title: Protection of pigs against Chlamydia trachomatis challenge by administration of a MOMP-based DNA vaccine in the vaginal mucosa.
abstract: Plasmid DNA (pWRG7079::MOMP) expressing the major outer membrane protein of a human Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E strain was tested for the ability to induce an immune response and protect against experimental genital infection with the same serovar. The vaccine was tested in pigs, as they are genetically and physiologically related to humans and suitable for studying C. trachomatis infection of the genital system. To increase the immune response, GM-CSF, LTA and B and CpG motives were used as adjuvants. GM-CSF was administered seven days before immunization, while the other adjuvants were administered together with the vaccine. Ten pigs were randomly divided into two groups. One group received an intravaginal primo-vaccination and a booster of 500 μg pWRG7079::MOMP, while the other group received the placebo vaccine pWRG7079. All animals were challenged with 10(8) TCID(50) of C. trachomatis serovar E. Pigs immunized with the DNA vaccine showed significantly less macroscopic lesions, vaginal excretion and chlamydial replication in the genital tract, as compared to placebo-vaccinated controls. However, infection could not be completely cleared.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent B-9000, Belgium. Katelijn.Schautteet@UGent.be
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schautteet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stuyven
authors.forename: D S A
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Acker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiers
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanrompay
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D057138:Bacterial Shedding; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D018272:Porins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013552:Swine; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D018272:Porins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; C071677:omp1 protein, Chlamydia trachomatis