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Studies on P6, an important outer-membrane protein antigen of Haemophilus influenzae
M B Nelson1, T F Murphy, H van Keulen
1School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo 14215.
Insights
P6, a conserved outer-membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae, is a promising vaccine candidate. It is surface-exposed, targeted by human bactericidal antibodies, and its gene can be cloned for further study.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Haemophilus influenzae is a significant human pathogen.
- Outer membrane proteins are key targets for vaccines.
- P6 is an outer membrane protein of H. influenzae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate P6 as a potential vaccine candidate against H. influenzae.
- To characterize the properties of P6 relevant to vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Outer-membrane protein profiling.
- Monoclonal and polyclonal antibody analysis.
- Immunostaining techniques.
- Affinity chromatography.
- Gene cloning into E. coli.
Main Results:
- P6 is present in all tested H. influenzae strains.
- P6 is surface-exposed and highly conserved.
- P6 is targeted by human bactericidal antibodies.
- The P6 gene was successfully cloned into E. coli.
Conclusions:
- P6 exhibits desirable characteristics for a vaccine candidate.
- P6 is a conserved, surface-exposed antigen targeted by bactericidal antibodies.
- Cloning the P6 gene facilitates further research into its role in immunity.
Abstract:
P6, a 16,600-dalton outer-membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae, possesses many characteristics desired of a vaccine candidate. The protein is present in all strains of H. influenzae tested by analyses of outer-membrane protein profiles and with a monoclonal antibody. P6 is surface-exposed, as demonstrated by immunostaining techniques. Studies using monoclonal and polyclonal antisera indicate that P6 is a highly conserved antigen on the outer membrane of H. influenzae. Finally, experiments using affinity chromatography and normal human serum establish that P6 is a target of human bactericidal antibodies. The gene encoding P6 has been isolated and cloned into Escherichia coli, an accomplishment that will facilitate molecular analysis of the role of P6 in human immunity to H. influenzae.