1
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Diallo A, Overman G, Sah P, Liechti GW. Recognition of Chlamydia trachomatis by Toll-like receptor 9 is altered during persistence. Infect Immun 2024:e0006324. [PMID: 38899879 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00063-24] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune receptor that localizes to endosomes in antigen presenting cells and recognizes single stranded unmethylated CpG sites on bacterial genomic DNA (gDNA). Previous bioinformatic studies have demonstrated that the genome of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis contains TLR9 stimulatory motifs, and correlative studies have implied a link between human TLR9 (hTLR9) genotype variants and susceptibility to infection. Here, we present our evaluation of the stimulatory potential of C. trachomatis gDNA and its recognition by hTLR9- and murine TLR9 (mTLR9)-expressing cells. Utilizing reporter cell lines, we demonstrate that purified gDNA from C. trachomatis can stimulate hTLR9 signaling, albeit at lower levels than gDNA prepared from other Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, we found that while C. trachomatis is capable of signaling through hTLR9 and mTLR9 during live infections in HEK293 reporter cell lines, signaling only occurs at later developmental time points. Chlamydia-specific induction of hTLR9 is blocked when protein synthesis is inhibited prior to the RB-to-EB conversion, exacerbated by the inhibition of lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis, and is significantly altered during the induction of aberrance/persistence. Our observations support the hypothesis that chlamydial gDNA is released during the conversion between the pathogen's replicative and infectious forms and during treatment with antibiotics targeting peptidoglycan assembly. Given that C. trachomatis inclusions do not co-localize with TLR9-containing vacuoles in the pro-monocytic cell line U937, our findings also hint that chlamydial gDNA is capable of egress from the inclusion, and traffics to TLR9-containing vacuoles via an as yet unknown pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aissata Diallo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Grace Overman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Prakash Sah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - George W Liechti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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2
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Russell FA, Trim L, Bryan E, Fisher MA, Leahy D, Harris JM, Hutmacher D, Dargaville TR, Beagley KW. Stability and antigenicity of Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein antigen at body temperature. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00674-1. [PMID: 38897891 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen responsible for disease and infertility across multiple species. Currently vaccines are being studied to help reduce the prevalence of this disease. The main advantage of protein subunit vaccines is their high degree of safety although this is traded off with the requirement for multiple booster doses to achieve complete protection. Although in certain populations the booster dose can be difficult and costly to administer, development of delayed vaccine delivery techniques, such as a vaccine capsule, could be the solution to this problem. One of the main drawbacks in this technology is that the antigen must remain stable at body temperature (37 °C) until release is achieved. Here we elucidate the stability of a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) antigen and assess its antigenic and immunogenic properties after subjecting the antigen to 37 °C for four to six weeks. Through in vitro and in vivo assessment we found that the aged chlamydial MOMP was able to produce equivalent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses when compared with the unaged vaccine. It was also found that vaccines formulated with the aged antigen conferred equivalent protection against a live infection challenge as the unaged antigen. Thus ageing chlamydial MOMP antigens at 37 °C for four to six weeks did not cause any significant structural or antigenic/immunogenic degradation and recombinant C. muridarum MOMP is suitable for use in a delayed vaccine delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya A Russell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Logan Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Emily Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston 4006, Australia
| | - Mark A Fisher
- Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia
| | - Darren Leahy
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Harris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Dietmar Hutmacher
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia; Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tim R Dargaville
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia
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3
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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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4
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Slepenkin A, Pal S, Rasley A, Coleman MA, de la Maza LM. Safety and efficacy of C. muridarum vaccines adjuvanted with CpG-1826 and four concentrations of Montanide-ISA-720-VG. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:104. [PMID: 38858418 PMCID: PMC11164897 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00880-6] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is recommended that the adjuvant Montanide ISA 720 VG be used at a concentration of 70% v/v. At this concentration, Montanide causes at the site of immunization a local granuloma that can last for several weeks. To determine the safety and protective efficacy of a Chlamydia muridarum MOMP vaccine, formulated with CpG-1826 and four different concentrations of Montanide (70%, 50%, 30% and 10%), BALB/c (H-2d) female mice were immunized twice intramuscularly. Local reactogenicity was significant for vaccines formulated with 70% or 50% Montanide but not for those inoculated with 30% or 10% Montanide. Robust humoral and cell mediated memory immune responses were elicited by the 70%, 50% and 30% Montanide formulations. Mice were challenged intranasally with 104 C. muridarum inclusion forming units (IFU). Based on changes in body weight, lungs's weight and number of IFU recovered, mice vaccinated with the 70%, 50% and 30% Montanide formulations were significantly protected, but not mice receiving 10% Montanide. To conclude, we recommend the 30% Montanide concentration to be tested in humans and animal models to determine its safety and efficacy, in comparison to the 70% Montanide concentration currently used. The 30% Montanide formulation could significantly facilitate licensing of this adjuvant for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoli Slepenkin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA
| | - Amy Rasley
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550-9234, USA
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550-9234, USA
- University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacramento, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA.
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5
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Hoang-Phou S, Pal S, Slepenkin A, Abisoye-Ogunniyun A, Zhang Y, Gilmore SF, Shelby M, Bourguet F, Mohagheghi M, Noy A, Rasley A, de la Maza LM, Coleman MA. Evaluation in mice of cell-free produced CT584 as a Chlamydia vaccine antigen. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.597210. [PMID: 38895407 PMCID: PMC11185655 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. Since chlamydial infection is largely asymptomatic with the potential for serious complications, a preventative vaccine is likely the most viable long-term answer to this public health threat. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) utilizes the cellular protein manufacturing machinery decoupled from the requirement for maintaining cellular viability, offering the potential for flexible, rapid, and de-centralized production of recombinant protein vaccine antigens. Here, we use CFPS to produce the putative chlamydial type three secretion system (T3SS) needle-tip protein, CT584, for use as a vaccine antigen in mouse models. High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) imaging and computer simulations confirm that CFPS-produced CT584 retains a native-like structure prior to immunization. Female mice were primed with CT584 adjuvanted with CpG-1826 intranasally (i.n.) or CpG-1826 + Montanide ISA 720 intramuscularly (i.m.), followed four-weeks later by an i.m. boost before respiratory challenge with 104 inclusion forming units (IFU) of Chlamydia muridarum. Immunization with CT584 generated robust antibody responses but weak cell mediated immunity and failed to protect against i.n. challenge as demonstrated by body weight loss, increased lungs' weights and the presence of high numbers of IFUs in the lungs. While CT584 alone may not be the ideal vaccine candidate, the speed and flexibility with which CFPS can be used to produce other potential chlamydial antigens makes it an attractive technique for antigen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Hoang-Phou
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - 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
| | - Abisola Abisoye-Ogunniyun
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Yuliang Zhang
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Sean F Gilmore
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Megan Shelby
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Feliza Bourguet
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Mariam Mohagheghi
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Aleksandr Noy
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Amy Rasley
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
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6
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Diallo A, Overman G, Sah P, Liechti GW. Recognition of Chlamydia trachomatis by Toll-Like Receptor 9 is altered during persistence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.06.579186. [PMID: 38370826 PMCID: PMC10871208 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.579186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune receptor that localizes to endosomes in antigen presenting cells and recognizes single stranded unmethylated CpG sites on bacterial genomic DNA. Previous bioinformatic studies have indicated that the genome of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis contains TLR9 stimulatory motifs, and correlative studies have implied a link between human TLR9 (hTLR9) genotype variants and susceptibility to infection. Here we present our evaluation of the stimulatory potential of C. trachomatis gDNA and its recognition by hTLR9- and murine TLR9 (mTLR9)-expressing cells. We confirm that hTLR9 colocalizes with chlamydial inclusions in the pro-monocytic cell line, U937. Utilizing HEK293 reporter cell lines, we demonstrate that purified genomic DNA from C. trachomatis can stimulate hTLR9 signaling, albeit at lower levels than gDNA prepared from other Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, we found that while C. trachomatis is capable of signaling through hTLR9 and mTLR9 during live infections in non-phagocytic HEK293 reporter cell lines, signaling only occurs at later developmental time points. Chlamydia-specific induction of hTLR9 is blocked when protein synthesis is inhibited prior to the RB-to-EB conversion and exacerbated by the inhibition of lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis. The induction of aberrance / persistence also significantly alters Chlamydia-specific TLR9 signaling. Our observations support the hypothesis that chlamydial gDNA is released at appreciable levels by the bacterium during the conversion between its replicative and infectious forms and during treatment with antibiotics targeting peptidoglycan assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aissata Diallo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Grace Overman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Prakash Sah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - George W. Liechti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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Sahu R, Verma R, Egbo TE, Giambartolomei GH, Singh SR, Dennis VA. Effects of prime-boost strategies on the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of a PLGA (85:15)-encapsulated Chlamydia recombinant MOMP nanovaccine. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae004. [PMID: 38862192 PMCID: PMC11186516 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
To begin to optimize the immunization routes for our reported PLGA-rMOMP nanovaccine [PLGA-encapsulated Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP)], we compared two prime-boost immunization strategies [subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM-p) prime routes followed by two SC-boosts)] to evaluate the nanovaccine-induced protective efficacy and immunogenicity in female BALB/c mice. Our results showed that mice immunized via the SC and IM-p routes were protected against a Cm genital challenge by a reduction in bacterial burden and with fewer bacteria in the SC mice. Protection of mice correlated with rMOMP-specific Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and not Th2 (IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13) cytokines, and CD4+ memory (CD44highCD62Lhigh) T-cells, especially in the SC mice. We also observed higher levels of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-17, CCL-2, and G-CSF in SC-immunized mice. Notably, an increase of cytokines/chemokines was seen after the challenge in the SC, IM-p, and control mice (rMOMP and PBS), suggesting a Cm stimulation. In parallel, rMOMP-specific Th1 (IgG2a and IgG2b) and Th2 (IgG1) serum, mucosal, serum avidity, and neutralizing antibodies were more elevated in SC than in IM-p mice. Overall, the homologous SC prime-boost immunization of mice induced enhanced cellular and antibody responses with better protection against a genital challenge compared to the heterologous IM-p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajnish Sahu
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, 1627 Harris Way, Alabama State University, Montgomery AL, 36104, United States
| | - Richa Verma
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, 1627 Harris Way, Alabama State University, Montgomery AL, 36104, United States
| | - Timothy E Egbo
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Unit 8900, DPO, AE, Box 330, 09831, United States
| | - Guillermo H Giambartolomei
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM). CONICET. AV. Cordoba 2351, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1120AAR, Argentina
| | - Shree R Singh
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, 1627 Harris Way, Alabama State University, Montgomery AL, 36104, United States
| | - Vida A Dennis
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, 1627 Harris Way, Alabama State University, Montgomery AL, 36104, United States
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Lu C, Wang J, Zhong G. Preclinical screen for protection efficacy of chlamydial antigens that are immunogenic in humans. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0034923. [PMID: 37889004 PMCID: PMC10652899 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00349-23] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To search for subunit vaccine candidates, immunogenic chlamydial antigens identified in humans were evaluated for protection against both infection and pathology in a mouse genital tract infection model under three different immunization regimens. The intramuscular immunization regimen was first used to evaluate 106 chlamydial antigens, which revealed that two antigens significantly reduced while 11 increased genital chlamydial burden. The two infection-reducing antigens failed to prevent pathology and 23 additional antigens even exacerbated pathology. Thus, intranasal mucosal immunization was tested next since intranasal inoculation with live Chlamydia muridarum prevented both genital infection and pathology. Two of the 29 chlamydial antigens evaluated were found to prevent genital infection but not pathology and three exacerbate pathology. To further improve protection efficacy, a combinational regimen (intranasal priming + intramuscular boosting + a third intraperitoneal/subcutaneous boost) was tested. This regimen identified four infection-reducing antigens, but only one of them prevented pathology. Unfortunately, this protective antigen was not advanced further due to its amino acid sequence homology with several human molecules. Two pathology-exacerbating antigens were also found. Nevertheless, intranasal mucosal priming with viable C. muridarum in control groups consistently prevented both genital infection and pathology regardless of the subsequent boosters. Thus, screening 140 different chlamydial antigens with 21 repeated multiple times in 17 experiments failed to identify a subunit vaccine candidate but demonstrated the superiority of viable chlamydial organisms in inducing immunity against both genital infection and pathology, laying the foundation for developing a live-attenuated Chlamydia vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Lu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Feodorova VA, Zaitsev SS, Lyapina AM, Kichemazova NV, Saltykov YV, Khizhnyakova MA, Evstifeev VV, Larionova OS. Whole genome sequencing characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci caprine AMK-16 strain, a promising killed whole cell veterinary vaccine candidate against chlamydia infection. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293612. [PMID: 37903115 PMCID: PMC10615304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a primary zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range causing severe respiratory and reproductive system infection in animals and humans. To reduce the global burden of C. psittaci-associated diseases on animal welfare and health and to control the pathogen spread in husbandry, effective vaccines based on promising vaccine candidate(s) are required. Recently, the caprine C. psittaci AMK-16 strain (AMK-16) demonstrated a high level of protection (up to 80-100%) in outbred mice and pregnant rabbits immunized with these formaldehyde-inactivated bacteria against experimental chlamydial wild-type infection. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of AMK-16 by whole-genome sequencing followed by molecular typing, phylogenetic analysis and detection of main immunodominant protein(s) eliciting the immune response in mouse model. Similarly to other C. psittaci, AMK-16 harbored an extrachromosomal plasmid. The whole-genome phylogenetic analysis proved that AMK-16 strain belonging to ST28 clustered with only C. psittaci but not with Chlamydia abortus strains. However, AMK-16 possessed the insert which resulted from the recombination event as the additional single chromosome region of a 23,100 bp size with higher homology to C. abortus (98.38-99.94%) rather than to C. psittaci (92.06-92.55%). At least six of 16 CDSs were absent in AMK-16 plasticity zone and 41 CDSs in other loci compared with the reference C. psittaci 6BC strain. Two SNPs identified in the AMK-16 ompA sequence resulted in MOMP polymorphism followed by the formation of a novel genotype/subtype including three other C. psittaci strains else. AMK-16 MOMP provided marked specific cellular and humoral immune response in 100% of mice immunized with the inactivated AMK-16 bacteria. Both DnaK and GrpE encoded by the recombination region genes were less immunoreactive, inducing only a negligible T-cell murine immune response, while homologous antibodies could be detected in 50% and 30% of immunized mice, respectively. Thus, AMK-16 could be a promising vaccine candidate for the development of a killed whole cell vaccine against chlamydiosis in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina A. Feodorova
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Department for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Sergey S. Zaitsev
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Anna M. Lyapina
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Natalya V. Kichemazova
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Yury V. Saltykov
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Mariya A. Khizhnyakova
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
| | - Vitaliy V. Evstifeev
- Laboratory of Viral and Chlamydial Infections, Federal Center for Toxicological, Radiation and Biological Safety, Kazan, Russia
- Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine by N.E. Bauman, Kazan City, Russia
| | - Olga S. Larionova
- Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research, Department for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering Named After N.I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russia
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10
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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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11
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Sabzi S, Shahbazi S, Noori Goodarzi N, Haririzadeh Jouriani F, Habibi M, Bolourchi N, Mirzaie A, Badmasti F. Genome-Wide Subtraction Analysis and Reverse Vaccinology to Detect Novel Drug Targets and Potential Vaccine Candidates Against Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:107-124. [PMID: 36053401 PMCID: PMC9437403 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis is an emerging tick-borne infection caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The non-specific symptoms can range from a self-limiting fever to a fatal septic-like syndrome and may be misdiagnosed. The limited treatment choices including doxycycline are effective only in the initiation phase of the infection. It seems that novel therapeutic targets and new vaccine strategies could be effective to control this pathogen. This study is comprised of two major phases. First, the common proteins retrieved through subtractive analysis and potential drug targets were evaluated by subcellular localization, homology prediction, metabolic pathways, druggability, essentiality, protein-protein interaction networks, and protein data bank availability. In the second phase, surface-exposed proteins were assessed based on antigenicity, allergenicity, physiochemical properties, B cell and T cell epitopes, conserved domains, and protein-protein interaction networks. A multi-epitope vaccine was designed and characterized using molecular dockings and immune simulation analysis. Six proteins including WP_011452818.1, WP_011452723.1, WP_006010413.1, WP_006010278.1, WP_011452938.1, and WP_006010644.1 were detected. They belong to unique metabolic pathways of E. chaffeensis that are considered as new essential drug targets. Based on the reverse vaccinology, WP_011452702.1, WP_044193405.1, WP_044170604.1, and WP_006010191.1 proteins were potential vaccine candidates. Finally, four B cell epitopes, including SINNQDRNC, FESVSSYNI, SGKKEISVQSN, and QSSAKRKST, were used to generate the multi-epitope vaccine based on LCL platform. The vaccine showed strong interactions with toll-like receptors and acceptable immune-reactivity by immune simulation analysis. The findings of this study may represent a turning point in developing an effective drug and vaccine against E. chaffeensis. However, further experimental analyses have remained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Sabzi
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran ,Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahla Shahbazi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narjes Noori Goodarzi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mehri Habibi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Bolourchi
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Mirzaie
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
| | - Farzad Badmasti
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran ,Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Shu M, Zhao L, Shi K, Lei W, Yang Y, Li Z. Chitosan particle stabilized Pickering emulsion/interleukin-12 adjuvant system for Pgp3 subunit vaccine elicits immune protection against genital chlamydial infection in mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:989620. [PMID: 36505424 PMCID: PMC9727174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.989620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the shortcomings in current chlamydia infection control strategies, a major challenge in curtailing infection is the implementation of an effective vaccine. The immune response induced by C. trachomatis plasmid encoded Pgp3 was insufficient against C. trachomatis infection, which requires adjuvant applications to achieve the robust immune response induced by Pgp3. There is increasing promising in developing adjuvant systems relying on the delivery potential of Pickering emulsions and the immunomodulatory effects of interleukin (IL)-12. Here, owing to the polycationic nature, chitosan particles tended to absorb on the oil/water interphase to prepare the optimized chitosan particle-stabilized Pickering emulsion (CSPE), which was designed as a delivery system for Pgp3 protein and IL-12. Our results showed that the average droplets size of CSPE was 789.47 ± 44.26 nm after a series of optimizations and about 90% antigens may be absorbed by CSPE owing to the positively charged surface (33.2 ± 3mV), and CSPE promoted FITC-BSA proteins uptake by macrophages. Furthermore, as demonstrated by Pgp3-specific antibody production and cytokine secretion, CSPE/IL-12 system enhanced significantly higher levels of Pgp3-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, sIgA and significant cytokines secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4. Similarly, vaginal chlamydial shedding and hydrosalpinx pathologies were markedly reduced in mice immunized with Pgp3/CSPE/IL-12. Collectively, vaccination with Pgp3/CSPE/IL-12 regimen elicited robust cellular and humoral immune response in mice resulting in an obvious reduction of live chlamydia load in the vaginal and inflammatory pathologies in the oviduct, which further propells the development of vaccines against C. trachomatis infection.
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13
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Abisoye-Ogunniyan A, Carrano IM, Weilhammer DR, Gilmore SF, Fischer NO, Pal S, de la Maza LM, Coleman MA, Rasley A. A Survey of Preclinical Studies Evaluating Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines Against Non-Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:768461. [PMID: 34899322 PMCID: PMC8662999 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.768461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A worldwide estimate of over one million STIs are acquired daily and there is a desperate need for effective preventive as well as therapeutic measures to curtail this global health burden. Vaccines have been the most effective means for the control and potential eradication of infectious diseases; however, the development of vaccines against STIs has been a daunting task requiring extensive research for the development of safe and efficacious formulations. Nanoparticle-based vaccines represent a promising platform as they offer benefits such as targeted antigen presentation and delivery, co-localized antigen-adjuvant combinations for enhanced immunogenicity, and can be designed to be biologically inert. Here we discuss promising types of nanoparticles along with outcomes from nanoparticle-based vaccine preclinical studies against non-viral STIs including chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and recommendations for future nanoparticle-based vaccines against STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abisola Abisoye-Ogunniyan
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Isabella M Carrano
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Rausser College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Dina R Weilhammer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Sean F Gilmore
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Amy Rasley
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
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14
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Lanfermann C, Kohn M, Laudeley R, Rheinheimer C, Klos A. Chlamydia trachomatis Cross-Serovar Protection during Experimental Lung Reinfection in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080871. [PMID: 34451996 PMCID: PMC8402589 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis causes most bacterial sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Different major outer membrane proteins (MOMPs) define various serovars of this intracellular pathogen: In women, D to L3 can cause urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, and oophoritis, and, thus, infertility. Protective immunity might be serovar-specific since chlamydial infection does not appear to induce an effective acquired immunity and reinfections occur. A better understanding of induced cross-serovar protection is essential for the selection of suitable antigens in vaccine development. In our mouse lung infection screening model, we evaluated the urogenital serovars D, E, and L2 in this regard. Seven weeks after primary infection or mock-infection, respectively, mice were infected a second time with the identical or one of the other serovars. Body weight and clinical score were monitored for 7 days. Near the peak of the second lung infection, bacterial load, myeloperoxidase, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in lung homogenate, as well as chlamydia-specific IgG levels in blood were determined. Surprisingly, compared with mice that were infected then for the first time, almost independent of the serovar combination used, all acquired parameters of disease were similarly diminished. Our reinfection study suggests that efficient cross-serovar protection could be achieved by a vaccine combining chlamydial antigens that do not include nonconserved MOMP regions.
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15
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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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16
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The Small Molecule H89 Inhibits Chlamydia Inclusion Growth and Production of Infectious Progeny. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0072920. [PMID: 33820812 PMCID: PMC8373235 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00729-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the most common reportable cause of human infection in the United States. This pathogen proliferates inside a eukaryotic host cell, where it resides within a membrane-bound compartment called the chlamydial inclusion. It has an unusual developmental cycle, marked by conversion between a replicating form, the reticulate body (RB), and an infectious form, the elementary body (EB). We found that the small molecule H89 slowed inclusion growth and decreased overall RB replication by 2-fold but caused a 25-fold reduction in infectious EBs. This disproportionate effect on EB production was mainly due to a defect in RB-to-EB conversion and not to the induction of chlamydial persistence, which is an altered growth state. Although H89 is a known inhibitor of specific protein kinases and vesicular transport to and from the Golgi apparatus, it did not cause these anti-chlamydial effects by blocking protein kinase A or C or by inhibiting protein or lipid transport. Thus, H89 is a novel anti-chlamydial compound that has a unique combination of effects on an intracellular Chlamydia infection.
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17
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Prophylactic Multi-Subunit Vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis: In Vivo Evaluation in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060609. [PMID: 34204170 PMCID: PMC8226540 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent sexually-transmitted disease-causing bacterium. Urogenital serovars of this intracellular pathogen lead to urethritis and cervicitis. Ascending infections result in pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, and oophoritis. One of 200 urogenital infections leads to tubal infertility. Serovars A–C cause trachoma with visual impairment. There is an urgent need for a vaccine. We characterized a new five-component subunit vaccine in a mouse vaccination-lung challenge infection model. Four recombinant Pmp family-members and Ctad1 from C. trachomatis serovar E, all of which participate in adhesion and binding of chlamydial elementary bodies to host cells, were combined with the mucosal adjuvant cyclic-di-adenosine monophosphate. Intranasal application led to a high degree of cross-serovar protection against urogenital and ocular strains of C. trachomatis, which lasted at least five months. Critical evaluated parameters were body weight, clinical score, chlamydial load, a granulocyte marker and the cytokines IFN-γ/TNF-α in lung homogenate. Vaccine antigen-specific antibodies and a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 T cell response with multi-functional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells correlate with protection. However, serum-transfer did not protect the recipients suggesting that circulating antibodies play only a minor role. In the long run, our new vaccine might help to prevent the feared consequences of human C. trachomatis infections.
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18
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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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19
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Pal S, Cruz-Fisher MI, Cheng C, Carmichael JR, Tifrea DF, Tatarenkova O, de la Maza LM. Vaccination with the recombinant major outer membrane protein elicits long-term protection in mice against vaginal shedding and infertility following a Chlamydia muridarum genital challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:90. [PMID: 33083025 PMCID: PMC7530680 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementation of a vaccine is likely the best approach to curtail Chlamydia trachomatis infections. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of a vaccine formulated with the recombinant major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and Th1 and Th2 adjuvants, delivered by combinations of systemic and mucosal routes, to elicit long-term protection in mice against a genital challenge with Chlamydia muridarum. As a negative control, mice were vaccinated with the recombinant Neisseria gonorrhoeae porinB, and the positive control group was immunized with C. muridarum live elementary bodies (EB). The four vaccines formulated with MOMP, as determined by the titers of IgG and neutralizing antibodies in serum, proliferative responses of T-cells stimulated with EB and levels of IFN-γ in the supernatants, elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses over a 6-month period. Groups of mice were challenged genitally at 60, 120, or 180 days postimmunization. Based on the number of mice with positive vaginal cultures, number of positive cultures, length of time of shedding, and number of inclusion forming units recovered, MOMP vaccinated groups were significantly protected. To assess fertility, when the vaginal cultures became negative, female mice were caged with male mice and the outcome of the pregnancy evaluated. As determined by the number of pregnant mice and the number of embryos, two of the vaccine formulations protected mice up to 180 days postimmunization. To our knowledge this is the first subunit of Chlamydia vaccine that has elicited in mice significant long-term protection against a genital challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Maria I. Cruz-Fisher
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Chunmei Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Jennifer R. Carmichael
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Delia F. Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Olga Tatarenkova
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
| | - Luis M. de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800 USA
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20
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Use of Chlamydial Elementary Bodies as Probes to Isolate Pathogen-Specific Human Monoclonal Antibodies. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32959238 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0795-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infectious agents in the world and the leading cause of infectious blindness. The role of antibodies in the prevention and clearance of infection is still not fully understood, but the analysis of the immunoglobulin response to novel vaccine candidates is an important part of many of these studies. In this chapter, we describe a novel method to identify and isolate Chlamydia-specific memory B cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using fluorescently labeled whole bacteria from cryopreserved human PBMC samples. This method allows for live single cells to be sorted for cell culture, in vitro assays, single-cell RNA sequencing, and cloning of paired heavy and light chains for recombinant monoclonal antibody production.
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21
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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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22
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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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Tifrea DF, Pal S, le Bon C, Cocco MJ, Zoonens M, de la Maza LM. Improved protection against Chlamydia muridarum using the native major outer membrane protein trapped in Resiquimod-carrying amphipols and effects in protection with addition of a Th1 (CpG-1826) and a Th2 (Montanide ISA 720) adjuvant. Vaccine 2020; 38:4412-4422. [PMID: 32386746 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.04.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A new vaccine formulated with the Chlamydia muridarum native major outer membrane protein (nMOMP) and amphipols was assessed in an intranasal (i.n.) challenge mouse model. nMOMP was trapped either in amphipol A8-35 (nMOMP/A8-35) or in A8-35 conjugated with Resiquimod (nMOMP/Resiq-A8-35), a TLR7/8 agonist added as adjuvant. The effects of free Resiquimod and/or additional adjuvants, Montanide ISA 720 (TLR independent) and CpG-1826 (TLR9 agonist), were also evaluated. Immunization with nMOMP/A8-35 alone administered i.n. was used as negative adjuvant-control group, whereas immunizations with C. muridarum elementary bodies (EBs) and MEM buffer, administered i.n., were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Vaccinated mice were challenged i.n. with C. muridarum and changes in body weight, lungs weight and recovery of Chlamydia from the lungs were evaluated. All the experimental groups showed protection when compared with the negative control group. Resiquimod alone produced weak humoral and cellular immune responses, but both Montanide and CpG-1826 showed significant increases in both responses. The addition of CpG-1826 alone switched immune responses to be Th1-biased. The most robust protection was elicited in mice immunized with the three adjuvants and conjugated Resiquimod. Increased protection induced by the Resiquimod covalently linked to A8-35, in the presence of Montanide and CpG-1826 was established based on a set of parameters: (1) the ability of the antibodies to neutralize C. muridarum; (2) the increased proliferation of T-cells in vitro accompanied by higher production of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-17; (3) the decreased body weight loss over the 10 days after challenge; and (4) the number of IFUs recovered from the lungs at day 10 post challenge. In conclusion, a vaccine formulated with the C. muridarum nMOMP bound to amphipols conjugated with Resiquimod enhances protective immune responses that can be further improved by the addition of Montanide and CpG-1826.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Christel le Bon
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, UMR 7099, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild pour le développement de la recherche scientifique, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Melanie J Cocco
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1218 Natural Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, CNRS, UMR 7099, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild pour le développement de la recherche scientifique, F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
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Pal S, Ausar SF, Tifrea DF, Cheng C, Gallichan S, Sanchez V, de la Maza LM, Visan L. Protection of outbred mice against a vaginal challenge by a Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E recombinant major outer membrane protein vaccine is dependent on phosphate substitution in the adjuvant. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2537-2547. [PMID: 32118511 PMCID: PMC7644203 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1717183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually-transmitted pathogen for which there is no vaccine. We previously demonstrated that the degree of phosphate substitution in an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in a TLR-4-based C. trachomatis serovar E (Ser E) recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) formulation had an impact on the induced antibody titers and IFN-γ levels. Here, we have extended these observations using outbreed CD-1 mice immunized with C. trachomatis Ser E rMOMP formulations to evaluate the impact on bacterial challenge. The results confirmed that the rMOMP vaccine containing the adjuvant with the highest phosphate substitution induced the highest neutralizing antibody titers while the formulation with the lowest phosphate substitution induced the highest IFN-γ production. The most robust protection was observed in mice vaccinated with the formulation containing the adjuvant with the lowest phosphate substitution, as shown by the number of mice with positive vaginal cultures, number of positive cultures and number of C. trachomatis inclusion forming units recovered. This is the first report showing that vaccination of an outbred strain of mice with rMOMP induces protection against a vaginal challenge with C. trachomatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California , Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California , Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Chunmei Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California , Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Scott Gallichan
- Analytical Research and Development Department, Sanofi Pasteur , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Violette Sanchez
- Research & Non Clinical Safety Department, Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California , Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lucian Visan
- Research & Non Clinical Safety Department, Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy l'Etoile, France
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Waugh CA, Timms P. A proposed roadmap for the control of infections in wildlife using Chlamydia vaccine development in koalas Phascolarctos cinereus as a template. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A. Waugh
- C. Waugh ✉ , Faculty of Bioscience and Aquaculture, Nord Univ., Steinkjer, Norway
| | - Peter Timms
- P. Timms, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Nguyen NDNT, Olsen AW, Lorenzen E, Andersen P, Hvid M, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Parenteral vaccination protects against transcervical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and generate tissue-resident T cells post-challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:7. [PMID: 31993218 PMCID: PMC6978417 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0157-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The optimal protective immunity against Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) is still not fully resolved. One of the unresolved issues concerns the importance of resident immunity, since a recent study showed that optimal protection against a transcervical (TC) infection required genital tissue-resident memory T cells. An important question in the Chlamydia field is therefore if a parenteral vaccine strategy, inducing only circulating immunity primed at a nonmucosal site, should be pursued by Chlamydia vaccine developers. To address this question we studied the protective efficacy of a parenteral Chlamydia vaccine, formulated in the Th1/Th17 T cell-inducing adjuvant CAF01. We found that a parenteral vaccination induced significant protection against a TC infection and against development of chronic pathology. Protection correlated with rapid recruitment of Th1/Th17 T cells to the genital tract (GT), which efficiently prevented infection-driven generation of low quality Th1 or Th17 T cells, and instead maintained a pool of high quality multifunctional Th1/Th17 T cells in the GT throughout the infection. After clearance of the infection, a pool of these cells settled in the GT as tissue-resident Th1 and Th17 cells expressing CD69 but not CD103, CD49d, or CCR7, where they responded rapidly to a reinfection. These results show that a nonmucosal parenteral strategy inducing Th1 and Th17 T cells mediates protection against both infection with C.t. as well as development of chronic pathology, and lead to post-challenge protective tissue-resident memory immunity in the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anja W Olsen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emma Lorenzen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Hvid
- 2Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- 1Statens Serum Institut, Department for Infectious Disease Immunology, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Tifrea DF, Pal S, de la Maza LM. A Recombinant Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP Vaccine Elicits Cross-serogroup Protection in Mice Against Vaginal Shedding and Infertility. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:191-200. [PMID: 31504647 PMCID: PMC6935996 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. Here, we determined the ability of a C. trachomatis recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) vaccine to elicit cross-serogroup protection. METHODS Female C3H/HeN mice were vaccinated by mucosal and systemic routes with C. trachomatis serovar D (UW-3/Cx) rMOMP and challenged in the ovarian bursa with serovars D (UW-3/Cx), D (UCI-96/Cx), E (IOL-43), or F (N.I.1). CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720 were used as adjuvants. RESULTS Immune responses following vaccination were more robust against the most closely related serovars. Following a genital challenge (as determined by number of mice with positive vaginal cultures, number of positive cultures, number of inclusion forming units recovered, and number of days with positive cultures) mice challenged with C. trachomatis serovars of the same complex were protected but not those challenged with serovar F (N.I.1) from a different subcomplex. Females were caged with male mice. Based on fertility rates, number of embryos, and hydrosalpinx formation, vaccinated mice were protected against challenges with serovars D (UW-3/Cx), D (UCI-96/Cx), and E (IOL-43) but not F (N.I.1). CONCLUSIONS This is the first subunit vaccine shown to protect mice against infection, pathology, and infertility caused by different C. trachomatis serovars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine
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Chlamydia muridarum Induces Pathology in the Female Upper Genital Tract via Distinct Mechanisms. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00145-19. [PMID: 31085708 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00145-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infection with Chlamydia trachomatis may lead to fibrotic blockage in women's upper genital tracts, resulting in tubal infertility. Intravaginal inoculation with C. muridarum readily induces fibrotic blockage or hydrosalpinx in mice and is used for investigating C. trachomatis pathogenicity. Using this model in combination with an antibody depletion approach, we confirmed CD4+ T cell-mediated protective immunity and a CD8+ T cell-dependent pathogenic mechanism during chlamydial infection in C57BL/6J mice. However, when mice genetically deficient in CD8+ T cells were evaluated, we found, surprisingly, that these mice were still able to develop robust hydrosalpinx following C. muridarum infection, both contradicting the observation made in C57BL/6J mice and suggesting a pathogenic mechanism that is independent of CD8+ T cells. We further found that depletion of CD4+ T cells from CD8+ T cell-deficient mice significantly reduced chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx, indicating that CD4+ T cells became pathogenic in mice genetically deficient in CD8+ T cells. Since depletion of CD4+ T cells both promoted chlamydial infection and reduced chlamydial pathogenicity in CD8+ T cell-deficient mice, we propose that in the absence of CD8+ T cells, some CD4+ T cells may remain protective (as in C57BL/6J mice), while others may directly contribute to chlamydial pathogenicity. Thus, chlamydial pathogenicity can be mediated by distinct host mechanisms, depending upon host genetics and infection conditions. The CD8+ T cell-deficient mouse model may be useful for further investigating the mechanisms by which CD4+ T cells promote chlamydial pathogenicity.
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Lin H, He C, Koprivsek JJ, Chen J, Zhou Z, Arulanandam B, Xu Z, Tang L, Zhong G. Antigen-Specific CD4 + T Cell-Derived Gamma Interferon Is Both Necessary and Sufficient for Clearing Chlamydia from the Small Intestine but Not the Large Intestine. Infect Immun 2019; 87:e00055-19. [PMID: 30962403 PMCID: PMC6529659 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00055-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genital tract pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tract, but the host immunity that regulates chlamydial colonization in the gut remains unclear. In a Chlamydia muridarum-C57 mouse model, chlamydial organisms are cleared from the genital tract in ∼4 weeks, but the genital organisms can spread to the gastrointestinal tract. We found that the gastrointestinal chlamydial organisms were cleared from the small intestine by day 28, paralleling their infection course in the genital tract, but persisted in the large intestine for long periods. Mice deficient in α/β T cells or CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells showed chlamydial persistence in the small intestine, indicating a critical role for CD4+ T cells in clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine. The CD4+ T cell-dependent clearance is likely mediated by gamma interferon (IFN-γ), since mice deficient in IFN-γ but not interleukin 22 (IL-22) signaling pathways rescued chlamydial colonization in the small intestine. Furthermore, exogenous IFN-γ was sufficient for clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine. Mice deficient in developing Chlamydia-specific Th1 immunity showed chlamydial persistence in the small intestine. Finally, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells from immunized donor mice were sufficient for eliminating Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine of recipient mice. Thus, we have demonstrated a critical role for Th1 immunity in clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine, indicating that chlamydial colonization in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract is regulated by distinct immune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Conghui He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - John J Koprivsek
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jianlin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- Department of Metabolism & Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bernard Arulanandam
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Lingli Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Phillips S, Quigley BL, Timms P. Seventy Years of Chlamydia Vaccine Research - Limitations of the Past and Directions for the Future. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:70. [PMID: 30766521 PMCID: PMC6365973 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is a major bacterial pathogen that infects humans, as well as a wide range of animals, including marsupials, birds, cats, pigs, cattle, and sheep. Antibiotics are the only treatment currently available, however, with high rates of re-infection, there is mounting pressure to develop Chlamydia vaccines. In this review, we analyzed how Chlamydia vaccine trials have developed over the past 70 years and identified where future trials need to be focused. There has been a strong bias toward studies targeting C. muridarum and C. trachomatis within mice and a lack of studies matching chlamydial species to their end target host. Even though a large number of specific antigenic targets have been studied, the results from whole-cell vaccine targets show slightly more promising results overall. There has also been a strong bias toward systemic vaccine delivery systems, despite the finding that mucosal delivery systems have shown more promising outcomes. However, the only successful vaccines with matched chlamydial species/infecting host are based on systemic vaccine delivery methods. We highlight the extensive work done with mouse model trials and indicate that whole cell antigenic targets are capable of inducing an effective response, protecting from disease and reducing shedding rates. However, replication of these results using antigen preparations more conducive to commercial vaccine production has proven difficult. To date, the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) has emerged as the most suitable substitute for whole cell targets and its delivery as a combined systemic and mucosal vaccine is most effective. Finally, although mouse model trials are useful, differences between hosts and infecting chlamydial strains are preventing vaccine formulations from mouse models to be translated into larger animals or intended hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Phillips
- Genecology Research Centre, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
| | - Bonnie L Quigley
- Genecology Research Centre, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
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Kaufhold RM, Boddicker MA, Field JA, Lucas BJ, Antonello JM, Espeseth AS, Skinner JM, Heinrichs JH, Smith JG. Evaluating Potential Vaccine Antigens in both the <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> and <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> Intravaginal Mouse Challenge Models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.4236/wjv.2019.92004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tifrea DF, Pal S, Le Bon C, Giusti F, Popot JL, Cocco MJ, Zoonens M, de la Maza LM. Co-delivery of amphipol-conjugated adjuvant with antigen, and adjuvant combinations, enhance immune protection elicited by a membrane protein-based vaccine against a mucosal challenge with Chlamydia. Vaccine 2018; 36:6640-6649. [PMID: 30293763 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydial infections are spread worldwide and a vaccine is needed to control this pathogen. The goals of this study were to determine if the delivery of an adjuvant associated to the antigen, via a derivatized amphipol, and adjuvant combinations improve vaccine protection. METHODS A novel approach, trapping the Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) native MOMP (nMOMP) with amphipols (A8-35), bearing a covalently conjugated peptide (EP67), was used. Adjuvants incorporated were: EP67 either conjugated to A8-35, which was used to trap nMOMP (nMOMP/EP67-A8-35), or free as a control, added to nMOMP/A8-35 complexes (nMOMP/A8-35+EP67); Montanide ISA 720 to enhance humoral responses, and CpG-1826 to elicit robust cell-mediated immunity (CMI). BALB/c mice were immunized by mucosal and systemic routes. Intranasal immunization with live Cm was used as positive control and three negative controls were included. Mice were challenged intranasally with Cm and changes in body weight, lungs weight and number of Cm-inclusion forming units (IFU) recovered from the lungs were evaluated to establish protection. To assess local responses levels of IFN- γ and Cm-specific IgA were determined in lungs' supernatants. RESULTS Structural assays demonstrated that nMOMP secondary structure and thermal stability were maintained when A8-35 was covalently modified. Mice vaccinated with nMOMP/EP67-A8-35 were better protected than animals immunized with nMOMP/A8-35+EP67. Addition of Montanide enhanced Th2 responses and improved protection. Including CpG-1826 further broadened, intensified and switched to Th1-biased immune responses. With delivery of nMOMP and the three adjuvants, as determined by changes in body weight, lungs weight and number of IFU recovered from lungs, protection at 10 days post-challenge was equivalent to that induced by immunization with live Cm. CONCLUSIONS Covalent association of EP67 to A8-35, used to keep nMOMP water-soluble, improves protection over that conferred by free EP67. Adjuvant combinations including EP67+Montanide+CpG-1826, by broadening and intensifying cellular and humoral immune responses, further enhanced protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Christel Le Bon
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Giusti
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Popot
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Melanie J Cocco
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1218 Natural Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
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Verma R, Sahu R, Dixit S, Duncan SA, Giambartolomei GH, Singh SR, Dennis VA. The Chlamydia M278 Major Outer Membrane Peptide Encapsulated in the Poly(lactic acid)-Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanoparticulate Self-Adjuvanting Delivery System Protects Mice Against a Chlamydia muridarum Genital Tract Challenge by Stimulating Robust Systemic and Local Mucosal Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2369. [PMID: 30374357 PMCID: PMC6196261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported that our PPM chlamydial nanovaccine [a biodegradable co-polymeric PLA-PEG (poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol))-encapsulated M278 peptide (derived from the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia)] exploits the caveolin-mediated endocytosis pathway for endosomal processing and MHC class II presentation to immune-potentiate Chlamydia-specific CD4+ T-cell immune effector responses. In the present study, we employed the Chlamydia muridarum mouse infection model to evaluate the protective efficacy of PPM against a genital tract challenge. Our results show that mice immunized with PPM were significantly protected against a homologous genital tract challenge evidently by reduced vaginal bacterial loads. Protection of mice correlated with enhanced Chlamydia-specific adaptive immune responses predominated by IFN-γ along with CD4+ T-cells proliferation and their differentiation to CD4+ memory (CD44high CD62Lhigh) and effector (CD44high CD62Llow) T-cell phenotypes. We observed the elevation of M278- and MOMP-specific serum antibodies with high avidity in the ascending order IgG1 > IgG2b > IgG2a. A key finding was the elevated mucosal IgG1 and IgA antibody titers followed by an increase in MOMP-specific IgA after the challenge. The Th1/Th2 antibody titer ratios (IgG2a/IgG1 and IgG2b/IgG1) revealed that PPM evoked a Th2-directed response, which skewed to a Th1-dominated antibody response after the bacterial challenge of mice. In addition, PPM immune sera neutralized the infectivity of C. muridarum in McCoy cells, suggesting the triggering of functional neutralizing antibodies. Herein, we reveal for the first time that subcutaneous immunization with the self-adjuvanting biodegradable co-polymeric PPM nanovaccine immune-potentiated robust CD4+ T cell-mediated immune effector responses; a mixed Th1 and Th2 antibody response and local mucosal IgA to protect mice against a chlamydial genital tract challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Verma
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Rajnish Sahu
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Saurabh Dixit
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Skyla A Duncan
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Guillermo H Giambartolomei
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Shree R Singh
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Vida A Dennis
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
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B Cell Presentation of Chlamydia Antigen Selects Out Protective CD4γ13 T Cells: Implications for Genital Tract Tissue-Resident Memory Lymphocyte Clusters. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00614-17. [PMID: 29158429 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00614-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Surveillance and defense of the enormous mucosal interface with the nonsterile world are critical to protecting the host from a wide range of pathogens. Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that replicates almost exclusively in the epithelium of the reproductive tract. The fallopian tubes and vagina are poorly suited to surveillance and defense, with limited immune infrastructure positioned near the epithelium. However, a dynamic process during clearing primary infections leaves behind new lymphoid clusters immediately beneath the epithelium. These memory lymphocyte clusters (MLCs) harboring tissue-resident memory (Trm) T cells are presumed to play an important role in protection from subsequent infections. Histologically, human Chlamydia MLCs have prominent B cell populations. We investigated the status of genital tract B cells during C. muridarum infections and the nature of T cells recovered from immune mice using immune B cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). These studies revealed a genital tract plasma B cell population and a novel genital tract CD4 T cell subset producing both gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). A panel of CD4 T cell clones and microarray analysis showed that the molecular fingerprint of CD4γ13 T cells includes a Trm-like transcriptome. Adoptive transfer of a Chlamydia-specific CD4γ13 T cell clone completely prevented oviduct immunopathology without accelerating bacterial clearance. Existence of a CD4γ13 T cell subset provides a plausible explanation for the observation that human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Chlamydia-specific IFN-γ and IL-13 responses predict resistance to reinfection.
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Zhong G. Chlamydia Spreading from the Genital Tract to the Gastrointestinal Tract - A Two-Hit Hypothesis. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:611-623. [PMID: 29289422 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, a leading bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infection-induced infertility, is frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tract. Chlamydia muridarum, a model pathogen for investigating C. trachomatis pathogenesis, readily spreads from the mouse genital tract to the gastrointestinal tract, establishing long-lasting colonization. C. muridarum mutants, despite their ability to activate acute oviduct inflammation, are attenuated in inducing tubal fibrosis and are no longer able to colonize the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting that the spread of C. muridarum to the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to its pathogenicity in the upper genital tract. However, gastrointestinal C. muridarum cannot directly autoinoculate the genital tract. Both antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and profibrotic cytokines, such as TNFα and IL-13, are essential for C. muridarum to induce tubal fibrosis; this may be induced by the gastrointestinal C. muridarum, as a second hit, to transmucosally convert tubal repairing - initiated by C. muridarum infection of tubal epithelial cells (serving as the first hit) - into pathogenic fibrosis. Testing the two-hit mouse model should both add new knowledge to the growing list of mechanisms by which gastrointestinal microbes contribute to pathologies in extragastrointestinal tissues and provide information for investigating the potential role of gastrointestinal C. trachomatis in human chlamydial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health, Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Madico G, Gursky O, Fairman J, Massari P. Structural and Immunological Characterization of Novel Recombinant MOMP-Based Chlamydial Antigens. Vaccines (Basel) 2017; 6:vaccines6010002. [PMID: 29295593 PMCID: PMC5874643 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines6010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. While infections resolve with antibiotic treatment, this is often neglected in women due to frequent asymptomatic infections, leading to disease progression and severe sequelae (pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility). Development of a vaccine against Chlamydia is crucial. Whole organism-based vaccines have short-lived activity, serovar/subgroup-specific immunity and can cause adverse reactions in vaccinated subjects. The Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) is a prime candidate for a subunit vaccine. MOMP contains four regions of sequence variability (variable domains, VDs) with B-cell and T-cell epitopes that elicit protective immunity. However, barriers for developing a MOMP-based vaccine include solubility, yield and refolding. We have engineered novel recombinant antigens in which the VDs are expressed into a carrier protein structurally similar to MOMP and suitable for recombinant expression at a high yield in a correctly folded and detergent-free form. Using a carrier such as the PorB porin from the human commensal organism N. lactamica, we show that PorB/VD chimeric proteins are immunogenic, antigenic and cross-reactive with MOMP. VDs are unique for each serovar but if combined in a single vaccine, a broad coverage against the major Chlamydia serovars can be ensured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Madico
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Olga Gursky
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics and the Amyloidosis Treatment and Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | | | - Paola Massari
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Sun X, Tian Q, Wang L, Xue M, Zhong G. IL-6-mediated signaling pathways limit Chlamydia muridarum infection and exacerbate its pathogenicity in the mouse genital tract. Microbes Infect 2017; 19:536-545. [PMID: 28864426 PMCID: PMC6034988 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia muridarum induction of mouse hydrosalpinx, depending on both tubal infection and inflammation, has been used for investigating Chlamydia trachomatis pathogenesis. We now report that IL-6 both inhibits C. muridarum infection and exacerbates pathogenicity in the mouse genital tract. When intravaginally inoculated with a high dose of C. muridarum, IL-6-deficient mice developed more extensive genital tract infection with severe hydrosalpinx, suggesting that IL-6 is required for controlling the high dose infection but not essential for C. muridarum-induced pathology. However, at a low dose, IL-6-deficient mice still developed more extensive infection in the genital tract but no longer with significant pathology, suggesting that IL-6 is required for both controlling the low dose infection and exacerbating the low dose infection-induced pathology. The lack of hydrosalpinx in IL-6-deficient mice correlated with significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration in the oviduct tissue and decreased spleen CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that produce TNFα. Thus, IL-6-dependent pathways are important for both limiting chlamydial colonization in the genital tract mucosal tissues regardless of the infection doses and exacerbating chlamydial pathogenicity in the upper genital tract when IL-6-independent pathogenic mechanisms are not yet activated with a low infection dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Qi Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Luying Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Min Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Zhong G, Brunham RC, de la Maza LM, Darville T, Deal C. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases workshop report: "Chlamydia vaccines: The way forward". Vaccine 2017; 37:7346-7354. [PMID: 29097007 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), an intracellular pathogen, is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection. In addition to acute cervicitis and urethritis, Ct can lead to serious sequelae of significant public health burden including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Ct control efforts have not resulted in desired outcomes such as reduced incidence and reinfection, and this highlights the need for the development of an effective Ct vaccine. To this end, NIAID organized a workshop to consider the current status of Ct vaccine research and address critical questions in Ct vaccine design and clinical testing. Topics included the goal(s) of a vaccine and the feasibility of achieving these goals, animal models of infection including mouse and nonhuman primate (NHP) models, and correlates of protection to guide vaccine design. Decades of research have provided both whole cell-based and subunit vaccine candidates for development. At least one is currently in clinical development and efforts now need to be directed toward further development of the most attractive candidates. Overall, the discussions and presentations from the workshop highlighted optimism about the current status of Ct vaccine research and detailed the remaining gaps and questions needed to move vaccines forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Robert C Brunham
- Vaccine Research Laboratory, UBC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7509, USA
| | - Carolyn Deal
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, Bethesda, MD, USA
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He W, Felderman M, Evans AC, Geng J, Homan D, Bourguet F, Fischer NO, Li Y, Lam KS, Noy A, Xing L, Cheng RH, Rasley A, Blanchette CD, Kamrud K, Wang N, Gouvis H, Peterson TC, Hubby B, Coleman MA. Cell-free production of a functional oligomeric form of a Chlamydia major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) for vaccine development. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15121-15132. [PMID: 28739800 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.784561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is a prevalent sexually transmitted disease that infects more than 100 million people worldwide. Although most individuals infected with Chlamydia trachomatis are initially asymptomatic, symptoms can arise if left undiagnosed. Long-term infection can result in debilitating conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and blindness. Chlamydia infection, therefore, constitutes a significant public health threat, underscoring the need for a Chlamydia-specific vaccine. Chlamydia strains express a major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) that has been shown to be an effective vaccine antigen. However, approaches to produce a functional recombinant MOMP protein for vaccine development are limited by poor solubility, low yield, and protein misfolding. Here, we used an Escherichia coli-based cell-free system to express a MOMP protein from the mouse-specific species Chlamydia muridarum (MoPn-MOMP or mMOMP). The codon-optimized mMOMP gene was co-translated with Δ49apolipoprotein A1 (Δ49ApoA1), a truncated version of mouse ApoA1 in which the N-terminal 49 amino acids were removed. This co-translation process produced mMOMP supported within a telodendrimer nanolipoprotein particle (mMOMP-tNLP). The cell-free expressed mMOMP-tNLPs contain mMOMP multimers similar to the native MOMP protein. This cell-free process produced on average 1.5 mg of purified, water-soluble mMOMP-tNLP complex in a 1-ml cell-free reaction. The mMOMP-tNLP particle also accommodated the co-localization of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 1826, a single-stranded synthetic DNA adjuvant, eliciting an enhanced humoral immune response in vaccinated mice. Using our mMOMP-tNLP formulation, we demonstrate a unique approach to solubilizing and administering membrane-bound proteins for future vaccine development. This method can be applied to other previously difficult-to-obtain antigens while maintaining full functionality and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | | | - Angela C Evans
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Jia Geng
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550.,School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, California 95343
| | - David Homan
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Feliza Bourguet
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Yuanpei Li
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and
| | - Kit S Lam
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and
| | - Aleksandr Noy
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550.,School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, California 95343
| | - Li Xing
- the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95618
| | - R Holland Cheng
- the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95618
| | - Amy Rasley
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Craig D Blanchette
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - Kurt Kamrud
- Synthetic Genomics Vaccine Inc., La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Nathaniel Wang
- Synthetic Genomics Vaccine Inc., La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Heather Gouvis
- Synthetic Genomics Vaccine Inc., La Jolla, California 92037
| | | | - Bolyn Hubby
- Synthetic Genomics Vaccine Inc., La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- From the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, .,Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, and
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40
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Update on Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccinology. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00543-16. [PMID: 28228394 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00543-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Attempts to produce a vaccine to protect against Chlamydia trachomatis-induced trachoma were initiated more than 100 years ago and continued for several decades. Using whole organisms, protective responses were obtained. However, upon exposure to C. trachomatis, disease exacerbation developed in some immunized individuals, precluding the implementation of the vaccine. Evidence of the role of C. trachomatis as a sexually transmitted pathogen started to emerge in the 1960s, and it soon became evident that it can cause acute infections and long-term sequelae in women, men, and newborns. The main focus of this minireview is to summarize recent findings and discuss formulations, including antigens, adjuvants, routes, and delivery systems for immunization, primarily explored in the female mouse model, with the goal of implementing a vaccine against C. trachomatis genital infections.
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Pal S, Favaroni A, Tifrea DF, Hanisch PT, Luczak SET, Hegemann JH, de la Maza LM. Comparison of the nine polymorphic membrane proteins of Chlamydia trachomatis for their ability to induce protective immune responses in mice against a C. muridarum challenge. Vaccine 2017; 35:2543-2549. [PMID: 28385608 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test vaccines, formulated with novel antigens, to protect mice against Chlamydia infections. METHODS To determine the ability of polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) to induce cross-species protective immune responses, recombinant fragments from all nine C. trachomatis serovar E Pmps were used to vaccinate BALB/c mice utilizing CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720 as adjuvants. C. muridarum recombinant MOMP and PBS, formulated with the same adjuvants, were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Mice were challenged intranasally with 104 inclusion-forming units (IFU) of C. muridarum. Animals were weighed daily and at 10days post-challenge, they were euthanized, their lungs harvested, weighed and the number of chlamydial IFU counted. RESULTS Following vaccination the nine Pmps elicited immune responses. Based on body weight changes, or number of IFU recovered from lungs, mice vaccinated with Pmp C, G or H were the best protected. For example, over the 10-day period, the negative control group vaccinated with PBS lost significantly more body weight than mice immunized with PmpC or G (P<0.05). C. muridarum MOMP vaccinated mice were better protected against body weight losses than any group immunized with Pmps. Also, the median number of IFU recovered from the lungs of mice vaccinated with PmpC (72×106) or PmpH (61×106) was significantly less than from mice immunized with PBS (620×106; P<0.05). As determined by the number of IFU, all Pmps elicited less protection than C. muridarum MOMP (0.078×106 IFU; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This is the first time PmpC has been shown to elicit cross-species protection against a respiratory challenge. Additional work with Pmps C, G and H is recommended to determine their ability to protect animal models against genital and ocular challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alison Favaroni
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Philipp T Hanisch
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sören E T Luczak
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johannes H Hegemann
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Chlamydial Type III Secretion System Needle Protein Induces Protective Immunity against Chlamydia muridarum Intravaginal Infection. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:3865802. [PMID: 28459057 PMCID: PMC5385227 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3865802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis imposes serious health problems and causes infertility. Because of asymptomatic onset, it often escapes antibiotic treatment. Therefore, vaccines offer a better option for the prevention of unwanted inflammatory sequelae. The existence of serologically distinct serovars of C. trachomatis suggests that a vaccine will need to provide protection against multiple serovars. Chlamydia spp. use a highly conserved type III secretion system (T3SS) composed of structural and effector proteins which is an essential virulence factor. In this study, we expressed the T3SS needle protein of Chlamydia muridarum, TC_0037, an ortholog of C. trachomatis CdsF, in a replication-defective adenoviral vector (AdTC_0037) and evaluated its protective efficacy in an intravaginal Chlamydia muridarum model. For better immune responses, we employed a heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol in which mice were intranasally primed with AdTC_0037 and subcutaneously boosted with recombinant TC_0037 and Toll-like receptor 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A mixed in a squalene nanoscale emulsion. We found that immunization with TC_0037 antigen induced specific humoral and T cell responses, decreased Chlamydia loads in the genital tract, and abrogated pathology of upper genital organs. Together, our results suggest that TC_0037, a highly conserved chlamydial T3SS protein, is a good candidate for inclusion in a Chlamydia vaccine.
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Pal S, Tifrea DF, Follmann F, Andersen P, de la Maza LM. The cationic liposomal adjuvants CAF01 and CAF09 formulated with the major outer membrane protein elicit robust protection in mice against a Chlamydia muridarum respiratory challenge. Vaccine 2017; 35:1705-1711. [PMID: 28238632 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Two cationic liposomal adjuvants CAF01 and CAF09 were formulated with the native or the recombinant Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (nMOMP and rMOMP). BALB/c mice were immunized with the four vaccine formulations using the subcutaneous followed by the intranasal (i.n.) routes. As positive controls mice were inoculated i.n. with live C. muridarum and negative controls received i.n. minimal essential medium (MEM). Four weeks after the last immunization mice were challenged i.n. with 104 inclusion forming units (IFU) of C. muridarum. Following the challenge the mice were weighed daily. At 10days post-challenge the mice were euthanized, their lungs weighed and the number of C. muridarum IFU determined. Serum collected the day before the challenge showed that all four groups of mice immunized with CAF01, or CAF09 and MOMP had significant C. muridarum-specific antibody titers. As determined by a T-cell lymphoproliferative assay, these four groups of mice also mounted robust cell mediated immune responses with high production of IFN-γ and IL17 and low levels of IL-4. Following the challenge the four groups of mice lost significantly less body weight than the MEM-immunized group. Lungs of mice vaccinated with CAF01, or CAF09, and nMOMP were significantly lighter than those from mice immunized using rMOMP. The number of IFU recovered from the lungs of mice vaccinated with CAF01, or CAF09, and nMOMP was similar to the number of IFU recovered from mice immunized with live EB. Mice that received rMOMP had significantly higher numbers of IFU than other groups. In conclusion, CAF01 and CAF09 elicited very robust protective humoral and cellular immune responses and were equally effective at adjuntavizing the C. muridarum MOMP. Mice vaccinated with nMOMP were significantly better protected than those immunized with rMOMP, indicative of the importance of the structural conformation of this antigen in protection.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/immunology
- Bacterial Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Vaccines/immunology
- Body Weight
- Cell Proliferation
- Chlamydia Infections/pathology
- Chlamydia Infections/prevention & control
- Chlamydia muridarum/immunology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Liposomes/administration & dosage
- Lung/pathology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/pathology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/prevention & control
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Frank Follmann
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
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Hines CDG, Wang S, Meng X, Skinner JM, Heinrichs JH, Smith JG, Boddicker MA. MRI as a Novel In Vivo Approach for Assessing Structural Changes of Chlamydia Pathology in a Mouse Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160055. [PMID: 27467585 PMCID: PMC4965011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is among the most prevalent of sexually transmitted diseases. While Chlamydia infection is a reportable event and screening has increased over time, enhanced surveillance has not resulted in a reduction in the rate of infections, and Chlamydia infections frequently recur. The development of a preventative vaccine for Chlamydia may be the only effective approach for reducing infection and the frequency of pathological outcomes. Current vaccine research efforts involve time consuming and/or invasive approaches for assessment of disease state, and MRI presents a clinically translatable method for assessing infection and related pathology both quickly and non-invasively. Longitudinal T2-weighted MRI was performed over 63 days on both control or Chlamydia muridarum challenged mice, either with or without elementary body (EB) immunization, and gross necropsy was performed on day 65. A scoring system was developed to assess the number of regions affected by Chlamydia pathology and was used to document pathology over time and at necropsy. The scoring system documented increasing incidence of pathology in the unimmunized and challenged mice (significantly greater compared to the control and EB immunized-challenged groups) by 21 days post-challenge. No differences between the unchallenged and EB immunized-challenged mice were observed. MRI scores at Day 63 were consistently higher than gross necropsy scores at Day 65, although two of the three groups of mice showed no significant differences between the two techniques. In this work we describe the application of MRI in mice for the potential evaluation of disease pathology and sequelae caused by C. muridarum infection and this technique’s potential for evaluation of vaccines for Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D G Hines
- Department of Translational Imaging Biomarkers, MRL (West Point, PA), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Shubing Wang
- Department of Biometrics Research, MRL (Rahway, NJ), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Xiangjun Meng
- Department of Translational Imaging Biomarkers, MRL (West Point, PA), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Julie M Skinner
- Department of Vaccines Early Discovery, MRL (West Point, PA), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Jon H Heinrichs
- Global Project Leadership, Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey G Smith
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Analytical Research & Development, Pfizer, Andover, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Melissa A Boddicker
- Department of Vaccines Early Discovery, MRL (West Point, PA), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
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Badamchi-Zadeh A, McKay PF, Korber BT, Barinaga G, Walters AA, Nunes A, Gomes JP, Follmann F, Tregoning JS, Shattock RJ. A Multi-Component Prime-Boost Vaccination Regimen with a Consensus MOMP Antigen Enhances Chlamydia trachomatis Clearance. Front Immunol 2016; 7:162. [PMID: 27199987 PMCID: PMC4848310 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A vaccine for Chlamydia trachomatis is of urgent medical need. We explored bioinformatic approaches to generate an immunogen against C. trachomatis that would induce cross-serovar T-cell responses as (i) CD4(+) T cells have been shown in animal models and human studies to be important in chlamydial protection and (ii) antibody responses may be restrictive and serovar specific. METHODS A consensus antigen based on over 1,500 major outer membrane protein (MOMP) sequences provided high epitope coverage against the most prevalent C. trachomatis strains in silico. Having designed the T-cell immunogen, we assessed it for immunogenicity in prime-boost regimens. This consensus MOMP transgene was delivered using plasmid DNA, Human Adenovirus 5 (HuAd5) or modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vectors with or without MF59(®) adjuvanted recombinant MOMP protein. RESULTS Different regimens induced distinct immune profiles. The DNA-HuAd5-MVA-Protein vaccine regimen induced a cellular response with a Th1-biased serum antibody response, alongside high serum and vaginal MOMP-specific antibodies. This regimen significantly enhanced clearance against intravaginal C. trachomatis serovar D infection in both BALB/c and B6C3F1 mouse strains. This enhanced clearance was shown to be CD4(+) T-cell dependent. Future studies will need to confirm the specificity and precise mechanisms of protection. CONCLUSION A C. trachomatis vaccine needs to induce a robust cellular response with broad cross-serovar coverage and a heterologous prime-boost regimen may be an approach to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul F McKay
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Bette T Korber
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Theoretical Division , Los Alamos, NM , USA
| | - Guillermo Barinaga
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Adam A Walters
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Alexandra Nunes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Frank Follmann
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institute , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - John S Tregoning
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Imperial College London , London , UK
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Visan L, Sanchez V, Kania M, de Montfort A, de la Maza LM, Ausar SF. Phosphate substitution in an AlOOH - TLR4 adjuvant system (SPA08) modulates the immunogenicity of Serovar E MOMP from Chlamydia trachomatis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:2341-50. [PMID: 27104338 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1168958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens and the development of an effective vaccine is highly desirable. The Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) is one of the most abundant and immunogenic chlamydial proteins. Here we investigated the effects of phosphate substitution on the physicochemical and immunochemical properties of an experimental vaccine composed of serovar E recombinant MOMP (rMOMP) and a proprietary adjuvant system SPA08, consisting of aluminum oxyhydroxide (AlOOH) containing the TLR4 agonist E6020. An increase in phosphate substitution in the AlOOH component of the adjuvant markedly decreased the adsorptive coefficient and adsorptive capacity for both Ser E rMOMP and E6020. In vaccine formulations used for immunizations, phosphate substitution induced a decrease in the % adsorption of Ser E rMOMP without affecting the % adsorption of E6020. Immunogenicity studies in CD1 mice showed that an increase in phosphate substitution of the SPA08 adjuvant resulted in an increase in Ser E rMOMP-specific serum total IgG and IgG1 but not IgG2a titers. The degree of phosphate substitution in SPA08 also significantly increased in vitro neutralization concomitant with a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines secreted by Ser E rMOMP-restimulated splenocytes. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that the degree of phosphate substitution in AlOOH greatly affects the adsorption of E6020 and Ser E rMOMP to AlOOH resulting in significant effects on vaccine-induced cellular and humoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucian Visan
- a Research & Non Clinical Safety Department , Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy l'Etoile , France
| | - Violette Sanchez
- a Research & Non Clinical Safety Department , Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy l'Etoile , France
| | - Margaux Kania
- b Bioprocess Research and Development, Sanofi Pasteur , Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Aymeric de Montfort
- a Research & Non Clinical Safety Department , Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy l'Etoile , France
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- c Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Medical Sciences I, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
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Tifrea DF, Barta ML, Pal S, Hefty PS, de la Maza LM. Computational modeling of TC0583 as a putative component of the Chlamydia muridarum V-type ATP synthase complex and assessment of its protective capabilities as a vaccine antigen. Microbes Infect 2016; 18:245-53. [PMID: 26706820 PMCID: PMC7064150 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Numerous Chlamydia trachomatis proteins have been identified as potential subunit vaccines, of which the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) has, so far, proven the most efficacious. Recently, subunit A of the V-type ATP synthase (ATPase; TC0582) complex was shown to elicit partial protection against infection. Computational modeling of a neighboring gene revealed a novel subunit of the V-type ATPase (TC0583). To determine if this newly identified subunit could induce protection and/or enhance the partial protection provided by subunit A alone, challenge studies were performed using a combination of these recombinant proteins. The TC0583 subunit alone and concurrently with TC0582, was used to vaccinate BALB/c mice utilizing CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720 VG as adjuvants. Vaccinated animals were challenged intranasally with Chlamydia muridarum and the course of the infection was followed. Mice immunized with individual antigens showed minimal alleviation of body weight reduction; however, mice immunized with TC0583 and TC0582 in combination, displayed weight loss levels close to those observed with MOMP. Importantly, immunization with a combination of recombinant subunit proteins reduced chlamydial inclusion forming units by approximately a log-fold. These protection levels support that, these highly conserved Chlamydia proteins, in combination with other antigens, may serve as potential vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Michael L Barta
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave, Haworth Hall RM 8051, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - P Scott Hefty
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave, Haworth Hall RM 8051, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
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Dai J, Tang L, Chen J, Yu P, Chen Z, Zhong G. The p47phox deficiency significantly attenuates the pathogenicity of Chlamydia muridarum in the mouse oviduct but not uterine tissues. Microbes Infect 2015; 18:190-8. [PMID: 26645958 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Chlamydia muridarum induction of the upper genital tract pathology in mice has been used to investigate the mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenesis. We report that the NCF1 (neutrophil cytosolic factor1)-encoded p47phox (phagocyte oxidase), an essential subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase, contributes significantly to C. muridarum induction of hydrosalpinx. Mice lacking p47phox (p47phox-deficient) were no longer able to develop significant hydrosalpinx following an intravaginal infection with C. muridarum. However, there was no significant difference in uterine horn dilation (as a result of the endometrial glandular duct dilation) between the p47phox-deficient and -sufficient mice. Thus, the role of NADPH oxidase in chlamydial pathogenesis is restricted to the oviduct tissue rather than the entire upper genital tract. Interestingly, both the p47phox-deficient and -sufficient mice displayed similar levels of chlamydial live organism shedding from the lower genital tract, suggesting that the NADPH oxidase is not required for the mouse control of chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract. Furthermore, the p47phox deficiency did not affect the infectious organism burden in the upper genital tract tissues, indicating that the NADPH-oxidase activity is not necessary for the mouse prevention of chlamydial ascension from the lower to upper genital tracts. However, the p47phox-defieicnt mice displayed a significantly reduced chronic inflammatory infiltration in the oviduct but not uterine tissues, supporting the finding that the NADPH oxidase activity is required for chlamydial induction of dilation in the oviduct but not the endometrial glandular duct. Thus, we have demonstrated a significant role of the host NADPH oxidase in promoting chronic inflammatory pathology in the oviduct following chlamydial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Dai
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, 36 Lushan Rd., Changsha 410081, Hunan Province, PR China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Lingli Tang
- Second Xiangya Hospital, No. 139 Renmin Rd., Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Jianlin Chen
- Second Xiangya Hospital, No. 139 Renmin Rd., Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ping Yu
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 88 Xiangya Rd., Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ze Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, 36 Lushan Rd., Changsha 410081, Hunan Province, PR China.
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Quantitative In Vivo Detection of Chlamydia muridarum Associated Inflammation in a Mouse Model Using Optical Imaging. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:264897. [PMID: 26663988 PMCID: PMC4667028 DOI: 10.1155/2015/264897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease with over 1.3 million cases reported to the CDC in 2010. While Chlamydia infection is easily treated with antibiotics, up to 70% of infections are asymptomatic and go untreated. The current mouse model relies on invasive upper genital tract gross pathology readouts at ~60-80 days postinfection. High throughput optical imaging through the use of biomarkers has been successfully used to quickly evaluate several disease processes. Here we evaluate Neutrophil Elastase 680 (Elastase680) for its ability to measure Chlamydia muridarum associated inflammation in live mice using fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) and In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS). Optical imaging was able to distinguish with statistical significance between vaccinated and nonvaccinated mice as well as mock-challenged and challenged mice 2 weeks after challenge which was 9 weeks sooner than typical gross pathological assessment. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of neutrophils and correlated well with both in vivo and ex vivo imaging. In this report we demonstrate that Elastase680 can be used as a molecular imaging biomarker for inflammation associated with chlamydial infection in a mouse model and that these biomarkers can significantly decrease the time for pathology evaluation and thus increase the rate of therapeutics discovery.
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Pal S, Tatarenkova OV, de la Maza LM. A vaccine formulated with the major outer membrane protein can protect C3H/HeN, a highly susceptible strain of mice, from a Chlamydia muridarum genital challenge. Immunology 2015; 146:432-43. [PMID: 26423798 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
C3H/HeN female mice were vaccinated with native Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP), using Montanide+CpG or Alum+CpG as adjuvants. Negative control groups were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and the same adjuvants. As positive control, mice were inoculated intranasally with live Chlamydia. Mice were challenged in the ovarian bursa with 10(5) C. muridarum inclusion forming units. Six weeks after the genital challenge the animals were caged with male mice and monitored for pregnancy. Mice vaccinated with MOMP+Montanide+CpG developed high levels of C. muridarum-specific antibodies, with a high IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and neutralizing titres. Animals immunized using Alum+CpG had low antibody levels. Cellular immune responses were significantly higher in mice vaccinated with MOMP and Montanide+CpG, but not with Alum+CpG, when compared with negative controls. Following the genital challenge, only 20% (4/20) of mice vaccinated with MOMP+CpG+Montanide had positive vaginal cultures whereas 100% (9/9) of mice immunized with MOMP+CpG+Alum had positive cultures. Of the positive control animals inoculated with live Chlamydia only 15% (3/20) had positive vaginal cultures. In contrast, 100% (20/20) of mice immunized with OVA+CpG+Montanide, or minimal essential medium, had positive cultures. Following mating, 80% (16/20) of mice vaccinated with MOMP+CpG+Montanide, and 85% (17/20) of animals inoculated intranasally with live C. muridarum carried embryos in both uterine horns. No protection against infertility was observed in mice immunized with MOMP and CpG+Alum or OVA. In conclusion, this is the first time that a subunit vaccine has been shown to elicit a protective immune response in the highly susceptible C3H/HeN strain of mice against an upper genital challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Olga V Tatarenkova
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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