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Luu LDW, Kasimov V, Phillips S, Myers GSA, Jelocnik M. Genome organization and genomics in Chlamydia: whole genome sequencing increases understanding of chlamydial virulence, evolution, and phylogeny. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1178736. [PMID: 37287464 PMCID: PMC10242142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1178736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia contains important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens to humans and animals, including C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Since 1998, when the first Chlamydia genome was published, our understanding of how these microbes interact, evolved and adapted to different intracellular host environments has been transformed due to the expansion of chlamydial genomes. This review explores the current state of knowledge in Chlamydia genomics and how whole genome sequencing has revolutionised our understanding of Chlamydia virulence, evolution, and phylogeny over the past two and a half decades. This review will also highlight developments in multi-omics and other approaches that have complemented whole genome sequencing to advance knowledge of Chlamydia pathogenesis and future directions for chlamydial genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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Suchland RJ, Carrell SJ, Ramsey SA, Hybiske K, Debrine AM, Sanchez J, Celum C, Rockey DD. Genomic Analysis of MSM Rectal Chlamydia trachomatis Isolates Identifies Predicted Tissue-Tropic Lineages Generated by Intraspecies Lateral Gene Transfer-Mediated Evolution. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0026522. [PMID: 36214558 PMCID: PMC9670952 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00265-22] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes serious diseases in humans. Rectal infection and disease caused by this pathogen are important yet understudied aspects of C. trachomatis natural history. The University of Washington Chlamydia Repository has a large collection of male-rectal-sourced strains (MSM rectal strains) isolated in Seattle, USA and Lima, Peru. Initial characterization of strains collected over 30 years in both Seattle and Lima led to an association of serovars G and J with male rectal infections. Serovar D, E, and F strains were also collected from MSM patients. Genome sequence analysis of a subset of MSM rectal strains identified a clade of serovar G and J strains that had high overall genomic identity. A genome-wide association study was then used to identify genomic loci that were correlated with tissue tropism in a collection of serovar-matched male rectal and female cervical strains. The polymorphic membrane protein PmpE had the strongest correlation, and amino acid sequence alignments identified a set of PmpE variable regions (VRs) that were correlated with host or tissue tropism. Examination of the positions of VRs by the protein structure-predicting Alphafold2 algorithm demonstrated that the VRs were often present in predicted surface-exposed loops in both PmpE and PmpH protein structure. Collectively, these studies identify possible tropism-predictive loci for MSM rectal C. trachomatis infections and identify predicted surface-exposed variable regions of Pmp proteins that may function in MSM rectal versus cervical tropism differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Suchland
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Steven J. Carrell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Stephen A. Ramsey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Kevin Hybiske
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Abigail M. Debrine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Connie Celum
- Departments of Global Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel D. Rockey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Chlamydia pecorum Ovine Abortion: Associations between Maternal Infection and Perinatal Mortality. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111367. [PMID: 34832523 PMCID: PMC8618313 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111367] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is a common gastrointestinal inhabitant of livestock but infections can manifest in a broad array of clinical presentations and in a range of host species. While C. pecorum is a known cause of ovine abortion, clinical cases have only recently been described in detail. Here, the prevalence and sequence types (STs) of C. pecorum in ewes from a property experiencing high levels of perinatal mortality (PNM) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were investigated using serological and molecular methods. Ewes that were PNM+ were statistically more likely to test seropositive compared to PNM− ewes and displayed higher antibody titres; however, an increase in chlamydial shedding from either the rectum, vagina or conjunctiva of PNM+ ewes was not observed. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) indicated that C. pecorum ST23 was the major ST shed by ewes in the flock, was the only ST identified from the vaginal site, and was the same ST detected within aborted foetal tissues. Whole genome sequencing of C. pecorum isolated from one abortion case revealed that the C. pecorum plasmid (pCpec) contained a unique deletion in coding sequence 1 (CDS1) that was also present in C. pecorum ST23 shed from the ewes. A further unique deletion was noted in a polymorphic membrane protein gene (pmpG) of the C. pecorum chromosome, which warrants further investigation given the role of PmpG in host cell adherence and tissue tropism.This study describes novel infection parameters in a sheep flock experiencing C. pecorum-associated perinatal mortality, provides the first genomic data from an abortigenic C. pecorum strain, and raises questions about possible links between unique genetic features of this strain and C. pecorum abortion.
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Designing a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis by Employing Integrated Core Proteomics, Immuno-Informatics and In Silico Approaches. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100997. [PMID: 34681096 PMCID: PMC8533590 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, a Gram-negative bacterium that infects the rectum, urethra, congenital sites, and columnar epithelium of the cervix. It is a major cause of preventable blindness, ectopic pregnancy, and bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. There is currently no licensed multi-epitope vaccination available for this pathogen. This study used core proteomics, immuno-informatics, and subtractive proteomics approaches to identify the best antigenic candidates for the development of a multi-epitope-based vaccine (MEBV). These approaches resulted in six vaccine candidates: Type III secretion system translocon subunit CopD2, SctW family type III secretion system gatekeeper subunit CopN, SycD/LcrH family type III secretion system chaperone Scc2, CT847 family type III secretion system effector, hypothetical protein CTDEC_0668, and CHLPN 76kDa-like protein. A variety of immuno-informatics tools were used to predict B and T cell epitopes from vaccine candidate proteins. An in silico vaccine was developed using carefully selected epitopes (11 CTL, 2 HTL & 10 LBL) and then docked with the MHC molecules (MHC I & MHC II) and human TLR4. The vaccine was coupled with Cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) adjuvant to boost the immune response. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, molecular docking, and MMGBSA analysis were carried out to analyze the molecular interactions and binding affinity of MEBV with TLR4 and MHC molecules. To achieve the highest level of vaccine protein expression, the MEBV was cloned and reverse-translated in Escherichia coli. The highest level of expression was achieved, and a CAI score of 0.97 was reported. Further experimental validation of the MEBV is required to prove its efficacy. The vaccine developed will be useful in preventing infections caused by C. trachomatis.
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Designing multi-epitope subunit vaccine for ocular trachoma infection using Chlamydia trachomatis polymorphic membrane proteins G. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Sigalova OM, Chaplin AV, Bochkareva OO, Shelyakin PV, Filaretov VA, Akkuratov EE, Burskaia V, Gelfand MS. Chlamydia pan-genomic analysis reveals balance between host adaptation and selective pressure to genome reduction. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:710. [PMID: 31510914 PMCID: PMC6740158 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia are ancient intracellular pathogens with reduced, though strikingly conserved genome. Despite their parasitic lifestyle and isolated intracellular environment, these bacteria managed to avoid accumulation of deleterious mutations leading to subsequent genome degradation characteristic for many parasitic bacteria. RESULTS We report pan-genomic analysis of sixteen species from genus Chlamydia including identification and functional annotation of orthologous genes, and characterization of gene gains, losses, and rearrangements. We demonstrate the overall genome stability of these bacteria as indicated by a large fraction of common genes with conserved genomic locations. On the other hand, extreme evolvability is confined to several paralogous gene families such as polymorphic membrane proteins and phospholipase D, and likely is caused by the pressure from the host immune system. CONCLUSIONS This combination of a large, conserved core genome and a small, evolvable periphery likely reflect the balance between the selective pressure towards genome reduction and the need to adapt to escape from the host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M. Sigalova
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- current address: European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrei V. Chaplin
- Microbiology and Virology Department, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga O. Bochkareva
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- current address: Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Pavel V. Shelyakin
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Evgeny E. Akkuratov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- current address: Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valentina Burskaia
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail S. Gelfand
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Computer Science, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
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Last AR, Pickering H, Roberts CH, Coll F, Phelan J, Burr SE, Cassama E, Nabicassa M, Seth-Smith HMB, Hadfield J, Cutcliffe LT, Clarke IN, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Clark TG, Thomson NR, Holland MJ. Population-based analysis of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis in trachoma-endemic West African communities identifies genomic markers of disease severity. Genome Med 2018; 10:15. [PMID: 29482619 PMCID: PMC5828069 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-018-0521-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common infectious cause of blindness and bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Ct strain-specific differences in clinical trachoma suggest that genetic polymorphisms in Ct may contribute to the observed variability in severity of clinical disease. METHODS Using Ct whole genome sequences obtained directly from conjunctival swabs, we studied Ct genomic diversity and associations between Ct genetic polymorphisms with ocular localization and disease severity in a treatment-naïve trachoma-endemic population in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. RESULTS All Ct sequences fall within the T2 ocular clade phylogenetically. This is consistent with the presence of the characteristic deletion in trpA resulting in a truncated non-functional protein and the ocular tyrosine repeat regions present in tarP associated with ocular tissue localization. We have identified 21 Ct non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with ocular localization, including SNPs within pmpD (odds ratio, OR = 4.07, p* = 0.001) and tarP (OR = 0.34, p* = 0.009). Eight synonymous SNPs associated with disease severity were found in yjfH (rlmB) (OR = 0.13, p* = 0.037), CTA0273 (OR = 0.12, p* = 0.027), trmD (OR = 0.12, p* = 0.032), CTA0744 (OR = 0.12, p* = 0.041), glgA (OR = 0.10, p* = 0.026), alaS (OR = 0.10, p* = 0.032), pmpE (OR = 0.08, p* = 0.001) and the intergenic region CTA0744-CTA0745 (OR = 0.13, p* = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the extent of genomic diversity within a naturally circulating population of ocular Ct and is the first to describe novel genomic associations with disease severity. These findings direct investigation of host-pathogen interactions that may be important in ocular Ct pathogenesis and disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. R. Last
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - H. Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - C. h. Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - F. Coll
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - J. Phelan
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - S. E. Burr
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, Fajara, Gambia
| | - E. Cassama
- Programa Nacional de Saúde de Visão, Ministério de Saúde Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - M. Nabicassa
- Programa Nacional de Saúde de Visão, Ministério de Saúde Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - H. M. B. Seth-Smith
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Clinical Microbiology, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - J. Hadfield
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - L. T. Cutcliffe
- Molecular Microbiology Group, University of Southampton Medical School, Southampton, UK
| | - I. N. Clarke
- Molecular Microbiology Group, University of Southampton Medical School, Southampton, UK
| | - D. C. W. Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - R. L. Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - T. G. Clark
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - N. R. Thomson
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - M. J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
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Immunization of a wild koala population with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (PMP) based vaccine: New insights into immune response, protection and clearance. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178786. [PMID: 28575080 PMCID: PMC5456371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the effects of two different single-dose anti-Chlamydia pecorum (C. pecorum) vaccines (containing either Major Outer Membrane Protein (3MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (Pmp) as antigens) on the immune response of a group of wild koalas. Both vaccines elicited a systemic humoral response as seen by the production of anti-chlamydial IgG antibodies in more than 90% of vaccinated koalas. A mucosal immune response was also observed, with an increase in Chlamydia-specific mucosal IgG and/or IgA antibodies in some koalas post-vaccination. Both vaccines elicited a cell-mediated immune response as measured by the production of the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 post-vaccination. To determine the level of protection provided by the vaccines under natural conditions we assessed C. pecorum infection loads and chlamydial disease status of all vaccinated koalas pre- and post-vaccination, compared to a non-vaccinated cohort from the same habitat. The MOMP vaccinated koalas that were infected on the day of vaccination showed significant clearance of their infection at 6 months post-vaccination. In contrast, the number of new infections in the PMP vaccine was similar to the control group, with some koalas progressing to disease. Genotyping of the ompA gene from the C. pecorum strains infecting the vaccinated animals, identified genetic variants of ompA-F genotype and a new genotype ompA-O. We found that those animals that were the least well protected became infected with strains of C. pecorum not covered by the vaccine. In conclusion, a single dose vaccine formulated with either recombinant PmpG or MOMP can elicit both cell-mediated and humoral (systemic and mucosal) immune responses, with the MOMP vaccine showing clearance of infection in all infected koalas. Although the capability of our vaccines to stimulate an adaptive response and be protective needs to be fully evaluated, this work illustrates the necessity to combine epitopes most relevant to a large panel of variable strains with an efficient adjuvant.
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Müller T, Becker E, Stallmann S, Waldhuber A, Römmler-Dreher F, Albrecht S, Mohr F, Hegemann JH, Miethke T. Vaccination with the polymorphic membrane protein A reduces Chlamydia muridarum induced genital tract pathology. Vaccine 2017; 35:2801-2810. [PMID: 28413133 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis serovars D-K are one of the most frequent causes of sexually transmitted infections of the female genital tract, with possible complications such as hydrosalpinx, pelvic inflammatory disease, extra-uterine gravidity or infertility. We used the murine genital tract infection model with C. muridarum for vaccination studies and found that more than 70% of the infected mice suffered from uterus dilatations and/or hydrosalpinx. Systemic consequences of the vaginal infection were apparent by splenomegaly ten to fifteen days post infection. While cultivable microorganisms were detectable for the first 23days post infection, the first lesions of the genital tract developed at day 15, however, many lesions occurred later in the absence of cultivable bacteria. Lesions were not accompanied by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFNɣ, TNF and IL-6, since these cytokines were almost undetectable in the genital tract 43days post infection. To prevent genital tract lesions, we vaccinated mice with the polymorphic membrane protein (Pmp) A in combination with CpG-ODN 1826 as adjuvant. The vaccine lowered the chlamydial burden and the differences were significant at day 10 post infection but not later. More importantly the vaccine decreased the rate and severity of genital tract lesions. Interestingly, control vaccination with the protein ovalbumin plus CpG-ODN 1826 enhanced significantly the severity but not the rate of pathologic lesions, which was presumably caused by the activation of innate immune responses by the adjuvant in the absence of a C. muridarum-specific adaptive immune response. In summary, vaccination with recombinant PmpA plus CpG-ODN 1826 significantly reduced C. muridarum-induced tissue damage, however, CpG-ODN 1826 may aggravate C. muridarum-induced tissue injuries in the absence of a protective antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Müller
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Becker
- Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraβe 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Stallmann
- Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraβe 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna Waldhuber
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Franziska Römmler-Dreher
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Simone Albrecht
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Mohr
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Johannes H Hegemann
- Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraβe 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Miethke
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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Paes W, Brown N, Brzozowski AM, Coler R, Reed S, Carter D, Bland M, Kaye PM, Lacey CJN. Recombinant polymorphic membrane protein D in combination with a novel, second-generation lipid adjuvant protects against intra-vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in mice. Vaccine 2016; 34:4123-4131. [PMID: 27389169 PMCID: PMC4967447 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.06.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
rPmpD in combination with SLA elicits significant protection against intra-vaginal Ct challenge. Antibodies induced by immunisation with rPmpD recognise Ct elementary bodies. SLA is a novel adjuvant class that may be widely used in future preclinical Ct vaccine development.
The development of a chlamydial vaccine that elicits protective mucosal immunity is of paramount importance in combatting the global spread of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections. While the identification and prioritization of chlamydial antigens is a crucial prerequisite for efficacious vaccine design, it is likely that novel adjuvant development and selection will also play a pivotal role in the translational potential of preclinical Ct vaccines. Although the molecular nature of the immuno-modulatory component is of primary importance, adjuvant formulation and delivery systems may also govern vaccine efficacy and potency. Our study provides the first preclinical evaluation of recombinant Ct polymorphic membrane protein D (rPmpD) in combination with three different formulations of a novel second-generation lipid adjuvant (SLA). SLA was rationally designed in silico by modification of glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA), a TLR4 agonistic precursor molecule currently in Phase II clinical development. We demonstrate robust protection against intra-vaginal Ct challenge in mice, evidenced by significantly enhanced resistance to infection and reduction in mean bacterial load. Strikingly, protection was found to correlate with the presence of robust anti-rPmpD serum and cervico-vaginal IgG titres, even in the absence of adjuvant-induced Th1-type cellular immune responses elicited by each SLA formulation, and we further show that anti-rPmpD antibodies recognize Ct EBs. These findings highlight the utility of SLA and rational molecular design of adjuvants in preclinical Ct vaccine development, but also suggest an important role for anti-rPmpD antibodies in protection against urogenital Ct infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Paes
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom; York Structural Biology Laboratory, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom.
| | - Naj Brown
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrzej M Brzozowski
- York Structural Biology Laboratory, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Rhea Coler
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98102, United States
| | - Steve Reed
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98102, United States
| | - Darrick Carter
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98102, United States
| | - Martin Bland
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M Kaye
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Charles J N Lacey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
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Andersson P, Harris SR, Smith HMBS, Hadfield J, O'Neill C, Cutcliffe LT, Douglas FP, Asche LV, Mathews JD, Hutton SI, Sarovich DS, Tong SYC, Clarke IN, Thomson NR, Giffard PM. Chlamydia trachomatis from Australian Aboriginal people with trachoma are polyphyletic composed of multiple distinctive lineages. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10688. [PMID: 26912299 PMCID: PMC4773424 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted infections and the blinding disease trachoma. Current data on C. trachomatis phylogeny show that there is only a single trachoma-causing clade, which is distinct from the lineages causing urogenital tract (UGT) and lymphogranuloma venerum diseases. Here we report the whole-genome sequences of ocular C. trachomatis isolates obtained from young children with clinical signs of trachoma in a trachoma endemic region of northern Australia. The isolates form two lineages that fall outside the classical trachoma lineage, instead being placed within UGT clades of the C. trachomatis phylogenetic tree. The Australian trachoma isolates appear to be recombinants with UGT C. trachomatis genome backbones, in which loci that encode immunodominant surface proteins (ompA and pmpEFGH) have been replaced by those characteristic of classical ocular isolates. This suggests that ocular tropism and association with trachoma are functionally associated with some sequence variants of ompA and pmpEFGH. Chlamydia trachomatis isolates causing a blinding disease (trachoma) form a single lineage that is different from the lineages causing urogenital infections. Here, Andersson et al. show however that trachoma isolates from Australia are more closely related to urogenital strains than to other trachoma isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patiyan Andersson
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - Simon R Harris
- Pathogen Variation Programme, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Helena M B Seth Smith
- Pathogen Variation Programme, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Functional Genomics Centre Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8057, Switzerland.,Institute for Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8057, Switzerland
| | - James Hadfield
- Pathogen Variation Programme, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Colette O'Neill
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, Molecular Microbiology Group, University Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Lesley T Cutcliffe
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, Molecular Microbiology Group, University Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Fiona P Douglas
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - L Valerie Asche
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - John D Mathews
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Susan I Hutton
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - Derek S Sarovich
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
| | - Ian N Clarke
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, Molecular Microbiology Group, University Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Pathogen Variation Programme, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Philip M Giffard
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia.,School of Psychological and Clinical Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia
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Mihailovic J, Inic-Kanada A, Smiljanic K, Stein E, Barisani-Asenbauer T, Cirkovic Velickovic T. Lysine acetylation of major Chlamydia trachomatis antigens. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2016; 10:63-69. [PMID: 29900103 PMCID: PMC5988610 DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis causes trachoma and sexually transmitted diseases. Molecular mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenesis and immunity remain unclear. Acetylation of lysine is a post-translational modification that occurs in prokaryotes. Lysine acetylation sites were discovered in major chlamydial antigens. 60 kDa chaperonin, EF-G and PmpB showed the highest degree of acetylation.
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a human pathogen causing trachoma and infertility. We investigated acetylation at lysine residues of chlamydial antigenic proteins: major outer membrane protein (MOMP), 60 kDa chaperonin (chlamydial Hsp60), elongation factor G (EF-G), enolase and the polymorphic membrane proteins PmpB, PmpE and PmpF. 60 kDa chaperonin, EF-G and PmpB showed the highest degree of acetylation. Our data show that important Ct antigens could be post-translationally modified by acetylation of lysine residues at multiple sites. Further studies are needed to investigate total acetylome of Ct and the impact PTMs might have on Ct biology and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Mihailovic
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, University of BelgradeFaculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Inic-Kanada
- OCUVACCenter of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centers of Expertise, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarina Smiljanic
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, University of BelgradeFaculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Elisabeth Stein
- OCUVACCenter of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centers of Expertise, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Talin Barisani-Asenbauer
- OCUVACCenter of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centers of Expertise, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tanja Cirkovic Velickovic
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, University of BelgradeFaculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
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