of protection against challenge-a protection that was only partially dependent on CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, whereas the antibody response induced by intranasal infection was strongly reactive against the native antigens displayed in the chlamydial elementary body, only low levels of antibodies against this preparation were found after CTH1/CAF01 immunization. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our data demonstrate that CTH1 vaccination promotes a CD4(+) T cell dependent protective response but compared with intranasal C. muridarum infection lacks a CD4 independent protective mechanism for complete protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Weinreich Olsen
- Chlamydia and Adjuvant Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Theisen
- Chlamydia and Adjuvant Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Chlamydia and Adjuvant Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- Chlamydia and Adjuvant Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Chlamydia and Adjuvant Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Carey AJ, Beagley KW. Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: effects on female reproduction and options for treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:576-86. [PMID: 20192953 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infections is steadily increasing worldwide, with approximately 50-70% of infections asymptomatic. There is currently no uniform screening practice, current antibiotic treatment has failed to prevent the increased incidence, and there is no vaccine available. We examined studies on the epidemiology of C. trachomatis infections, the effects infections have on the female reproductive tract and subsequent reproductive health and what measures are being taken to reduce these problems. Undetected or multiple infections in women can lead to the development of severe reproductive sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility. There are two possible paradigms of chlamydial pathogenesis, the cellular and immunological paradigms. While many vaccine candidates are being extensively tested in animal models, they are still years from clinical trials. With no vaccine available and antibiotic treatment unable to halt the increased incidence, infection rates will continue to increase and cause a significant burden on health care systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Carey
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chen L, Lei L, Chang X, Li Z, Lu C, Zhang X, Wu Y, Yeh IT, Zhong G. Mice deficient in MyD88 Develop a Th2-dominant response and severe pathology in the upper genital tract following Chlamydia muridarum infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:2602-10. [PMID: 20124098 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
MyD88, a key adaptor molecule required for many innate immunity receptor-activated signaling pathways, was evaluated in a Chlamydia muridarum urogenital tract infection model. Compared with wild-type mice, MyD88 knockout (KO) mice failed to produce significant levels of inflammatory cytokines in the genital tract during the first week of chlamydial infection. MyD88 KO mice developed a Th2-dominant whereas wild-type mice developed a Th1/Th17-dominant immune response after chlamydial infection. Despite the insufficient production of early inflammatory cytokines and lack of Th1/Th17-dominant adaptive immunity, MyD88 KO mice appeared to be as resistant to chlamydial intravaginal infection as wild-type mice based on the number of live organisms recovered from vaginal samples. However, significantly high numbers of chlamydial organisms were detected in the upper genital tract tissues of MyD88 KO mice. Consequently, MyD88 KO mice developed more severe pathology in the upper genital tract. These results together have demonstrated that MyD88-dependent signaling pathway is not only required for inflammatory cytokine production in the early phase of host response to chlamydial infection but also plays a critical role in the development of Th1/Th17 adaptive immunity, both of which may be essential for limiting ascending infection and reducing pathology of the upper genital tract by chlamydial organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chaganty BKR, Murthy AK, Evani SJ, Li W, Guentzel MN, Chambers JP, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Heat denatured enzymatically inactive recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor induces robust protective immunity against genital chlamydial challenge. Vaccine 2010; 28:2323-9. [PMID: 20056182 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.12.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We have shown previously that vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 as an adjuvant induces robust protective immunity against primary genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge in mice. Since CPAF is a protease, we compared the effects of enzymatically active and inactive (heat denatured) rCPAF to determine whether proteolytic activity is expendable for the induction of protective immunity against chlamydial challenge. Active, but not inactive, rCPAF immunization induced high levels of anti-active CPAF antibody, whereas both induced robust splenic CPAF-specific IFN-gamma production. Vaccination with active or inactive rCPAF induced enhanced vaginal chlamydial clearance as early as day 6 with complete resolution of infection by day 18, compared to day 30 in mock-vaccinated and challenged animals. Importantly, significant and comparable reductions in oviduct pathology were observed in active and inactive rCPAF-vaccinated mice compared to mock-vaccinated animals. Thus, rCPAF induced anti-chlamydial immunity is largely independent of enzymatic activity and secondary or higher order protein conformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bharat K R Chaganty
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rockey DD, Wang J, Lei L, Zhong G. Chlamydia vaccine candidates and tools for chlamydial antigen discovery. Expert Rev Vaccines 2009; 8:1365-77. [PMID: 19803759 DOI: 10.1586/erv.09.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The failure of the inactivated Chlamydia-based vaccine trials in the 1960s has led researchers studying Chlamydia to take cautious and rational approaches to develop safe and effective chlamydial vaccines. Subsequent research efforts focused on three areas. The first is the analysis of the immunobiology of chlamydial infection in animal models, with supporting clinical studies, to identify the immune correlates of both protective immunity and pathological responses. Second, recent radical improvements in genomics, proteomics and associated technologies have assisted in the implementation of creative approaches to search for suitable vaccine candidates. Third, progress in the analysis of host response and adjuvanticity regulating both innate and adaptive immunity at the mucosal site of infection has led to progress in the design of optimal delivery and adjuvant systems for enhancing protective immunity. Considerable progress has been made in the first two areas but research efforts to better define the factors that regulate immunity at mucosal sites of infection and to develop strategies to boost protective immunity via immunomodulation, effective delivery systems and potent adjuvants, have remained elusive. In this article, we will summarize progress in these areas with a focus on chlamydial vaccine antigen discovery, and discuss future directions towards the development of a safe and effective chlamydial vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Rockey
- Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 211 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Murthy AK, Guentzel MN, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Chlamydial protease-like activity factor--insights into immunity and vaccine development. J Reprod Immunol 2009; 83:179-84. [PMID: 19853923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2009.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Revised: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular pathogen that remains the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide, despite the availability of efficacious antimicrobial therapy. Given that chlamydial infections cause severe pathological sequelae in the upper genital tract, a licensed vaccine to prevent infection and disease would be an ideal solution. Chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) is a protein secreted in considerable amounts into the cytosol of infected cells and released into the extracellular milieu upon cellular lysis, which therefore is accessible to the host immune system. This is further substantiated by the observation that CPAF is immunodominant among other antigens in Chlamydia sero-positive humans. The efficacy of vaccination with CPAF against genital chlamydial challenge has been evaluated extensively in the murine model. This review will discuss important insights into the potential of CPAF as a component of an anti-chlamydial vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
News & Highlights. Mucosal Immunol 2009. [DOI: 10.1038/mi.2009.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
31
|
Abstract
A secreted chlamydial protease designated CPAF (Chlamydial Protease/proteasome-like Activity Factor) degrades host proteins, enabling Chlamydia to evade host defenses and replicate. The mechanistic details of CPAF action, however, remain obscure. We used a computational approach to search the protein databank for structures that are compatible with the CPAF amino acid sequence. The results reveal that CPAF possesses a fold similar to that of the catalytic domains of the tricorn protease from Thermoplasma acidophilum,and that CPAF residues H105, S499, and E558 are structurally analogous to the tricorn protease catalytic triad residues H746, S965, and D1023. Substitution of these putative CPAF catalytic residues blocked CPAF from degrading substrates in vitro, while the wild type and a noncatalytic control mutant of CPAF remained cleavage-competent. Substrate cleavage is also correlated with processing of CPAF into N-terminal (CPAFn) and C-terminal (CPAFc) fragments, suggesting that these putative catalytic residues may also be required for CPAF maturation.
Collapse
|
32
|
Murthy AK, Chaganty BKR, Li W, Guentzel MN, Chambers JP, Seshu J, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. A limited role for antibody in protective immunity induced by rCPAF and CpG vaccination against primary genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 55:271-9. [PMID: 19281569 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00517.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mice deficient in B cells (micromT mice) were used to evaluate the role of antibody in enhanced chlamydial clearance and reduction of pathology afforded by vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF). Enhanced, but comparable, chlamydial clearance was observed in micromT and wild-type (WT) mice after rCPAF+CpG vaccination. Chlamydia-induced pathology was present in mock-immunized animals, but at significantly greater levels in micromT than WT mice, whereas vaccinated micromT and WT mice exhibited similar reductions in pathology. Thus, antibodies may play a role in protection against chlamydial pathology after primary infection, but were largely dispensable in rCPAF+CpG-induced chlamydial clearance and reduction in pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Biology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang J, Chen L, Chen F, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Baseman J, Perdue S, Yeh IT, Shain R, Holland M, Bailey R, Mabey D, Yu P, Zhong G. A chlamydial type III-secreted effector protein (Tarp) is predominantly recognized by antibodies from humans infected with Chlamydia trachomatis and induces protective immunity against upper genital tract pathologies in mice. Vaccine 2009; 27:2967-80. [PMID: 19428908 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.02.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2009] [Revised: 02/20/2009] [Accepted: 02/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis genome is predicted to encode a type III secretion system consisting of more than 40 open reading frames (ORFs). To test whether these ORFs are expressed and immunogenic during chlamydial infection in humans, we expressed 55 chlamydial ORFs covering all putative type III secretion components plus control molecules as fusion proteins and measured the reactivity of these fusion proteins with antibodies from patients infected with C. trachomatis in the urogenital tract (24 antisera) or in the ocular tissue (8 antisera). Forty-five of the 55 proteins were recognized by at least 1 of the 32 human antisera, suggesting that these proteins are both expressed and immunogenic during chlamydial infection in humans. Tarp, a putative type III secretion effector protein, was identified as a novel immunodominant antigen due to its reactivity with the human antisera at high frequency and titer. The expression and immunogenicity of Tarp were confirmed in cell culture and mouse systems. Tarp was mainly associated with the infectious form of chlamydial organisms and became undetectable between 13 and 24 h during the infection cycle in cell culture. Mice intravaginally infected with C. muridarum developed Tarp-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. More importantly, immunization of mice with Tarp induced Th1-dominant immunity that significantly reduced the shedding of live organisms from the lower genital tract and attenuated inflammatory pathologies in the fallopian tube tissues. These observations have demonstrated that Tarp, an immunodominant antigen identified by human antisera, can induce protective immunity against chlamydial infection and pathology in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Oral live vaccine strain-induced protective immunity against pulmonary Francisella tularensis challenge is mediated by CD4+ T cells and antibodies, including immunoglobulin A. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2009; 16:444-52. [PMID: 19211773 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00405-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium and the etiological agent of pulmonary tularemia. Given the high degrees of infectivity in the host and of dissemination of bacteria following respiratory infection, immunization strategies that target mucosal surfaces are critical for the development of effective vaccines against this organism. In this study, we have characterized the efficacy of protective immunity against pneumonic tularemia following oral vaccination with F. tularensis LVS (live vaccine strain). Mice vaccinated orally with LVS displayed colocalization of LVS with intestinal M cells, with subsequent enhanced production of splenic antigen-specific gamma interferon and of systemic and mucosal antibodies, including immunoglobulin A (IgA). LVS-vaccinated BALB/c mice were highly protected against intranasal (i.n.) SCHU S4 challenge and exhibited significantly less bacterial replication in the lungs, liver, and spleen than mock-immunized animals. Depletion of CD4(+) T cells significantly abrogated the protective immunity, and mice deficient in B cells or IgA displayed partial protection against SCHU S4 challenge. These results suggest that oral vaccination with LVS induces protective immunity against i.n. challenge with F. tularensis SCHU S4 by a process mediated cooperatively by CD4(+) T cells and antibodies, including IgA.
Collapse
|
35
|
Li W, Murthy AK, Guentzel MN, Seshu J, Forsthuber TG, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Antigen-specific CD4+ T cells produce sufficient IFN-gamma to mediate robust protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:3375-82. [PMID: 18292563 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.5.3375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia has been shown to evade host-specific IFN-gamma-mediated bacterial killing; however, IFN-gamma-deficient mice exhibit suboptimal late phase vaginal Chlamydia muridarum clearance, greater dissemination, and oviduct pathology. These findings introduce constraints in understanding results from murine chlamydial vaccination studies in context of potential implications to humans. In this study, we used mice deficient in either IFN-gamma or the IFN-gamma receptor for intranasal vaccination with a defined secreted chlamydial Ag, chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF), plus CpG and examined the role of IFN-gamma derived from adoptively transferred Ag-specific CD4+ T cells in protective immunity against genital C. muridarum infection. We found that early Ag-specific IFN-gamma induction and CD4+ T cell infiltration correlates with the onset of genital chlamydial clearance. Adoptively transferred IFN-gamma competent CPAF-specific CD4+ T cells failed to enhance the resolution of genital chlamydial infection within recipient IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice. Conversely, IFN-gamma production from adoptively transferred CPAF-specific CD4+ T cells was sufficient in IFN-gamma-deficient mice to induce early resolution of infection and reduction of subsequent pathology. These results provide the first direct evidence that enhanced anti-C. muridarum protective immunity induced by Ag-specific CD4+ T cells is dependent upon IFN-gamma signaling and that such cells produce sufficient IFN-gamma to mediate the protective effects. Additionally, MHC class II pathway was sufficient for induction of robust protective anti-C. muridarum immunity. Thus, targeting soluble candidate Ags via MHC class II to CD4+ T cells may be a viable vaccine strategy to induce optimal IFN-gamma production for effective protective immunity against human genital chlamydial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weidang Li
- Department of Biology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Jupelli M, Guentzel MN, Meier PA, Zhong G, Murthy AK, Arulanandam BP. Endogenous IFN-gamma production is induced and required for protective immunity against pulmonary chlamydial infection in neonatal mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:4148-55. [PMID: 18322226 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.6.4148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection in neonates, not adults, has been associated with the development of chronic respiratory sequelae. Adult chlamydial infections induce Th1-type responses that subsequently clear the infection, whereas the neonatal immune milieu in general has been reported to be biased toward Th2-type responses. We examined the protective immune responses against intranasal Chlamydia muridarum challenge in 1-day-old C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Infected C57BL/6 pups displayed earlier chlamydial clearance (day 14) compared with BALB/c pups (day 21). However, challenged C57BL/6 pups exhibited prolonged deficits in body weight gain (days 12-30) compared with BALB/c pups (days 9-12), which correlated with continual pulmonary cellular infiltration. Both strains exhibited a robust Th1-type response, including elevated titers of serum antichlamydial IgG2a and IgG2b, not IgG1, and elevated levels of splenic C. muridarum-specific IFN-gamma, not IL-4, production. Additionally, elevated IFN-gamma, not IL-4 expression, was observed locally in the infected lungs of both mouse strains. The immune responses in C57BL/6 pups were significantly greater compared with BALB/c pups after chlamydial challenge. Importantly, infected mice deficient in IFN-gamma or IFN-gamma receptor demonstrated enhanced chlamydial dissemination, and 100% of animals died by 2 wk postchallenge. Collectively, these results indicate that neonatal pulmonary chlamydial infection induces a robust Th1-type response, with elevated pulmonary IFN-gamma production, and that endogenous IFN-gamma is important in protection against this infection. The enhanced IFN-gamma induction in the immature neonatal lung also may be relevant to the development of respiratory sequelae in adult life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhulika Jupelli
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
CD4+ T cells are required during priming but not the effector phase of antibody-mediated IFN-gamma-dependent protective immunity against pulmonary Francisella novicida infection. Immunol Cell Biol 2008; 86:515-22. [PMID: 18427567 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2008.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the protective efficacy of intranasal vaccination with a defined Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida DeltaiglC mutant (KKF24) against pulmonary F. novicida U112 challenge. In this study, we further characterized the mechanisms of KKF24-induced immunity. Intranasally vaccinated KKF24 C57BL/6 major histocompatibility class (MHC) class II-/- mice produced minimal antigen-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma and serum antibodies and were highly susceptible (0% survival) to F. novicida challenge, compared to MHC class I-/- or wild-type mice (both 100% survival). Protective immunity could be transferred by immune serum into recipient wild type, but not IFN-gamma-/- mice. The protective effect of KKF24 vaccination against the respiratory F. novicida U112 challenge was not abrogated by anti-CD4 neutralizing antibody treatment and was not conferred by adoptive transfer of KKF24-specific CD4+ T cells. The protective effect of antibody was partially dependent upon Fc receptor-mediated clearance. Taken together, our data indicate that CD4+ T cells are required for priming, but not during the effector phase, of anti-KKF24 antibody-mediated IFN-gamma-dependent immunity against pulmonary F. novicida infection.
Collapse
|
38
|
Karunakaran KP, Rey-Ladino J, Stoynov N, Berg K, Shen C, Jiang X, Gabel BR, Yu H, Foster LJ, Brunham RC. Immunoproteomic Discovery of Novel T Cell Antigens from the Obligate Intracellular Pathogen Chlamydia. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:2459-65. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.4.2459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
|
39
|
Abstract
Infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis can lead to a variety of diseases, including ectopic pregnancy, infertility and blindness. Exposure of the host to C. trachomatis stimulates multiple innate and adaptive immune effectors that can contribute towards controlling bacterial replication. However, these effectors are often insufficient to resolve the infection and prevent re-infection, and the continued presence of C. trachomatis within the host may induce immune effectors to chronically produce inflammatory cytokines. This may eventually lead to the tissue pathologies associated with the infection. Reducing the incidence and sequelae of infection will ultimately require the development of a C. trachomatis vaccine that can stimulate sterilizing immunity while avoiding immune-mediated pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia R Roan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Induction of cross-serovar protection against genital chlamydial infection by a targeted multisubunit vaccination approach. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:1537-44. [PMID: 17942608 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00274-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An important consideration for antichlamydial vaccine development is the induction of cross-serovar protection, since multiple serovars (D to L) of Chlamydia trachomatis cause genital infections. We have shown previously that vaccination with C. trachomatis-derived recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) induced significant earlier resolution of Chlamydia muridarum infection and reduced oviduct pathology. However, the vaccinated mice continued to shed chlamydiae for up to 2 weeks after challenge. In this study, C. trachomatis serovar D recombinant proteins, such as recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP), recombinant inclusion membrane protein A (rIncA), and rCPAF were administered intranasally, individually or in combinations, with murine interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant, and cross-species immunity against intravaginal C. muridarum infection was examined. Immunization with rCPAF plus IL-12 (rCPAF+IL-12), compared to immunization with rIncA+IL-12 or rMOMP+IL-12, induced the greatest antigen-specific gamma interferon production from purified CD4(+) T cells and concurrently enhanced serum antibody production. All (100%) the animals vaccinated with rCPAF+IL-12 alone or in any combination completely resolved the infection by day 18 after challenge compared to animals vaccinated with rIncA+IL-12 (50%), rMOMP+IL-12 (33%), or phosphate-buffered saline (mock vaccinated; 0%). Moreover, oviduct pathology in mice vaccinated by any regimen that included rCPAF, but not rMOMP+IL-12 or rIncA+IL-12 alone, was markedly reduced compared to mock-immunized animals. The addition of rMOMP and/or rIncA did not significantly enhance the rCPAF+IL-12-induced effect on bacterial clearance or oviduct pathology. These results suggest a greater conservation of protective linear antigenic epitopes within CPAF than MOMP or IncA across the examined serovars and the need to identify other highly conserved antigens for use with rCPAF in a multisubunit recombinant vaccine.
Collapse
|
41
|
Cong Y, Jupelli M, Guentzel MN, Zhong G, Murthy AK, Arulanandam BP. Intranasal immunization with chlamydial protease-like activity factor and CpG deoxynucleotides enhances protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. Vaccine 2007; 25:3773-80. [PMID: 17349723 PMCID: PMC2757645 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Revised: 02/01/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We have reported recently that intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) enhances protective immunity against genital chlamydial challenge. In this study, we show that i.n. or intraperitoneal (i.p.) vaccination with CPAF plus CpG deoxynucleotides (CpG), an alternative T helper 1 (Th1) adjuvant, induced robust CPAF-specific IFN-gamma responses and elevated levels of serum antibody and vaginal IgA production. CPAF+CpG vaccinated animals displayed accelerated genital chlamydial clearance, and minimal hydrosalpinx and inflammatory cellular infiltration compared to mock-immunized (PBS) challenged animals. Together, CpG dexoynucleotides are an efficacious alternative Th1 adjuvant with CPAF to induce protective anti-chlamydial immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cong
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Murthy AK, Chambers JP, Meier PA, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Intranasal vaccination with a secreted chlamydial protein enhances resolution of genital Chlamydia muridarum infection, protects against oviduct pathology, and is highly dependent upon endogenous gamma interferon production. Infect Immun 2006; 75:666-76. [PMID: 17118987 PMCID: PMC1828486 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01280-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no licensed vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial disease worldwide. Conventional vaccination attempts using surface-exposed chlamydial antigens have achieved only partial success. We have employed a novel vaccination strategy using a secreted protein, chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF), which has been shown to degrade host major histocompatibility complex transcription factors and keratin-8 and therefore may allow immune evasion and establishment of a productive infection. Intranasal immunization using recombinant CPAF (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 (IL-12) (rCPAF+IL-12 immunization) was used to assess the protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection in BALB/c mice. rCPAF+IL-12 immunization induced robust gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production and minimal IL-4 production by splenocytes upon in vitro recall with rCPAF. The total and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) anti-rCPAF antibody levels in serum were significantly elevated after rCPAF+IL-12 vaccination, as were the total antibody, IgG2a, and IgA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and vaginal fluids when the animals were compared to animals that received rCPAF alone. rCPAF+IL-12-vaccinated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon chlamydial challenge and accelerated resolution of infection compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals. Moreover, rCPAF+IL-12-immunized animals exhibited protection against pathological consequences of chlamydial infection, including the development of hydrosalpinx and oviduct dilatation. This vaccination regimen also reduced the development of fibrosis and the influx of neutrophils into the upper genital tract when the animals were compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals after bacterial challenge. rCPAF+IL-12-mediated resolution of the bacterial infection and protection against Chlamydia-induced inflammatory disease were highly dependent on endogenous IFN-gamma production. Together, these results demonstrate that secreted chlamydial antigens may be novel vaccine candidates to induce protective immunity.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antigens, Bacterial/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Bacterial Proteins/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Proteins/immunology
- Bacterial Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Vaccines/immunology
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/pathology
- Chlamydia muridarum/immunology
- Chlamydia muridarum/isolation & purification
- Colony Count, Microbial
- Fallopian Tubes/pathology
- Female
- Genital Diseases, Female/immunology
- Genital Diseases, Female/microbiology
- Genital Diseases, Female/pathology
- Genital Diseases, Female/therapy
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Interleukin-12/administration & dosage
- Interleukin-12/immunology
- Interleukin-4/biosynthesis
- Lymphocytes/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Recombinant Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vagina/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900N Loop 1604W, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|