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Proctor J, Stadler M, Cortes LM, Brodsky D, Poisson L, Gerdts V, Smirnov AI, Smirnova TI, Barua S, Leahy D, Beagley KW, Harris JM, Darville T, Käser T. A TriAdj-Adjuvanted Chlamydia trachomatis CPAF Protein Vaccine Is Highly Immunogenic in Pigs. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:423. [PMID: 38675805 PMCID: PMC11054031 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040423] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Despite effective antibiotics for Ct, undetected infections or delayed treatment can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain. Besides humans, chlamydia poses similar health challenges in animals such as C. suis (Cs) in pigs. Based on the similarities between humans and pigs, as well as their chlamydia species, we use pigs as a large biomedical animal model for chlamydia research. In this study, we used the pig model to develop a vaccine candidate against Ct. The vaccine candidate consists of TriAdj-adjuvanted chlamydial-protease-like activity factor (CPAF) protein. We tested two weekly administration options-twice intranasal (IN) followed by twice intramuscular (IM) and twice IM followed by twice IN. We assessed the humoral immune response in both serum using CPAF-specific IgG (including antibody avidity determination) and also in cervical and rectal swabs using CPAF-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs. The systemic T-cell response was analyzed following in vitro CPAF restimulation via IFN-γ and IL-17 ELISpots, as well as intracellular cytokine staining flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that while the IN/IM vaccination mainly led to non-significant systemic immune responses, the vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic if administered IM/IN. This vaccination strategy induced high serum anti-CPAF IgG levels with strong avidity, as well as high IgA and IgG levels in vaginal and rectal swabs and in uterine horn flushes. In addition, this vaccination strategy prompted a pronounced cellular immune response. Besides inducing IL-17 production, the vaccine candidate induced a strong IFN-γ response with CD4 T cells. In IM/IN-vaccinated pigs, these cells also significantly downregulated their CCR7 expression, a sign of differentiation into peripheral-tissue-homing effector/memory cells. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the strong immunogenicity of the IM/IN-administered TriAdj-adjuvanted Ct CPAF vaccine candidate. Future studies will test the vaccine efficacy of this promising Ct vaccine candidate. In addition, this project demonstrates the suitability of the Cs pre-exposed outbred pig model for Ct vaccine development. Thereby, we aim to open the bottleneck of large animal models to facilitate the progression of Ct vaccine candidates into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Proctor
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Maria Stadler
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Center of Pathobiology, Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lizette M. Cortes
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - David Brodsky
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Lydia Poisson
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A3, Canada
| | - Alex I. Smirnov
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Tatyana I. Smirnova
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Subarna Barua
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
| | - Darren Leahy
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Jonathan M. Harris
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Tobias Käser
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Center of Pathobiology, Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Ngombe Mouabata DFL, Boumba ALM, Massengo NRB, Pouki FS, Moukassa D, Ennaji MM. Prevalence of co-infection with human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis and risk factors associated with cervical cancer in Congolese women. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105287. [PMID: 38163457 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most frequently diagnosed viruses in developing countries. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is an important cofactor in HPV-induced cervical cancer. Cervico-uterine smears were taken for cytology, and a total of 131 samples were analysed. HPV prevalence and CT were detected using specific primers (L1 gene and omp-1 gene). 23 (17.5 %) HPV-only samples were detected, CT-only positives were 10 (7.6 %). And HPV/CT co-infection was 13 (9.9 %). Identified risk factors associated with HPV/CT co-infection were risky sexual behaviour and cytology status. The prevalence of HPV and CT and their co-infection rates being high in our study population, may be an indicator of cervical cancer risk. Consequently, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and take appropriate precautions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorine Florence Luthera Ngombe Mouabata
- Team of Virology Oncology and Biotechnologies Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment and New Energy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Anicet Luc Magloire Boumba
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo; Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Polyclinique de la Fondation Marie Madeleine Gombes, Congo; Pointe-Noire Research Zone, National Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSSA), Brazzaville, Congo
| | | | - Freddy Saturnin Pouki
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Donatien Moukassa
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Moulay Mustapha Ennaji
- Team of Virology Oncology and Biotechnologies Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment and New Energy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
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Akbari E, Milani A, Seyedinkhorasani M, Bolhassani A. HPV co-infections with other pathogens in cancer development: A comprehensive review. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29236. [PMID: 37997472 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) cause various malignancies in the anogenital and oropharyngeal regions. About 70% of cervical and oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV types 16 and 18. Notably, some viruses including herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human immunodeficiency virus along with various bacteria often interact with HPV, potentially impacting its replication, persistence, and cancer progression. Thus, HPV infection can be significantly influenced by co-infecting agents that influence infection dynamics and disease progression. Bacterial co-infections (e.g., Chlamydia trachomatis) along with bacterial vaginosis-related species also interact with HPV in genital tract leading to viral persistence and disease outcomes. Co-infections involving HPV and diverse infectious agents have significant implications for disease transmission and clinical progression. This review explores multiple facets of HPV infection encompassing the co-infection dynamics with other pathogens, interaction with the human microbiome, and its role in disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Akbari
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Ghasemian E, Harding-Esch E, Mabey D, Holland MJ. When Bacteria and Viruses Collide: A Tale of Chlamydia trachomatis and Sexually Transmitted Viruses. Viruses 2023; 15:1954. [PMID: 37766360 PMCID: PMC10536055 DOI: 10.3390/v15091954] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The global incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 1 million people acquire STIs daily. STIs can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, and cancers. Co-infections with multiple pathogens are prevalent among individuals with an STI and can lead to heightened infectivity and more severe clinical manifestations. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most reported bacterial STI worldwide in both men and women, and several studies have demonstrated co-infection of CT with viral and other bacterial STIs. CT is a gram-negative bacterium with a unique biphasic developmental cycle including infectious extracellular elementary bodies (EBs) and metabolically active intracellular reticulate bodies (RBs). The intracellular form of this organism, RBs, has evolved mechanisms to persist for long periods within host epithelial cells in a viable but non-cultivable state. The co-infections of CT with the most frequently reported sexually transmitted viruses: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. These research studies have made significant strides in unraveling the intricate interactions between CT, these viral STIs, and their eukaryotic host. In this review, we present an overview of the epidemiology of these co-infections, while specifically delineating the underlying mechanisms by which CT influences the transmission and infection dynamics of HIV and HSV. Furthermore, we explore the intricate relationship between CT and HPV infection, with a particular emphasis on the heightened risk of cervical cancer. By consolidating the current body of knowledge, we provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics and implications of co-infection involving CT and sexually transmitted viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (E.H.-E.); (D.M.); (M.J.H.)
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