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TLR4-dependent adjuvant activity of Neisseria meningitidis lipid A

Susu Zughaier1, Liana Steeghs, Peter van der Ley

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1440 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Vaccine
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B lipopolysaccharide (LOS) and lipid A show adjuvant activity in mice, dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Unglycosylated lipid A may be a candidate for vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B lipopolysaccharide (LOS) and its lipid A component are investigated for their immune-stimulating properties.
  • Lipid A is a known Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist, crucial for innate immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the adjuvant activity of meningococcal LOS and lipid A in different mouse models.
  • To determine the role of TLR4 in the adjuvant effects of meningococcal LOS.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of adjuvant activity of wild-type LOS, LOS mutants, and purified meningococcal lipid A in C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice.
  • Measurement of antibody titers (IgG subclasses) against outer membrane protein (OMP) and assessment of bactericidal activity of induced antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Meningococcal lipid A and LOS demonstrated significant adjuvant activity in C3H/HeN mice, inducing high titers of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b against OMP.
  • Induced antibodies exhibited high bactericidal activity against serogroup B meningococci.
  • Adjuvant activity was TLR4-dependent, as evidenced by the lack of response in C3H/HeJ mice.

Conclusions:

  • Unglycosylated meningococcal lipid A retains adjuvant activity and may be a suitable candidate for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B vaccines.
  • The TLR4-dependent adjuvant properties of meningococcal lipid A suggest potential applications in other vaccine formulations.

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