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Wang J, Wang K. New insights into Chlamydia pathogenesis: Role of leukemia inhibitory factor. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1029178. [PMID: 36329823 PMCID: PMC9623337 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1029178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Since the symptoms of Ct infection are often subtle or absent, most people are unaware of their infection until they are tested or develop severe complications such as infertility. It is believed that the primary culprit of Ct-associated tissue damage is unresolved chronic inflammation, resulting in aberrant production of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, as well as dysregulated tissue influx of innate and adaptive immune cells. A member of the IL-6 cytokine family, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), is one of the cytokines induced by Ct infection but its role in Ct pathogenesis is unclear. In this article, we review the biology of LIF and LIF receptor (LIFR)-mediated signaling pathways, summarize the physiological role of LIF in the reproductive system, and discuss the impact of LIF in chronic inflammatory conditions and its implication in Ct pathogenesis. Under normal circumstances, LIF is produced to maintain epithelial homeostasis and tissue repair, including the aftermath of Ct infection. However, LIF/LIFR-mediated signaling – particularly prolonged strong signaling – can gradually transform the microenvironment of the fallopian tube by altering the fate of epithelial cells and the cellular composition of epithelium. This harmful transformation of epithelium may be a key process that leads to an enhanced risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and cancer following Ct infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jun Wang,
| | - Katherine Wang
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Designing a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis by Employing Integrated Core Proteomics, Immuno-Informatics and In Silico Approaches. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100997. [PMID: 34681096 PMCID: PMC8533590 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, a Gram-negative bacterium that infects the rectum, urethra, congenital sites, and columnar epithelium of the cervix. It is a major cause of preventable blindness, ectopic pregnancy, and bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. There is currently no licensed multi-epitope vaccination available for this pathogen. This study used core proteomics, immuno-informatics, and subtractive proteomics approaches to identify the best antigenic candidates for the development of a multi-epitope-based vaccine (MEBV). These approaches resulted in six vaccine candidates: Type III secretion system translocon subunit CopD2, SctW family type III secretion system gatekeeper subunit CopN, SycD/LcrH family type III secretion system chaperone Scc2, CT847 family type III secretion system effector, hypothetical protein CTDEC_0668, and CHLPN 76kDa-like protein. A variety of immuno-informatics tools were used to predict B and T cell epitopes from vaccine candidate proteins. An in silico vaccine was developed using carefully selected epitopes (11 CTL, 2 HTL & 10 LBL) and then docked with the MHC molecules (MHC I & MHC II) and human TLR4. The vaccine was coupled with Cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) adjuvant to boost the immune response. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, molecular docking, and MMGBSA analysis were carried out to analyze the molecular interactions and binding affinity of MEBV with TLR4 and MHC molecules. To achieve the highest level of vaccine protein expression, the MEBV was cloned and reverse-translated in Escherichia coli. The highest level of expression was achieved, and a CAI score of 0.97 was reported. Further experimental validation of the MEBV is required to prove its efficacy. The vaccine developed will be useful in preventing infections caused by C. trachomatis.
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Pagliarani S, Johnston SD, Beagley KW, Dief H, Palmieri C. The occurrence and pathology of chlamydiosis in the male reproductive tract of non-human mammals: A review. Theriogenology 2020; 154:152-160. [PMID: 32622195 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Organisms belonging to the Family Chlamydiaceae are responsible for a broad range of diseases in humans, livestock, companion animals and non-domestic species. Infection of the reproductive organs can cause a range of syndromes of which sub- and infertility are the most frequently observed clinical manifestations. While the gross and histological lesions associated with the isolation of Chlamydiaceae from the non-human female reproductive tract are well documented, little attention has been given to the pathological effects of this infection in the male genital system. As such, the occurrence and importance of Chlamydia-associated disease in male non-human mammalian species is less well documented. In order to improve our understanding of the significance of chlamydiosis in domestic, laboratory and wild animals, this review provides an up-to-date summary of Chlamydia-associated male reproductive pathology, whether that infection occurs naturally or experimentally. Although most lesions in males are described as incidental and of minor significance, results of recent studies suggest that infection with Chlamydiaceae can adversely impact male fertility and/or be instrumental in disease transmission. Although in humans, bulls and mice Chlamydia infection has been associated with morphological and functional abnormalities of the spermatozoa, this review will focus on the gross and histological findings linked to the colonisation of the genital system by this pathogen. Advances in our understanding of male reproductive chlamydiosis are necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, as well as epidemiological and conservation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pagliarani
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Australia; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Australia.
| | - Stephen D Johnston
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 4001, Australia
| | - Hamdy Dief
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Australia
| | - Chiara Palmieri
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Australia
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Hu VH, Macleod D, Massae P, Afwamba I, Weiss HA, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Burton MJ. Non-Chlamydial Bacterial Infection and Progression of Conjunctival Scarring in Trachoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2339-2344. [PMID: 29847638 PMCID: PMC5939686 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess whether non-chlamydial bacterial infection is associated with progression of trachomatous scarring in adults. Methods This was a cohort study involving 800 participants in northern Tanzania who underwent clinical examination, photography, and conjunctival swab collection for microbiology over a 24-month period. Samples for microbiology were inoculated onto blood and chocolate agar, and Chlamydia trachomatis was detected by PCR. Progression was determined by comparison of baseline to 24-month photographs. Results C. trachomatis was detected in only four participants at baseline. At 24 months, 617 participants (77.1%) were followed up. Of those seen at 24 months, 452 could be reliably assessed. Definite scarring progression (progressors) was seen in 345 (55.9%); there was no progression (nonprogressors) in 107 (17.3%). Using combined baseline and 12-month microbiology results, progressors had significantly higher levels of commensal and pathogenic bacterial organisms detected compared with nonprogressors. After adjusting for age, baseline scarring, and ethnicity, there was weak evidence (P = 0.07) that the bacteria category was associated with scarring progression (commensal organisms only: odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 2.89; pathogenic organisms either with or without commensal: OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.10 to 5.16). Conclusion The findings were consistent with the possibility that trachomatous scarring in adults is associated with the presence of non-chlamydial bacterial organisms, particularly pathogenic organisms. C. trachomatis was detected very infrequently and may not be an important factor in the pathogenesis of scarring progression in adults. This has implications for trachoma control programs, which largely concentrate on reducing C. trachomatis levels and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor H Hu
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Isaac Afwamba
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Helen A Weiss
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Burton
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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Sanchez LR, Breser ML, Godoy GJ, Salazar FC, Mackern-Oberti JP, Cuffini C, Motrich RD, Rivero VE. Chronic Infection of the Prostate by Chlamydia muridarum Is Accompanied by Local Inflammation and Pelvic Pain Development. Prostate 2017; 77:517-529. [PMID: 28093789 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infections are the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections. Although the prevalence of chlamydial infection is similar in men and women, current research is mainly focused on women, neglecting the study of male genital tract infections. We, therefore, investigated Chlamydia infection in the rodent male genital tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male NOD and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated in the meatus urethra with C. muridarum. Bacterial DNA, leukocyte infiltration of male genital tract tissues, pelvic pain, and Chlamydia-specific immune responses were analyzed at different time points. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The inoculation of C. muridarum in the meatus urethra of male mice resulted in an ascending and widely disseminated infection of the male genital tract. C. muridarum remained longer and with the highest bacterial burdens in the prostate, thus showing a special tropism for this organ. Infection caused leukocyte infiltration, mainly composed by neutrophils, and also induced early pelvic pain development that rapidly dropped and resolved as the infection became chronic. Bacterial load and leukocyte infiltration was observed in all prostate lobes, although dorsolateral prostate was the most affected lobe. Interestingly, immune responses induced by both mice strains were characterized by the production of high levels of IL-10 during early stages of the infection, with highest and sustained levels observed in NOD mice, which showed to be less efficient in clearing the infection. Chronic infection of the prostate accompanied by local inflammation and pelvic pain development described herein have important implications for the improvement of the diagnosis and for the design of new efficient therapies. Prostate 77:517-529, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo R Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria L Breser
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gloria J Godoy
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Florencia C Salazar
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan P Mackern-Oberti
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU-CCT Mendoza, CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Cuffini
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ruben D Motrich
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Virginia E Rivero
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Lorenzen E, Follmann F, Bøje S, Erneholm K, Olsen AW, Agerholm JS, Jungersen G, Andersen P. Intramuscular Priming and Intranasal Boosting Induce Strong Genital Immunity Through Secretory IgA in Minipigs Infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Front Immunol 2015; 6:628. [PMID: 26734002 PMCID: PMC4679855 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
International efforts in developing a vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis have highlighted the need for novel immunization strategies for the induction of genital immunity. In this study, we evaluated an intramuscular (IM) prime/intranasal boost vaccination strategy in a Göttingen Minipig model with a reproductive system very similar to humans. The vaccine was composed of C. trachomatis subunit antigens formulated in the Th1/Th17 promoting CAF01 adjuvant. IM priming immunizations with CAF01 induced a significant cell-mediated interferon gamma and interleukin 17A response and a significant systemic high-titered neutralizing IgG response. Following genital challenge, intranasally boosted groups mounted an accelerated, highly significant genital IgA response that correlated with enhanced bacterial clearance on day 3 post infection. By detecting antigen-specific secretory component (SC), we showed that the genital IgA was locally produced in the genital mucosa. The highly significant inverse correlation between the vaginal IgA SC response and the chlamydial load suggests that IgA in the minipig model is involved in protection against C. trachomatis. This is important both for our understanding of protective immunity and future vaccination strategies against C. trachomatis and genital pathogens in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lorenzen
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Sarah Bøje
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karin Erneholm
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Weinreich Olsen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Jørgen Steen Agerholm
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Gregers Jungersen
- Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut , Copenhagen , Denmark
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Gupta R, Wali S, Yu JJ, Chambers JP, Zhong G, Murthy AK, Bakar SA, Guentzel MN, Arulanandam BP. In vivo whole animal body imaging reveals colonization of Chlamydia muridarum to the lower genital tract at early stages of infection. Mol Imaging Biol 2015; 16:635-41. [PMID: 24723309 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-014-0732-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infection is Chlamydia trachomatis. The aim of this study is to investigate the early events in colonization of this bacterium within the murine genital tract. PROCEDURES An in vivo animal body imaging technology was used to track fluorophore labeled C. muridarum elementary bodies (EBs) inoculated intravaginally in C57BL/6 mice during the first 24 h of infection. RESULTS Ascension of viable EBs was observed (1) to be localized to the lower regions of the murine genital tract within the first 24 h post challenge and (2) was dose independent during this early exposure period. Molecular detection revealed enhanced bacterial load in lower regions of the genital tract with increasing bacterial load in the upper region beginning 12 h post inoculation. CONCLUSION This study provides additional insight into chlamydial colonization in the murine genital tract during the first 12-24 h following inoculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Disease and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
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Russell MW, Whittum-Hudson J, Fidel PL, Hook EW, Mestecky J. Immunity to Sexually Transmitted Infections. Mucosal Immunol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-415847-4.00112-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Gupta R, Arkatkar T, Yu JJ, Wali S, Haskins WE, Chambers JP, Murthy AK, Bakar SA, Guentzel MN, Arulanandam BP. Chlamydia muridarum infection associated host MicroRNAs in the murine genital tract and contribution to generation of host immune response. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 73:126-40. [PMID: 24976530 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the leading sexually transmitted bacterial infection in humans and is associated with reproductive tract damage. However, little is known about the involvement and regulation of microRNAs (miRs) in genital CT. METHODS We analyzed miRs in the genital tract (GT) following C. muridarum (murine strain of CT) challenge of wild type (WT) and CD4(+) T-cell deficient (CD4(-/-)) C57BL/6 mice at days 6 and 12 post-challenge. RESULTS At day 6, miRs significantly downregulated in the lower GT were miR-125b-5p, -16, -214, -23b, -135a, -182, -183, -30c, and -30e while -146 and -451 were significantly upregulated, profiles not exhibited at day 12 post-bacterial challenge. Significant differences in miR-125b-5p (+5.06-fold change), -135a (+4.9), -183 (+7.9), and -182 (+3.2) were observed in C. muridarum-infected CD4(-/-) compared to WT mice. In silico prediction and mass spectrometry revealed regulation of miR-135a and -182 and associated proteins, that is, heat-shock protein B1 and alpha-2HS-glycoprotein. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence on regulation of miRs following genital chlamydial infection suggesting a role in pathogenesis and host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Tu J, Hou B, Wang B, Lin X, Gong W, Dong H, Zhu S, Chen S, Xue X, Zhao KN, Zhang L. A multi-epitope vaccine based on Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein induces specific immunity in mice. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2014; 46:401-8. [PMID: 24681882 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmu016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of a candidate vaccine comprising the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) multi-epitope of Chlamydia trachomatis. A short gene of multi-epitope derived from MOMP containing multiple T- and B-cell epitopes was artificially synthesized. The recombinant plasmid pET32a(+) containing codon optimized MOMP multi-epitope gene was constructed. Expression of the fusion protein Trx-His-MOMP multi-epitope in Escherichia coli was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis. Balb/c mice were inoculated with the purified fusion protein subcutaneously three times with 2-week intervals. Results showed that the MOMP multi-epitope elicited not only strong humoral immune responses to C. trachomatis by generating significantly high levels of specific antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a), but also a cellular immune response by inducing robust cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in mice. Furthermore, the MOMP multi-epitope substantially primed secretion of IFN-γ, revealing that this vaccine could induce a strong Th1 response. Finally, the mice vaccinated with the MOMP multi-epitope displayed a reduction of C. trachomatis shedding upon a chlamydial challenge and an accelerated clearance of the infected C. trachomatis. In conclusion, the MOMP multi-epitope vaccine may have the potentiality for the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against the C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Tu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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Enhanced fusion and virion incorporation for HIV-1 subtype C envelope glycoproteins with compact V1/V2 domains. J Virol 2013; 88:2083-94. [PMID: 24335304 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02308-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In infected people, the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) constantly evolves to escape the immune response while retaining the essential elements needed to mediate viral entry into target cells. The extensive genetic variation of Env is particularly striking in the V1/V2 hypervariable domains. In this study, we investigated the trade-off, in terms of fusion efficiency, for encoding V1/V2 domains of different lengths. We found that natural variations in V1/V2 length exert a profound impact on HIV-1 entry. Variants encoding compact V1/V2 domains mediated fusion with higher efficiencies than related Envs encoding longer V1/V2 domains. By exchanging the V1/V2 domains between Envs of the same infected person or between two persons linked by a transmission event, we further demonstrated that V1/V2 domains critically influence both Env incorporation into viral particles and fusion to primary CD4 T cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Shortening the V1/V2 domains consistently increased Env incorporation and fusion, whereas lengthening the V1/V2 domains decreased Env incorporation and fusion. Given that in a new host transmitted founder viruses are distinguished by compact Envs with fewer glycosylation sites, our study points to fusion and possibly Env incorporation into virions as limiting steps for transmission of HIV-1 to a new host and suggests that the length and/or the N-glycosylation profile of the V1/V2 domain influences these early steps in the HIV life cycle.
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Manam S, Chaganty BKR, Evani SJ, Zafiratos MT, Ramasubramanian AK, Arulanandam BP, Murthy AK. Intranasal vaccination with Chlamydia pneumoniae induces cross-species immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64917. [PMID: 23741420 PMCID: PMC3669087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the world and specifically in the United States, with the highest incidence in age-groups 14-19 years. In a subset of females, the C. trachomatis genital infection leads to serious pathological sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae, another member of the same genus, is a common cause of community acquired respiratory infection with significant number of children aged 5-14 yr displaying sero-conversion. Since these bacteriae share several antigenic determinants, we evaluated whether intranasal immunization with live C. pneumoniae (1×10(6) inclusion forming units; IFU) in 5 week old female C57BL/6 mice would induce cross-species protection against subsequent intravaginal challenge with Chlamydia muridarum (5×10(4) IFU), which causes a similar genital infection and pathology in mice as C. trachomatis in humans. Mice vaccinated intranasally with live C. pneumoniae, but not mock (PBS) immunized animals, displayed high levels of splenic cellular antigen-specific IFN-γ production and serum antibody response against C. muridarum and C. trachomatis. Mice vaccinated with C. pneumoniae displayed a significant reduction in the vaginal C. muridarum shedding as early as day 12 after secondary i.vag. challenge compared to PBS (mock) immunized mice. At day 19 after C. muridarum challenge, 100% of C. pneumoniae vaccinated mice had cleared the infection compared to none (0%) of the mock immunized mice, which cleared the infection by day 27. At day 80 after C. muridarum challenge, C. pneumoniae vaccinated mice displayed a significant reduction in the incidence (50%) and degree of hydrosalpinx compared to mock immunized animals (100%). These results suggest that respiratory C. pneumoniae infection induces accelerated chlamydial clearance and reduction of oviduct pathology following genital C. muridarum challenge, and may have important implications to the C. trachomatis-induced reproductive disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Manam
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Bharat K. R. Chaganty
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Shankar Jaikishan Evani
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mark T. Zafiratos
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Anand K. Ramasubramanian
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bernard P. Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ashlesh K. Murthy
- Department of Pathology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lu C, Peng B, Li Z, Lei L, Li Z, Chen L, He Q, Zhong G, Wu Y. Induction of protective immunity against Chlamydia muridarum intravaginal infection with the chlamydial immunodominant antigen macrophage infectivity potentiator. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:329-38. [PMID: 23416214 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that 5 Chlamydia muridarum antigens reacted with antisera from >90% mice urogenitally infected with C. muridarum and they are TC0660 (ABC transporter or ArtJ), TC0727 (outer membrane complex protein B or OmcB), TC0828 (macrophage infectivity potentiator or MIP), TC0726 (inclusion membrane protein or Inc) & TC0268 (hypothetical protein or HP). The orthologs of these antigens in Chlamydia trachomatis were also highly reactive with antisera from women urogenitally infected with C. trachomatis. In the current study, we evaluated these C. muridarum antigens for their ability to induce protection against a C. muridarum intravaginal challenge infection in mice. We found that only MIP induced the most pronounced protection against C. muridarum infection. The protection correlated well with robust C. muridarum MIP-specific antibody and Th1-dominant T cell responses. The MIP-immunized mice displayed significantly reduced live organism shedding from the lower genital tract and highly attenuated inflammatory pathologies in the upper genital tissues. These results demonstrate that MIP, an immunodominant antigen identified by both human and mouse antisera, may be considered a component of a multi-subunit chlamydial vaccine for inducing protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South China, 28 West Changsheng Rd., Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
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14
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Abstract
Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), is the leading infectious blinding disease worldwide. Chronic conjunctival inflammation develops in childhood and leads to eyelid scarring and blindness in adulthood. The immune response to Ct provides only partial protection against re-infection, which can be frequent. Moreover, the immune response is central to the development of scarring pathology, leading to loss of vision. Here we review the current literature on both protective and pathological immune responses in trachoma. The resolution of Ct infection in animal models is IFNγ-dependent, involving Th1 cells, but whether this is the case in human ocular infection still needs to be confirmed. An increasing number of studies indicate that innate immune responses arising from the epithelium and other innate immune cells, along with changes in matrix metalloproteinase activity, are important in the development of tissue damage and scarring. Current trachoma control measures, which are centred on repeated mass antibiotic treatment of populations, are logistically challenging and have the potential to drive antimicrobial resistance. A trachoma vaccine would offer significant advantages. However, limited understanding of the mechanisms of both protective immunity and immunopathology to Ct remain barriers to vaccine development.
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15
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16
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Huston WM, Harvie M, Mittal A, Timms P, Beagley KW. Vaccination to protect against infection of the female reproductive tract. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2012; 8:81-94. [PMID: 22149343 DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Infection of the female genital tract can result in serious morbidities and mortalities from reproductive disability, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer, to impacts on the fetus, such as infant blindness. While therapeutic agents are available, frequent testing and treatment is required to prevent the occurrence of the severe disease sequelae. Hence, sexually transmitted infections remain a major public health burden with ongoing social and economic barriers to prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, while there are two success stories in the development of vaccines to protect against HPV infection of the female reproductive tract, many serious infectious agents impacting on the female reproductive tract still have no vaccines available. Vaccination to prevent infection of the female reproductive tract is an inherently difficult target, with many impacting factors, such as appropriate vaccination strategies/mechanisms to induce a suitable protective response locally in the genital tract, variation in the local immune responses due to the hormonal cycle, selection of vaccine antigen(s) that confers effective protection against multiple variants of a single pathogen (e.g., the different serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis) and timing of the vaccine administration prior to infection exposure. Despite these difficulties, there are numerous ongoing efforts to develop effective vaccines against these infectious agents and it is likely that this important human health field will see further major developments in the next 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilhelmina M Huston
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, 60 Musk Avenue, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
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17
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Mackern-Oberti JP, Motrich RD, Breser ML, Cejas H, Cuffini C, Maccioni M, Rivero VE. Male Rodent Genital Tract Infection With Chlamydia Muridarum: Persistence in the Prostate Gland That Triggers Self-Immune Reactions in Genetically Susceptible Hosts. J Urol 2011; 186:1100-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2011.04.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Mackern-Oberti
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ruben Dario Motrich
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria Laura Breser
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Hugo Cejas
- Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, III Cátedra de Patología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Cuffini
- Instituto de Virología “J. M. Vanella”, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariana Maccioni
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Virginia Elena Rivero
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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BARINOVA AN, PLAVINSKY SL. Using immune response modifiers for urogenital clamidiosis. Mathematic simulation and forecast of clamidiosis epidemiological process. VESTNIK DERMATOLOGII I VENEROLOGII 2010. [DOI: 10.25208/vdv950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
There was an analysis of the role immune response modifiers (by the example of Cycloferon) play as a part of treatment schemes of urogenital clamidiosis from the point of view of public health. A math model of the chlamydia infection dynamics in a hypothetic cohort of women running a high risk of infection (commercial sex workers) and their clients was used for the analysis. The data of the study of commercial sex workers from ten regions of the Russian Federation as well as data published on the Cycloferon treatment efficacy were used for model calibration. The resulting data confirm that making immune response modifiers a part of the urogenital clamidiosis treatment regimen decreases the prevalence of the disease in the population by 6-30%. The strategy aimed at making the drug a part of the treatment regimen for the risk group patients seems to be most efficient.
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Carey AJ, Beagley KW. Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: effects on female reproduction and options for treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:576-86. [PMID: 20192953 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infections is steadily increasing worldwide, with approximately 50-70% of infections asymptomatic. There is currently no uniform screening practice, current antibiotic treatment has failed to prevent the increased incidence, and there is no vaccine available. We examined studies on the epidemiology of C. trachomatis infections, the effects infections have on the female reproductive tract and subsequent reproductive health and what measures are being taken to reduce these problems. Undetected or multiple infections in women can lead to the development of severe reproductive sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility. There are two possible paradigms of chlamydial pathogenesis, the cellular and immunological paradigms. While many vaccine candidates are being extensively tested in animal models, they are still years from clinical trials. With no vaccine available and antibiotic treatment unable to halt the increased incidence, infection rates will continue to increase and cause a significant burden on health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Carey
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Chaganty BKR, Murthy AK, Evani SJ, Li W, Guentzel MN, Chambers JP, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Heat denatured enzymatically inactive recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor induces robust protective immunity against genital chlamydial challenge. Vaccine 2010; 28:2323-9. [PMID: 20056182 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.12.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We have shown previously that vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 as an adjuvant induces robust protective immunity against primary genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge in mice. Since CPAF is a protease, we compared the effects of enzymatically active and inactive (heat denatured) rCPAF to determine whether proteolytic activity is expendable for the induction of protective immunity against chlamydial challenge. Active, but not inactive, rCPAF immunization induced high levels of anti-active CPAF antibody, whereas both induced robust splenic CPAF-specific IFN-gamma production. Vaccination with active or inactive rCPAF induced enhanced vaginal chlamydial clearance as early as day 6 with complete resolution of infection by day 18, compared to day 30 in mock-vaccinated and challenged animals. Importantly, significant and comparable reductions in oviduct pathology were observed in active and inactive rCPAF-vaccinated mice compared to mock-vaccinated animals. Thus, rCPAF induced anti-chlamydial immunity is largely independent of enzymatic activity and secondary or higher order protein conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat K R Chaganty
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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21
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Rockey DD, Wang J, Lei L, Zhong G. Chlamydia vaccine candidates and tools for chlamydial antigen discovery. Expert Rev Vaccines 2009; 8:1365-77. [PMID: 19803759 DOI: 10.1586/erv.09.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The failure of the inactivated Chlamydia-based vaccine trials in the 1960s has led researchers studying Chlamydia to take cautious and rational approaches to develop safe and effective chlamydial vaccines. Subsequent research efforts focused on three areas. The first is the analysis of the immunobiology of chlamydial infection in animal models, with supporting clinical studies, to identify the immune correlates of both protective immunity and pathological responses. Second, recent radical improvements in genomics, proteomics and associated technologies have assisted in the implementation of creative approaches to search for suitable vaccine candidates. Third, progress in the analysis of host response and adjuvanticity regulating both innate and adaptive immunity at the mucosal site of infection has led to progress in the design of optimal delivery and adjuvant systems for enhancing protective immunity. Considerable progress has been made in the first two areas but research efforts to better define the factors that regulate immunity at mucosal sites of infection and to develop strategies to boost protective immunity via immunomodulation, effective delivery systems and potent adjuvants, have remained elusive. In this article, we will summarize progress in these areas with a focus on chlamydial vaccine antigen discovery, and discuss future directions towards the development of a safe and effective chlamydial vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Rockey
- Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 211 Dryden Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4804, USA.
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22
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Gupta R, Vardhan H, Srivastava P, Salhan S, Mittal A. Modulation of cytokines and transcription factors (T-Bet and GATA3) in CD4 enriched cervical cells of Chlamydia trachomatis infected fertile and infertile women upon stimulation with chlamydial inclusion membrane proteins B and C. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:84. [PMID: 19698128 PMCID: PMC2736965 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 08/22/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydial Inclusion membrane proteins (Incs), are involved in biochemical interactions with host cells and infecting Chlamydiae. We have previously reported the role of two Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Incs, namely IncB and IncC in generating host immunity in CT infected women. Emerging data shows involvement of Inc stimulated CD4 positive T cells in aiding host immunity in infected fertile and infertile women through the secretion of interferon gamma. However the lack of data on the intra-cytokine interplay to these Incs in infected cell milieu prompted us to investigate further. METHODS A total of 14 CT-positive fertile, 18 CT-positive infertile women and 25 uninfected controls were enrolled in this study. CD8 depleted, CD4 enriched cervical cells were isolated and upon stimulation with IncB and IncC, modulation of cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, Interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and T cell lineage regulating transcription factors T-Bet and GATA3 was determined by real-time reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS Significant higher expression (P < 0.05) of Interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23 and GM-CSF were found in Inc-stimulated CD4 enriched cervical cells of CT-positive fertile women and contrastingly high IL-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found in CT-positive infertile women. Positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between Interferon-gamma and T-Bet levels in CT-positive fertile women and IL-4 mRNA and GATA3 levels in CT-positive infertile patients upon IncB and IncC stimulation. CONCLUSION Overall our data shows that CT IncB and IncC are able to upregulate expression of cytokines, namely interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23 and GM-CSF in CT-positive fertile women while expression of IL-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were upregulated in CT-positive infertile women. Our study also suggests that Incs are able to modulate expression of T cell lineage determinants indicating their involvement in regulation of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishein Gupta
- Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, Post Box no. 4909, New Delhi-110 029, India
| | - Harsh Vardhan
- Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, Post Box no. 4909, New Delhi-110 029, India
| | - Pragya Srivastava
- Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, Post Box no. 4909, New Delhi-110 029, India
| | - Sudha Salhan
- Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi-110 029, India
| | - Aruna Mittal
- Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, Post Box no. 4909, New Delhi-110 029, India
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Moniz RJ, Chan AM, Kelly KA. Identification of dendritic cell subsets responding to genital infection by Chlamydia muridarum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 55:226-36. [PMID: 19159430 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00523.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are central for the induction of T-cell responses needed for chlamydial eradication. Here, we report the activation of two DC subsets: a classical CD11b+ (cDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) during genital infection with Chlamydia muridarum. Genital infection induced an influx of cDC and pDC into the genital tract and its draining lymph node (iliac lymph nodes, ILN) as well as colocalization with T cells in the ILN. Genital infection with C. muridarum also stimulated high levels of costimulatory molecules on cDC central for the activation of naïve T cells in vivo. In contrast, pDC expressed low levels of most costimulatory molecules in vivo and did not secrete cytokines associated with the production of T helper (Th)1 cells in vitro. However, pDC upregulated inducible costimulatory ligand expression and produced IL-6 and IL-10 in response to chlamydial exposure in vitro. Our findings show that these two DC subsets likely have different functions in vivo. cDCs are prepared for induction of antichlamydial T-cell responses, whereas pDCs have characteristics associated with the differentiation of non-Th1 cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond J Moniz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 90095, USA
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Ekong EE, Okenu DN, Mania-Pramanik J, He Q, Igietseme JU, Ananaba GA, Lyn D, Black C, Eko FO. A Vibrio cholerae ghost-based subunit vaccine induces cross-protective chlamydial immunity that is enhanced by CTA2B, the nontoxic derivative of cholera toxin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 55:280-91. [PMID: 19040663 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Vibrio cholerae ghost (rVCG) platform is an effective carrier and delivery system for designing efficacious Chlamydia vaccines. We investigated whether CTA2B, the nontoxic derivative of cholera toxin, can augment protective immunity conferred by an rVCG-based chlamydial vaccine and enhance cross-protection against heterologous chlamydial strains. An rVCG vaccine coexpressing chlamydial major outer membrane protein and CTA2B was genetically constructed and antigens were targeted to the inner membrane of V. cholerae before ghost production by gene E-mediated lysis. Effective immunomodulation by CTA2B was demonstrated by the ability of the vaccine construct to enhance the activation and maturation of dendritic cells in vitro. Also, C57BL/6 mice immunized via mucosal and systemic routes showed increased specific mucosal and systemic antibody and T-helper type-1 (Th1) responses, irrespective of the route. The enhanced production of IFN-gamma, but not IL-4 by genital mucosal and splenic T cells, indicated a predominantly Th1 response. Clearance of the Chlamydia muridarum vaginal infection was significantly enhanced by codelivery of the vaccine with CTA2B, with the intravaginal route showing a moderate advantage. These results indicate that the rVCG-based vaccine is capable of inducing cross-protection against heterologous chlamydial serovars and that incorporation of mucosal adjuvants, such as CTA2B in the rVCG delivery platform, may enhance protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eno E Ekong
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
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25
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Olsen AW, Follmann F, Højrup P, Leah R, Sand C, Andersen P, Theisen M. Identification of human T cell targets recognized during Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection. J Infect Dis 2007; 196:1546-52. [PMID: 18008235 DOI: 10.1086/522524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2007] [Accepted: 05/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity of the human T cell response to Chlamydia trachomatis was investigated by stimulating lymphocytes from 16 case patients with urogenital infection by use of a size-fractionated serovar D lysate. Considerable heterogeneity was found among case patients, and multiple protein fractions were recognized in each specimen. Mass spectrometry analysis of the 30-42-kDa T cell-stimulating region identified 10 C. trachomatis proteins. Of these, CT583, CT603, and CT610 were identified as strong antigens that induced significantly higher levels of IFN- gamma secretion in PBMCs from case patients, compared with PBMCs from control donors. All 3 proteins were recognized in specimens from case patients infected with serovars D-F, the most prevalent serovars. McDonald-Kreitman and Tajima's D tests involving clinical isolates from the same samples showed evidence for frequency-dependent selection on ct583. We predict that CT583 is a target of acquired protective immune responses in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Weinreich Olsen
- Chlamydia Research Group, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Induction of cross-serovar protection against genital chlamydial infection by a targeted multisubunit vaccination approach. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:1537-44. [PMID: 17942608 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00274-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An important consideration for antichlamydial vaccine development is the induction of cross-serovar protection, since multiple serovars (D to L) of Chlamydia trachomatis cause genital infections. We have shown previously that vaccination with C. trachomatis-derived recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) induced significant earlier resolution of Chlamydia muridarum infection and reduced oviduct pathology. However, the vaccinated mice continued to shed chlamydiae for up to 2 weeks after challenge. In this study, C. trachomatis serovar D recombinant proteins, such as recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP), recombinant inclusion membrane protein A (rIncA), and rCPAF were administered intranasally, individually or in combinations, with murine interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant, and cross-species immunity against intravaginal C. muridarum infection was examined. Immunization with rCPAF plus IL-12 (rCPAF+IL-12), compared to immunization with rIncA+IL-12 or rMOMP+IL-12, induced the greatest antigen-specific gamma interferon production from purified CD4(+) T cells and concurrently enhanced serum antibody production. All (100%) the animals vaccinated with rCPAF+IL-12 alone or in any combination completely resolved the infection by day 18 after challenge compared to animals vaccinated with rIncA+IL-12 (50%), rMOMP+IL-12 (33%), or phosphate-buffered saline (mock vaccinated; 0%). Moreover, oviduct pathology in mice vaccinated by any regimen that included rCPAF, but not rMOMP+IL-12 or rIncA+IL-12 alone, was markedly reduced compared to mock-immunized animals. The addition of rMOMP and/or rIncA did not significantly enhance the rCPAF+IL-12-induced effect on bacterial clearance or oviduct pathology. These results suggest a greater conservation of protective linear antigenic epitopes within CPAF than MOMP or IncA across the examined serovars and the need to identify other highly conserved antigens for use with rCPAF in a multisubunit recombinant vaccine.
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Murthy AK, Chambers JP, Meier PA, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Intranasal vaccination with a secreted chlamydial protein enhances resolution of genital Chlamydia muridarum infection, protects against oviduct pathology, and is highly dependent upon endogenous gamma interferon production. Infect Immun 2006; 75:666-76. [PMID: 17118987 PMCID: PMC1828486 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01280-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no licensed vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial disease worldwide. Conventional vaccination attempts using surface-exposed chlamydial antigens have achieved only partial success. We have employed a novel vaccination strategy using a secreted protein, chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF), which has been shown to degrade host major histocompatibility complex transcription factors and keratin-8 and therefore may allow immune evasion and establishment of a productive infection. Intranasal immunization using recombinant CPAF (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 (IL-12) (rCPAF+IL-12 immunization) was used to assess the protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection in BALB/c mice. rCPAF+IL-12 immunization induced robust gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production and minimal IL-4 production by splenocytes upon in vitro recall with rCPAF. The total and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) anti-rCPAF antibody levels in serum were significantly elevated after rCPAF+IL-12 vaccination, as were the total antibody, IgG2a, and IgA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and vaginal fluids when the animals were compared to animals that received rCPAF alone. rCPAF+IL-12-vaccinated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon chlamydial challenge and accelerated resolution of infection compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals. Moreover, rCPAF+IL-12-immunized animals exhibited protection against pathological consequences of chlamydial infection, including the development of hydrosalpinx and oviduct dilatation. This vaccination regimen also reduced the development of fibrosis and the influx of neutrophils into the upper genital tract when the animals were compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals after bacterial challenge. rCPAF+IL-12-mediated resolution of the bacterial infection and protection against Chlamydia-induced inflammatory disease were highly dependent on endogenous IFN-gamma production. Together, these results demonstrate that secreted chlamydial antigens may be novel vaccine candidates to induce protective immunity.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antigens, Bacterial/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Bacterial Proteins/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Proteins/immunology
- Bacterial Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Vaccines/immunology
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/pathology
- Chlamydia muridarum/immunology
- Chlamydia muridarum/isolation & purification
- Colony Count, Microbial
- Fallopian Tubes/pathology
- Female
- Genital Diseases, Female/immunology
- Genital Diseases, Female/microbiology
- Genital Diseases, Female/pathology
- Genital Diseases, Female/therapy
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Interleukin-12/administration & dosage
- Interleukin-12/immunology
- Interleukin-4/biosynthesis
- Lymphocytes/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Recombinant Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vagina/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900N Loop 1604W, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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28
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Murphey C, Murthy AK, Meier PA, Guentzel MN, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. The protective efficacy of chlamydial protease-like activity factor vaccination is dependent upon CD4+ T cells. Cell Immunol 2006; 242:110-7. [PMID: 17116296 PMCID: PMC1885537 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2006.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2006] [Revised: 10/04/2006] [Accepted: 10/06/2006] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We have previously determined the protective efficacy of intranasal vaccination with chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) against genital chlamydial infection. Since T-helper 1 (Th1) responses are important for anti-chlamydial immunity, we examined the contribution of CD4(+) T cells in CPAF mediated immunity against intravaginal (i.vag.) Chlamydia muridarum infection in C57BL/6 mice. CPAF+IL-12 vaccination induced antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells that secreted elevated levels of IFN-gamma, and generated strong humoral responses. The protective effects of CPAF vaccination against genital chlamydial challenge were abrogated by anti-CD4 neutralizing antibody treatment. Moreover, anti-chlamydial immunity could be adoptively transferred to naïve recipients using CPAF-specific CD4(+) T cells. Therefore, CPAF mediated anti-chlamydial immunity is highly dependent upon antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathi Murphey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Ashlesh K. Murthy
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Patricia A. Meier
- Department of Pathology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78236
| | - M. Neal Guentzel
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Bernard P. Arulanandam
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249
- Corresponding Author: Bernard Arulanandam, Department of Biology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900N Loop 1604W, San Antonio, TX 78249 ; Ph: (210) 458-5492; Fax: (210) 458-5523
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Lyons JM, Ito JI, Morré SA. Efficacy of an immune modulator in experimental Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female genital tract. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2006; 2006:61265. [PMID: 17093354 PMCID: PMC1581471 DOI: 10.1155/idog/2006/61265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. The aim of this study was to
determine if vaginal application of the immune response
modifier imiquimod (Aldara cream, 3M Pharmaceuticals, St Paul,
Minn) would alter the course and/or outcome of female genital
tract infection with a human isolate of Chlamydia
trachomatis in a murine model. Methods. Groups
of CF-1 mice were treated with Aldara on three different
schedules: (1) ongoing beginning 5 days prior to and continuing
through day 5 of infection; (2) a single prophylactic dose 2
hours prior to infection; and (3) therapeutic from day 4
to day 14 of infection. Mice were infected vaginally
with a serovar D strain of C trachomatis, and
monitored by culture to determine the level of shedding and
duration of infection. Results. We observed a
significant reduction in both duration of infection and the level
of shedding during the acute phase in mice treated on an ongoing
basis commencing 5 days prior to infection. There was no effect
with respect to the other regimens.
Conclusion. These results demonstrate that
ongoing Aldara treatment has efficacy and may enhance local innate
immunity which reduces the duration of subsequent infection with
human isolates of C trachomatis in a murine
model of female genital tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Lyons
- Department of Infectious Diseases, City of Hope
National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute,
Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- *Joseph M. Lyons:
| | - James I. Ito
- Department of Infectious Diseases, City of Hope
National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute,
Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Servaas A. Morré
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Section Immunogenetics
of Infectious Diseases, VU University Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Murthy AK, Cong Y, Murphey C, Guentzel MN, Forsthuber TG, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Chlamydial protease-like activity factor induces protective immunity against genital chlamydial infection in transgenic mice that express the human HLA-DR4 allele. Infect Immun 2006; 74:6722-9. [PMID: 17015458 PMCID: PMC1698050 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01119-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no licensed vaccine available against Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease. We have found that intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) induces CD4(+) T-cell- and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-dependent protective immunity against murine genital chlamydial infection, thus making CPAF a viable vaccine candidate for further characterization. HLA-DR4 is the predominant allele involved in chlamydial antigen presentation to CD4(+) T cells in humans. We used engineered mice that lack endogenous major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) alleles but express a human HLA allele (HLA-DR4 transgenic [tg] mice) to examine primary immune and CPAF-mediated responses against genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge. Upon primary bacterial exposure, HLA-DR4 tg mice developed Chlamydia-specific IFN-gamma and antibody production and resolved the infection within 30 days, similar to challenged conventional C57BL/6 animals. Moreover, C. muridarum-challenged HLA-DR4 tg mice exhibited CPAF-specific antibody and IFN-gamma production. Upon CPAF-plus-interleukin-12 (IL-12) vaccination, HLA-DR4 tg animals exhibited robust CPAF-specific IFN-gamma production and elevated titers of anti-CPAF total antibody and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and lower titers of IgG2b and IgG1 antibodies. HLA-DR4 tg and C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with CPAF plus IL-12 resolved the primary genital chlamydial infection significantly earlier than mock-immunized animals, whereas similarly vaccinated MHC class II-deficient mice displayed minimal antigen-specific immune responses and failed to resolve the infection even at 30 days postchallenge. Together, these results demonstrate the importance of human HLA-DR4 molecules in the recognition and presentation of CPAF epitopes, leading to the generation of protective antichlamydial immunity and making these mice a valuable model for mapping HLA-DR4-restricted chlamydial epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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31
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Young SL, Wilson M, Wilson S, Beagley KW, Ward V, Baird MA. Transcutaneous vaccination with virus-like particles. Vaccine 2006; 24:5406-12. [PMID: 16621190 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLP) are inert, empty capsids of viruses, which contain no DNA/RNA from the virus itself. However they retain the structure of a virus and they can be engineered to have antigens attached. We have constructed VLP, derived from Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, and shown they are highly immunogenic. We tested the capacity of these engineered VLP to induce immune responses when they are administered to mice via the transcutaneous route. This route of vaccination is important, in order to generate mucosal protection. Our data showed that VLP are taken up by dendritic cells (DC), antigen-presenting cells that are essential to initiate acquired immune responses. The VLP induced an increase in expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 but required an adjuvant, CpG DNA oligo-deoxy nucleotides (ODN) motifs, to enhance these responses. In vivo testing has also shown that the VLP, when wiped on to the skin in conjunction with immunostimulatory CpG, induce Ag-specific immune responses, typified by high levels of IFN-gamma and IgG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Young
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Faal N, Bailey RL, Sarr I, Joof H, Mabey DCW, Holland MJ. Temporal cytokine gene expression patterns in subjects with trachoma identify distinct conjunctival responses associated with infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 142:347-53. [PMID: 16232223 PMCID: PMC1809514 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02917.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ocular chlamydial disease is clinically diagnosed by the appearance of characteristic inflammatory changes and development of lymphoid follicles in the conjunctiva. Nucleic acid amplification tests and relatively non-invasive methods of sampling the conjunctival surface can be used to quantify the expression of chlamydial and host genes. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) 16S rRNA and human interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-10, IL-12p40, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha transcripts we examined the immune response at the conjunctival surface in a cohort of children living in a trachoma-endemic village in The Gambia. Elevated cytokine transcript levels were associated with the presence of CT 16S rRNA. Subclinical infection (CT infection without clinical signs of disease) elicited an immune response that is proinflammatory in nature, with elevations in the transcription of IL-1beta, IFN-gamma and IL-12p40. Clinically apparent infections were associated with the elevation of mRNA for the multi-functional cytokine TNF-alpha (fibrotic, type 1 inflammatory and regulatory) and the counter regulatory cytokine, IL-10, in addition to the other proinflammatory cytokines. A positive correlation between IFN-gamma transcript levels and the amount of CT 16S rRNA expressed in conjunctiva was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Faal
- Medical Research Council Laboratories, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa.
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Lyons JM, Morré SA, Airo-Brown LP, Peña AS, Ito JI. Acquired homotypic and heterotypic immunity against oculogenital Chlamydia trachomatis serovars following female genital tract infection in mice. BMC Infect Dis 2005; 5:105. [PMID: 16293190 PMCID: PMC1318460 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-5-105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2005] [Accepted: 11/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen causing female genital tract infection throughout the world. Reinfection with the same serovar, as well as multiple infections with different serovars, occurs in humans. Using a murine model of female C. trachomatis genital tract infection, we determined if homotypic and/or heterotypic protection against reinfection was induced following infection with human oculogenital strains of C. trachomatis belonging to two serovars (D and H) that have been shown to vary significantly in the course of infection in the murine model. Methods Groups of outbred CF-1 mice were reinfected intravaginally with a strain of either serovar D or H, two months after initial infection with these strains. Cellular immune and serologic status, both quantitative and qualitative, was assessed following initial infection, and the course of infection was monitored by culturing vaginal samples collected every 2–7 days following reinfection. Results Serovar D was both more virulent (longer duration of infection) and immunogenic (higher level of circulating and vaginal IgG and higher incidence of IgA in vaginal secretions) in the mouse genital tract. Although both serovars induced cross-reacting antibodies during the course of primary infection, prior infection with serovar H resulted in only a slight reduction in the median duration of infection against homotypic reinfection (p ~ 0.10), while prior infection with serovar D resulted in significant reduction in the median duration of infection against both homotypic (p < 0.01) and heterotypic reinfection (p < 0.01) when compared to primary infection in age and conditions matched controls. Conclusion Serovar D infection resulted in significant homotypic and heterotypic protection against reinfection, while primary infection with serovar H resulted in only slight homotypic protection. In addition to being the first demonstration of acquired heterotypic immunity between human oculogenital serovars, the differences in the level and extent of this immunity could in part explain the stable difference in serovar prevalence among human isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Lyons
- Department of Infectious Diseases, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Servaas A Morré
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Section Immunogenetics of Infectious Diseases, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucy P Airo-Brown
- Analytical Cytometry Laboratory, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - A Salvador Peña
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Section Immunogenetics of Infectious Diseases, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James I Ito
- Department of Infectious Diseases, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California 91010, USA
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Porter E, Yang H, Yavagal S, Preza GC, Murillo O, Lima H, Greene S, Mahoozi L, Klein-Patel M, Diamond G, Gulati S, Ganz T, Rice PA, Quayle AJ. Distinct defensin profiles in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis reveal novel epithelial cell-neutrophil interactions. Infect Immun 2005; 73:4823-33. [PMID: 16040996 PMCID: PMC1201278 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.8.4823-4833.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins are key participants in mucosal innate defense. The varied antimicrobial activity and differential distribution of defensins at mucosal sites indicate that peptide repertoires are tailored to site-specific innate defense requirements. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated changes in peptide profiles and function after in vivo pathogen challenge. Here, we determined defensin profiles in urethral secretions of healthy men and men with Chlamydia trachomatis- and Neisseria gonorrhoeae-mediated urethritis by immunoblotting for the epithelial defensins HBD1, HBD2, and HD5 and the neutrophil defensins HNP1 to -3 (HNP1-3). HBD1 was not detectable in secretions, and HBD2 was only induced in a small proportion of the urethritis patients; however, HD5 and HNP1-3 were increased in C. trachomatis infection and significantly elevated in N. gonorrhoeae infection. When HNP1-3 levels were low, HD5 appeared mostly as the propeptide; however, when HNP1-3 levels were >10 microg/ml, HD5 was proteolytically processed, suggesting neutrophil proteases might contribute to HD5 processing. HD5 and HNP1-3 were bactericidal against C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae, but HD5 activity was dependent upon N-terminal processing of the peptide. In vitro proteolysis of proHD5 by neutrophil proteases and analysis of urethral secretions by surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization substantiated that neutrophils contribute the key convertases for proHD5 in the urethra during these infections. This contrasts with the small intestine, where Paneth cells secrete both proHD5 and its processing enzyme, trypsin. In conclusion, we describe a unique defensin expression repertoire in response to inflammatory sexually transmitted infections and a novel host defense mechanism wherein epithelial cells collaborate with neutrophils to establish an antimicrobial barrier during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA.
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Skelding KA, Hickey DK, Horvat JC, Bao S, Roberts KG, Finnie JM, Hansbro PM, Beagley KW. Comparison of intranasal and transcutaneous immunization for induction of protective immunity against Chlamydia muridarum respiratory tract infection. Vaccine 2005; 24:355-66. [PMID: 16153755 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.07.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2005] [Accepted: 07/27/2005] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae causes a range of respiratory infections including bronchitis, pharyngitis and pneumonia. Infection has also been implicated in exacerbation/initiation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may play a role in atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. We have used a mouse model of Chlamydia respiratory infection to determine the effectiveness of intranasal (IN) and transcutaneous immunization (TCI) to prevent Chlamydia lung infection. Female BALB/c mice were immunized with chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) mixed with cholera toxin and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvants by either the IN or TCI routes. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected for antibody analysis. Mononuclear cells from lung-draining lymph nodes were stimulated in vitro with MOMP and cytokine mRNA production determined by real time PCR. Animals were challenged with live Chlamydia and weighed daily following challenge. At day 10 (the peak of infection) animals were sacrificed and the numbers of recoverable Chlamydia in lungs determined by real time PCR. MOMP-specific antibody-secreting cells in lung tissues were also determined at day 10 post-infection. Both IN and TCI protected animals against weight loss compared to non-immunized controls with both immunized groups gaining weight by day 10-post challenge while controls had lost 6% of body weight. Both immunization protocols induced MOMP-specific IgG in serum and BAL while only IN immunization induced MOMP-specific IgA in BAL. Both immunization routes resulted in high numbers of MOMP-specific antibody-secreting cells in lung tissues (IN>TCI). Following in vitro re-stimulation of lung-draining lymph node cells with MOMP; IFNgamma mRNA increased 20-fold in cells from IN immunized animals (compared to non-immunized controls) while IFNgamma levels increased 6- to 7-fold in TCI animals. Ten days post challenge non-immunized animals had >7,000 IFU in their lungs, IN immunized animals <50 IFU and TCI immunized animals <1,500 IFU. Thus, both intranasal and transcutaneous immunization protected mice against respiratory challenge with Chlamydia. The best protection was obtained following IN immunization and correlated with IFNgamma production by mononuclear cells in lung-draining LN and MOMP-specific IgA in BAL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Skelding
- Discipline of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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de Barbeyrac B, Bébéar C. Histoire naturelle des infections à Chlamydiaphysiopathologie des infections à Chlamydia: Conséquences diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. Arch Pediatr 2005; 12 Suppl 1:S26-31. [PMID: 15893234 DOI: 10.1016/s0929-693x(05)80007-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiae are among the most common of the human pathogens. Clinical persistence is a key concept in chlamydial pathogenesis. The damaging disease sequelae such as sterility caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and coronary artery disease associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae, are caused by inflammation-based pathology. Although chlamydiacidal antibiotics may kill the bacteria, chlamydial antigens may persist for prolonged period and there is evidence that these non-cultivable forms may lead to continued inflammation. The problem is the difficulty inherent in proving the presence of chronic chlamydial infection. Only nucleic acid amplification test can diagnose these large atypical forms. Clinical treatment failures have been reported and the persistence of the microorganisms raises the question about optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B de Barbeyrac
- Laboratoire de bactériologie, centre national de référence des infections à Chlamydia, université Victor-Segalen, Bordeaux-II, 146, rue Léo-Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France.
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Reddy BS, Rastogi S, Das B, Salhan S, Verma S, Mittal A. Cytokine expression pattern in the genital tract of Chlamydia trachomatis positive infertile women - implication for T-cell responses. Clin Exp Immunol 2004; 137:552-8. [PMID: 15320905 PMCID: PMC1809142 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02564.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is thought to be immunologically mediated, resulting in local recruitment of lymphocyte subsets and inducing the production of cytokines. Little information is available about the role of lymphocyte recruitment and the regulation of cytokine production in the genital tract of C. trachomatis positive infertile women. We have evaluated the recruitment of lymphocyte subsets in the genital tract and production of Th1/Th2 cytokines in cervical secretions and laparoscopic specimens from the fallopian tubes of C. trachomatis positive infertile women (n = 17) and compared them with controls, viz. C. trachomatis negative infertile women (n = 20) using ELISA and flow cytometry. None of these patients were found to be infected either with Candida sps., bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis or Ureaplasma urealyticum in the cervix. Flow cytometric analysis of cervical secretions in Chlamydia positive women revealed recruitment of both CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes to the genital tract was up-regulated and a variation in the production rates of different cytokines in cervical secretions and fallopian tube was observed. We found that the immune responses in cervical secretions were of Th0 type, since all the analysed cytokines, viz. IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-12 were up-regulated. As, both CD4 and CD8 cells contribute to the production of IFN-gamma and IL-10, these results suggest that along with CD4 cells, CD8 lymphocytes also may be important for local regulation of Th1/Th2 responses in the genital tract during C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Reddy
- Institute of Pathology-ICMR, Safdarjang Hospotal, New Delhi, India
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Murthy AK, Sharma J, Coalson JJ, Zhong G, Arulanandam BP. Chlamydia trachomatis pulmonary infection induces greater inflammatory pathology in immunoglobulin A deficient mice. Cell Immunol 2004; 230:56-64. [PMID: 15541719 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2004.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2004] [Accepted: 09/10/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that primarily infects via mucosal surfaces. Using mice with a targeted disruption in IgA gene expression (IgA(-/-) mice), we have studied the contribution of IgA, the principal mucosal antibody isotype, in primary immune defenses against pulmonary C. trachomatis infection. Bacterial burden was comparable between IgA(-/-) and IgA(+/+) animals following C. trachomatis challenge. Serum and pulmonary anti-Chlamydia antibody levels were higher in IgA(-/-) animals, with the exception of IgA. Lung sections of challenged IgA(-/-) mice showed more extensive immunopathology than corresponding IgA(+/+) animals. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated significantly greater IFN-gamma and TGF-beta mRNA expression in IgA(-/-) as compared to IgA(+/+) animals. Together, these results suggest that IgA may not be necessary for clearance of primary C. trachomatis infection. However, IgA(-/-) mice displayed exaggerated lung histopathology and altered cytokine production, indicating an important role for IgA in regulating C. trachomatis induced pulmonary inflammation and maintenance of mucosal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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