title: Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein-specific antibodies inhibit in vitro infection but enhance pathology in vivo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant worldwide health problem, and the often-asymptomatic disease can result in infertility. To develop a successful vaccine, a complete understanding of the immune response to chlamydial infection and development of genital tract pathology is required.
  
  
  METHODS
  We utilized the murine genital model of chlamydial infection. Mice were immunized with chlamydial major outer membrane protein, and vaginal lavage was assessed for the presence of neutralizing antibodies. These samples were then pre-incubated with Chlamydia muridarum and administered to the vaginal vaults of immune-competent female BALB/c mice to determine the effect on infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of C. muridarum in conjunction with neutralizing antibodies reduced the numbers of mice infected, but a surprising finding was that this accelerated the development of severe oviduct pathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibodies play an under-recognized role in chlamydial infection and pathology development, which possibly involves interaction with Th1 immunity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Timms
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Beagley
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D018899:CpG Islands; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D002772:Cholera Toxin