title: Characterization of protective immune responses promoted by human antigen targets in a urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis mouse model.
abstract: A vaccine against genital tract infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is urgently needed. We have previously identified a number of immunodominant human T- and/or B-cell antigen targets in patients with a C. trachomatis infection. Herein we use a urogenital C. trachomatis mouse model to investigate the protective efficacy of these antigens. C3H/HeN mice were immunized with recombinant antigens formulated in the adjuvant CAF01. Immunity post vaccination was analyzed and the protective efficacy against vaginal challenge with C. trachomatis was monitored by vaginal swabbing. All antigens elicited a significant immune response when administered in CAF01 but the balance between CMI and humoral responses differed markedly for the different antigens. Six (CT443, CT043, CT858, CT610, CT004 and CT681) antigens were found to be protective. We demonstrated by T-cell depletion studies that the protection promoted by the two antigens CT043 and CT004 was mediated by CD4(+) T-cells. Both antigens are frequently recognized by T-cells during a natural Chlamydia infection in humans and if included in a future multi-component Chlamydia vaccine probably would operate mainly through the induction of a CMI response.
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: aol@ssi.dk.
authors.forename: Anja Weinreich
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Follmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines
keywords: CT004; CT043; Chlamydia trachomatis; Vaccine