Immunogenicity of meningococcal PBP2 during natural infection and protective activity of anti-PBP2 antibodies against meningococcal bacteraemia in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the immunogenicity of the meningococcal penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) and its potential as a vaccine candidate.


METHODS
The immunogenicity of meningococcal PBP2 was investigated using acute and convalescent sera from patients who recovered from meningococcal disease. Sera were tested against purified recombinant PBP2s corresponding to meningococcal isolates of different genetic lineages, of different serogroups and with various susceptibility levels to penicillin G. Mice were vaccinated with recombinant PBP2 and challenged with Neisseria meningitidis. A purified anti-PBP2 rabbit IgG was also used for passive protection experiments in mice.


RESULTS
Convalescent patients' sera recognized PBP2s from different strains, showing that this protein is immunogenic in meningococcal disease. Vaccination with purified recombinant PBP2 and purified anti-PBP2 rabbit IgG antibody conferred protection against experimental meningococcaemia in mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These data argue for considering meningococcal PBP2 as a vaccine candidate.
Zarantonelli
Maria Leticia
ML
Neisseria Unit, National Reference Center for Meningococci, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France. lzaranto@pasteur.fr
Antignac
Aude
A
Lancellotti
Marcelo
M
Guiyoule
Annie
A
Alonso
Jean-Michel
JM
Taha
Muhamed-Kheir
MK
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins