Genetic and immunologic characterization of a novel serotype 4, 15 strain of Neisseria meningitidis.
The porin proteins of Neisseria meningitidis are important components of outer membrane protein (OMP) vaccines. The class 3 porin gene, porB, of a novel serogroup B, serotype 4, 15 isolate from Chile (Ch501) was found to be VR1-4, VR2-15, VR3-15 and VR4-15 by porB variable region (VR) typing. Rabbit immunization studies using outer membrane vesicles revealed immunodominance of individual PorB (class 3) VR epitopes. The predominant anti-Ch501 PorB response was directed to the VR1 epitope. Anti-PorB VR1 mediated killing was suggested by the bactericidal activity of Ch501 anti-sera against a type 4 strain not expressing PorA or class 5 OMPs. Studies that examine the molecular epidemiology of individual porB VRs, and the immune responses to PorB epitopes, may contribute to the development of broadly protective group B meningococcal vaccines.
Bash
M C
MC
Division of Bacterial Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. bash@cber.fda.gov
Lynn
F
F
Concepcion
N F
NF
Tappero
J W
JW
Carlone
G M
GM
Frasch
C E
CE
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018272:Porins; D011817:Rabbits; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping; D014611:Vaccination
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D018272:Porins; C057699:porin protein, Neisseria