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Pagliarani S, Johnston SD, Beagley KW, Palmieri C. Immunohistochemical characterization of the immune cell response during chlamydial infection in the male and female koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) reproductive tract. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:621-632. [PMID: 38240274 PMCID: PMC11264539 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231225499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydiosis is one of the main causes of the progressive decline of koala populations in eastern Australia. While histologic, immunologic, and molecular studies have provided insights into the basic function of the koala immune system, the in situ immune cell signatures during chlamydial infection of the reproductive tract in koalas have not been investigated. Thirty-two female koalas and 47 males presented to wildlife hospitals with clinical signs suggestive of Chlamydia infection were euthanized with the entire reproductive tract collected for histology; immunohistochemistry (IHC) for T-cell (CD3ε, CD4, and CD8α), B-cell (CD79b), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR markers; and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) for Chlamydia pecorum. T-cells, B-cells, and HLA-DR-positive cells were observed in both the lower and upper reproductive tracts of male and female koalas with a statistically significant associations between the degree of the inflammatory reaction; the number of CD3, CD4, CD79b, and HLA-DR positive cells; and the PCR load. CD4-positive cells were negatively associated with the severity of the gross lesions. The distribution of immune cells was also variable according to the location within the genital tract in both male and female koalas. These preliminary results represent a step forward towards further exploring mechanisms behind chlamydial infection immunopathogenesis, thus providing valuable information about the immune response and infectious diseases in free-ranging koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pagliarani
- The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
- University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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2
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Russell FA, Trim L, Bryan E, Fisher MA, Leahy D, Harris JM, Hutmacher D, Dargaville TR, Beagley KW. Stability and antigenicity of Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein antigen at body temperature. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00674-1. [PMID: 38897891 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen responsible for disease and infertility across multiple species. Currently vaccines are being studied to help reduce the prevalence of this disease. The main advantage of protein subunit vaccines is their high degree of safety although this is traded off with the requirement for multiple booster doses to achieve complete protection. Although in certain populations the booster dose can be difficult and costly to administer, development of delayed vaccine delivery techniques, such as a vaccine capsule, could be the solution to this problem. One of the main drawbacks in this technology is that the antigen must remain stable at body temperature (37 °C) until release is achieved. Here we elucidate the stability of a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) antigen and assess its antigenic and immunogenic properties after subjecting the antigen to 37 °C for four to six weeks. Through in vitro and in vivo assessment we found that the aged chlamydial MOMP was able to produce equivalent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses when compared with the unaged vaccine. It was also found that vaccines formulated with the aged antigen conferred equivalent protection against a live infection challenge as the unaged antigen. Thus ageing chlamydial MOMP antigens at 37 °C for four to six weeks did not cause any significant structural or antigenic/immunogenic degradation and recombinant C. muridarum MOMP is suitable for use in a delayed vaccine delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya A Russell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Logan Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Emily Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston 4006, Australia
| | - Mark A Fisher
- Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia
| | - Darren Leahy
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Harris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Dietmar Hutmacher
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia; Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tim R Dargaville
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia
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3
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Armitage CW, Bryan ER, Trim L, Palframan E, Wager L, Beagley KW, Carey AJ. Haematopoietic innate interleukin 17A production drives immunopathology in female mouse genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. Scand J Immunol 2024; 99:e13359. [PMID: 38605527 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the leading cause of bacterial urogenital infection and has been demonstrated to drive inflammation and scarring of the reproductive tract. Recent studies have identified key triggers of proinflammatory adaptive immune responses driven by innate leukocytes and epithelia driving immunopathology. Utilizing chimeric mouse models, we investigated the definitive source and role of IL17 and IL17 signalling receptors during early Chlamydia muridarum infection of the female urogenital tract. Bone marrow transplants from wild-type (WT) and IL17A-/- mice to recipients demonstrated equivocal infection kinetics in the reproductive tract, but interestingly, adoptive transfer of IL17A-/- immune cells to WT recipients resulted in no infertility, suggesting a haematopoietic (as opposed to tissue) source of IL17 driving immunopathology. To further delineate the role of IL17 in immunopathology, we infected WT and IL17 receptor A (IL17RA)-/- female mice and observed a significant reduction in immunopathology in IL17RA-/- mice. WT bone marrow transplants to IL17RA-/- recipient mice prevented hydrosalpinx, suggesting signalling through IL17RA drives immunopathology. Furthermore, early chemical inhibition of IL17 signalling significantly reduced hydrosalpinx, suggesting IL17 acts as an innate driver of disease. Early during the infection, IL17 was produced by γδ T cells in the cervico-vagina, but more importantly, by neutrophils at the site of infertility in the oviducts. Taken together, these data suggest innate production of IL17 by haematopoietic leukocytes drives immunopathology in the epithelia during early C. muridarum infection of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Armitage
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Peter Goher Department of Immunobiology, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Logan Trim
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ella Palframan
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lucas Wager
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Science and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Murthy AK, Wright-McAfee E, Warda K, Moy LN, Bui N, Musunuri T, Manam S, Chako CZ, Ramsey KH, Li W. Protective anti-chlamydial vaccine regimen-induced CD4+ T cell response mediates early inhibition of pathogenic CD8+ T cell response following genital challenge. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae008. [PMID: 38684476 PMCID: PMC11149721 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
We have demonstrated previously that TNF-α-producing CD8+ T cells mediate chlamydial pathogenesis, likely in an antigen (Ag)-specific fashion. Here we hypothesize that inhibition of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell response after immunization and/or challenge would correlate with protection against oviduct pathology induced by a protective vaccine regimen. Intranasal (i.n.) live chlamydial elementary body (EB), intramuscular (i.m.) live EB, or i.n. irrelevant antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunized animals induced near-total protection, 50% protection, or no protection, respectively against oviduct pathology following i.vag. C. muridarum challenge. In these models, we evaluated Ag-specific CD8+ T cell cytokine response at various time-periods after immunization or challenge. The results show protective efficacy of vaccine regimens correlated with reduction of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell TNF-α responses following i.vag. chlamydial challenge, not after immunization. Depletion of CD4+ T cells abrogated, whereas adoptive transfer of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells induced the significant reduction of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell TNF-α response after chlamydial challenge. In conclusion, protective anti-chlamydial vaccine regimens induce Ag-specific CD4+ T cell response that mediate early inhibition of pathogenic CD8+ T cell response following challenge and may serve as a predictive biomarker of protection against Chlamydia -induced chronic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Erika Wright-McAfee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Katerina Warda
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Lindsay N Moy
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Nhi Bui
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Tarakarama Musunuri
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Srikanth Manam
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Clemence Z Chako
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
- College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Weidang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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Poston TB. Advances in vaccine development for Chlamydia trachomatis. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae017. [PMID: 39043447 PMCID: PMC11338180 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally. Antibiotic treatment is highly effective, but infection is often asymptomatic resulting in most individuals going undetected and untreated. This untreated infection can ascend to the upper female genital tract to cause pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia screening and treatment programs have failed to control this epidemic and demonstrate the need for an efficacious vaccine to prevent transmission and disease. Animal models and human epidemiological data reveal that natural immunity can provide partial or short-lived sterilizing immunity. These data further demonstrate the importance of eliciting interferon gamma (IFNγ)-producing cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) T cells (Th1 and Th1/17 cells) that can likely synergize with antibody-mediated opsonophagocytosis to provide optimal protection. These studies have guided preclinical rational vaccine design for decades and the first Phase 1 clinical trials have recently been completed. Recent advances have led to improvements in vaccine platforms and clinically safe adjuvants that help provide a path forward. This review describes vaccine models, correlates of immunity, antigen and adjuvant selection, and future clinical testing for Chlamydia vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Mayall JR, Horvat JC, Mangan NE, Chevalier A, McCarthy H, Hampsey D, Donovan C, Brown AC, Matthews AY, de Weerd NA, de Geus ED, Starkey MR, Kim RY, Daly K, Goggins BJ, Keely S, Maltby S, Baldwin R, Foster PS, Boyle MJ, Tanwar PS, Huntington ND, Hertzog PJ, Hansbro PM. Interferon-epsilon is a novel regulator of NK cell responses in the uterus. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:267-293. [PMID: 38263527 PMCID: PMC10897320 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The uterus is a unique mucosal site where immune responses are balanced to be permissive of a fetus, yet protective against infections. Regulation of natural killer (NK) cell responses in the uterus during infection is critical, yet no studies have identified uterine-specific factors that control NK cell responses in this immune-privileged site. We show that the constitutive expression of IFNε in the uterus plays a crucial role in promoting the accumulation, activation, and IFNγ production of NK cells in uterine tissue during Chlamydia infection. Uterine epithelial IFNε primes NK cell responses indirectly by increasing IL-15 production by local immune cells and directly by promoting the accumulation of a pre-pro-like NK cell progenitor population and activation of NK cells in the uterus. These findings demonstrate the unique features of this uterine-specific type I IFN and the mechanisms that underpin its major role in orchestrating innate immune cell protection against uterine infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma R Mayall
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Jay C Horvat
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Niamh E Mangan
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Departments of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Anne Chevalier
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Huw McCarthy
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Daniel Hampsey
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Chantal Donovan
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Alexandra C Brown
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Antony Y Matthews
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Departments of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Nicole A de Weerd
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Departments of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Eveline D de Geus
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Departments of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Malcolm R Starkey
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Richard Y Kim
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Katie Daly
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Bridie J Goggins
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Simon Keely
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Steven Maltby
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Rennay Baldwin
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Paul S Foster
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Michael J Boyle
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Pradeep S Tanwar
- Gynecology Oncology Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Paul J Hertzog
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Departments of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Immune Health Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
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Armitage CW, Carey AJ, Bryan ER, Kollipara A, Trim LK, Beagley KW. Pathogenic NKT cells attenuate urogenital chlamydial clearance and enhance infertility. Scand J Immunol 2023; 97:e13263. [PMID: 36872855 PMCID: PMC10909442 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Urogenital chlamydial infections continue to increase with over 127 million people affected annually, causing significant economic and public health pressures. While the role of traditional MHCI and II peptide presentation is well defined in chlamydial infections, the role of lipid antigens in immunity remains unclear. Natural killer (NK) T cells are important effector cells that recognize and respond to lipid antigens during infections. Chlamydial infection of antigen-presenting cells facilitates presentation of lipid on the MHCI-like protein, CD1d, which stimulates NKT cells to respond. During urogenital chlamydial infection, wild-type (WT) female mice had significantly greater chlamydial burden than CD1d-/- (NKT-deficient) mice, and had significantly greater incidence and severity of immunopathology in both primary and secondary infections. WT mice had similar vaginal lymphocytic infiltrate, but 59% more oviduct occlusion compared to CD1d-/- mice. Transcriptional array analysis of oviducts day 6 post-infection revealed WT mice had elevated levels of Ifnγ (6-fold), Tnfα (38-fold), Il6 (2.5-fold), Il1β (3-fold) and Il17a (6-fold) mRNA compared to CD1d-/- mice. In infected females, oviduct tissues had an elevated infiltration of CD4+ -invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, however, iNKT-deficient Jα18-/- mice had no significant differences in hydrosalpinx severity or incidence compared to WT controls. Lipid mass spectrometry of surface-cleaved CD1d in infected macrophages revealed an enhancement of presented lipids and cellular sequestration of sphingomyelin. Taken together, these data suggest an immunopathogenic role for non-invariant NKT cells in urogenital chlamydial infections, facilitated by lipid presentation via CD1d via infected antigen-presenting cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Armitage
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Emily R. Bryan
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Logan K. Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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The dual role of cytokine responses to Chlamydia trachomatis infection in host pathogen crosstalk. Microb Pathog 2022; 173:105812. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Borges ÁH, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine development - a view on the current challenges and how to move forward. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1555-1567. [PMID: 36004386 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2117694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. A licensed vaccine is not yet available, but the first vaccines have entered clinical trials. AREAS COVERED : We describe the progress that has been made in our understanding of the type of immunity that a protective vaccine should induce, and the challenges that vaccine developers face. We also focus on the clinical development of a chlamydia vaccine. The first chlamydia vaccine candidate has now been tested in a clinical phase-I trial, and another phase-I trial is currently running. We discuss what it will take to continue this development and what future trial setups could look like. EXPERT OPINION The chlamydia field is coming of age and the first phase I clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine has been successfully completed. We expect and hope that this will motivate various stakeholders to support further development of chlamydia vaccines in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro H Borges
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
| | | | - Jes Dietrich
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
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Garcia‐del Rio L, Diaz‐Rodriguez P, Pedersen GK, Christensen D, Landin M. Sublingual Boosting with a Novel Mucoadhesive Thermogelling Hydrogel Following Parenteral CAF01 Priming as a Strategy Against Chlamydia trachomatis. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102508. [PMID: 35124896 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease of bacterial origin. The high number of asymptomatic cases makes it difficult to stop the transmission, requiring vaccine development. Herein, a strategy is proposed to obtain local genital tract immunity against C. trachomatis through parenteral prime and sublingual boost. Subcutaneous administration of chlamydia CTH522 subunit vaccine loaded in the adjuvant CAF01 is combined with sublingual administration of CTH522 loaded in a novel thermosensitive and mucoadhesive hydrogel. Briefly, a ternary optimized hydrogel (OGEL) with desirable biological and physicochemical properties is obtained using artificial intelligence techniques. This formulation exhibits a high gel strength and a strong mucoadhesive, adhesive and cohesive nature. The thermosensitive properties of the hydrogel facilitate application under the tongue. Meanwhile the fast gelation at body temperature together with rapid antigen release should avoid CTH522 leakage by swallowing and increase the contact with sublingual tissue, thus promoting absorption. In vivo studies demonstrate that parenteral-sublingual prime-boost immunization, using CAF01 and OGEL as CTH522 vaccine carriers, shows a tendency to increase cellular (Th1/Th17) immune responses when compared to mucosal or parenteral vaccination alone. Furthermore, parenteral prime with CAF01/CTH522 followed by sublingual boosting with OGEL/CTH522 elicits a local IgA response in the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Garcia‐del Rio
- Departamento de Farmacología Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica Grupo I+D Farma (GI‐1645) Agrupación Estratégica de Materiales (AeMat) Facultad de Farmacia Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela 15782 Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) IDIS Research Institute Santiago de Compostela 15706 Spain
| | - Patricia Diaz‐Rodriguez
- Departamento de Farmacología Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica Grupo I+D Farma (GI‐1645) Agrupación Estratégica de Materiales (AeMat) Facultad de Farmacia Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela 15782 Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) IDIS Research Institute Santiago de Compostela 15706 Spain
| | - Gabriel Kristian Pedersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology Statens Serum Institut Artillerivej 5 Copenhagen S 2300 Denmark
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology Statens Serum Institut Artillerivej 5 Copenhagen S 2300 Denmark
| | - Mariana Landin
- Departamento de Farmacología Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica Grupo I+D Farma (GI‐1645) Agrupación Estratégica de Materiales (AeMat) Facultad de Farmacia Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela 15782 Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) IDIS Research Institute Santiago de Compostela 15706 Spain
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11
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Romand X, Liu X, Rahman MA, Bhuyan ZA, Douillard C, Kedia RA, Stone N, Roest D, Chew ZH, Cameron AJ, Rehaume LM, Bozon A, Habib M, Armitage CW, Nguyen MVC, Favier B, Beagley K, Maurin M, Gaudin P, Thomas R, Wells TJ, Baillet A. Mediation of Interleukin-23 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Driven Reactive Arthritis by Chlamydia-Infected Macrophages in SKG Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1200-1210. [PMID: 33452873 DOI: 10.1002/art.41653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE ZAP-70W163C BALB/c (SKG) mice develop reactive arthritis (ReA) following infection with Chlamydia muridarum. Since intracellular pathogens enhance their replicative fitness in stressed host cells, we examined how myeloid cells infected with C muridarum drive arthritis. METHODS SKG, Il17a-deficient SKG, and BALB/c female mice were infected with C muridarum or C muridarum luciferase in the genitals. C muridarum dissemination was assessed by in vivo imaging or genomic DNA amplification. Macrophages were depleted using clodronate liposomes. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) and anti-interleukin-23p19 (anti-IL-23p19) were administered after infection or arthritis onset. Gene expression of Hspa5, Tgtp1, Il23a, Il17a, Il12b, and Tnf was compared in SKG mice and BALB/c mice. RESULTS One week following infection with C muridarum, macrophages and neutrophils were observed to have infiltrated the uteri of mice and were also shown to have carried C muridarum DNA to the spleen. C muridarum load was higher in SKG mice than in BALB/c mice. Macrophage depletion was shown to reduce C muridarum load and prevent development of arthritis. Compared with BALB/c mice, expression of Il23a and Il17a was increased in the uterine and splenic neutrophils of SKG mice. The presence of anti-IL-23p19 during infection or Il17a deficiency suppressed arthritis. Tnf was overexpressed in the joints of SKG mice within 1 week postinfection, and persisted beyond the first week. TNF inhibition during infection or at arthritis onset suppressed the development of arthritis. Levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress were constitutively increased in the joints of SKG mice but were induced, in conjunction with immunity-related GTPase, by C muridarum infection in the uterus. CONCLUSION C muridarum load is higher in SKG mice than in BALB/c mice. Whereas proinflammatory IL-23 produced by neutrophils contributes to the initiation of C muridarum-mediated ReA, macrophage depletion reduces C muridarum dissemination to other tissues, tissue burden, and the development of arthritis. TNF inhibition was also shown to suppress arthritis development. Our data suggest that enhanced bacterial dissemination in macrophages of SKG mice drives the TNF production needed for persistent arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Romand
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Xiao Liu
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Arifur Rahman
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zaied Ahmed Bhuyan
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Claire Douillard
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Reena Arora Kedia
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nathan Stone
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dominique Roest
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zi Huai Chew
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amy J Cameron
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Linda M Rehaume
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aurélie Bozon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Mohammed Habib
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bertrand Favier
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Kenneth Beagley
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Max Maurin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Philippe Gaudin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Ranjeny Thomas
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Timothy J Wells
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Athan Baillet
- Université Grenoble Alpes, GREPI TIMC-IMAG, UMR 5525, Grenoble, France
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12
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Poli-Neto OB, Carlos D, Favaretto A, Rosa-E-Silva JC, Meola J, Tiezzi D. Eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis and chlamydial endometritis share immunological cell types and DNA repair imbalance: A transcriptome meta-analytical perspective. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103307. [PMID: 33725527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the key similarities between the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and chlamydia-induced endometritis taking into account tissue microenvironment heterogeneity, transcript gene profile, and enriched pathways. A meta-analysis of whole transcriptome microarrays was performed using publicly available data, including samples containing both glandular and stromal endometrial components. Control samples were obtained from women without any reported pathological condition. Only samples obtained during the proliferative menstrual phase were included. Cellular tissue heterogeneity was predicted using a method that integrates gene set enrichment and deconvolution approaches. The batch effect was estimated by principal variant component analysis and removed using an empirical Bayes method. Differentially expressed genes were identified using an adjusted p-value < 0.05 and fold change = 1.5. The protein-protein interaction network was built using the STRING database and interaction score over 400. The Molecular Signatures Database was used to analyse the functional enrichment analysis. Both conditions showed similarities in cell types in the microenvironment, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ Tem cells, NKT cells, Th2 cells, basophils, and eosinophils. With regards to the regulation of cellular senescence and DNA integrity/damage checkpoint, which are commonly enriched pathways, 21 genes were down-regulated and directly related to DNA repair. Compared to the endometriosis samples, some chlamydial endometritis samples presented a lack of enriched immune pathways. Our results suggest that both conditions show similar distributions of microenvironment cell types, the downregulation of genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle control, and pathways involved in immune response evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omero Benedicto Poli-Neto
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil.
| | - Daniela Carlos
- Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Aureo Favaretto
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Rosa-E-Silva
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Meola
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Tiezzi
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
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13
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Nguyen NDNT, Olsen AW, Lorenzen E, Andersen P, Hvid M, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Parenteral vaccination protects against transcervical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and generate tissue-resident T cells post-challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:7. [PMID: 31993218 PMCID: PMC6978417 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0157-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The optimal protective immunity against Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) is still not fully resolved. One of the unresolved issues concerns the importance of resident immunity, since a recent study showed that optimal protection against a transcervical (TC) infection required genital tissue-resident memory T cells. An important question in the Chlamydia field is therefore if a parenteral vaccine strategy, inducing only circulating immunity primed at a nonmucosal site, should be pursued by Chlamydia vaccine developers. To address this question we studied the protective efficacy of a parenteral Chlamydia vaccine, formulated in the Th1/Th17 T cell-inducing adjuvant CAF01. We found that a parenteral vaccination induced significant protection against a TC infection and against development of chronic pathology. Protection correlated with rapid recruitment of Th1/Th17 T cells to the genital tract (GT), which efficiently prevented infection-driven generation of low quality Th1 or Th17 T cells, and instead maintained a pool of high quality multifunctional Th1/Th17 T cells in the GT throughout the infection. After clearance of the infection, a pool of these cells settled in the GT as tissue-resident Th1 and Th17 cells expressing CD69 but not CD103, CD49d, or CCR7, where they responded rapidly to a reinfection. These results show that a nonmucosal parenteral strategy inducing Th1 and Th17 T cells mediates protection against both infection with C.t. as well as development of chronic pathology, and lead to post-challenge protective tissue-resident memory immunity in the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anja W Olsen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emma Lorenzen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Hvid
- 2Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Boddicker MA, Kaufhold RM, Cox KS, Lucas BJ, Xie J, Nahas DD, Touch S, Espeseth AS, Vora KA, Skinner JM. A Novel LNP-Based <i>Chlamydia</i> Subunit Vaccine Formulation That Induces Th1 Responses without Upregulating IL-17 Provides Equivalent Protection in Mice as Formulations That Induced IL-17 and Th1 Cytokines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.4236/wjv.2020.104005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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15
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McEntee CP, Moran HBT, Muñoz-Wolf N, Liddicoat AM, Carroll EC, Erbo-Wern J, Coulter IS, Andersen P, Follmann F, Lavelle EC. Type I IFN signalling is required for cationic adjuvant formulation (CAF)01-induced cellular immunity and mucosal priming. Vaccine 2019; 38:635-643. [PMID: 31727505 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic of infections caused by the pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, a vaccine capable of inducing protective immunity remains elusive. Given the C. trachomatis mucosal port of entry, a formulation compatible with mucosal administration and capable of eliciting potent genital tract immunity is highly desirable. While subunit vaccines are considered safer and better tolerated, these are typically poorly immunogenic and require co-formulation with immune-potentiating adjuvants. However, of the adjuvants licensed for use in humans, very few drive robust cellular responses, a pre-requisite for protection against C. trachomatis infection. Recently, the cationic adjuvant formulations (CAF) have been shown to induce robust humoral and cellular immunity in pre-clinical models of chlamydia, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). Here, we demonstrate that CAF01 induces potent immune responses when combined with the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of C. trachomatis following parenteral immunisation and also as part of a heterologous prime/boost regime. We show that a subcutaneous prime with CAF01-adjuvanted recombinant MOMP licenses antigen-specific immunity at distant mucosal sites which can be activated following oral antigen re-encounter in the absence of concomitant adjuvant stimulation. Finally, we shed light on the mechanism(s) through which CAF01 elicits robust antigen-specific immunity to co-formulated MOMP via type I interferon (IFN) signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P McEntee
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hannah B T Moran
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Natalia Muñoz-Wolf
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alex M Liddicoat
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth C Carroll
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeanette Erbo-Wern
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ivan S Coulter
- Sigmoid Pharma, The Invent Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ed C Lavelle
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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16
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Soni B, Singh S. Cytokine Milieu in Infectious Disease: A Sword or a Boon? J Interferon Cytokine Res 2019; 40:24-32. [PMID: 31553263 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2019.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines have a myriad role in an infectious disease, whether being pathogenic, bacterial, or viral. All proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine biological function are dependent on its concentration, followed by combination with the other cytokines and the stage of the disease. Plasticity in switching off from one phenotype to the other of these regulatory mediators in congruence with the traditional concept of inhibitory and stimulatory effects on immune system is dealt with. This review highlights the dual functionality of some of these cytokines and cytokine-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavnita Soni
- Department of Pathogenesis and Cellular Response, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- Department of Pathogenesis and Cellular Response, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
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17
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Harvie MC, Carey AJ, Armitage CW, O'Meara CP, Peet J, Phillips ZN, Timms P, Beagley KW. Chlamydia-infected macrophages are resistant to azithromycin treatment and are associated with chronic oviduct inflammation and hydrosalpinx development. Immunol Cell Biol 2019; 97:865-876. [PMID: 31348541 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia infection remains the leading sexually-transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, causing damaging sequelae such as tubal scarring, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. As infection is often asymptomatic, prevention via vaccination is the optimal strategy for disease control. Vaccination strategies aimed at preventing bacterial infection have shown some promise, although these strategies often fail to prevent damaging inflammatory pathology when Chlamydia is encountered. Using a murine model of Chlamydia muridarum genital infection, we employed two established independent models to compare immune responses underpinning pathologic development of genital Chlamydia infection. Model one uses antibiotic treatment during infection, with only early treatment preventing pathology. Model two uses a plasmid-cured variant strain of C. muridarum that does not cause pathologic outcomes like the plasmid-containing wild-type counterpart. Using these infection models, contrasted by the development of pathology, we identified an unexpected role for macrophages. We observed that mice showing signs of pathology had greater numbers of activated macrophages present in the oviducts. This may have been due to early differences in macrophage activation and proinflammatory signaling leading to persistent or enhanced infection. These results provide valuable insight into the cellular mechanisms driving pathology in Chlamydia infection and contribute to the design and development of more effective vaccine strategies for protection against the deleterious sequelae of Chlamydia infection of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cg Harvie
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Connor P O'Meara
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jesse Peet
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zachary N Phillips
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of Sunshine Coast (USC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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18
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Mackern-Oberti JP, Motrich RD, Damiani MT, Saka HA, Quintero CA, Sánchez LR, Moreno-Sosa T, Olivera C, Cuffini C, Rivero VE. Male genital tract immune response against Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Reproduction 2018; 154:R99-R110. [PMID: 28878094 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported agent of sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide. This pathogen frequently leads to persistent, long-term, subclinical infections, which in turn may cause severe pathology in susceptible hosts. This is in part due to the strategies that Chlamydia trachomatis uses to survive within epithelial cells and to evade the host immune response, such as subverting intracellular trafficking, interfering signaling pathways and preventing apoptosis. Innate immune receptors such as toll-like receptors expressed on epithelial and immune cells in the genital tract mediate the recognition of chlamydial molecular patterns. After bacterial recognition, a subset of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are continuously released by epithelial cells. The innate immune response is followed by the initiation of the adaptive response against Chlamydia trachomatis, which in turn may result in T helper 1-mediated protection or in T helper 2-mediated immunopathology. Understanding the molecular mechanisms developed by Chlamydia trachomatis to avoid killing and host immune response would be crucial for designing new therapeutic approaches and developing protective vaccines. In this review, we focus on chlamydial survival strategies and the elicited immune responses in male genital tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Mackern-Oberti
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. IMBECU-CONICETMendoza, Argentina .,Instituto de Fisiología. Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Rubén Darío Motrich
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología CIBICI-CONICETDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria Teresa Damiani
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza. IHEM-CONICETFacultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Héctor Alex Saka
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología CIBICI-CONICETDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Leonardo Rodolfo Sánchez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología CIBICI-CONICETDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Tamara Moreno-Sosa
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. IMBECU-CONICETMendoza, Argentina
| | - Carolina Olivera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología CIBICI-CONICETDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Cuffini
- Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. VanellaFacultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Virginia Elena Rivero
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología CIBICI-CONICETDepartamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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19
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O'Meara CP, Armitage CW, Andrew DW, Kollipara A, Lycke NY, Potter AA, Gerdts V, Petrovsky N, Beagley KW. Multistage vaccines containing outer membrane, type III secretion system and inclusion membrane proteins protects against a Chlamydia genital tract infection and pathology. Vaccine 2017; 35:3883-3888. [PMID: 28602608 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens with a complex lifecycles can effectively evade host immunity in part due to each developmental stage expressing unique sets of antigens. Multisubunit vaccines incorporating signature antigens reflecting distinct developmental stages (multistage vaccines) have proven effective against viral, bacterial and parasitic infection at preventing pathogen evasion of host immunity. Chlamydia trachomatis is characterized by a biphasic extra/intracellular developmental cycle and an acute/persistent (latent) metabolic state; hence a multistage vaccine may prevent immune evasion and enhance clearance. Here we tested the efficacy of a multistage vaccine containing outer membrane (MOMP and PmpG), type three secretion system (T3SS) (CdsF and TC0873) and inclusion membrane proteins (IncA and TC0500) in mice against an intravaginal challenge with Chlamydia muridarum. Comparison of single (eg. MOMP) and double antigen vaccines (eg. MOMP and PmpG), largely targeting the extracellular stage, elicited significant yet comparable protection against vaginal shedding when compared to unimmunized control mice. Utilization of different adjuvants (ISCOMATRIX - IMX, PCEP/polyI:C/IDR1002 - VIDO, CTA1-DD and ADVAX) and numerous immunization routes (subcutaneous - SQ and intranasal - IN) further enhanced protection against infection. However, a multistage vaccine elicited significantly greater protection against vaginal shedding and upper genital tract pathology than vaccines targeting only extra- or intracellular stages. This indicates that protection elicited by a vaccine targeting extracellular chlamydial antigens could be improved by including chlamydial antigen expressed during intracellular phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor P O'Meara
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Baden-Wüttemburg, Germany
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dean W Andrew
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nils Y Lycke
- Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andrew A Potter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization - International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization - International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Adelaide, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Flinders Medical Centre/Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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20
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Pais R, Omosun Y, He Q, Blas-Machado U, Black C, Igietseme JU, Fujihashi K, Eko FO. Rectal administration of a chlamydial subunit vaccine protects against genital infection and upper reproductive tract pathology in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178537. [PMID: 28570663 PMCID: PMC5453548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we tested the hypothesis that rectal immunization with a VCG-based chlamydial vaccine would cross-protect mice against heterologous genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection and Chlamydia-induced upper genital tract pathologies in mice. Female mice were immunized with a C. trachomatis serovar D-derived subunit vaccine or control or live serovar D elementary bodies (EBs) and the antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses were characterized. Vaccine efficacy was determined by evaluating the intensity and duration of genital chlamydial shedding following intravaginal challenge with live serovar E chlamydiae. Protection against upper genital tract pathology was determined by assessing infertility and tubal inflammation. Rectal immunization elicited high levels of chlamydial-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD4 T cells and humoral immune responses in mucosal and systemic tissues. The elicited immune effectors cross-reacted with the serovar E chlamydial antigen and reduced the length and intensity of genital chlamydial shedding. Furthermore, immunization with the VCG-vaccine but not the rVCG-gD2 control reduced the incidence of tubal inflammation and protected mice against Chlamydia-induced infertility. These results highlight the potential of rectal immunization as a viable mucosal route for inducing protective immunity in the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Pais
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Qing He
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Uriel Blas-Machado
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Black
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kohtaro Fujihashi
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Immunobiology Vaccine Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, United States of America
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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21
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Abstract
The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines, such as IL-17A and IL-17F, play
important protective roles in host immune response to a variety of infections
such as bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral. The IL-17R signaling and
downstream pathways mediate induction of proinflammatory molecules which
participate in control of these pathogens. However, the production of IL-17 can
also mediate pathology and inflammation associated with infections. In this
review, we will discuss the yin-and-yang roles of IL-17 in host immunity to
pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibali Das
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shabaana Khader
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
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22
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Hadad R, Marks E, Kalbina I, Schön K, Unemo M, Lycke N, Strid Å, Andersson S. Protection against genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infection following intranasal immunization with a novel recombinant MOMP VS2/4 antigen. APMIS 2017; 124:1078-1086. [PMID: 27859689 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The asymptomatic nature of most Chlamydia trachomatis infections and the lack of appropriate effects by current prevention and management call for vaccine development. We evaluated a recombinant subunit vaccine candidate based on the major outer membrane protein variable segments 2 and 4 (MOMP VS2/4). To achieve maximal immunogenicity and ease of production and purification, MOMP VS2/4 was constructed by using highly immunogenic sequences of MOMP only, thereby minimizing the presence of hydrophobic regions, and spacing the immunogenic epitopes with a flexible amino acid sequence. A purification tag was also added. The MOMP VS2/4 was given intranasally, with or without intravaginal boost, with cholera toxin (CT) adjuvant to C57BL/6 mice, which were screened for immunogenicity and protection against a live challenge infection with C. trachomatis serovar D. Bacterial shedding, cell-mediated responses, and antibody responses were monitored. Immunized mice exhibited significantly less bacterial shedding and were better protected against infertility as compared to unimmunized control mice. Immunizations stimulated both systemic and local specific antibody (IgG1, IgG2c, and IgA) responses, and primed T cells that produced interferon-γ and interleukins 13 and 17 upon challenge with recall antigen. Thus, MOMP VS2/4, in combination with CT adjuvant, stimulated Th1, Th2, and Th17 effector cells, and generated protective immunity associated with less pathology. We regard MOMP VS2/4 as a promising candidate for further development into a mucosal chlamydial vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronza Hadad
- Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ellen Marks
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Irina Kalbina
- Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Karin Schön
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Nils Lycke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Åke Strid
- Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sören Andersson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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23
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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.
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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
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24
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In vitro rescue of genital strains of Chlamydia trachomatis from interferon-γ and tryptophan depletion with indole-positive, but not indole-negative Prevotella spp. BMC Microbiol 2016; 16:286. [PMID: 27914477 PMCID: PMC5135834 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0903-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The natural course of sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis varies between individuals. In addition to parasite and host effects, the vaginal microbiota might play a key role in the outcome of C. trachomatis infections. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), known for its anti-chlamydial properties, activates the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) in epithelial cells, an enzyme that catabolizes the amino acid L- tryptophan into N-formylkynurenine, depleting the host cell’s pool of tryptophan. Although C. trachomatis is a tryptophan auxotroph, urogenital strains (but not ocular strains) have been shown in vitro to have the ability to produce tryptophan from indole using the tryptophan synthase (trpBA) gene. It has been suggested that indole producing bacteria from the vaginal microbiota could influence the outcome of Chlamydia infection. Results We used two in vitro models (treatment with IFN-γ or direct limitation of tryptophan), to study the effects of direct rescue by the addition of exogenous indole, or by the addition of culture supernatant from indole-positive versus indole-negative Prevotella strains, on the growth and infectivity of C. trachomatis. We found that only supernatants from the indole-positive strains, P. intermedia and P. nigrescens, were able to rescue tryptophan-starved C. trachomatis. In addition, we analyzed vaginal secretion samples to determine physiological indole concentrations. In spite of the complexity of vaginal secretions, we demonstrated that for some vaginal specimens with higher indole levels, there was a link to higher recovery of the Chlamydia under tryptophan-starved conditions, lending preliminary support to the critical role of the IFN-γ-tryptophan-indole axis in vivo. Conclusions Our data provide evidence for the ability of both exogenous indole as well as supernatant from indole producing bacteria such as Prevotella, to rescue genital C. trachomatis from tryptophan starvation. This adds weight to the hypothesis that the vaginal microbiota (particularly from women with lower levels of lactobacilli and higher levels of indole producing anaerobes) may be intrinsically linked to the outcome of chlamydial infections in some women. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0903-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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25
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IFNγ is Required for Optimal Antibody-Mediated Immunity against Genital Chlamydia Infection. Infect Immun 2016; 84:3232-3242. [PMID: 27600502 PMCID: PMC5067755 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00749-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining the mechanisms of immunity conferred by the combination of antibody and CD4+ T cells is fundamental to designing an efficacious chlamydial vaccine. Using the Chlamydia muridarum genital infection model of mice, which replicates many features of human C. trachomatis infection and avoids the characteristic low virulence of C. trachomatis in the mouse, we previously demonstrated a significant role for antibody in immunity to chlamydial infection. We found that antibody alone was not protective. Instead, protection appeared to be conferred through an undefined antibody-cell interaction. Using gene knockout mice and in vivo cellular depletion methods, our data suggest that antibody-mediated protection is dependent on the activation of an effector cell population in genital tract tissues by CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the CD4+ T cell-secreted cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was found to be a key component of the protective antibody response. The protective function of IFN-γ was not related to the immunoglobulin class or to the magnitude of the Chlamydia-specific antibody response or to recruitment of an effector cell population to genital tract tissue. Rather, IFN-γ appears to be necessary for activation of the effector cell population that functions in antibody-mediated chlamydial immunity. Our results confirm the central role of antibody in immunity to chlamydia reinfection and demonstrate a key function for IFN-γ in antibody-mediated protection.
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26
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O'Meara CP, Armitage CW, Kollipara A, Andrew DW, Trim L, Plenderleith MB, Beagley KW. Induction of partial immunity in both males and females is sufficient to protect females against sexual transmission of Chlamydia. Mucosal Immunol 2016; 9:1076-88. [PMID: 26647717 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2015.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis causes infertility, and because almost 90% of infections are asymptomatic, a vaccine is required for its eradication. Mathematical modeling studies have indicated that a vaccine eliciting partial protection (non-sterilizing) may prevent Chlamydia infection transmission, if administered to both sexes before an infection. However, reducing chlamydial inoculum transmitted by males and increasing infection resistance in females through vaccination to elicit sterilizing immunity has yet to be investigated experimentally. Here we show that a partially protective vaccine (chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and ISCOMATRIX (IMX) provided sterilizing immunity against sexual transmission between immunized mice. Immunizing male or female mice before an infection reduced chlamydial burden and disease development, but did not prevent infection. However, infection and inflammatory disease responsible for infertility were absent in 100% of immunized female mice challenged intravaginally with ejaculate collected from infected immunized males. In contrast to the sterilizing immunity generated following recovery from a previous chlamydial infection, protective immunity conferred by MOMP/IMX occurred independent of resident memory T cells. Our results demonstrate that vaccination of males or females can further protect the opposing sex, whereas vaccination of both sexes can synergize to elicit sterilizing immunity against Chlamydia sexual transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P O'Meara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Baden-Wüttemburg, Germany
| | - C W Armitage
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - A Kollipara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - D W Andrew
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - L Trim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M B Plenderleith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Laboratory-School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - K W Beagley
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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27
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Khan SA, Desclozeaux M, Waugh C, Hanger J, Loader J, Gerdts V, Potter A, Polkinghorne A, Beagley K, Timms P. Antibody and Cytokine Responses of Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) Vaccinated with Recombinant Chlamydial Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) with Two Different Adjuvants. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156094. [PMID: 27219467 PMCID: PMC4878773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing a vaccine against Chlamydia is key to combating widespread mortalities and morbidities associated with this infection in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). In previous studies, we have shown that two or three doses of a Recombinant Major Outer Membrane Protein (rMOMP) antigen-based vaccine, combined with immune stimulating complex (ISC) adjuvant, results in strong cellular and humoral immune responses in koalas. We have also separately evaluated a single dose vaccine, utilising a tri-adjuvant formula that comprises polyphosphazine based poly I: C and host defense peptides, with the same antigen. This formulation also produced strong cellular and humoral immune responses in captive koalas. In this current study, we directly compared the host immune responses of two sub-groups of wild Chlamydia negative koalas in one population vaccinated with the rMOMP protein antigen and adjuvanted with either the ISC or tri-adjuvant formula. Overall, both adjuvants produced strong Chlamydia-specific cellular (IFN-γ and IL-17A) responses in circulating PBMCs as well as MOMP-specific and functional, in vitro neutralising antibodies. While the immune responses were similar, there were adjuvant-specific immune differences between the two adjuvants, particularly in relation to the specificity of the MOMP epitope antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahneaz Ali Khan
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chittagong, 4202, Bangladesh
| | - Marion Desclozeaux
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Courtney Waugh
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Jon Hanger
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul, QLD 4510, Australia
| | - Jo Loader
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul, QLD 4510, Australia
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organizations, International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Andrew Potter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organizations, International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Kenneth Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
- * E-mail:
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28
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McGill JL, Nair ADS, Cheng C, Rusk RA, Jaworski DC, Ganta RR. Vaccination with an Attenuated Mutant of Ehrlichia chaffeensis Induces Pathogen-Specific CD4+ T Cell Immunity and Protection from Tick-Transmitted Wild-Type Challenge in the Canine Host. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148229. [PMID: 26841025 PMCID: PMC4739596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis is a tick-borne rickettsial pathogen and the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Transmitted by the Amblyomma americanum tick, E. chaffeensis also causes disease in several other vertebrate species including white-tailed deer and dogs. We have recently described the generation of an attenuated mutant strain of E. chaffeensis, with a mutation in the Ech_0660 gene, which is able to confer protection from secondary, intravenous-administered, wild-type E. chaffeensis infection in dogs. Here, we extend our previous results, demonstrating that vaccination with the Ech_0660 mutant protects dogs from physiologic, tick-transmitted, secondary challenge with wild-type E. chaffeensis; and describing, for the first time, the cellular and humoral immune responses induced by Ech_0660 mutant vaccination and wild-type E. chaffeensis infection in the canine host. Both vaccination and infection induced a rise in E. chaffeensis-specific antibody titers and a significant Th1 response in peripheral blood as measured by E. chaffeensis antigen-dependent CD4+ T cell proliferation and IFNγ production. Further, we describe for the first time significant IL-17 production by peripheral blood leukocytes from both Ech_0660 mutant vaccinated animals and control animals infected with wild-type E. chaffeensis, suggesting a previously unrecognized role for IL-17 and Th17 cells in the immune response to rickettsial pathogens. Our results are a critical first step towards defining the role of the immune system in vaccine-induced protection from E. chaffeensis infection in an incidental host; and confirm the potential of the attenuated mutant clone, Ech_0660, to be used as a vaccine candidate for protection against tick-transmitted E. chaffeensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L. McGill
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Arathy D. S. Nair
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Chuanmin Cheng
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Rachel A. Rusk
- Pathobiology Graduate Program, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Deborah C. Jaworski
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Roman R. Ganta
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
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29
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Murthy AK, Li W, Ramsey KH. Immunopathogenesis of Chlamydial Infections. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2016; 412:183-215. [PMID: 27370346 DOI: 10.1007/82_2016_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydial infections lead to a number of clinically relevant diseases and induce significant morbidity in human populations. It is generally understood that certain components of the host immune response to infection also mediate such disease pathologies. A clear understanding of pathogenic mechanisms will enable us to devise better preventive and/or intervention strategies to mitigate the morbidity caused by these infections. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to explore the immunopathogenic mechanisms of Chlamydia-induced diseases of the eye, reproductive tract, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular systems. In this article, we provide an overview of the diseases caused by Chlamydia, animal models used to study disease pathology, and a historical context to the efforts to understand chlamydial pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss recent findings regarding pathogenesis, with an emphasis on the role of the adaptive immune response in the development of chlamydial disease sequelae. Finally, we summarize the key insights obtained from studies of chlamydial pathogenesis and avenues that remain to be explored in order to inform the next steps of vaccine development against chlamydial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, 555, 31st Steet, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA.
| | - Weidang Li
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, 555, 31st Steet, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA
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30
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Hafner LM. Pathogenesis of fallopian tube damage caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Contraception 2015; 92:108-15. [PMID: 25592078 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide resulting in 4-5 million new cases of Chlamydia annually and an estimated 100 million cases per annum. Infections of the lower female genital tract (FGT) frequently are asymptomatic; thus, they often remain undiagnosed or untreated. If infections are either not resolved or left untreated, chlamydia can ascend to the upper FGT and infect the fallopian tubes (FTs) causing salpingitis that may lead to functional damage of the FTs and tubal factor infertility (TFI). Clinical observations and experimental data have indicated a role for antibodies against C. trachomatis proteins such as the 60-kDa heat shock protein 60 (cHSP60) in the immunopathogenesis of TFI. When released from infected cells, cHSP60 can induce proinflammatory immune responses that may functionally impair the FTs leading to fibrosis and luminal occlusion. Chlamydial pathogenesis of irreversible and permanent tubal damage is a consequence of innate and adaptive host immune responses to ongoing or repeated infections. The extracellular matrix that is regulated by metalloproteinases may also be modified by chlamydial infections of the FGT. This review will highlight protective and pathogenic immune responses to ongoing and repeated chlamydial infections of the FGT. It will also present two recent hypotheses to explain mechanisms that may contribute to FT damage during a C. trachomatis infection. If Chlamydia immunopathology can be controlled, it might yield a method of inducing fibrosis and thus provide a means of nonsurgical permanent contraception for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M Hafner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Chronic Diseases and Ageing Theme, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
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31
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Armitage CW, O'Meara CP, Harvie MCG, Timms P, Wijburg OL, Beagley KW. Evaluation of intra- and extra-epithelial secretory IgA in chlamydial infections. Immunology 2015; 143:520-30. [PMID: 24827556 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A is an important mucosal antibody that can neutralize mucosal pathogens by either preventing attachment to epithelia (immune exclusion) or alternatively inhibit intra-epithelial replication following transcytosis by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Chlamydia trachomatis is a major human pathogen that initially targets the endocervical or urethral epithelium in women and men, respectively. As both tissues contain abundant secretory IgA (SIgA) we assessed the protection afforded by IgA targeting different chlamydial antigens expressed during the extra- and intra-epithelial stages of infection. We developed an in vitro model using polarizing cells expressing the murine pIgR together with antigen-specific mouse IgA, and an in vivo model using pIgR(-/-) mice. Secretory IgA targeting the extra-epithelial chlamydial antigen, the major outer membrane protein, significantly reduced infection in vitro by 24% and in vivo by 44%. Conversely, pIgR-mediated delivery of IgA targeting the intra-epithelial inclusion membrane protein A bound to the inclusion but did not reduce infection in vitro or in vivo. Similarly, intra-epithelial IgA targeting the secreted protease Chlamydia protease-like activity factor also failed to reduce infection. Together, these data suggest the importance of pIgR-mediated delivery of IgA targeting extra-epithelial, but not intra-epithelial, chlamydial antigens for protection against a genital tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Qld, Australia
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33
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Kraan H, Vrieling H, Czerkinsky C, Jiskoot W, Kersten G, Amorij JP. Buccal and sublingual vaccine delivery. J Control Release 2014; 190:580-92. [PMID: 24911355 PMCID: PMC7114675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.05.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Because of their large surface area and immunological competence, mucosal tissues are attractive administration and target sites for vaccination. An important characteristic of mucosal vaccination is its ability to elicit local immune responses, which act against infection at the site of pathogen entry. However, mucosal surfaces are endowed with potent and sophisticated tolerance mechanisms to prevent the immune system from overreacting to the many environmental antigens. Hence, mucosal vaccination may suppress the immune system instead of induce a protective immune response. Therefore, mucosal adjuvants and/or special antigen delivery systems as well as appropriate dosage forms are required in order to develop potent mucosal vaccines. Whereas oral, nasal and pulmonary vaccine delivery strategies have been described extensively, the sublingual and buccal routes have received considerably less attention. In this review, the characteristics of and approaches for sublingual and buccal vaccine delivery are described and compared with other mucosal vaccine delivery sites. We discuss recent progress and highlight promising developments in the search for vaccine formulations, including adjuvants and suitable dosage forms, which are likely critical for designing a successful sublingual or buccal vaccine. Finally, we outline the challenges, hurdles to overcome and formulation issues relevant for sublingual or buccal vaccine delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen Kraan
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Hilde Vrieling
- Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cecil Czerkinsky
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 7275 CNRS-INSERM-UNSA, Valbonne, France
| | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gideon Kersten
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Pierre Amorij
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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