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Human antibody responses to the meningococcal factor H binding protein (LP2086) during invasive disease, colonization

Dlawer A A Ala'aldeen1, Mike Flint, Neil J Oldfield

  • 1Molecular Bacteriology and Immunology Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom. daa@nottingham.ac.uk

Vaccine
|September 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Antibody levels against Neisseria meningitidis factor H binding protein (fHBP) were measured in carriers, non-carriers, and patients with invasive disease. Carriers showed higher anti-fHBP antibodies, suggesting in vivo expression during carriage and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B causes significant disease.
  • Factor H binding protein (fHBP) is a key target in developing vaccines against serogroup B.
  • Limited understanding exists regarding host antibody responses to fHBP during natural meningococcal carriage and invasive disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal antibody response to fHBP in individuals with and without Neisseria meningitidis carriage, and in patients experiencing invasive meningococcal disease.
  • To determine if fHBP elicits a detectable antibody response in vivo during natural infection or carriage.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study design was employed.
  • Quantitative immunoassay was used to measure anti-fHBP antibody concentrations in serum samples.
  • Sera were collected from healthy meningococcal carriers, healthy non-carriers, and patients with invasive meningococcal disease.

Main Results:

  • Anti-fHBP antibodies were detected in all study participants (carriers, non-carriers, and patients).
  • Healthy carriers exhibited significantly higher anti-fHBP antibody concentrations compared to non-carriers.
  • Patients with invasive meningococcal disease showed antibody responses upon hospital admission that rose to levels comparable to carriers.
  • No correlation was found between in vitro expressed surface fHBP levels and antibody response magnitude.

Conclusions:

  • Factor H binding protein (fHBP) elicits a robust antibody response during natural Neisseria meningitidis carriage and invasive disease.
  • fHBP is likely expressed in vivo at sufficient levels during both carriage and disease to stimulate antibody production.
  • Understanding these natural antibody responses provides crucial insights for the development and efficacy of fHBP-based vaccines.

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