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Kiekens C, Morré SA, Vanrompay D. Advances in Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccination: Unveiling the Potential of Major Outer Membrane Protein Derivative Constructs. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1196. [PMID: 38930578 PMCID: PMC11205628 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis, a leading cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide, continues to be a significant public health concern. The majority of infections are asymptomatic and, when left untreated, severe sequelae such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain can occur. Despite decades of research, an effective vaccine remains elusive. This review focuses on the potential of Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP)-derived constructs as promising candidates for C. trachomatis vaccination. MOMP, the most abundant protein in the outer membrane of C. trachomatis, has been a focal point of vaccine research over the years due to its antigenic properties. To overcome issues associated with the use of full MOMP as a vaccine antigen, derivative constructs have been studied. As these constructs are often not sufficiently immunogenic, antigen delivery systems or accompanying adjuvants are required. Additionally, several immunization routes have been explored with these MOMP-derived vaccine antigens, and determining the optimal route remains an ongoing area of research. Future directions and challenges in the field of C. trachomatis vaccination are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celien Kiekens
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Servaas A. Morré
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Microbe&Lab BV, 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Dutch Chlamydia trachomatis Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Abdulabbas HT, Mohammad Ali AN, Farjadfar A, Arabfard M, Najafipour S, Kouhpayeh A, Ghasemian A, Behmard E. Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Chlamydia trachomatis using structural and nonstructural proteins: an immunoinformatics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4356-4369. [PMID: 37288800 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2220812] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an obligate intracellular bacterium which causes eye and sexually transmitted infections. During pregnancy, the bacterium is associated with preterm complications, low weight of neonates, fetal demise and endometritis leading to infertility. The aim of our study was design of a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) candidate against C. trachomatis. After protein sequence adoption from the NCBI, potential epitopes toxicity, antigenicity, allergenicity, MHC-I and MHC-II binding, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), Helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)- induction were predicted. The adopted epitopes were fused together using appropriate linkers. In the next step, the MEV structural mapping and characterization, three-dimensional (3D) structure homology modeling and refinement were also performed. The MEV candidate interaction with the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was also docked. The immune responses simulation was assessed using the C-IMMSIM server. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation verified the structural stability of the TLR4-MEV complex. The Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) approach demonstrated the MEV high affinity of binding to the TLR4, MHC-I and MHC-II. The MEV construct was also stable and water soluble and had enough antigenicity and lacked allergenicity with stimulation of T cells and B cells and INF-γ release. The immune simulation confirmed acceptable responses of both the humoral and cellular arms. It is proposed that in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the findings of this study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein T Abdulabbas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, Al Muthanna University, Al Muthanna, Iraq
| | | | - Akbar Farjadfar
- Department of medical Biotechnology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Masoud Arabfard
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sohrab Najafipour
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Amin Kouhpayeh
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Behmard
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Olsen AW, Rosenkrands I, Jacobsen CS, Cheeseman HM, Kristiansen MP, Dietrich J, Shattock RJ, Follmann F. Immune signature of Chlamydia vaccine CTH522/CAF®01 translates from mouse-to-human and induces durable protection in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1665. [PMID: 38396019 PMCID: PMC10891140 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45526-2] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The clinical development of an effective Chlamydia vaccine requires in-depth understanding of how well protective pre-clinical immune signatures translate to humans. Here, we report a comparative immunological characterization of CTH522/CAF®01 in female mice and humans. We find a range of immune signatures that translate from mouse to human, including a Th1/Th17 cytokine profile and antibody functionality. We identify vaccine-induced T cell epitopes, conserved among Chlamydia serovars, and previously found in infected individuals. Using the mouse model, we show that the common immune signature protected against ascending infection in mice, and vaccine induced antibodies could delay bacterial ascension to the oviduct, as well as development of pathology, in a T cell depleted mouse model. Finally, we demonstrate long-lasting immunity and protection of mice one year after vaccination. Based on the results obtained in the present study, we propose to further investigate CTH522/CAF®01 in a phase IIb study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja W Olsen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina S Jacobsen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- PharmaRelations, Virum, Denmark
| | | | - Max P Kristiansen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank Follmann
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pal S, Slepenkin A, Felgner J, Huw Davies D, Felgner P, de la Maza LM. Evaluation of Four Adjuvant Combinations, IVAX-1, IVAX-2, CpG-1826+Montanide ISA 720 VG and CpG-1018+Montanide ISA 720 VG, for Safety and for Their Ability to Elicit Protective Immune Responses in Mice against a Respiratory Challenge with Chlamydia muridarum. Pathogens 2023; 12:863. [PMID: 37513710 PMCID: PMC10383793 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to produce a vaccine for Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Here, using the Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) as an antigen, four adjuvant combinations IVAX-1 (MPLA+CpG-1018+AddaVax), IVAX-2 (MPLA+CpG-1018+AS03), CpG-1826+Montanide ISA 720 VG (CpG-1826+Mont) and CpG-1018+Montanide ISA 720 VG (CpG-1018+Mont), were tested for their local reactogenicity and ability to elicit protection in BALB/c mice against a respiratory challenge with C. muridarum. Immunization with IVAX-1 or IVAX-2 induced no significant local reactogenicity following intramuscular immunization. In contrast, vaccines containing Montanide resulted in the formation of a local granuloma. Based on the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio in serum, the four adjuvant combinations elicited Th1-biased responses. IVAX-1 induced the highest in vitro neutralization titers while CpG-1018+Mont stimulated the lowest. As determined by the levels of IFN-γ produced by T-cells, the most robust cellular immune responses were elicited in mice immunized with CpG-1018+Mont, while the weakest responses were mounted by mice receiving IVAX-1. Following the respiratory challenge, mice immunized with CpG-1018+Mont lost the least amount of body weight and had the lowest number of C. muridarum inclusion-forming units (IFUs) in the lungs, while those receiving IVAX-2 had lost the most weight and had the highest number of IFUs in their lungs. Animals vaccinated with CpG-1826+Mont had the lightest lungs while those immunized using IVAX-2 had the heaviest. To conclude, due to their safety and adjuvanticity, IVAX formulations should be considered for inclusion in human vaccines against Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Anatoli Slepenkin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jiin Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - D Huw Davies
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Philip Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Luu LDW, Kasimov V, Phillips S, Myers GSA, Jelocnik M. Genome organization and genomics in Chlamydia: whole genome sequencing increases understanding of chlamydial virulence, evolution, and phylogeny. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1178736. [PMID: 37287464 PMCID: PMC10242142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1178736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia contains important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens to humans and animals, including C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Since 1998, when the first Chlamydia genome was published, our understanding of how these microbes interact, evolved and adapted to different intracellular host environments has been transformed due to the expansion of chlamydial genomes. This review explores the current state of knowledge in Chlamydia genomics and how whole genome sequencing has revolutionised our understanding of Chlamydia virulence, evolution, and phylogeny over the past two and a half decades. This review will also highlight developments in multi-omics and other approaches that have complemented whole genome sequencing to advance knowledge of Chlamydia pathogenesis and future directions for chlamydial genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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Grygiel-Górniak B, Folga BA. Chlamydia trachomatis-An Emerging Old Entity? Microorganisms 2023; 11:1283. [PMID: 37317257 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051283] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an evasive pathogen that can prompt severe clinical manifestations in humans such as vaginitis, epididymitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, trachoma, conjunctivitis and pneumonia. If left untreated, chronic infections with C. trachomatis can give rise to long-lasting and even permanent sequelae. To shed some light on its widespread nature, data from original research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses from three databases was collected and analyzed in the context of chlamydial infection, related symptoms and appropriate treatment modalities. This review describes the bacterium's pervasiveness on a global scale, especially in developing countries, and suggests ways to halt its transmission and spread. Infections with C. trachomatis often go unnoticed, as many individuals are asymptomatic and unaware of their diagnosis, contributing to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. The high prevalence of chlamydial infection highlights the need for a universal screening and detection method enabling immediate treatment at its onset. Prognosis is favorable with antibiotic therapy and education for high-risk groups and their sexual partners. In the future, a quick, easily accessible, and inexpensive test should be developed to diagnose and treat infected individuals early on. Along with a vaccine against C. trachomatis, it would halt the transmission and spread of the pathogen worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogna Grygiel-Górniak
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
| | - Barbara Anna Folga
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
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Induction of Protection in Mice against a Chlamydia muridarum Respiratory Challenge by a Vaccine Formulated with the Major Outer Membrane Protein in Nanolipoprotein Particles. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070755. [PMID: 34358171 PMCID: PMC8310061 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects over 130 million individuals worldwide annually. To implement a vaccine, we developed a cell-free co-translational system to express the Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP). This approach uses a nanolipoprotein particles (tNLP) made from ApoA1 protein, amphiphilic telodendrimer and lipids that self-assemble to form 10-25 nm discs. These tNLP provide a protein-encapsulated lipid support to solubilize and fold membrane proteins. The cell-free system co-translated MOMP and ApoA1 in the presence of telodendrimer mixed with lipids. The MOMP-tNLP complex was amenable to CpG and FSL-1 adjuvant addition. To investigate the ability of MOMP-tNLP+CpG+FSL-1 to induce protection against an intranasal (i.n.) C. muridarum challenge, female mice were vaccinated intramuscularly (i.m.) or i.n. and i.m. simultaneously 4 weeks apart. Following vaccination with MOMP-tNLP+CpG+FSL-1, mice mounted significant humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Following the i.n. challenge, mice vaccinated with MOMP-tNLP+CpG+FSL-1 i.n. + i.m. group were protected as determined by the percentage change in body weight and by the number of C. muridarum inclusion forming units (IFU) recovered from the lungs. To our knowledge, this is the first time a MOMP-based vaccine formulated in tNLP has been shown to protect against C. muridarum.
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Richardson S, Medhavi F, Tanner T, Lundy S, Omosun Y, Igietseme JU, Carroll D, Eko FO. Cellular Basis for the Enhanced Efficacy of the Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand (FL) Adjuvanted VCG-Based Chlamydia abortus Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698737. [PMID: 34249004 PMCID: PMC8264281 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacious vaccines are needed to control genital chlamydial diseases in humans and the veterinary industry. We previously reported a C. abortus (Cab) vaccine comprising recombinant Vibrio cholerae ghosts (rVCG) expressing the conserved and immunogenic N-terminal region of the Cab polymorphic membrane protein D (rVCG-Pmp18.1) protein that protected mice against intravaginal challenge. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of the hematopoietic progenitor activator cytokine, Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-ligand (FL) when co-administered with the rVCG-Pmp18.1 vaccine as a strategy to enhance the protective efficacy and the potential mechanism of immunomodulation. Groups of female C57BL/6J mice were immunized and boosted twice intranasally (IN) with rVCG-PmpD18.1 with and without FL or purified rPmp18.1 or rVCG-gD2 (antigen control) or PBS (medium) per mouse. The results revealed that co-administration of the vaccine with FL enhanced antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses and protected against live Cab genital infection. Comparative analysis of immune cell phenotypes infiltrating mucosal and systemic immune inductive tissue sites following immunization revealed that co-administration of rVCG-Pmp18.1 with FL significantly enhanced the number of macrophages, dendritic and NK cells, γδ and NK T cells in the spleen (systemic) and iliac lymph nodes (ILN) draining the genital tract (mucosal) tissues compared to rVCG-Pmp18.1 alone. Furthermore, FL enhanced monocyte infiltration in the ILN, while CD19+ B cells and CD4+ T cells were enhanced in the spleen. These results indicate that the immunomodulatory effect of FL is associated with its ability to mobilize innate immune cells and subsequent activation of robust antigen-specific immune effectors in mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakyra Richardson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fnu Medhavi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tayhlor Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie Lundy
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Darin Carroll
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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de la Maza LM, Darville TL, Pal S. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccines for genital infections: where are we and how far is there to go? Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:421-435. [PMID: 33682583 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1899817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. Antibiotic treatment does not prevent against reinfection and a vaccine is not yet available. AREAS COVERED We focus the review on the progress made of our understanding of the immunological responses required for a vaccine to elicit protection, and on the antigens, adjuvants, routes of immunization and delivery systems that have been tested in animal models. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search publication on these topics for the last 5 years and recent Reviews were examined. EXPERT OPINION The first Phase 1 clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine to protect against genital infections was successfully completed. We expect that, in the next five years, additional vaccine clinical trials will be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Toni L Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Olsen AW, Rosenkrands I, Holland MJ, Andersen P, Follmann F. A Chlamydia trachomatis VD1-MOMP vaccine elicits cross-neutralizing and protective antibodies against C/C-related complex serovars. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:58. [PMID: 33875654 PMCID: PMC8055873 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00312-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular and urogenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) are caused by a range of different serovars. The first C.t. vaccine in clinical development (CTH522/CAF®01) induced neutralizing antibodies directed to the variable domain 4 (VD4) region of major outer membrane protein (MOMP), covering predominantly B and intermediate groups of serovars. The VD1 region of MOMP contains neutralizing B-cell epitopes targeting serovars of the C and C-related complex. Using an immuno-repeat strategy, we extended the VD1 region of SvA and SvJ to include surrounding conserved segments, extVD1A and extVD1J, and repeated this region four times. The extVD1A*4 was most immunogenic with broad cross-surface and neutralizing reactivity against representative members of the C and C-related complex serovars. Importantly, in vitro results for extVD1A*4 translated into in vivo biological effects, demonstrated by in vivo neutralization of SvA and protection/cross-protection against intravaginal challenge with both SvA and the heterologous SvIa strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Weinreich Olsen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin J Holland
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Andersen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pal S, Mirzakhanyan Y, Gershon P, Tifrea DF, de la Maza LM. Induction of protection in mice against a respiratory challenge by a vaccine formulated with exosomes isolated from Chlamydia muridarum infected cells. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:87. [PMID: 33014435 PMCID: PMC7501220 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine if exosomes, isolated from Chlamydia muridarum infected HeLa cells (C. muridarum-exosomes), induce protective immune responses in mice following vaccination using CpG plus Montanide as adjuvants. Exosomes, collected from uninfected HeLa cells and PBS, formulated with the same adjuvants, were used as negative controls. Mass spectrometry analyses identified 113 C. muridarum proteins in the C. muridarum-exosome preparation including the major outer membrane protein and the polymorphic membrane proteins. Vaccination with C. muridarum-exosomes elicited robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to C. muridarum elementary bodies. Following vaccination, mice were challenged intranasally with C. muridarum. Compared to the negative controls, mice immunized with C. muridarum-exosomes were significantly protected as measured by changes in body weight, lungs' weight, and number of inclusion forming units recovered from lungs. This is the first report, of a vaccine formulated with Chlamydia exosomes, shown to elicit protection against a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Yeva Mirzakhanyan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Paul Gershon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Delia F. Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Luis M. de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
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12
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Tifrea DF, Pal S, Fairman J, Massari P, de la Maza LM. Protection against a chlamydial respiratory challenge by a chimeric vaccine formulated with the Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein variable domains using the Neisseria lactamica porin B as a scaffold. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:37. [PMID: 32411400 PMCID: PMC7210953 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0182-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequently detected sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. Attempts to control these infections with screening programs and antibiotics have failed and, therefore, a vaccine is the best approach to control this epidemic. The Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) is the most protective subunit vaccine so far tested. Protection induced by MOMP is, in part, dependent on its tertiary structure. We have previously described new recombinant antigens composed of the Neisseria lactamica PorB engineered to express the variable domains (VD) from Chlamydia muridarum MOMP. Here we tested antigens containing each individual MOMP VD and different VD combinations. Following immunization, mice were challenged intranasally with C. muridarum. Our results show that three constructs, PorB/VD1-3, PorB/VD1-4, and PorB/VD1-2-4, elicited high serum IgG titers in vivo, significant IFN-γ levels upon T cells re-stimulation in vitro, and evidence of protective immunity in vivo. PorB/VD1-3, PorB/VD1-4, and PorB/VD1-2-4 immunized mice lost less body weight, had lighter lungs, and decreased numbers of inclusion forming units (IFUs) in lungs than other PorB/VD construct tested and mock PBS-immunized mice. These results suggest that this approach may be a promising alternative to the use of MOMP in a Chlamydia vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F. Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, Irvine, California 92697-4800 USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, Irvine, California 92697-4800 USA
| | - Jeff Fairman
- Sutrovax, Inc., 400 E Jamie Court, Suite 205, South San Francisco, California 94080 USA
| | - Paola Massari
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Jaharis, 512C 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 USA
| | - Luis M. de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, Irvine, California 92697-4800 USA
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